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.

Kaori Akiba

Principal, Corporate Management Group

Tatsunori Arai

Director, Investment Group

Megumi Asatsuma

Corporate Management Group, Director

Anjani Bansal

Partner, India Office Representative

Brooke Beers

Partner

Takuji Chida

Director, Investment Groups

Hogil Doh

General Partner, Investment Group

Thomas Duong

Principal

Brian Flucht

Partner and Head, US Division

Daisuke Furukawa

Venture Partner

Hajime Furuya

Venture Partner

Kenji Hayashi

Principal, Investment Group

Shohei Hayashi

Partner

Harue Hayashi

Partner and Vice Chief Fund Management Officer

Yosuke Hirai

Director

Joopyo Hong

Partner Investment Group

Naoki Horie

Principal, Investment Group

Jang Hyeokjin

Principal, Investment Group

Shohei Ichimiya

Partner, US Office

Nozomu Ikuta

Principal

Kotona Inaida

Director, Fund Management Group

Tomoaki Ishikure

Investment Group Partner

Yoshinari Ito

Venture Partner

Yuki Ito

Director

Hiroyuki Izumi

Partner, Investment Group

Ken Kajii

General Partner, Investment Group

Naoki Kamimaeda

Partner and Europe Division Head

Masaru Kaneshiro

Principal

Daisuke Kashiro

Partner, Investment Group

Kirin Kato

Principal

Takashi Kato

Partner, San Francisco Office Representative

Masaya Kawakami

Partner

Hiroyuki Kawamoto

Principal

Ko Kawaragi

Director

Maiko Kayata

Principal

ByeongJin Kim

Principal, Fund Management Group

Jungyong Kim

Principal, Investment Group

Riichiro Kimura Ph.D

Director, Investment Group

Kenta Kitsuka

General Partner

Issei Kokubu

Principal, Investment Group

Yoshiomi Kubota

Principal

Jinya Kurita

Director

KyungHun Lee

Partner, South Korea Office Representative

YingQi Liang(Joy)

Principal, Investment Group

Chukaku Lin

Principal

Atsushi Matsuda

Venture Partner

Akira Matsumoto

Principal, Investment Group

Natsumi Matsuoka

Principal

Hiroshi Mihayashi

Principal

Tomoko Minagawa

Director, Investment Group

Ai Minamizaki

Principal, Investment Group

Shigeru Mitarai

Principal

Kazuhiko Miyama

General Partner

Shuhei Mori

Principal

Seiichiro Mukai

Director

Satoko Murata

Principal, Investment Group

Kohtaro Nagawa

Director, Investment Group

Tasuke Nakagawa

Partner / M&A

Mitsutaka Nakao

Principal, Investment Group

Shien Nakayama

Director, Investment Group

Yuya Namiki

Director

Ying Jian Ng

Director, Investment Group

Daisuke Nishida

Partner, Investment Group

Akiko Noguchi

Director, Corporate Management Group

Rina Obi

Investment Director

Sho Ohtani

Principal, Investment Group

Tetsui Okada

Director, Investments Group

Mayu Okamoto

Principal

Akane Okuyama

Director

Shingo Otaki

Partner, Investment Group

Naoki Sadakuni

Venture Partner

Enen Sai

Principal, Fund Management Group

Kazuki Sakuragawa

Partner and Editor in Chief, Corporate Management Group

Masumi Sato

Principal

Naoki Sato

Principal, Investment Group

Tomoki Sekiguchi

Principal

Rie Shibata

Director, Fund Management Group

Takeru Shigemura

Director

Miku Shimamura

Principal

Hiroshi Shimazu

Managing Director

Masamune Shin

General Partner, Investment Group

Ayu Shinoyama

CFO and Board Member

Chisa Shinsakaue

Director

Divyansh Singh

Principal

Hiroto Sorita

Director, Investment Group

Sachiko Sugiura

Principal

Yusuke Suzuki

Partner

Kazumo Tachibana

Director

Mana Takabayashi

Director, Investment Group

Hiroki Takai

Director, Investment Group London Office

Toko Takao

Principal

Hideyuki Tanaka

Principal

Marika Tazaki

Partner

Hirotaka Togashi

Director, Investment Group

Haruka Tsujii

Principal

Atsushi Ueda

Principal, Investment Group

Takuya Ukai

Principal, Investment Group

Tetsuya Urimoto

Director, Investment Group

Noriko Usui

Partner and Chief Fund Management Officer

Keita Washizu

Principal

Hirokazu Watanabe

Partner

Keita Wazhizu

Principal, Investment Group

Masao Yamada

Senior Partner, Investment Groups

Kazunori Yamaguchi

Partner, Investment Group

Ryozo Yamamoto

Partner, Investment Group

Michiko Yamazaki

Principal, Investment Group

Isao Yasuda

Senior Partner

Takuro Yoda

Principal, Investment Group

Sayaka Yoshino

Director

Miku Yoshio

Partner, Investment Group

Yasuhiko Yurimoto

Founder and President and CEO & Board Member

Miyazawa Yusuke

Venture Partner

Lusheng Zou

Director, Investment Group

Past deals in Technology

Kyoto Fusioneering

Series C in 2023
Developer of a fusion technology intended to offer technical assistance to accelerate the practical realization of fusion energy. The company's technology offers liquid metal, molten salt, tritium treatment systems, high-frequency microwave gyrotron, fusion energy and exhaust systems, and is focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors, including gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation, enabling companies to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions.

Elephantech

Series D in 2023
Elephantech Inc., founded in January 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, focuses on innovating the manufacturing of electronic circuits. The company seeks to revolutionize this field by employing inkjet printing technology, which allows for the precise application of metal only where needed, in contrast to traditional photolithography methods that waste materials and increase costs. This novel approach not only reduces the quantity of materials used but also minimizes the number of manufacturing processes, resulting in a significant cost reduction of up to 80% for prototype production. Elephantech's technology is particularly advantageous for on-demand manufacturing, making it an appealing option for small-batch production without the need for substantial initial investment. With a commitment to enhancing global manufacturing capabilities, Elephantech aims to lead the industry with its advanced techniques for producing printed wiring boards.

New Innovations

Series A in 2023
New Innovations Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in designing and developing artificial intelligence-driven robots for the café industry. Their flagship product, the robot known as "√C," is equipped with demand forecasting capabilities, allowing it to offer personalized coffee selections based on individual preferences, busy schedules, and even the customer's mood. This innovation aims to enhance the café experience without displacing human workers, as the robots are designed to assist rather than replace them. The company recognizes the challenges posed by a talent shortage in the industry and seeks to integrate technology into the offline experience of food and beverage service. In collaboration with Nankai Electric Railway, New Innovations began demonstration experiments of the √C robot at Namba Station in August 2019, marking a significant step in providing a unique coffee experience tailored to consumer needs.

Mazin

Series A in 2022
Provider of research and development of smart factory system services intended to solve the shortage of technicians. The company specializes in the use of artificial intelligence that automates machining operations and the development of industrial IoT service that measures the conversion of factories, enabling factories to function efficiently.

QunaSys

Series B in 2022
Quantum physics is a relatively new field built since the beginning of the 20th century, but we have used MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance equipment) and lasers used for close examinations in hospitals, and semiconductors mounted on computers. Supports the technology that supports the daily life of people.QunaSys was established to bring out the quantum physics that has been active behind the scenes to the front stage, and to make use of quantum properties to realize technologies that could not be achieved with existing technologies.

Cloudpick

Series B in 2022
Yuna Technology is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the development of computer vision and artificial intelligence applications. The company is committed to leading the technological breakthrough of the core knowledge of artificial intelligence, and building an overall application solution for artificial intelligence and big data analysis in multiple industries.

Kyoto Fusioneering

Series B in 2022
Developer of a fusion technology intended to offer technical assistance to accelerate the practical realization of fusion energy. The company's technology offers liquid metal, molten salt, tritium treatment systems, high-frequency microwave gyrotron, fusion energy and exhaust systems, and is focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors, including gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation, enabling companies to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions.

Workstyletech

Series A in 2021
Workstyletech is supporting employees to create an enviroment where they can thrive and fulfill their dreams. With its unique service using HR technology and data, Workstyletech helps companies around the world to create a culture that fosters each and every employee's confidence.

Telexistence

Series A in 2021
Telexistence Inc. is a Japanese company established in 2017, specializing in robotics and cloud data services. The company focuses on developing remote control technologies, exemplified by its production prototype, MODEL H. This technology integrates virtual reality, telecommunications, cloud computing, and haptics to allow users to interact effectively in remote environments. Telexistence aims to enhance human presence and capabilities through its innovative robotic solutions, which transmit and analyze visual, auditory, and tactile information. By pursuing systematic innovation in robotics, Telexistence seeks to create scalable and reproducible methodologies that advance the field.

SiLC

Series A in 2021
SiLC Technologies is a Silicon Photonics start up focusing on photonic Sensor and 3D imaging applications. It develops new and novel technologies and integrated solutions to address the growing needs of an autonomous and smart new world.

QunaSys

Series A in 2019
Quantum physics is a relatively new field built since the beginning of the 20th century, but we have used MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance equipment) and lasers used for close examinations in hospitals, and semiconductors mounted on computers. Supports the technology that supports the daily life of people.QunaSys was established to bring out the quantum physics that has been active behind the scenes to the front stage, and to make use of quantum properties to realize technologies that could not be achieved with existing technologies.

Pixie Dust Technologies

Series A in 2019
Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in the development of innovative technologies, particularly in phased array and digital fabrication. Founded in 2015, it has created an ultrasonic phased array system that enables the generation of force in mid-air, allowing for applications such as non-contact transportation of objects, targeted sound delivery among individuals in a crowd, and guidance for service animals. The company also offers various consumer products, including Sound Hug, a device that combines music with light and vibration; Sonorepro, a hair care tool utilizing non-contact oscillating pressure; Vuevo, which visualizes conversations for improved communication; and kikippa, a gamma wave sound care device. Through these technologies, Pixie Dust Technologies aims to enhance user experiences by integrating sound and light into everyday interactions.

Telexistence

Series A in 2018
Telexistence Inc. is a Japanese company established in 2017, specializing in robotics and cloud data services. The company focuses on developing remote control technologies, exemplified by its production prototype, MODEL H. This technology integrates virtual reality, telecommunications, cloud computing, and haptics to allow users to interact effectively in remote environments. Telexistence aims to enhance human presence and capabilities through its innovative robotic solutions, which transmit and analyze visual, auditory, and tactile information. By pursuing systematic innovation in robotics, Telexistence seeks to create scalable and reproducible methodologies that advance the field.

Telexistence

Seed Round in 2017
Telexistence Inc. is a Japanese company established in 2017, specializing in robotics and cloud data services. The company focuses on developing remote control technologies, exemplified by its production prototype, MODEL H. This technology integrates virtual reality, telecommunications, cloud computing, and haptics to allow users to interact effectively in remote environments. Telexistence aims to enhance human presence and capabilities through its innovative robotic solutions, which transmit and analyze visual, auditory, and tactile information. By pursuing systematic innovation in robotics, Telexistence seeks to create scalable and reproducible methodologies that advance the field.

LifeRobotics

Series B in 2016
Through us it is, provides the development of co-robot to help people, People will contribute to the creation of new value.

LifeRobotics

Series A in 2016
Through us it is, provides the development of co-robot to help people, People will contribute to the creation of new value.

LifeRobotics

Series A in 2015
Through us it is, provides the development of co-robot to help people, People will contribute to the creation of new value.
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