Global Brain Corporation, established in 1998, is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm that invests in technology-focused startups globally, from seed to pre-IPO stages. With a track record of 300+ investments, 25 IPOs, and 61 M&As, the firm provides hands-on support to its portfolio companies. Global Brain manages both independent and corporate venture capital funds, partnering with tier 1 public companies across various industries.
Investment Group Partner and Fellow Chief of Space Lab
Tatsunori Arai
Director
Megumi Asatsuma
Director
Anjani Bansal
Partner / India Office Representative
Brooke Beers
Partner
Takuji Chida
Director
Hogil Doh
General Partner
Thomas Duong
Principal
Brian Flucht
Partner / US Division Head
Hajime Furuya
Venture Partner
Kenji Hayashi
Principal
Shohei Hayashi
Partner
Harue Hayashi
Partner / Vice Chief Fund Management Officer
Jie He
Director China office Representative
Yosuke Hirai
Director
Joopyo Hong
Partner Investment Group
Naoki Horie
Principal
Jang Hyeokjin
Principal
Shohei Ichimiya
Partner / US Office
Sho Ikeda
Partner / Indonesia Office Representative
Nozomu Ikuta
Principal
Kotona Inaida
Director
Tomoaki Ishikure
Partner
Yoshinari Ito
Venture Partner
Yuki Ito
Director
Hiroyuki Izumi
Partner
Ken Kajii
General Partner
Daisuke Kashiro
General Partner
Kirin Kato
Principal
Takashi Kato
Partner, San Francisco Office Representative
Masaya Kawakami
Principal, Investment Group
Hiroyuki Kawamoto
Principal
Ko Kawaragi
Director
Maiko Kayata
Principal
ByeongJin Kim
Principal
Riichiro Kimura
Director / US NY Office
Issei Kokubu
Director
Yoshiomi Kubota
Principal
Jinya Kurita
Director
KyungHun Lee
Partner
YingQi Liang(Joy)
Principal
Chukaku Lin
Director
Atsushi Matsuda
Venture Partner
Tatsuya Matsumoto
Partner / Singapore Office Representative
Akira Matsumoto
Principal
Yuki Matsuo
Director
Natsumi Matsuoka
Principal
Tomoko Minagawa
Director
Ai Minamizaki
Principal
Shigeru Mitarai
Director
Shuhei Mori
Principal
Seiichiro Mukai
Director
Satoko Murata
Principal, Investment Group
Kohtaro Nagawa
Director
Tasuke Nakagawa
Partner / M&A
Mitsutaka Nakao
Principal, Investment Group
Shien Nakayama
Director
Yuya Namiki
Director
Ying Jian Ng
Director
Daisuke Nishida
General Partner
Yukari Nishiyama
Director, Investment Group
Akiko Noguchi
Director
Rina Obi
Investment Group Director, Berlin Office
Sho Ohtani
Principal
Tetsui Okada
Director
Mayu Okamoto
Director
Akane Okuyama
Director
Shingo Otaki
Partner
Rampalli Karthik
Principal
Naoki Sadakuni
Venture Partner
Enen Sai
Principal
Youichi Sakagawa
Director, Investment Group
Kazuki Sakuragawa
Partner / Editor in Chief
Masumi Sato
Principal
Naoki Sato
Principal, Investment Group
Tomoki Sekiguchi
Principal
Rie Shibata
Director
Takeru Shigemura
Director
Miku Shimamura
Principal
Masamune Shin
General Partner
Ayu Shinoyama
CFO and Board Member
Chisa Shinsakaue
Director
Divyansh Singh
Principal
Hiroto Sorita
Director
Sachiko Sugiura
Director
Yusuke Suzuki
Partner
Kazumo Tachibana
Director
Mana Takabayashi
Director
Hiroki Takai
Director
Toko Takao
Principal
Hideyuki Tanaka
Director
Marika Tazaki
Partner
Hirotaka Togashi
Director
Haruka Tsujii
Director
Atsushi Ueda Ph.D
Principal, Investment Group
Takuya Ukai
Principal, Investment Group
Tetsuya Urimoto
Director
Noriko Usui
Partner / Chief Fund Management Officer
Keita Washizu
Principal
Masao Yamada
Senior Partner
Kazunori Yamaguchi
Partner, Investment Group
Kazunor Yamaguchi
Partner
Ryozo Yamamoto
Partner
Michiko Yamazaki
Principal, Investment Group
Takuro Yoda
Principal, Investment Group
Sayaka Yoshino
Director
Miku Yoshio
Partner
Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Founder, Owner, CEO and General Partner
Miyazawa Yusuke
Venture Partner
Lusheng Zou
Director
Takuya Hosomura
Partner
Past deals in Smart Cities
IONATE
Series A in 2025
IONATE develops an innovative hardware-software system for smart grids, centered around its Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT). This advanced device replaces traditional transformers, integrating the control of voltage, harmonics, and reactive power into a single unit. By utilizing magnetics, the HIT enables users to manage these critical power characteristics simultaneously, enhancing efficiency and minimizing energy loss. The technology is designed to stabilize power distribution across various applications, including power generation, industrial facilities, and data centers, while facilitating real-time control capabilities.
Beacon Power Services
Series A in 2024
Beacon Power Services, founded in 2013 and based in Lagos, Nigeria, specializes in energy management solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. The company employs a data-driven approach, utilizing its AI-enabled grid management platform, Adora, to provide real-time visibility into network performance for power distribution companies. This software connects to utility assets and customer nodes, enabling energy providers to anticipate outages, identify network losses, and enhance electricity distribution efficiency. Beacon Power Services develops comprehensive power generation and management plans tailored to clients' specific needs, incorporating generator resizing, peak shaving, automation, appliance upgrades, and renewable generation installations. The company's mission is to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in African cities by building smart grids and addressing inefficiencies in electricity distribution systems, ultimately reducing energy costs for its clients.
Geofla
Venture Round in 2024
Geofla is a business that specializes in creating and planning products and applications designed to encourage physical activity and stimulate foot traffic in various spaces. The company's offerings include advertising and promotional services, incentivizing users to move around businesses through a points-based system.
Essen
Seed Round in 2024
Essen is a technological company that specializes in mobility and data analysis, as well as using data to improve transportation.
Newmo
Seed Round in 2024
Newmo is a technology company that specializes in sustainable local public transportation. It develops a ride-sharing service platform, enabling drivers to work flexibly using their free time, and providing passengers with a safe, secure, and comfortable user experience.
Hayden AI
Series B in 2023
Hayden AI focuses on developing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies aimed at enhancing urban mobility and safety. The company specializes in automated enforcement solutions for dedicated bus lanes and bus stops, which are designed to expedite public transit and improve the overall quality of life in urban areas. By leveraging advanced technology and a network of mobile devices, Hayden AI works to create safer and smarter cities. Its platform enables clients to utilize AI-powered tools that can detect and analyze traffic incidents, contributing to more efficient traffic management and fostering a sustainable urban environment.
Hayden AI
Series B in 2023
Hayden AI focuses on developing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies aimed at enhancing urban mobility and safety. The company specializes in automated enforcement solutions for dedicated bus lanes and bus stops, which are designed to expedite public transit and improve the overall quality of life in urban areas. By leveraging advanced technology and a network of mobile devices, Hayden AI works to create safer and smarter cities. Its platform enables clients to utilize AI-powered tools that can detect and analyze traffic incidents, contributing to more efficient traffic management and fostering a sustainable urban environment.
Yanekara
Venture Round in 2022
Yanekara specializes in developing and selling a V2X platform focused on smart grid technology and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The company offers innovative energy management services that transform electric vehicles into virtual storage batteries, allowing them to store and manage energy efficiently. By integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, with their charging systems, Yanekara enables users to optimize power storage and achieve carbon neutrality. Their solutions not only enhance the functionality of electric vehicles but also contribute to sustainable energy management and the advancement of clean energy initiatives.
Girasol Energy
Seed Round in 2021
Girasol Energy Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development and installation of an Internet of Things (IoT) platform tailored for photovoltaic plants. The company's innovative technology utilizes solar radiation statistics derived from satellite data, making it applicable across Japan. Girasol Energy's platform features a cloud engine that collects data from sensor networks, allowing for detailed analysis at the individual panel level. By employing an artificial intelligence engine, it automatically identifies abnormalities and degradation in photovoltaic panels. This capability enables businesses to monitor their solar panel modules remotely, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional consulting services in the industry.
WhereIsMyTransport
Series A in 2021
WhereIsMyTransport Ltd is a mobility technology company focused on providing comprehensive public transport data for megacities in emerging markets. Headquartered in London, with an additional office in Cape Town, the company specializes in digitalizing network information from various modes of public transport across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. By employing a data collection playbook, WhereIsMyTransport maps both formal and informal transport networks, ensuring data accuracy as these systems evolve. The company's platform serves businesses, municipalities, and citizens, enhancing the public transport experience and facilitating informed decision-making for infrastructure improvements and market entry.
Qlue
Series B in 2021
Qlue Inc. is a technology company based in Palo Alto, California, that focuses on developing solutions for smart city ecosystems. Established in 2014, the company has evolved from a tech startup into a comprehensive provider of smart city technology in Indonesia. Qlue's offerings include applications that facilitate public service monitoring, enabling citizens to file complaints to local governments and track their resolution. The platform incorporates artificial intelligence, computer vision technology, and mobile workforce management, aimed at helping both government and private sectors make data-driven decisions. By enhancing communication between citizens and local authorities, Qlue strives to foster community engagement and improve urban living conditions. The company was acquired by ServiceNow, Inc. in 2017.
Girasol Energy
Series A in 2021
Girasol Energy Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development and installation of an Internet of Things (IoT) platform tailored for photovoltaic plants. The company's innovative technology utilizes solar radiation statistics derived from satellite data, making it applicable across Japan. Girasol Energy's platform features a cloud engine that collects data from sensor networks, allowing for detailed analysis at the individual panel level. By employing an artificial intelligence engine, it automatically identifies abnormalities and degradation in photovoltaic panels. This capability enables businesses to monitor their solar panel modules remotely, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional consulting services in the industry.
UnaBiz
Venture Round in 2019
UnaBiz Pte Ltd, established in 2016 with headquarters in Singapore and an office in Taipei, specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The company provides low-power wide-area network connectivity services, along with wireless infrastructure and devices. UnaBiz offers a range of SIGFOX ready solutions such as Unashield, UnaBell, ModBus Reader, adaptors, GPS trackers, and chipsets/modules. They also provide onboarding, prototyping, and manufacturing services to clients in healthcare, building management, agriculture, environment, cities, utilities, and industries. The company focuses on cost efficiency and sustainability, empowering businesses to leverage IoT for operational growth through smart metering, asset management, supply chain monitoring, facilities management, and asset tracking applications.
UnaBiz
Series A in 2018
UnaBiz Pte Ltd, established in 2016 with headquarters in Singapore and an office in Taipei, specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The company provides low-power wide-area network connectivity services, along with wireless infrastructure and devices. UnaBiz offers a range of SIGFOX ready solutions such as Unashield, UnaBell, ModBus Reader, adaptors, GPS trackers, and chipsets/modules. They also provide onboarding, prototyping, and manufacturing services to clients in healthcare, building management, agriculture, environment, cities, utilities, and industries. The company focuses on cost efficiency and sustainability, empowering businesses to leverage IoT for operational growth through smart metering, asset management, supply chain monitoring, facilities management, and asset tracking applications.
RealGlobe
Venture Round in 2011
Realglobe, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that develops Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions, focusing on enhancing software development through Continuous Delivery-as-a-Service. Founded in 2008, Realglobe offers a range of services, including automation for building, testing, and delivery processes, as well as solutions for education, emergency medical response, and disaster management, which feature drone and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies. The company leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics to support its mission of fostering a sustainable society through local production and consumption. Furthermore, Realglobe operates a graphical mapping platform that employs three-dimensional scanning to create digital twins of real-world locations, facilitating effective information sharing between local governments and residents and aiding various industries like construction and facilities management in visualizing spatial data.
RealGlobe
Seed Round in 2011
Realglobe, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that develops Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions, focusing on enhancing software development through Continuous Delivery-as-a-Service. Founded in 2008, Realglobe offers a range of services, including automation for building, testing, and delivery processes, as well as solutions for education, emergency medical response, and disaster management, which feature drone and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies. The company leverages advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics to support its mission of fostering a sustainable society through local production and consumption. Furthermore, Realglobe operates a graphical mapping platform that employs three-dimensional scanning to create digital twins of real-world locations, facilitating effective information sharing between local governments and residents and aiding various industries like construction and facilities management in visualizing spatial data.
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