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 iOS

Voicy

Venture Round in 2022
Voicy, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that operates a mobile voice news application. The platform recruits media personalities and news organizations to deliver the latest news in an engaging format, allowing users to receive updates from familiar voices. By managing a voice distribution network, Voicy aims to provide innovative audio content that combines information dissemination with entertainment. The application enhances user experience by creating a unique blend of news and personality, leveraging voice technology to deliver timely information.

Qlue

Series B in 2021
QLUE is a part of initial program for Smart City Jakarta to help report problems to the governor. The head of districts (lurah) will quick-follow up all reports to create a better neighborhood. Download Qlue for Android & start contributing to your community

Fuller

Venture Round in 2021
Fuller, Inc. is a software development company based in Kashiwa-shi, Japan, specializing in mobile application and data analytics services. Founded in 2011, the company offers a range of products including App Ape Analytics, which provides app developers with insights into market trends, user demographics, and application performance. Additionally, Fuller offers App Ape Console, a tool that integrates with Google Analytics to help manage app metrics. Their product lineup also includes various mobile applications such as Joren, which converts websites into native apps; Smahospital, which assesses smartphone addiction; and multiple battery-saving apps. Other notable offerings include games like Ojisan and 2048 Puzzle, as well as utility apps like Mobile Bee for data management and QR Ojisan for scanning QR codes. Fuller's services cater to both individual developers and businesses seeking to enhance their mobile presence and analytics capabilities.

Mode

Series A in 2020
Mode, Inc. is a technology company that offers a cloud-based platform designed to facilitate the development and operation of Internet of Things (IoT) products. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan, Mode specializes in creating a scalable data infrastructure that allows businesses to collect and utilize real-world sensor data. Its innovative sensor gateway solution enables quick integration of sensors and equipment, funneling data into the cloud within days. This platform not only supports communication between devices and mobile clients but also provides tools for tracking and managing both devices and users. By effectively moving sensor data to the cloud and offering specialized time-series data storage, Mode delivers operational improvements and valuable insights for businesses seeking to enhance their operations.

Repro

Series C in 2020
Repro Inc. develops Repro, a mobile analytics solution for clients to convert and retain their mobile users. It offers application growth support consulting for total support from strategy planning and development to application. The company provides in-app message to improve conversion rate. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Repro

Series C in 2020
Repro Inc. develops Repro, a mobile analytics solution for clients to convert and retain their mobile users. It offers application growth support consulting for total support from strategy planning and development to application. The company provides in-app message to improve conversion rate. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Voicy

Series A in 2019
Voicy, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that operates a mobile voice news application. The platform recruits media personalities and news organizations to deliver the latest news in an engaging format, allowing users to receive updates from familiar voices. By managing a voice distribution network, Voicy aims to provide innovative audio content that combines information dissemination with entertainment. The application enhances user experience by creating a unique blend of news and personality, leveraging voice technology to deliver timely information.

XSHELL INC

Venture Round in 2016
Xshell Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) software and hardware. The company focuses on creating solutions that integrate various components of IoT, including networking, computing, enclosures, and software. Xshell possesses the expertise necessary to connect devices to the Internet, facilitating data accumulation and feedback mechanisms. By leveraging its comprehensive skill set, Xshell aims to advance the capabilities of IoT technologies.

XSHELL INC

Seed Round in 2016
Xshell Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) software and hardware. The company focuses on creating solutions that integrate various components of IoT, including networking, computing, enclosures, and software. Xshell possesses the expertise necessary to connect devices to the Internet, facilitating data accumulation and feedback mechanisms. By leveraging its comprehensive skill set, Xshell aims to advance the capabilities of IoT technologies.

Wonderplanet

Venture Round in 2016
Wonderplanet Inc. designs and develops native language applications and games for smart phones and tablets. It provides 2D and 3D games for iOS and android. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Nagoya, Japan.

Wonderplanet

Series D in 2016
Wonderplanet Inc. designs and develops native language applications and games for smart phones and tablets. It provides 2D and 3D games for iOS and android. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Nagoya, Japan.

YouAppi

Series B in 2016
YouAppi Inc. specializes in mobile advertisement serving technology, focusing on customer acquisition and retention for mobile brands. The company offers a comprehensive growth marketing platform known as OneRun, which integrates video advertisements into user acquisition campaigns, and ReAppi, a programmatic retargeting solution that aids marketers and app developers in enhancing app retention. YouAppi’s services utilize machine learning and proprietary algorithms to analyze mobile content consumption patterns of over two billion users, converting data into valuable customer insights. Additionally, the company provides a Software Development Kit to facilitate rewarded videos for publishers and app developers, along with managed solutions that optimize mobile media buying. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, YouAppi has a global presence with operations in various countries across Asia, Europe, and North America, including China, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.

XSHELL INC

Seed Round in 2015
Xshell Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in the development of Internet of Things (IoT) software and hardware. The company focuses on creating solutions that integrate various components of IoT, including networking, computing, enclosures, and software. Xshell possesses the expertise necessary to connect devices to the Internet, facilitating data accumulation and feedback mechanisms. By leveraging its comprehensive skill set, Xshell aims to advance the capabilities of IoT technologies.

Idecca

Seed Round in 2015
Idecca Inc. specializes in indoor positioning solutions for iOS and Android devices, enabling users to determine their precise indoor locations and track movement patterns. Founded in 2013 and based in Palo Alto, California, the company also offers an automatic multimedia guide application that allows museum visitors to use their smartphones as personal guides without needing extra equipment. Idecca's technology is rooted in extensive research and development, emphasizing a commitment to creating specialized indoor positioning services. The company aims to enhance its offerings by developing applications with military-grade precision and ultimately seeks to strengthen its market position through innovative, high-quality products. Through these efforts, Idecca aspires to become a leading enterprise in the indoor positioning industry while contributing positively to society and enhancing national competitiveness.

Wonderplanet

Venture Round in 2015
Wonderplanet Inc. designs and develops native language applications and games for smart phones and tablets. It provides 2D and 3D games for iOS and android. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Nagoya, Japan.

Monohm

Seed Round in 2015
Monohm Inc. is a consumer electronics company based in Berkeley, California, focused on designing and developing heirloom electronics that facilitate a more refined relationship with technology. The company offers several products, including Runcible, a personal electronic device intended for a post-smartphone era; Positron, a framework for creating web applications; and Sensible, which provides a standards-based approach for command and control interfaces across devices. Monohm's mission centers on creating "New Necessities," a series of products that seamlessly blend form, function, and technology, enabling users to engage with their digital lives in a more civilized manner.

16Lab

Seed Round in 2014
16Lab Inc. designs and develops a personal computing wearable device OZON. It allows users to control computers, smartphones, tablets, cameras, televisions, lighting fixtures, and other electrical appliances. 16Lab Inc. is based in Kamakura, Japan.

Tapjoy

Seed Round in 2014
Tapjoy is a mobile engagement and monetization platform that provides services to advertisers and app developers. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers a suite of rewarded advertising options, including video and rich media ads, designed to enhance brand performance. Tapjoy's technology is integrated into over 15,000 mobile applications, reaching approximately 520 million monthly active users. The platform enables app developers to effectively acquire and monetize users while helping advertisers target specific consumer segments through predictive analytics. Recognized for its impact, Tapjoy's Interplay ads have been shown to deliver significant lifts in brand metrics. The company collaborates with Fortune 500 brands and leading app developers to drive user engagement and revenue growth.

Between

Series C in 2014
Between is a mobile application developed by VCNC, designed specifically for couples to enhance their communication and relationship. The app provides a secure platform where users can chat, share photos and videos, track anniversaries, and collaboratively manage their schedules. By creating a private space for couples, Between aims to help users cherish and remember special moments together, thereby fostering deeper connections. The application is accessible on both the iTunes Store and Google Play, making it widely available for users seeking to enrich their relationships.

Plumzi

Seed Round in 2013
Plumzi, Inc. develops and operates story-driven entertainment technology platform for tablet & smartphones that enables kids to interact with characters and help drive the story through touch, voice, and tilt. The company's platform allows studios and creators to author and stream interactive appisodes, a new form of entertainment on tablets, smartphones, smart-TVs, and virtual reality headsets. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Palo Alto, California.

I-Freek

Series A in 2007
I-Freek Mobile Inc. is a Fukuoka, Japan-based company engaged in the mobile content and e-commerce sectors both domestically and internationally. Founded in 2000, I-Freek specializes in the development, planning, and management of mobile websites, as well as promotional marketing and consulting services. The company creates digital content tailored for mobile users, including HTML e-mails, casual and social game applications, and interactive picture book applications. In addition to its mobile content offerings, I-Freek provides e-commerce marketing solutions designed for mobile platforms.
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