Investor directory

Global Brain

Global Brain is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors, including e-commerce, software, gaming, media, IoT, education, entertainment, and fintech. The firm has expanded its investment activities to the US and Asia, targeting series A-stage technology companies. Since its inception, Global Brain has invested in approximately 30 companies, achieving seven initial public offerings and seven mergers and acquisitions. The firm supports its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, partnerships, and team-building resources to help them reach their milestones. Global Brain is particularly adept in e-commerce, operating a platform called EC-PLANET, which encompasses several group companies, including a large online sports goods store and a logistics firm offering comprehensive fulfillment services. This network, along with Global Brain's connections to established Japanese companies, facilitates market entry for US and Asian businesses into Japan.

Focus

Scale StageSeries AEarly VentureSeries BSeries CShow more
http://globalbrains.co.jp/
http://globalbrains.com
https://crunchbase.com/organization/global-brain-corporation
https://facebook.com/globalbrains.jp
https://linkedin.com/company/globalbrain
https://pitchbook.com/profiles/investor/52202-35
https://signal.nfx.com/firms/global-brain
https://twitter.com/globalbrains_jp
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=54917887
https://www.privateequityinternational.com/database/#/profile?id=14058

Harue Hayashi

Partner & Vice Chief Fund Management Officer

Tomoaki Ishikure

Partner

Hiroyoshi Iwata

Director

Hiroyuki Izumi

Partner

Naoki Kamimaeda

Partner, Europe Division Head London Office Representative

Daisuke Kashiro

Partner

Hiroyuki Kawamoto

Principal

Kenta Kitsuka Ph.D

General Partner, Investment Group

Jiro Kumakura

General Partner

Ai Minamizaki

Principal

Kazuhiko Miyama

General Partner, Investment Group

Tasuke Nakagawa

Partner

Ayu Shinoyama

Corporate Management Group Partner & Chief Financial Officer

Hiroto Sorita

Principal

Keisuke Tatsuoka

General Partner, Investment Group

Hirotaka Togashi

Director, Investment Group

Noriko Usui

Partner & Chief Fund Management Officer

Isao Yasuda

Senior Partner

Yasuhiko Yurimoto

CEO

Past deals in Tokyo

Sumutasu

Series B in 2022
Sumutasu, Inc. develops and sells residential properties in Japan. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

CADDi

Series B in 2021
Caddi, Inc. provides technology solutions to the manufacturing sector in Japan. It engages in management of order placement. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Receptionist

Series A in 2021
Delighted is a company based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in developing a reception system designed to enhance communication within businesses. Founded in 2016, the company offers an application that replaces traditional messaging tools reliant on internal landlines. This innovative system allows for direct notifications to smartphones, informing staff of the person in charge without the need for telephone operators. By streamlining communication, Delighted helps organizations reduce meeting start times and improve overall efficiency in reception services.

any.

Series A in 2021
any.inc. operates a knowledge and information sharing platform. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

any.

Venture Round in 2021
any.inc. operates a knowledge and information sharing platform. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Rehab

Series C in 2021
Rehab for Japan Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in providing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for nursing care facilities. Established in 2016, the company focuses on developing a unique rehabilitation platform specifically designed for day service operations. Through its cloud support services, Rehab for Japan aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation processes in nursing care establishments, addressing the growing demand for innovative healthcare solutions in the region.

Fermata

Venture Round in 2021
Fermata creates a community and start-up ecosystem to accelerate the development of the Femtech industry. The company was founded in 2019 and based in Meguro, Tokyo.

The Chain Museum

Series A in 2020
The Chain Museum is an art museum located in the Newman Yokohama commercial facility in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 2018, it serves as a platform for artists to showcase their work, featuring a diverse array of art forms including installations, paintings, and performing arts. The museum focuses on integrating technology with art to create connections between individuals and artists, allowing visitors to experience a variety of artistic styles from around the world. By curating exhibitions that include both renowned and emerging artists, The Chain Museum fosters an appreciation for contemporary art in a unique setting.

any.

Venture Round in 2020
any.inc. operates a knowledge and information sharing platform. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Base Food

Series A in 2019
BASE FOOD Inc. manufactures food products, such as pasta and spaghetti. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Taskey

Venture Round in 2019
Taskey, Inc. develops software used by novelists and illustrators to create stories. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

CADDi

Series A in 2018
Caddi, Inc. provides technology solutions to the manufacturing sector in Japan. It engages in management of order placement. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Base Food

Series A in 2018
BASE FOOD Inc. manufactures food products, such as pasta and spaghetti. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Base Food

Seed Round in 2017
BASE FOOD Inc. manufactures food products, such as pasta and spaghetti. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Translimit

Venture Round in 2017
Translimit, Inc., founded in 2014 and based in Shibuya-ku, Japan, specializes in designing and developing mobile applications, notably the quiz game BrainWars. This application engages players in competitive mental exercises through three sets of games, fostering a stimulating environment for users. The company's founders, Hiroki Takaba and Takuma Kudo, have a background in the gaming industry, having previously collaborated on various projects, including the virtual avatar service Ameba Pico and the mobile social game Girl Friend BETA. Translimit is also involved in the Movida Japan incubation program, which supports startups in the Tokyo area.

LivingStyle

Series A in 2016
LivingStyle, Inc. owns and operates platform for interior layout simulation services. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Kabuku

Series A in 2015
Kabuku Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in on-demand manufacturing services and 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2013, it operates through three main service platforms: Rinkak Business, Rinkak Factory, and Rinkak Marketplace. The company offers a comprehensive range of services including consulting, 3D design, production, shipping, and after-sales support via its Kabuku Connect service, which utilizes a global network of manufacturing partners. Additionally, the Kabuku MMS platform streamlines essential tasks for 3D printing service bureaus and manufacturers, covering quotation, order management, and invoicing. Kabuku also runs Rinkak.com, a digital marketplace where users can order a variety of 3D models. The company has collaborated with notable brands and agencies such as Dentsu, Toyota, and Fuji TV, establishing a strong presence in the 3D printing industry across 30 countries. As of September 2017, Kabuku operates as a subsidiary of Futaba Corporation.

Kabuku

Seed Round in 2015
Kabuku Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in on-demand manufacturing services and 3D printing solutions. Founded in 2013, it operates through three main service platforms: Rinkak Business, Rinkak Factory, and Rinkak Marketplace. The company offers a comprehensive range of services including consulting, 3D design, production, shipping, and after-sales support via its Kabuku Connect service, which utilizes a global network of manufacturing partners. Additionally, the Kabuku MMS platform streamlines essential tasks for 3D printing service bureaus and manufacturers, covering quotation, order management, and invoicing. Kabuku also runs Rinkak.com, a digital marketplace where users can order a variety of 3D models. The company has collaborated with notable brands and agencies such as Dentsu, Toyota, and Fuji TV, establishing a strong presence in the 3D printing industry across 30 countries. As of September 2017, Kabuku operates as a subsidiary of Futaba Corporation.

chikyu

Venture Round in 2015
Chikyu Inc. offers customer management, negotiation management, data analysis, and development of cloud-based marketing support software. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

4meee

Seed Round in 2014
4meee is an e-commerce and curated fashion site for young women. Tokyo-based Rocket Venture,

LUXA

Series A in 2013
Luxa is a Japanese group coupon buying site. Luxa is similar to daily-deals site Groupon, but it positions itself towards the higher-income demographic by listing only premium items such as branded cosmetics and alcohol, and up-market restaurants. It says it has around 350,000 members in Japan. Swimmy Minami Profile PhotoIts headquarters is in Tokyo, and it just opened offices in Nagoya and Fukuoka, to add to its second office in Osaka, which it opened last year.

RareJob

Venture Round in 2013
Rarejob is an online platform that offers English learning services for individual and corporate needs. Its operations are based in Shibuya, Japan.

RareJob

Seed Round in 2008
Rarejob is an online platform that offers English learning services for individual and corporate needs. Its operations are based in Shibuya, Japan.