Dentsu Ventures

Dentsu Ventures is the corporate venture capital fund of Dentsu Group, established in 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The fund focuses on making investments in seed, early, mid, and later-stage companies, primarily within the marketing and communication sectors, as well as the media and software industries. Dentsu Ventures targets opportunities across the United States, Europe, and Asia, aiming to support innovative businesses that align with its strategic interests.

Katsuyuki (Kevin) Hasegawa

General Partner

Yuka Okada

Associate

Daisuke Takemori

General Partner

40 past transactions

Emole

Series A in 2025
Emole is a platform designed to connect content creators with viewers through short drama content. The company operates a community platform that nurtures and supports talent, offering a short-form video distribution app. This app allows users to watch minute-long drama episodes, making it convenient for individuals to enjoy entertainment during brief moments of downtime in their day. By focusing on engaging and easily consumable content, Emole aims to enhance the viewing experience for its audience while providing a space for creators to showcase their work.

Heralbony

Venture Round in 2025
Heralbony is an art organization focused on challenging stereotypes surrounding individuals with disabilities by fostering a new cultural perspective. It operates as an art agency that collaborates with artists from social welfare facilities, providing them with opportunities to create and showcase their work. The company not only licenses art for various applications, including station buildings, office environments, and food packaging but also engages in the planning, manufacturing, and marketing of its own branded products, such as apparel and other miscellaneous goods. Through these initiatives, Heralbony aims to empower individual artists with cognitive disabilities, promoting their social status and financial independence.

Infobox

Series A in 2025
Infobox is a sales data platform that specializes in providing comprehensive insights aimed at enhancing sales efficiency. The platform aggregates detailed information ranging from market research to the identification of potential clients and their decision-makers. It focuses on delivering data that is typically unavailable online, such as the services utilized by companies, departmental budgets, and the strategic measures under consideration. By leveraging this information, Infobox enables businesses to optimize their sales strategies, improve order acceptance rates, and reduce lead times, ultimately facilitating more informed and effective sales activities.

Fiddler AI

Series B in 2024
Fiddler Labs, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence platform designed to help businesses analyze, manage, and deploy their machine learning models effectively. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Fiddler offers an Explainable AI Engine that promotes transparency and understanding in AI solutions. This platform allows users across data science, product, and business teams to comprehend, validate, and manage their AI implementations, ensuring that these systems deliver reliable and trustworthy experiences for end-users. By providing statistical metrics, performance monitoring, and centralized controls, Fiddler aims to make AI more accessible and trustworthy for enterprises, ultimately unlocking the complexities of AI and enhancing user confidence in its applications.

SUSHI TOP MARKETING

Series A in 2024
Sushi Top Marketing is an IT company specializing in marketing, consulting, and the utilization of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It operates a platform designed to facilitate NFT distribution, providing services such as NFT certification, town distribution, and various NFT applications. This platform aids businesses in the efficient issuance, reception, and planning of NFTs, thereby promoting a culture of token graph marketing. With its comprehensive approach, Sushi Top Marketing enables organizations to navigate the complexities of the NFT landscape effectively.

Utaite

Series A in 2024
Utaite is a company that operates an entertainment platform. Its core business involves planning, producing, and developing entertainment content to support and promote content creators. The platform aims to enhance creators' self-actualization, improve fan experiences, and facilitate growth on social media. Utaite provides constant support to creators, maximizing opportunities to engage and satisfy their fan base.

Inworld AI

Venture Round in 2023
Inworld AI is an AI framework powering massive consumer applications. Inworld is funded by VCs including Lightspeed, Stanford University, Kleiner Perkins, Founders Fund, Section 32, M12, Intel Capital, CRV, Bitkraft, and Meta, as well as a team of all-star angels including corporate executives, top VC funds' partners, scouts, and industry veterans.

Fiddler AI

Venture Round in 2023
Fiddler Labs, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence platform designed to help businesses analyze, manage, and deploy their machine learning models effectively. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Fiddler offers an Explainable AI Engine that promotes transparency and understanding in AI solutions. This platform allows users across data science, product, and business teams to comprehend, validate, and manage their AI implementations, ensuring that these systems deliver reliable and trustworthy experiences for end-users. By providing statistical metrics, performance monitoring, and centralized controls, Fiddler aims to make AI more accessible and trustworthy for enterprises, ultimately unlocking the complexities of AI and enhancing user confidence in its applications.

Poko

Seed Round in 2023
Poko is a technology company that specializes in facilitating payment solutions for the web3 ecosystem, focusing on games, creators, and merchants. Its platform provides a software development kit (SDK) that allows web3 builders to integrate fiat-to-crypto onramping using over 100 local payment methods. This solution significantly lowers onramping costs by up to 70% and enhances transaction success rates by as much as five times through intelligent routing and a streamlined integration process. Additionally, Poko offers a Direct Checkout solution that simplifies purchasing from smart contracts, resulting in a 79% increase in user conversion. With a team that includes experienced professionals from prominent financial institutions and blockchain initiatives, Poko aims to enable seamless engagement with web3 technologies while ensuring that users can transact using their preferred payment methods.

Techtouch

Series B in 2023
Techtouch, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing an intuitive website user manual called TechTouch. The company's software enhances system education for employees, supports burden reduction, and promotes system utilization by overlaying explanation guidance on existing web systems. This is achieved through a plug-in introduced on the web browser side and JavaScript on the server-side. Techtouch's platform minimizes operational stress by displaying real-time navigation directly on the screen of running web systems, enabling businesses to handle complex operations accurately and efficiently.

Roforco

Venture Round in 2022
Roforco is a San Francisco-based company that operates a Roblox game accelerator. Founded by Artem and Brain, who have collectively developed 12 top-grossing games with over 2.74 billion plays/downloads, Roforco provides funding, resources, and hands-on support to help make games successful on the Roblox platform. The company, which previously operated as a game studio, has worked with notable brands like Unilever and achieved significant user benchmarks. In 2022, Roforco joined Y Combinator's accelerator program and secured $1.5 million in seed funding from investors including Paul Graham and Dentsu Group.

Solsten

Series B in 2022
Solsten is an AI company focused on understanding human behavior in the digital realm to enhance customer experiences. Founded in 2018 by Joe Schaeppi and Bastian Bergmann, the company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Solsten's platform is tailored for decision-makers in the gaming industry, including executives, researchers, and marketing professionals working within medium-to-large studios. The platform aids in user engagement by helping to find, retain, and monetize players, while also supporting user retention and developing new games. Solsten's technology allows gaming studios to identify their target audiences, reduce development costs, and expedite the market launch of their products.

Pretia

Venture Round in 2022
Pretia Technologies, Inc. is a Tokyo-based augmented reality startup founded in 2014, specializing in the design and development of gaming software. The company focuses on creating a platform that enhances entertainment experiences by integrating augmented reality with real-life environments. Utilizing advanced technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, 3D localization, and mapping, Pretia enables users to interact with digital content linked to specific locations. This innovative approach allows players to engage in immersive gaming experiences across various devices, effectively bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

Asobica

Venture Round in 2022
Asobica, Inc. is a Japanese company based in Shinagawa that focuses on the planning, development, and management of Internet-based businesses. The company aims to revitalize traditional industries through innovative technology and community engagement. Its flagship product, fever, serves as a platform for issuing community coins, fostering active participation within user communities. Asobica's software suite includes tools for customer relationship management, customer analysis, and community coin issuance, all designed to enhance user engagement and loyalty. By leveraging these technologies, Asobica seeks to support sustainable corporate growth and improve customer retention for its clients.

Cowche

Series B in 2022
KAUCHE is a share-buying app that enables users to enjoy low-cost shopping by group-buying with share-buying companions such as friends and family. They provide services for online and mail-order retail shops. KAUCHE is committed in creating an exciting shopping experience for both customers and partners who want to sell products.

Alp

Series A in 2020
Alp, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing technology solutions aimed at enhancing company monetization. The company offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform called Scalebase, designed specifically for recurring revenue businesses, including subscription and SaaS models. Scalebase enables users to efficiently manage various business operations, such as pricing design, product and customer management, contract and billing management, and financial analysis. By centralizing these functions, Alp's solutions help businesses reduce their workload, increase operational flexibility, and ultimately drive revenue growth.

Clear Labs

Series B in 2018
Clear Labs, Inc. is a food analytics company based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 2013. The company specializes in providing a comprehensive food analytics platform that utilizes next-generation sequencing and data analytics to enhance food safety and quality control. Its offerings include Clear Dx™ and Clear Safety™, which facilitate the rapid identification of pathogens and support public health initiatives. Clear Labs' platform delivers critical insights into the molecular composition of foods and ingredients, testing for authenticity, contaminants, allergens, and other safety parameters. By offering transparency across supply chains, the company serves food manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and safety through detailed analytics and reporting.

Pixel Labs

Series A in 2018
Pixel Labs is a media technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in hyperlocal content discovery, operating in 40 US cities with a focus on delivering news and information down to a 0.2-mile radius. The company uses machine learning and AI to transform raw data into automated stories, producing thousands of hyperlocal articles monthly. Pixel Labs' platform also tags and contextualizes content from various partner publications, adding precise location data and other metadata. Its technology, known as Atlas, analyzes vast amounts of unstructured data to identify and validate the most relevant signals, creating local stories and videos through a blend of editorial input, machine learning, and data science. The company's partners include major entities like ABC, Yahoo Search, MSN, Eventbrite, Uber, CBS, Advance Digital, Zumper, and McClatchy. Pixel Labs has a team of 28 employees and has attracted investments from notable firms such as Greylock, Rakuten, Disney, Social Capital, CRV, Innovation Endeavors, and Joi Ito.

Shuttl

Series B in 2018
Shuttl is a company focused on enhancing the daily commute experience through its app-based office shuttle service. It aims to provide a safe, reliable, and affordable transportation option for commuters. The service features air-conditioned minibuses that operate frequently on designated routes, alleviating the challenges associated with traditional public transport. By offering a mobile platform for bus bookings, Shuttl allows users to reserve seats at flat rates, ensuring a comfortable journey without the hassle of long wait times. The company envisions a future of mass transit that is shared, eco-friendly, and technology-driven, positioning itself as a progressive alternative in public transport.

Cue

Series B in 2018
Cue Health Inc. is a healthcare technology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development and manufacturing of diagnostic screening devices for home use. Founded in 2010, the company offers a connected diagnostic platform known as the Cue Health Monitoring System, which allows users to conduct self-serve tests that provide lab-quality results. This platform enables individuals to track key health indicators, including inflammation, vitamin D, fertility, influenza, and testosterone, through a user-friendly device that connects to a smartphone app. The Cue app not only displays test results but also integrates data on lifestyle factors such as activity and sleep, facilitating a comprehensive view of health at a molecular level. Additionally, Cue Health provides various services for healthcare professionals, including tools for managing patient test histories and telemedicine consultations. The company's innovative approach empowers consumers and healthcare providers alike to access critical health information easily and effectively.

Arraiy

Series A in 2018
Arraiy, Inc. is a technology company based in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in developing a computer vision and machine learning platform tailored for the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 2016 and formerly known as opencv.ai, Arraiy aims to transform the filmmaking process by collaborating with major studios and award-winning artists. The company's platform leverages advanced AI techniques to enhance visual storytelling, allowing creators to seamlessly integrate real and virtual worlds. By focusing on machine learning, Arraiy seeks to expand the creative possibilities for filmmakers, thereby unlocking a new era of visual storytelling. As of 2020, Arraiy operates as a subsidiary of Matterport, Inc.

Cheddar

Series D in 2018
Cheddar is a media and entertainment company that operates live news networks aimed at delivering fresh perspectives on business, technology, culture, and innovation. With a monthly viewership exceeding 6.5 million, Cheddar broadcasts its content across various platforms, including SlingTV, Hulu Live, YouTube TV, and social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. The company runs two primary networks: Cheddar, which focuses on business news highlighting innovative executives and technologies, and Cheddar Big News, a general news network catering to a younger audience. Broadcasting from notable locations, including the New York Stock Exchange and a street-level studio in New York's Flatiron Building, Cheddar seeks to provide an authentic voice that reflects the diverse interests and intellectual curiosity of its viewers, enabling them to access live and on-demand news. Founded by Jon Steinberg, Cheddar aims to redefine news consumption in a post-cable era.

LiveLike

Series B in 2018
LiveLike Inc. is a company that specializes in providing a live streaming platform designed to enhance audience engagement for broadcasters and media companies. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, with an additional office in Gurugram, India, LiveLike offers a dynamic sports viewing platform that allows users to experience live sports through interactive features such as replay options, sports statistics, and watch parties. The company's innovative gamification engine transforms digital streaming into engaging experiences, ultimately fostering deeper connections between fans and content. By focusing on customized interactions, LiveLike aims to improve retention and monetization opportunities for its clients, particularly in attracting younger audiences and enriching the overall fan experience.

FOLIO

Venture Round in 2018
FOLIO Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan, operates a web-based asset management platform that simplifies the investment process through the use of artificial intelligence. The platform allows users to diversify their investments by selecting specific themes and provides tools for both active and passive stock traders to manage their personal trading securities. By enabling investors to engage with multiple companies, FOLIO helps users mitigate risks associated with stock price fluctuations, making asset management more accessible and efficient.

Nimble Collective

Series A in 2018
Nimble Collective, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in providing a cloud-based animation platform designed to simplify the animation creation process. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, Nimble Collective offers a virtual collaborative environment where animators can create, collaborate, and distribute animated content efficiently. The platform, accessible via any web browser, eliminates traditional barriers and allows users to produce high-quality animations with reduced costs and overhead. Additionally, the company engages in online retail, selling a variety of apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, and sportswear for all ages.

Clue

Series A in 2017
CLUE, Inc. is a technology startup based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in drone automation software. Founded in 2014, the company provides various solutions that leverage drone technology for different applications. Its product lineup includes DroneRoofer, designed for exterior roof inspection, construction surveying, and roof area calculations; Drone Construction Management, which facilitates remote construction inspections and cloud collaboration on images captured by drones; and Drone View-kun, aimed at photographing condominiums and properties. Through these offerings, CLUE, Inc. enhances operational efficiency and accuracy in construction and property management.

Loom.ai

Seed Round in 2017
Loom.ai is a San Francisco-based company specializing in the creation and animation of personalized 3D avatars, enhancing virtual communication. The company harnesses advanced technologies such as deep learning, computer vision, and visual effects to transform a single photograph into a fully representative 3D avatar in seconds. These avatars are designed to capture the unique features of individuals, allowing for real-time expressiveness and animation. Loom.ai's platform enables the integration of these avatars into various applications, including mobile messaging, entertainment, augmented and virtual reality, e-commerce, video conferencing, and broadcasting. With a team that includes Academy Award winners, Loom.ai aims to redefine how people interact in digital spaces by providing a more personalized and engaging virtual experience.

Twist Bioscience

Venture Round in 2017
Twist Bioscience Corporation is a synthetic biology company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of synthetic DNA-based products. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company utilizes a proprietary semiconductor-based DNA synthesis platform that writes DNA on silicon chips, allowing for the rapid and cost-effective production of high-quality synthetic DNA. Twist Bioscience's offerings include synthetic genes, tools for sample preparation, antibody libraries for drug discovery, and DNA as a medium for digital data storage. The company serves various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and industrial chemicals, supporting customers in their efforts to enhance lives and promote sustainability. Through its innovative platform, Twist Bioscience aims to overcome traditional inefficiencies in DNA synthesis, enabling researchers to accelerate their projects.

Two Bit Circus

Series B in 2017
Two Bit Circus, Inc. is an entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2012. It specializes in creating and operating micro-amusement parks that blend modern interactive technology with the classic charm of circus and carnival experiences. These one-acre venues are designed to provide unique recreational opportunities, featuring immersive games, interactive amusements, stage shows, and food offerings. The company also runs a Park as a Platform program that allows game developers to create location-based entertainment. In addition to its physical installations, Two Bit Circus sells merchandise online, including T-shirts and stickers. The company is committed to fostering community engagement and innovation through its nonprofit arm, the Two Bit Circus Foundation, which promotes STEAM education and access to maker tools for schools and youth.

Agile Media Network

Venture Round in 2017
Agile Media Network Inc. is a Tokyo-based company specializing in conversational marketing and advertisement distribution in Japan. Founded in 2007, it operates as an advertising network and blog marketing firm, partnering with prominent blogs and social media platforms to deliver effective marketing solutions. The company is recognized for its comprehensive services, including managing banner ad sales, organizing large-scale blogger meetings, and hosting web industry events. One notable event was WISH 2009, which showcased startups and attracted over 400 attendees. Agile Media Network is one of the largest companies of its kind in Japan, providing innovative marketing services that leverage the Internet and digital platforms.

MacroFab

Funding Round in 2017
MacroFab is an electronics manufacturing platform that specializes in custom-manufactured printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) through its network of North American factories. The company offers a user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of integrating electronics and sub-assemblies into complete system builds, catering to hardware technology companies of all sizes. By providing services that span from initial product development and engineering to supply chain management, MacroFab enables efficient prototyping and manufacturing at any scale. Its technology enhances transparency and traceability, allowing teams to adapt to changing conditions by integrating design data, obtaining early risk feedback, and managing production effectively. This streamlined approach helps companies bring products to market quickly while minimizing upfront costs and complexity.

Survios

Series B in 2016
Survios, Inc. is a virtual reality company based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2012. The company specializes in creating innovative interactive content and immersive gaming experiences powered by advanced virtual reality technology. Originating from Project Holodeck, an initiative at the University of Southern California’s Games program, Survios was established by Nathan Burba, James Iliff, and Alexander Silkin. The company's focus is on developing engaging games that offer users a rich combination of visuals, sound, tactile feedback, and dynamic spectating, aiming to elevate the overall gaming experience. Survios is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of immersive technology in the gaming industry.

LiveLike

Series A in 2016
LiveLike Inc. is a company that specializes in providing a live streaming platform designed to enhance audience engagement for broadcasters and media companies. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, with an additional office in Gurugram, India, LiveLike offers a dynamic sports viewing platform that allows users to experience live sports through interactive features such as replay options, sports statistics, and watch parties. The company's innovative gamification engine transforms digital streaming into engaging experiences, ultimately fostering deeper connections between fans and content. By focusing on customized interactions, LiveLike aims to improve retention and monetization opportunities for its clients, particularly in attracting younger audiences and enriching the overall fan experience.

Victorious

Series B in 2016
Victorious is a Santa Monica-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) as a primary marketing strategy. By focusing exclusively on SEO, Victorious aims to transform it into a key channel for lead generation rather than a supportive tactic for other marketing efforts. The company offers a comprehensive suite of SEO services designed to enhance online visibility and deliver measurable business outcomes. Victorious is committed to generating long-term return on investment for its clients, aligning their strategies with broader marketing goals and fostering sustainable business growth. Through its innovative approach, Victorious is redefining the significance of SEO in driving success for businesses.

Exo

Series A in 2016
Exo, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based company that specializes in the production of protein bars made from cricket flour. The company offers a range of flavors, including cacao nut, blueberry vanilla, apple cinnamon, and peanut butter and jelly, combining cricket powder with organic ingredients like raw cacao, dates, almond butter, and coconut. These protein bars are designed to be high in protein, low in sugar, and nutritionally rich, containing omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium. Exo's products cater to health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to traditional sports bars, as they are free from sugar, gluten, grains, dairy, soy, and artificial preservatives. Established in 2012, Exo operates as a subsidiary of Aspire Food Group USA, Inc.

Cue

Venture Round in 2015
Cue Health Inc. is a healthcare technology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development and manufacturing of diagnostic screening devices for home use. Founded in 2010, the company offers a connected diagnostic platform known as the Cue Health Monitoring System, which allows users to conduct self-serve tests that provide lab-quality results. This platform enables individuals to track key health indicators, including inflammation, vitamin D, fertility, influenza, and testosterone, through a user-friendly device that connects to a smartphone app. The Cue app not only displays test results but also integrates data on lifestyle factors such as activity and sleep, facilitating a comprehensive view of health at a molecular level. Additionally, Cue Health provides various services for healthcare professionals, including tools for managing patient test histories and telemedicine consultations. The company's innovative approach empowers consumers and healthcare providers alike to access critical health information easily and effectively.

Data Vehicle

Seed Round in 2015
Data Vehicle specializes in IT marketing research and consulting, focusing on the planning, production, maintenance, and operation of various media, including digital content. The company is dedicated to the acquisition and analysis of big data, offering tools that enable clients to conduct acquisition analysis and streamline data processing operations. These tools are designed to simplify the preparation and analysis of large datasets, making it accessible even for users without programming expertise. Through its innovative solutions, Data Vehicle aims to enhance efficiency in data management and empower clients to derive valuable insights from their data.

Sensai

Venture Round in 2015
Sensai is a content analytics platform designed to assist sales, operations, and finance teams in large enterprises. The company specializes in providing advanced analytics technology that empowers business analysts to explore and derive insights from various data sets without needing extensive support from data science or programming teams. Sensai's innovative content-discovery language allows users to pose questions and efficiently uncover emerging concepts within both enterprise repositories and external data feeds. Its unique methods for clustering and tuning results facilitate rapid testing of theories and enable users to quantify and iterate on data patterns, making it a valuable tool for research, governance, and anti-fraud initiatives.

Nextbit Systems

Venture Round in 2015
Nextbit Systems Inc. is a mobile technology company that designs and manufactures Android smartphones and accessories. Incorporated in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, the company primarily sells its products online. Nextbit Systems also develops a software platform for mobile devices, focusing on innovative design and technology integration. As of January 30, 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of Razer Inc.

Jibo

Series A in 2015
Jibo, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of social robots designed to enhance human interaction. Known for its flagship product, Jibo, the company aims to create a companion that can engage with users through natural language understanding, speech recognition, and facial recognition. Jibo is designed to assist users in their daily tasks, learn their preferences, and remind them of important events. The robot can communicate and express emotions, fostering a sense of connection with its users. Jibo, Inc. offers its solutions across various demographics, including adults, seniors, and children, and operates in multiple regions, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia and South America. The company was founded in 2012 and officially launched its product to the public in 2017 after extensive development.
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