500 Labs

500 Global, formerly known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in seed investments, primarily focusing on early-stage technology and financial services startups across various sectors, including biotech, e-commerce, fintech, and digital healthcare. 500 Global operates a four-month accelerator program, where it typically invests between $0.05 million and $1 million for a 5 to 10 percent equity stake in companies with at least $100,000 in monthly revenue. The firm targets a global market, with particular emphasis on regions such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Since its inception, it has invested in over 2,200 startups and supports the growth of innovation ecosystems through educational programs and partnerships. 500 Global also prioritizes investments in companies led by minority founders, reflecting its commitment to diverse entrepreneurial leadership.

Amjad Ahmad

General Partner

Chandini Ammineni

Partner

André Marcel Bally

Investor Relations Associate

Timothy Chae

Managing Partner

Amal Enan

Partner

Max Fram-Schwartz

Venture Partner

Christine Herron

Advisor

Twwo Pun Jaruthassanakul

Investment Associate

Yolanda Kim

Principal

Matt Lerner

Partner

Jon Li

Director, Investor Relations

Jasmine Liew

Investment Manager

Robert Neivert

Venture Partner

Khailee Ng

Managing Partner

Krating Poonpol Ph.D

Partner

Ruangroj Poonpol

Venture Partner

Natavudh Pungcharoenpong

Partner

Mameaw Sapprasert

Partner

Reena Sharma

Investor Relations Associate

Mike Sigal

Partner, FinTech

Sanjay Singhal

Partner, Canada

Tanya Soman

Venture Partner

Paulina Szyrmer

Head of Global Education

Pat Naranpat Thitipattakul

Investor

Christine Tsai

Co-Founder, Partner & Chief Executive Officer

Tony Wang

Managing Partner

Bedy Yang

Managing Partner

Paul Yoo

Chief Financial Officer

Past deals in Tokyo

Holmes

Venture Round in 2020
Holmes Inc. develops a digital platform specialized in contracts. Its platform is used to create, approve, conclude, and manage contracts. The company serves customers worldwide. Holmes Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Graffer

Series A in 2019
Graffer is a citizens' movement in the form of a start-up that brings the future to life. Graffer is to create a free and open social infrastructure that solves the various challenges of the traditional government system and enables individuals and businesses to take action smoothly.

Shippio

Series A in 2019
Shippio, Inc. specializes in digital freight forwarding services, facilitating the import and export processes for its clients. The company centralizes shipping status, manages customs documents, and provides contact information, ensuring a smooth operation through responsive customer support. Shippio's platform offers comprehensive logistics services, including international shipping, trucking, warehousing, and packaging, along with capabilities for documentation management and transport arrangements from various ports. It features a dedicated dashboard for shipment tracking, cost analysis, and invoice management, allowing businesses to efficiently handle their logistics needs. Founded in 2016 and based in Tokyo, Japan, Shippio was previously known as Circle-in Corp. before its name change in January 2017.

HiCustomer

Series A in 2019
HiCustomer Co., Ltd., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing a customer success management platform tailored for software as a service (SaaS) operators. The platform offers tools that aggregate and visualize critical customer information, including usage status, communication history, and sales data. It calculates customer health scores and detects withdrawal signs from usage patterns, allowing organizations to enhance customer lifetime value and improve relationships. By empowering customer success teams with actionable insights, HiCustomer enables clients to optimize their resources and drive business growth effectively.

SORA

Series A in 2019
MagicPrice - Pricing AI for Hotels

Noin

Seed Round in 2019
Noin, Inc. offers online content creation and media development services. The company also offers sales account management and social media management services for online businesses. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Logiless

Seed Round in 2019
LOGILESS inc. offers logistics warehouse services. The company develops Logiless, an application which provides warehouse management system ( WMS ), a cloud-type system that uses logistics to judge the shipping source from multiple warehouses and provide instruction. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

DentaLight

Seed Round in 2019
DentaLight Inc. is a dental care company based in Fukuoka City, Japan, with an additional office in Tokyo. Founded in 2013, DentaLight develops MyDental, a dental application designed to help users manage their oral health. In addition to its app, the company provides marketing and consulting services tailored for dental clinics, as well as dental management and seminar planning for both dental and medical businesses.

Holmes

Series A in 2019
Holmes Inc. develops a digital platform specialized in contracts. Its platform is used to create, approve, conclude, and manage contracts. The company serves customers worldwide. Holmes Inc. was founded in 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Legalscape

Seed Round in 2018
Legalscape empowers is legal professionals.

Sumutasu

Seed Round in 2018
Sumutasu, Inc. develops and sells residential properties in Japan. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

CAPS

Seed Round in 2018
CAPS is focused on creating a healthcare ecosystem that emphasizes primary care and preventive health measures. The company operates a clinic chain management business that provides a range of health management support services. These services include the management of fitness facilities, online health counseling, and assistance in promoting medical institutions. By enhancing the operational efficiency of healthcare organizations, CAPS aims to improve patient satisfaction and foster a healthier society.

Coaster Beer

Seed Round in 2018
Coaster Beer is Tokyo's best craft beer delivery app.

HiCustomer

Seed Round in 2018
HiCustomer Co., Ltd., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing a customer success management platform tailored for software as a service (SaaS) operators. The platform offers tools that aggregate and visualize critical customer information, including usage status, communication history, and sales data. It calculates customer health scores and detects withdrawal signs from usage patterns, allowing organizations to enhance customer lifetime value and improve relationships. By empowering customer success teams with actionable insights, HiCustomer enables clients to optimize their resources and drive business growth effectively.

Zineyou

Seed Round in 2018
Zineyou, Inc. is a company based in Minato, Japan, that specializes in creating a communication marketplace for the food and drink industry, connecting eateries with wholesalers. Established in 2015, Zineyou focuses on various aspects of internet business, including planning, development, management, marketing, and promotion. By facilitating efficient communication and transactions between restaurants and suppliers, Zineyou aims to streamline the procurement process within the industry.

justInCase

Seed Round in 2018
justInCase, Inc. provides smartphone repair cost, accident, and credit card insurance services. The company also offers a mobile application which enables users to buy insurance coverage from insurance providers, for repair cost insurance; upload photos and details of a smart-phone or wearable device; and use artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the premium. Additionally, it allows users to pool to pay insurance premiums. justInCase, Inc. was founded in 2016 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Circle-in

Seed Round in 2018
Circlein is a provider of cloud-based global transportation management software. Circle-in provides web forwarding service named “shippio”. They make the positive contribution to the trading world.

DIGGLE

Seed Round in 2018
DIGGLE is a service that provides fundamental management accounting management on the cloud called fraud management. It is possible to reduce the mistakes and man-hours of the fraud management task and easily carry out the fraud management task even if it is not an expert in finance or accounting. DIGGLE covers budget creation work and budget record comparison work, especially in the foreman management work. In the budget creation work, the KPI and the budget are automatically created by inputting the target numerical value to the preset parameters utilizing the budget generator function, while the forecast contrasting work is made up of the financial information, non-financial information It is easy to calculate by simply entering the numerical value, and it is possible to carry out calculation of the forecast contrast.

Deal Connect

Seed Round in 2018
Deal Connect is a Japanese company specializing in iron recycling, offering innovative solutions to streamline the dispatch process for scrap traders. The company's delivery management platform simplifies the complexities associated with dispatching by incorporating a delivery reservation system, unmanned truck scales, and paperless weighing slips. This integrated approach allows scrap traders to efficiently manage and allocate their dispatch work, enhancing operational productivity and reducing the administrative burden associated with logistics in the recycling industry.

Connected Robotics

Seed Round in 2017
Connected Robotics Inc, founded in 2014 and based in Koganei-shi, Japan, specializes in designing and manufacturing robotic arms tailored for the food service industry. Their flagship product, OctoChef, addresses labor shortages in restaurants by utilizing advanced artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies to streamline cooking processes. The company's solutions are aimed at a diverse clientele, including individual restaurants, shopping malls, service areas, amusement centers, and large-scale events. By enhancing kitchen efficiency and enabling the provision of healthy meals, Connected Robotics aims to improve the work environment for staff and contribute positively to society.

Genomelink

Seed Round in 2017
Genomelink operates a genome research and data platform that allows users to upload their DNA data to uncover various genetic traits. The platform provides insights into ancestry, body traits, nutrition, sports, personality, and intelligence. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, with an additional office in Tokyo, Genomelink aims to enhance individual understanding of genetics while supporting businesses in research, marketing, and development through DNA data. The company benefits from the expertise of its founders, who have extensive experience in the consumer genomics sector, including roles in notable organizations such as M3, Inc. and a collaboration between Illumina and Sony. Genomelink has successfully raised $4 million in seed funding from prominent investors, including Berkeley SkyDeck and various Japanese venture capital firms, and is supported by established institutions such as Illumina Accelerator and Stanford University’s Carlos Bustamante Lab.

Authlete

Seed Round in 2017
Authlete, Inc. provides software development, planning, operation, and maintenance of Authlete Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS). It also offers consulting services related to Authlete Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS). Authlete, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

MoBagel

Seed Round in 2017
MoBagel, Inc. specializes in developing cloud-based software that focuses on device analytics and automated data processing, enabling enterprises to leverage artificial intelligence for decision-making. The company's flagship product, Decanter AI, provides automated machine learning capabilities, allowing data scientists and business analysts to create predictive models through an intuitive visual interface. This empowers organizations across various sectors, including banking, finance, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government, to address business challenges effectively. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Jose, California, MoBagel also maintains offices in Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo, underscoring its commitment to facilitating AI-driven insights and value creation for global enterprises.

Insider

Venture Round in 2017
Insider is a growth management platform that assists digital marketers in enhancing their customer engagement throughout the marketing funnel, from acquisition to retention and revenue generation. The platform utilizes real-time predictive segmentation powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling marketers to create personalized customer journeys across various channels, including web, mobile apps, and advertising. Designed for ease of implementation, Insider's unified data layer eliminates the need for complex integrations, allowing marketers to focus on driving growth without inefficiencies. The company aims to optimize marketing effectiveness by improving return on ad spend, driving conversions, and facilitating product discovery. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, Insider has expanded its presence globally with offices in multiple cities, including London, Tokyo, and Dubai. The company has received recognition for its innovative solutions and leadership, including listings in prestigious startup rankings.

Credit Engine

Seed Round in 2017
Spinned out from LENDY, the balance-sheet online lending service for SMBs, Credit Engine is the only player that provides online lending platform for financial institutions in Japan. The company is founded in Nov 2018. Its online lending platform enables financial institutions to launch their lending service of their own brand with sophisticated user interface and streamlined operation processes. The platform is selected by Japanese top-tier banks including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group.

LENDY Japan

Seed Round in 2017
Lendy is an Operation of online lending service

H2O Hospitality

Seed Round in 2016
H2O Hospitality, Ltd. is a leading provider of hospitality management services in the Korean and Japanese markets, specializing in vacation rental management. Founded in 2015 and based in Seoul, South Korea, the company offers a range of services including profit management, housekeeping and facility management, customer call response, online sales and marketing, reservation and inventory management, and review management. H2O Hospitality stands out in the industry by employing a proprietary property management system that automates operational processes, allowing for the efficient management of accommodation facilities without the need for on-site staff. This automation not only streamlines operations but also significantly reduces fixed operational costs, thereby enhancing the overall yield of the managed facilities.

SORA

Convertible Note in 2016
MagicPrice - Pricing AI for Hotels

Pocket Concierge

Series A in 2016
Pocket Menu Inc. operates Pocket Concierge, an online platform that provides restaurant reservation and payment services across major Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, and Osaka. Established in 2011 and based in Tokyo, the service offers users access to popular restaurants known for their high ratings and favorable reviews in renowned dining guides. As of January 2019, Pocket Menu Inc. functions as a subsidiary of American Express International, Inc., enhancing its capabilities in the hospitality sector.

Alphaus

Seed Round in 2015
Alphaus is a company founded in January 2015 by Wayland Zhang, focusing on developing and operating IT cloud services, notably the Mobingi Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) platform. This Software-as-a-Service solution is designed to simplify and automate cloud operations for businesses of all sizes. Mobingi ALM provides tools for cloud infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, and application lifecycle automation, allowing users to manage applications seamlessly across multiple servers. The platform features an intuitive web interface, enabling users to deploy and manage server infrastructure with ease, catering to those unfamiliar with command-line interfaces. Alphaus aims to enhance the accessibility of cloud computing, targeting development teams and organizations looking to streamline their cloud operations. The service has already been implemented by companies such as SB Cloud and Fujitsu, with plans for future expansion into various sectors to support businesses with varying levels of cloud expertise.

ZEST

Seed Round in 2015
ZEST is an IT firm that offers consulting and management support services to its clients. It is based in Tokyo.

MoBagel

Seed Round in 2015
MoBagel, Inc. specializes in developing cloud-based software that focuses on device analytics and automated data processing, enabling enterprises to leverage artificial intelligence for decision-making. The company's flagship product, Decanter AI, provides automated machine learning capabilities, allowing data scientists and business analysts to create predictive models through an intuitive visual interface. This empowers organizations across various sectors, including banking, finance, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications, and government, to address business challenges effectively. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Jose, California, MoBagel also maintains offices in Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo, underscoring its commitment to facilitating AI-driven insights and value creation for global enterprises.

Opn

Series A in 2015
SYNQA is a holding company founded in 2015 with expertise in Asia. SYNQA specializes in online payment, blockchain technology for fintech, and digital transformation. SYNQA connects people, businesses and society in innovative ways that spread the wealth of financial opportunity and provide fair and open access to a growing economic ecosystem.

Pocket Supernova

Seed Round in 2014
Pocket Supernova Inc., founded in 2013 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing video-messaging and mobile applications. One of its primary offerings is Unda, an application that allows users to record videos and enhance them with text and graphics. In addition to Unda, Pocket Supernova has also created other applications such as Video Selfie and WatchMe, a messaging app. The company focuses on providing innovative solutions in the realm of video communication and mobile interaction.

OKpanda

Seed Round in 2014
OKpanda Inc. operates a mobile-based English learning application that combines social interaction and gaming elements to facilitate language acquisition. The platform offers live video lessons, instant messaging, and a comprehensive digital curriculum, allowing users to engage in interactive conversations with qualified English teachers. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Tokyo and Berlin, OKpanda targets the multi-billion dollar English learning market in Asia, particularly focusing on Japan. This market is characterized by poor learning outcomes and a heavy reliance on traditional language schools. By providing personalized learning paths and affordable online instruction, OKpanda aims to enhance the learning experience and prevent students from giving up, addressing a common obstacle faced by learners in the field.

Paidy

Series A in 2014
Paidy Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that offers a cardless payment platform for online shopping. Founded in 2008 and formerly known as Exchange Corporation K.K., Paidy allows consumers to make purchases using just their name and email address, eliminating the need for credit cards or pre-registration. The service is designed for mobile and instant-checkout, enabling users to buy online and settle their payments through a consolidated monthly bill. Paidy employs proprietary technology to assess creditworthiness, underwrite transactions, and ensure payment to merchants. This innovative approach caters to Japanese consumers who prefer not to use credit cards, thereby helping online vendors enhance their conversion rates, increase average order values, and encourage repeat purchases.

Breaker

Seed Round in 2014
Breaker Inc. is a Tokyo-based digital studio established in 2013 that specializes in creating videos and movies for promotional purposes. The company is involved in various aspects of media production, including film and television program production, as well as commercial production. Additionally, Breaker offers services in influencer marketing, inbound marketing, artist management, event planning, and video analysis. Through its comprehensive approach, Breaker aims to cater to diverse client needs within the digital media landscape.

Tokyo Otaku Mode

Series A in 2014
Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. operates a platform for Japanese otaku news and content. It distributes otaku content, including anime, manga, event reports, news, and others. The company operates otakumode.com that provides user-generated content of otaku related artwork, cosplay photos, and others; and publishes Japanese otaku news articles in English. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Portland, Oregon with a branch in Mitaka-shi, Japan.

OKpanda

Seed Round in 2013
OKpanda Inc. operates a mobile-based English learning application that combines social interaction and gaming elements to facilitate language acquisition. The platform offers live video lessons, instant messaging, and a comprehensive digital curriculum, allowing users to engage in interactive conversations with qualified English teachers. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Tokyo and Berlin, OKpanda targets the multi-billion dollar English learning market in Asia, particularly focusing on Japan. This market is characterized by poor learning outcomes and a heavy reliance on traditional language schools. By providing personalized learning paths and affordable online instruction, OKpanda aims to enhance the learning experience and prevent students from giving up, addressing a common obstacle faced by learners in the field.

Peatix

Series A in 2013
Peatix Inc. is a global event registration platform that offers tools for event organizers to create, promote, manage, and sell tickets for events of all sizes. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Peatix has facilitated over 30,000 events, ranging from concerts to conferences. The platform provides a mobile-centric solution, enhancing the event experience through social interactions and discovery features available on its mobile applications and website. With a focus on affordability, Peatix offers low ticketing fees and customizable event pages, making it easier for organizers to manage their events effectively. Since its launch, Peatix has expanded its operations to the United States and Singapore, supported by various investors in the technology and venture capital sectors.

Coursebase

Seed Round in 2013
Coursebase, Inc. is a company that develops and operates a web application designed for delivering and managing training programs for employees, compliance, customers, and channel partners across various industries. The company's primary product is a learning management system that streamlines the processes of course registration, assignment grading, email notifications, surveys, and reporting for both online and in-person training courses. This system enables clients to efficiently create courses and administer assessments to their staff. Founded in 2012 and based in Shibuya, Japan, Coursebase was previously known as Language Cloud, Inc., before rebranding in December 2014.

Tokyo Otaku Mode

Seed Round in 2012
Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. operates a platform for Japanese otaku news and content. It distributes otaku content, including anime, manga, event reports, news, and others. The company operates otakumode.com that provides user-generated content of otaku related artwork, cosplay photos, and others; and publishes Japanese otaku news articles in English. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Portland, Oregon with a branch in Mitaka-shi, Japan.

Tokyo Otaku Mode

Seed Round in 2012
Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. operates a platform for Japanese otaku news and content. It distributes otaku content, including anime, manga, event reports, news, and others. The company operates otakumode.com that provides user-generated content of otaku related artwork, cosplay photos, and others; and publishes Japanese otaku news articles in English. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Portland, Oregon with a branch in Mitaka-shi, Japan.

DemandMarkets

Seed Round in 2011
DemandMarkets is a marketing business company.

Gengo

Series A in 2011
Gengo, Inc. operates a translation platform that provides professional human translation services in Japan and internationally. It allows individuals and businesses to connect with the company’s community of pre-tested translators, and order text or files to be translated through its Website or API. The company offers its services to Ecommerce, travel, and media companies, enabling them to publish their content, including product descriptions, user reviews, comments, and tweets in various languages. Gengo, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is based in San Mateo, California. As of December 31, 2018, Gengo, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc..

Gengo

Seed Round in 2011
Gengo, Inc. operates a translation platform that provides professional human translation services in Japan and internationally. It allows individuals and businesses to connect with the company’s community of pre-tested translators, and order text or files to be translated through its Website or API. The company offers its services to Ecommerce, travel, and media companies, enabling them to publish their content, including product descriptions, user reviews, comments, and tweets in various languages. Gengo, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is based in San Mateo, California. As of December 31, 2018, Gengo, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc..
Exco operates Japan’s leading cardless payment and instant credit service. Exco believes in the power of a superior online payment experience that is easy to use whilst giving consumers peace of mind. Through their system, Paidy, the company helps its customers to boost conversions and increase sales. Paidy covers more than 10 million Japanese consumers for real-time online payments. One of the brands they operate is AQUSH, a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects credit-worthy borrowers and investors. Founded in 2008, the company is headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Gengo

Seed Round in 2010
Gengo, Inc. operates a translation platform that provides professional human translation services in Japan and internationally. It allows individuals and businesses to connect with the company’s community of pre-tested translators, and order text or files to be translated through its Website or API. The company offers its services to Ecommerce, travel, and media companies, enabling them to publish their content, including product descriptions, user reviews, comments, and tweets in various languages. Gengo, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is based in San Mateo, California. As of December 31, 2018, Gengo, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc..