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 Transportation
Hived
Venture Round in 2024
HIVED is a sustainable parcel delivery service focused on creating a more environmentally friendly and efficient delivery experience. The company specializes in zero-emission delivery solutions that aim to minimize waste and reduce carbon footprints for both shippers and recipients. By leveraging innovative operational processes and software, HIVED is developing a comprehensive parcel delivery network designed for the future. This approach allows businesses to achieve affordable and convenient delivery options while contributing to sustainability efforts.
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.
Turing
Seed Round in 2024
Turing develops and manufactures fully autonomous vehicles.
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.
Stockoss
Seed Round in 2023
Stockoss, founded in 2017 and based in St Ouen, France, provides on-demand storage services in Paris and its surrounding suburbs. The company specializes in collecting items from clients, storing them in secure warehouses, and delivering them back as requested. Stockoss aims to enhance logistics and supply chain management by developing a software platform that connects various logistics stakeholders, offering features such as real-time inventory visibility and centralized information management. The platform facilitates collaboration among logistics providers, carriers, and businesses, promoting flexibility, transparency, and efficient data monitoring. By streamlining operations and minimizing manual data entry, Stockoss addresses the challenges of a fragmented and technology-deficient third-party logistics market.
Luup
Series D in 2023
Luup, Inc. is a provider of electric micro-mobility sharing services based in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 2018, the company specializes in renting electric kickboards and bicycles through its user-friendly application. Luup operates primarily in major cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama, with plans for further expansion across Japan. The service utilizes a high-density port network, allowing users to conveniently rent and return vehicles at various locations. By offering a range of electric two-wheelers and small vehicles, Luup aims to enhance urban mobility and provide customers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
Regent
Venture Round in 2023
Regent is a maritime mobility company focused on developing electric flying machines for coastal transportation. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing seagliders, which are wing-in-ground-effect crafts that operate a few meters above the water's surface. These innovative vehicles combine the high speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat, enabling them to travel at speeds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h) over suitable ranges for regional trips. Regent's seagliders aim to replace traditional ferries and short-haul aircraft on coastal routes, providing fast, safe, and cost-effective transportation solutions that connect coastal cities and islands. By revolutionizing regional transportation, Regent seeks to enhance connectivity among coastal communities while promoting sustainable travel options.
nearMe
Series B in 2023
NearMe Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in a mobile application designed for taxi ride-sharing services. Founded in 2017, the application facilitates instant matching of individuals traveling in the same direction, addressing inefficiencies in transportation and commuting. By enabling users to share taxi rides in real time, NearMe aims to improve the commuting experience and promote a more sustainable community. The platform addresses social inefficiencies by connecting users with similar travel interests, ultimately contributing to a more comfortable and efficient commuting solution.
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.
Turing
Seed Round in 2022
Turing develops and manufactures fully autonomous vehicles.
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.
Swift Navigation
Series C in 2021
Swift Navigation, Inc. is a technology company specializing in precise global positioning system (GPS) solutions, founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, with an additional location in Melbourne, Australia. The company develops hardware and software that provide centimeter-level accuracy through real-time kinematics (RTK) technology. Its product lineup includes the Piksi Multi GNSS Module, a versatile RTK receiver, and the Duro Ruggedized Receiver, designed for various industrial applications such as agriculture and robotics. Additionally, Swift Navigation offers the Skylark cloud corrections service and the Starling GNSS positioning engine, which caters to automotive and autonomous vehicle needs. The company's innovative solutions, characterized by their affordability and high accuracy—100 times better than standard GPS—serve multiple industries, including unmanned aerial vehicles, surveying, and space applications. Swift Navigation's commitment to making advanced positioning technology accessible is recognized by notable accolades, including mentions in Inc. and Forbes 30 Under 30 lists.
SWAT Mobility
Venture Round in 2021
SWAT Mobility specializes in vehicle-routing technology aimed at addressing complex transportation challenges faced by companies, transport operators, and government agencies globally. The company's innovative solutions utilize advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize route planning and pooling, enhancing transport efficiency while accommodating multiple waypoints. By offering high-capacity vehicle pooling services that are both on-demand and dynamically routed, SWAT Mobility has demonstrated success in reducing transportation costs, improving urban connectivity, and alleviating traffic congestion. Their technology is designed to meet current logistics needs and is well-positioned for future advancements, including the integration of autonomous vehicles.
Airporter
Series B in 2020
Airporter is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in baggage delivery services for travelers. Founded in November 2017, the company provides a low-cost, same-day luggage delivery service between airports and accommodations, allowing tourists to travel without the burden of their bags. Customers can easily manage their orders and payments through a smartphone application, ensuring a convenient experience. Airporter aims to enhance its offerings by forming partnerships with hotels and delivery systems. The company has also attracted significant investment from various venture capital firms to support its growth and expansion in the tourism sector.
Lime
Series C in 2019
Lime is a transportation company that focuses on providing sustainable solutions for urban mobility by offering electric scooters and bike-sharing services. The company partners with cities to deploy a fleet of electric bikes and scooters equipped with GPS and self-activating locks, which allows users to access affordable and reliable transportation options. Lime aims to address the first- and last-mile transportation challenges, promoting environmentally friendly alternatives that help reduce carbon footprints. By encouraging a shift in transportation behavior, Lime seeks to empower future generations to contribute to a more sustainable planet.
Immense
Series A in 2019
Immense is a developer of enterprise software focused on making transport simulation accessible to various sectors within the transportation industry. By combining advanced data science, machine learning, and computational technologies with domain expertise, Immense provides tools that address critical transportation challenges. Their simulation platform is designed to assist clients in making informed decisions regarding mobility, with applications spanning fleet management, infrastructure operations, and transportation planning. Collaborating with trusted data partners, Immense aims to deliver effective mobility solutions for the complex issues faced by the industry today and in the future.
Azit
Venture Round in 2018
Azit Inc. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2013 that specializes in developing software applications for car sharing services. Its primary product, CREW, is a smart transfer app that enables users to summon nearby vehicles using their smartphones, thereby enhancing mobility for individuals in Japan. Additionally, Azit offers Tribu, a platform for person-to-person sampling. The company's mission focuses on improving transportation efficiency and accessibility for its users.
Trillium Secure
Series A in 2017
Trillium Secure specializes in offering cybersecurity solutions tailored for connected vehicles. With a focus on protecting in-vehicle systems from potential cyber threats, Trillium ensures the safety and security of both the vehicle and its passengers. By leveraging advanced technology, Trillium aims to provide a reliable and robust defense against cybersecurity risks in the automotive industry.
Hailo Network
Venture Round in 2013
Hailo Network, established in 1947, is a global manufacturer and supplier of ladder systems, steps, and waste bins, renowned for its innovative products and safety features. The company, headquartered in Germany, operates in over 60 countries worldwide, distributing its products through a extensive network of retailers and wholesalers. Hailo's commitment to quality, safety, and innovation has positioned it as a leading provider in its industry.
Otetsutabi
Otetsutabi Co., Ltd. is a platform based in Tokyo, Japan, that focuses on regional revitalization by connecting travelers with rural communities in need of seasonal labor. Established in 2018, the company provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage with local accommodations and breweries, helping to address labor shortages in these areas. Travelers can assist with various tasks in exchange for free lodging and meals, allowing them to experience Japan's rich culture and scenic landscapes while contributing to local economies. The service promotes tourism by facilitating meaningful interactions between visitors and residents, enhancing the overall travel experience.
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