Clear
Venture Round in 2025
Clear is a Tokyo-based information services and web media company focused on the sake market. It provides content on domestic and international market trends, regulatory developments related to liquor tax, and overseas brewing prospects to help readers understand opportunities and issues in the sake industry. Founded in 2013, Clear delivers its information through web media platforms.
Salowin Inc., established in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates a unique business model within the beauty industry. The company provides a share salon concept for beauticians, offering private rooms equipped with well-maintained facilities. Salowin supports its tenants through services such as prepayment systems for sales and comprehensive support, enabling beauticians to focus on their craft while benefiting from shared resources and increased income potential.
HAKKI AFRICA
Series C in 2025
Founded in 2018, HAKKI AFRICA specializes in providing microfinance solutions for small businesses and gig workers across Africa. The company offers short-term loans and credit-scoring technology, empowering local financial institutions to assess creditworthiness and provide funding.
Shinmirai
Series A in 2025
Shinmirai Inc., established in Tokyo, Japan in 2016, specializes in wood processing and distribution services. The company operates sawmills, timber shops, and processing plants to transform traditional timber inventory management into digital, information-based systems. Shinmirai's core business involves converting the inventories of forestry workers, sawmills, and lumber shops into valuable data, enabling efficient timber distribution and access to matching platforms for businesses and designers. The company aims to promote sustainable forestry practices by facilitating transparent and effective timber distribution services.
Regional Fish
Series C in 2024
Regional Fish is a Kyoto, Japan–based food tech company founded in 2019 that develops high-speed breeding technologies for fish. It produces and sells seeds and seedlings based on genome technology and works on genome-edited food, aiming to enable sustainable land-based aquaculture of valuable species. The company leverages AI-driven methods to accelerate breeding and enhance efficiency in the fisheries sector, pursuing an eco-system with a low environmental footprint through clean energy use and the management of waste organic nitrogen. By combining genome editing with smart aquaculture practices, Regional Fish seeks to advance innovations in the aquatic industry while reducing environmental impact.
Striemo is a Japanese company founded in 2021 that specializes in manufacturing and developing electric personal mobility vehicles. Based in Tokyo, Striemo focuses on creating vehicles designed to enhance rider safety and reduce accidents. Their products feature stability and self-balancing capabilities, along with patented stress-free balancing technology. This innovation allows riders to navigate various surfaces, including pavement, asphalt, dirt, or cobblestones, thereby improving the overall riding experience.
Saleshub
Venture Round in 2024
Founded in Tokyo in 2014, Saleshub operates an online platform facilitating connections between individuals seeking side jobs, businesses looking for customers, and customers aiming to make referrals. The platform enables users to earn rewards by introducing acquaintances to relevant business opportunities.
ChillStack
Series A in 2024
Founded in 2018, ChillStack specializes in AI-driven cybersecurity. It offers services such as fraud detection for smartphone and consumer games, web vulnerability diagnosis, and AI security research & development.
PartnerSuccess
Series A in 2024
Founded in 2019, PartnerSuccess operates from Tokyo, Japan. It specializes in automating collaboration between manufacturers and distributors through its cloud-based platform.
ThinkCyte
Series C in 2024
ThinkCyte, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing an artificial intelligence-enabled, image-free visual cell sorting system, which sorts cells based on their morphology. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in San Carlos, California, ThinkCyte utilizes advanced optics and machine learning to create its ghost cytometry technology. This innovative approach allows for ultra-high throughput and content-rich analysis of single cells, facilitating research, diagnostics, and therapeutics across various medical disciplines such as drug discovery and cell therapy. The company's cell sorting technology enables researchers to identify and isolate specific cells, including rare ones, in real-time, advancing the capabilities of single-cell analysis.
Sagri, Inc. is a company based in Tamba, Japan, that specializes in developing agriculture software for experienced farmers. Founded in 2016, Sagri focuses on creating a data platform that addresses agricultural challenges through the use of satellite data and machine learning. This innovative platform enables users to analyze the status of agricultural land in their regions, collaborating with local governments and financial institutions. By providing digital mapping of abandoned cultivated land, Sagri aids agricultural committees in reducing the burden of land investigations and enhancing overall agricultural management.
Founded in 2019, Loglass develops a cloud-based solution that centralizes and streamlines business management. Its platform aggregates data from various sources like Excel and spreadsheets, supports financial accounting, sales management, and expense settlement software, and controls viewing authority for employees.
RECOTECH
Seed Round in 2024
RECOTECH is a ClimateTech firm that collects and shares data to maximize resource value throughout its life cycle, offering circular solutions to organizations and municipalities in Japan and beyond.
Founded in Tokyo in 2016, Nailie is a mobile application that connects customers with nail art specialists. It facilitates direct reservations at salons, offers deals on trending designs, and allows users to stock their favorite designs based on preferences.
YeLL, Inc. is a human resources platform based in Shinagawa-ku, Japan, founded in 2013. The company specializes in employee engagement and organizational development, offering consulting services designed to enhance communication and address employee needs. YeLL provides a range of solutions, including cloud-based one-on-one services, coaching, and career consultancy. By focusing on making the voices of employees heard, YeLL aims to facilitate organizational transformation and improve workplace dynamics, ultimately supporting clients in fostering a more engaged and effective workforce.
Ascenders
Series A in 2024
Ascenders Inc. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2016 that specializes in the sports human resources sector. The company focuses on developing a platform that facilitates the creation of career opportunities within the sports industry, aiming to foster professionals and enhance their self-realization in sports. Ascenders offers a range of services, including sports education and asset management, designed to create a supportive infrastructure for individuals pursuing careers in sports. By enabling access to a conducive work environment, Ascenders strives to cultivate world-class talent in the sports management field.
primeNumber
Venture Round in 2024
primeNumber Inc. is a technology company based in Yokohama, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing data transfer support and data engineering solutions, offering a range of services including data acquisition, aggregation, and machine learning. The company provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) data integration service that automates the data acquisition process, as well as a general-purpose platform as a service (PaaS) designed to optimize data utilization. Additionally, primeNumber offers consultation services that encompass data analysis, business planning support, and advertising product planning. Through its innovative solutions, primeNumber aims to create an environment where businesses can efficiently leverage data to drive advanced technologies and unique ideas.
Smartpay
Seed Round in 2024
Smartpay offers a unique buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment solution tailored for Japanese consumers with credit cards. Distinct from traditional BNPL services, Smartpay charges no fees, including sign-up, interest, settlement, or late charges. It features a user-friendly payment process that allows consumers to complete transactions in as little as 10 seconds, facilitating cross-merchant and cross-platform checkout. The payment structure is straightforward, requiring customers to make three equal installments over an eight-week period, eliminating the need for in-person payments at convenience stores or bank transfer fees. By enhancing the consumer payment experience while supporting merchant growth, Smartpay aims to improve overall transaction efficiency in the Japanese market.
Soundraw
Venture Round in 2024
Soundraw Inc. is a company based in Minato, Japan, that specializes in the development and operation of an AI-powered music generation platform. Founded in 2020, Soundraw offers a unique solution for video creators by allowing them to generate royalty-free music tailored to their specific needs. Users can select various parameters, such as mood, genre, and song length, and the platform's artificial intelligence generates customized music in seconds. The software features an intuitive user interface that enables further customization of the generated songs, making it easier for musicians and content creators to produce high-quality music effortlessly.
Founded in Tokyo in 2013 by Hidetsugu Ito, OpenLogi designs a cloud-based platform offering affordable outsourced logistics solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers. The platform optimizes warehouse control systems, leveraging unused assets and downtime to facilitate efficient logistics operations.
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2019, MOON-X is a consumer goods manufacturer that enriches lives through co-creation with communities and manufacturing partners. Its product portfolio spans craft beer, men's skincare products, women's skincare products, baby and maternity items, leather accessories, and business goods.
HAKKI AFRICA
Series B in 2023
Founded in 2018, HAKKI AFRICA specializes in providing microfinance solutions for small businesses and gig workers across Africa. The company offers short-term loans and credit-scoring technology, empowering local financial institutions to assess creditworthiness and provide funding.
GEXVal Inc. is a drug discovery company based in Fujisawa, Japan, founded in 2018. The company focuses on the research and development of innovative treatments for rare and incurable diseases, particularly in the fields of psychiatry, neurology, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. GEXVal is dedicated to addressing the needs of patients and families affected by these conditions by providing cost-effective treatment options that aim to enhance health and improve quality of life. Through its specialized research efforts, GEXVal seeks to develop compounds that target intractable diseases, enabling physicians to offer better therapeutic solutions to their patients.
Chai empowers small businesses centered on EC. It provides end-to-end e-commerce services that everyone can enjoy and continue to use in order to unlock the great potential of Japan's many small businesses.
CADDi is a Japan-based platform that combines online procurement for industrial products with an AI-powered data platform that digitizes and analyzes manufacturing drawings and procurement information. It tracks industrial products across the manufacturing supply chain and automates extraction of details from drawings and handwritten documents into searchable digital records. Through Realize DX, the platform integrates goods and software to streamline procurement, reduce expenses, and improve quality, cost, and delivery while enabling capacity expansion. The data platform provides procurement intelligence and supply chain data to help manufacturers consolidate insights and support sourcing decisions. CADDi is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Cellusion
Series C in 2023
Cellusion is a regenerative medicine company developing induced pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. The company focuses on research, development, manufacturing, and commercial supply of corneal endothelial cell substitutes for transplantation to restore corneal function and vision. Originating from Keio University, Cellusion aims to enable scalable, cell-based therapies by cultivating corneal endothelial cells from iPS sources and delivering them for surgical transplantation. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the company emphasizes advancing regenerative ophthalmology through cell-based therapies that offer less invasive treatment options for patients with endothelial corneal disease.
Heartseed
Series D in 2023
Heartseed Inc. is a Tokyo-based biotechnology company founded in 2015, focused on developing myocardial regeneration medicine utilizing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The company's mission is to advance treatments for heart disease through regenerative medicine, specifically targeting advanced heart failure with iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte replacement therapy. Heartseed aims to enable the clinical application of its innovative therapies to improve outcomes for patients suffering from heart conditions.
Kyoto Fusioneering
Series C in 2023
Founded in Kyoto, Japan in 2019, Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded technology company focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors. Their work includes gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies, and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation. The company aims to accelerate the realization of fusion energy as a viable, carbon-free power source.
Luup, Inc., founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in electric micro-mobility sharing services. The company's primary offering is an app-based service that allows users to rent and return electric kickboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes at various ports across multiple cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama. Luup aims to provide a convenient and enjoyable travel experience by enabling customers to pick up and drop off vehicles at different locations through their application.
SmartRyde
Series A in 2023
SmartRyde is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in airport transfer services. It operates a reservation platform that connects travelers with a wide variety of transportation options from over 650 operators worldwide. SmartRyde’s platform is designed to facilitate safe and seamless airport transfers, allowing users to pre-book their rides from a diverse selection of car models. The company also collaborates with more than 25 online travel agencies, including major players like Booking.com and Expedia, to enhance its service offerings. By focusing on customer support and ease of use, SmartRyde aims to make travel more comfortable and efficient for its users.
Founded in 2016, Wakaze specializes in the production and export of premium Japanese sake. The company offers a range of sake products under brands such as ORBIA-SOL and LUNA, and FONIA-SORRA and TERRA. Wakaze is committed to preserving traditional brewing methods while introducing sake to a global audience.
XMart, Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2018. It has developed an online platform designed to enhance the efficiency of the food service industry by connecting restaurants with wholesalers. By allowing restaurants to register their delivery slips on the platform, XMart facilitates a streamlined ordering process that includes proposed quotations. The platform aims to reduce operational costs for restaurants while promoting digital transformation within the industry. Additionally, it offers features that assist with sales promotion and settlement issues, addressing inefficiencies and information gaps in the food service sector.
Paytner is a company focused on providing financial support services specifically tailored for freelancers in Japan. As the freelance workforce continues to grow, the company addresses various challenges faced by this demographic, including funding issues and workplace harassment. Paytner has developed an online invoicing platform that allows freelancers to sell their invoices to business partners for immediate payment, typically within an hour. By facilitating the purchase of invoice information before deposits are made, Paytner enables clients to access funds quickly while managing their payment cycles more effectively. This innovative approach aims to enhance the financial stability of freelancers and improve the overall working environment in the evolving landscape of freelance employment.
Kiva Corp
Series A in 2022
a leading provider of extended warranties for the Japanese e-commerce market. Kiva provides “proteger,” an innovative solution that enables rapid implementation for online retailers. Kiva addresses the current challenges in the Japanese extended warranty market: “the lack of development pace in the product guarantee services, despite the rapid growth of the e-commerce market.” Kiva’s unique extended warranty service, “proteger,” offers rapid product replacement and repair warranty service to address this issue. In addition to reducing barriers to new product purchases and contributing to sales, “proteger” creates benefits such as providing consumers with a sense of long-term security.
Regional Fish
Series B in 2022
Regional Fish is a Kyoto, Japan–based food tech company founded in 2019 that develops high-speed breeding technologies for fish. It produces and sells seeds and seedlings based on genome technology and works on genome-edited food, aiming to enable sustainable land-based aquaculture of valuable species. The company leverages AI-driven methods to accelerate breeding and enhance efficiency in the fisheries sector, pursuing an eco-system with a low environmental footprint through clean energy use and the management of waste organic nitrogen. By combining genome editing with smart aquaculture practices, Regional Fish seeks to advance innovations in the aquatic industry while reducing environmental impact.
The Ethical Spirits
Venture Round in 2022
Ethical Spirits is a craft gin brand that focuses on sustainability by transforming sake lees from Kuramae, Tokyo, and surplus beer into premium gin. The company aims to create a circular economy in the alcoholic beverage industry by producing not only gin but also whiskey and other related products. Ethical Spirits offers a subscription service, allowing consumers to enjoy a variety of flavored drinks on a monthly basis. Through its innovative approach, the company aspires to establish itself as a lasting brand in the spirits market while promoting ethical consumption practices.
Pretia
Venture Round in 2022
Pretia Technologies, Inc. is a Tokyo-based augmented reality startup founded in 2014, specializing in the design and development of gaming software. The company focuses on creating a platform that enhances entertainment experiences by integrating augmented reality with real-life environments. Utilizing advanced technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, 3D localization, and mapping, Pretia enables users to interact with digital content linked to specific locations. This innovative approach allows players to engage in immersive gaming experiences across various devices, effectively bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds.
Soundraw Inc. is a company based in Minato, Japan, that specializes in the development and operation of an AI-powered music generation platform. Founded in 2020, Soundraw offers a unique solution for video creators by allowing them to generate royalty-free music tailored to their specific needs. Users can select various parameters, such as mood, genre, and song length, and the platform's artificial intelligence generates customized music in seconds. The software features an intuitive user interface that enables further customization of the generated songs, making it easier for musicians and content creators to produce high-quality music effortlessly.
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2019, MOON-X is a consumer goods manufacturer that enriches lives through co-creation with communities and manufacturing partners. Its product portfolio spans craft beer, men's skincare products, women's skincare products, baby and maternity items, leather accessories, and business goods.
Asobica
Venture Round in 2022
Asobica, Inc. is a Japanese company based in Shinagawa that focuses on the planning, development, and management of Internet-based businesses. The company aims to revitalize traditional industries through innovative technology and community engagement. Its flagship product, fever, serves as a platform for issuing community coins, fostering active participation within user communities. Asobica's software suite includes tools for customer relationship management, customer analysis, and community coin issuance, all designed to enhance user engagement and loyalty. By leveraging these technologies, Asobica seeks to support sustainable corporate growth and improve customer retention for its clients.
ROUTE06 is a software company that specializes in enterprise solutions and professional services. It provides digital technology, system infrastructure, and ongoing support to help clients launch and scale their digital operations. The company offers user experience design, system architecture, API development, data platform integration, and in-house development and website operations, as well as digital product planning and development. ROUTE06 emphasizes aligning technology with each client’s business goals and delivers end-to-end services from strategy through implementation and optimization, including data platform integration, DX consulting, and software as a service partnerships.
LUCA Science
Series B in 2022
LUCA Science Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Japan that specializes in developing innovative mitochondrial therapies aimed at restoring cellular bioenergetics in damaged tissues and organs. Utilizing patented iMIT technology, the company creates a novel platform of highly functional mitochondria, which can be supplied to affected areas to enhance bioenergetics and restore normal cellular functions. By harnessing mitochondria as biopharmaceutical agents, LUCA Science aims to address a range of unmet medical needs and improve disease states through the stabilization and control of mitochondrial activity. This groundbreaking approach positions LUCA Science at the forefront of mitochondrial therapy, with the potential to significantly impact the treatment landscape for various health conditions.
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2020, BeaTrust develops a collaboration platform that enables employees to discover colleagues' skills, interests, and experiences, fostering connections across departments and driving innovation.
Ac-Planta
Venture Round in 2022
Ac-Planta Inc. is a biotechnology research company based in Bunkyo, Japan, specializing in the development of acetic acid-based biostimulants and agrochemicals. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on creating innovative solutions to enhance the resilience of plants against environmental stressors such as heat, drought, and salinity. Its flagship product, Skeepon, leverages advanced epigenetic technology to promote plant adaptability in response to climate change challenges. Ac-Planta's mission is to address pressing global food and environmental issues by improving crop yields and quality while combating desertification and mitigating the impacts of abnormal weather patterns on agriculture.
Torana, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2015 that specializes in providing educational toy rental services through a subscription model. The company's flagship service, "Toysub!", delivers toys specifically designed for infants and toddlers, allowing families to optimize playtime as their children grow. Torana serves approximately 15,000 households in Japan and has expanded its offerings to Taiwan. By leveraging data from over 400,000 toy evaluations and 100,000 planning sessions, Torana has developed a systematic approach to selecting and delivering toys that support children's developmental needs, all while promoting quality parent-child interaction.
Matsuri Technologies
Series C in 2022
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2016, Matsuri Technologies develops a vacation rental tool that supports the management of various property types for short-term rentals. Its platform, m2m Systems, enables business operators to automate tasks such as check-ins and customer service.
CoCooking
Series A in 2022
CoCooking Co.Ltd is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2015 that operates the online platform Tabete, aimed at reducing food wastage. The platform connects users with restaurants, take-out food stores, and bakeries that have excess food nearing expiration, allowing them to sell it at discounted prices rather than disposing of it. This approach helps both consumers and businesses reduce global food waste while promoting sustainability and creating a positive social impact. Additionally, CoCooking organizes events and workshops focused on food conservation and uses food and cooking as a means to foster creativity, diversity, and well-being within individuals and communities.
Cellusion
Venture Round in 2022
Cellusion is a regenerative medicine company developing induced pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. The company focuses on research, development, manufacturing, and commercial supply of corneal endothelial cell substitutes for transplantation to restore corneal function and vision. Originating from Keio University, Cellusion aims to enable scalable, cell-based therapies by cultivating corneal endothelial cells from iPS sources and delivering them for surgical transplantation. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the company emphasizes advancing regenerative ophthalmology through cell-based therapies that offer less invasive treatment options for patients with endothelial corneal disease.
Rege Nephro
Venture Round in 2022
Rege Nephro is a Kyoto-based biotechnology company focused on renal disease therapeutics. It conducts research and development, production, and marketing of therapies based on nephron progenitor cells, and develops kidney organoids used to screen nephrotoxicity in drug discovery. The company is leveraging induced pluripotent stem cell technology from the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University to develop cell-based therapies for kidney conditions, along with potential applications for liver and pancreas diseases. Founded in 2019, Rege Nephro aims to reduce dialysis dependence by addressing renal failure through regenerative approaches.
ventus Japan
Series A in 2021
Ventus, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2017 that operates a fan engagement platform known as Whooop. This platform allows users to become members of sports teams through collaborations with professional athletes and teams. Ventus specializes in enabling the issuance and collection of electronic trading cards, which fans can purchase online. By integrating sports and entertainment content, the company creates a unique experience that fosters connections between fans and athletes, enhancing the overall enjoyment of sports engagement.
Good Vibes Only
Series A in 2021
Good Vibes Only Inc. is a consulting firm based in Shibuya, Japan, specializing in digital transformation and direct-to-consumer (D2C) services. Established in 2018, the company focuses on the apparel industry, offering a range of services that include product planning, development, manufacturing, public relations, and sales. Good Vibes Only operates an apparel digital transformation platform that leverages web3 technology to enhance merchandise planning and demand forecasting. By utilizing digital samples and artificial intelligence, the company aims to innovate supply chain processes in the apparel sector, facilitating regular access to new apparel in the web3 space for its clients.
SmartNews
Series F in 2021
SmartNews is a news platform that leverages machine learning algorithms to discover and deliver trending news stories across various categories, including business, technology, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, and world news. The platform evaluates tens of millions of articles and social signals to present users with the most relevant and important stories, helping them find quality information beyond traditional filter bubbles. With over 35 million downloads and more than 10 million monthly active users, SmartNews has received numerous accolades, including several "App of the Year" awards. The company has a global presence with offices in Tokyo, San Francisco, and New York, fostering an international culture that emphasizes collaboration and innovation in the quest to provide quality news to users worldwide.
SmartRyde
Series A in 2021
SmartRyde is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in airport transfer services. It operates a reservation platform that connects travelers with a wide variety of transportation options from over 650 operators worldwide. SmartRyde’s platform is designed to facilitate safe and seamless airport transfers, allowing users to pre-book their rides from a diverse selection of car models. The company also collaborates with more than 25 online travel agencies, including major players like Booking.com and Expedia, to enhance its service offerings. By focusing on customer support and ease of use, SmartRyde aims to make travel more comfortable and efficient for its users.
Koala Tech
Venture Round in 2021
Koala Tech Inc. is a high-tech startup based in Fukuoka, Japan, founded in 2019. The company specializes in the development of organic semiconductor laser diodes, a pioneering technology that emerged from research at the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics Research at Kyushu University. Koala Tech's innovative approach utilizes organic fluorescent semiconductors, which are easier and less harmful to process into thin films. This technology offers a low-cost light source that can be seamlessly integrated into OLED and organic electronic platforms, aiming to create practical applications for these advanced laser diodes.
Trustdock
Funding Round in 2021
Trustdock Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing an identity verification platform. The company offers an identity confirmation API service that enables businesses to outsource Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and comply with various regulatory requirements, including laws related to criminal profit transfer prevention and cell phone fraud. Trustdock's platform is versatile and can be integrated with any ID service, making it suitable for a wide range of industries, including FinTech and shared economy sectors. Through its e-KYC and identity confirmation tools, Trustdock facilitates secure and trusted business relationships by providing services such as personal number acquisition, risk assessment, and mailing, allowing individuals and organizations to authenticate digital identities efficiently and effectively.
Heartseed
Series C in 2021
Heartseed Inc. is a Tokyo-based biotechnology company founded in 2015, focused on developing myocardial regeneration medicine utilizing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The company's mission is to advance treatments for heart disease through regenerative medicine, specifically targeting advanced heart failure with iPS cell-derived cardiomyocyte replacement therapy. Heartseed aims to enable the clinical application of its innovative therapies to improve outcomes for patients suffering from heart conditions.
Clear
Venture Round in 2021
Clear is a Tokyo-based information services and web media company focused on the sake market. It provides content on domestic and international market trends, regulatory developments related to liquor tax, and overseas brewing prospects to help readers understand opportunities and issues in the sake industry. Founded in 2013, Clear delivers its information through web media platforms.
WARPSPACE
Series A in 2021
WARPSPACE Inc. is a Japanese company founded in 2016, originating from the University of Tsukuba, where it developed satellite projects for five years prior to its establishment. The company specializes in designing and developing satellite modules and ground system instruments. It provides communication infrastructure services for low Earth orbit satellites, including on-demand ground station services, intersatellite communication infrastructure, and portable ground station solutions. With its focus on advancing satellite technology, WARPSPACE aims to enhance connectivity and communication capabilities in the rapidly evolving space industry.
Chikaku
Venture Round in 2021
Chikaku Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in manufacturing electronic devices designed to facilitate family connections across distances. The company produces setup boxes that enable grandparents to easily view photos and videos taken with smartphones on their home televisions. By providing a simple solution for streaming content, Chikaku aims to enhance interactions between remote family members, allowing them to stay connected with their grandchildren and loved ones.
Catallaxy
Series A in 2021
Catallaxy is a platform and services company that provides metal parts procurement, cloud business management, and consulting. It operates Mitsuri, a trading platform for web quotes of metal custom parts linked to suppliers, including processing for industrial machinery, factory automation equipment, and facility equipment, and it also runs Fabit, a platform for manufacturing media. The company coordinates with processing companies and partner factories to streamline procurement, production, and distribution of metal parts, enabling customers to receive materials and improve operational efficiency.
CureApp, Inc. is a Tokyo-based digital health startup founded in 2014, specializing in the development of mobile applications aimed at treating various diseases. The company is recognized for its innovative approach to healthcare, particularly with its nicotine addiction treatment app launched in February 2015, which was developed in collaboration with the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Keio University’s School of Medicine. CureApp’s platform not only promotes clinical trials but also focuses on providing real-time, personalized guidance for lifestyle diseases through a cloud-based system that analyzes daily activity logs. This enables patients to manage their conditions more effectively, addressing health issues that are often overlooked by traditional medications and devices.
Cardio Intelligence
Seed Round in 2021
Cardio Intelligence Inc. is a company focused on the research, development, and sale of artificial intelligence-based electrocardiographic diagnosis systems. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company aims to assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing and treating heart diseases, particularly through its automated AI diagnostic system that provides accuracy comparable to that of specialized clinicians. The system is designed to facilitate early detection of conditions such as atrial fibrillation by analyzing electrocardiogram data. In addition to its core technology, Cardio Intelligence also engages in software development, patent licensing, medical equipment lending and repair, and offers contract services to pharmaceutical companies. Through its innovations, the company seeks to improve access to medical care for patients worldwide who face challenges in obtaining timely heart disease treatment.
Yoshidumi
Venture Round in 2021
Yoshidumi is an IT company specializing in package software production services. It leverages advanced AI and cloud technologies to deliver its solutions.
XMart, Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2018. It has developed an online platform designed to enhance the efficiency of the food service industry by connecting restaurants with wholesalers. By allowing restaurants to register their delivery slips on the platform, XMart facilitates a streamlined ordering process that includes proposed quotations. The platform aims to reduce operational costs for restaurants while promoting digital transformation within the industry. Additionally, it offers features that assist with sales promotion and settlement issues, addressing inefficiencies and information gaps in the food service sector.
LegalForce
Series C in 2021
LegalForce, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing software for legal services. It operates an AI-powered contract management platform designed to assist legal professionals in contract review. By utilizing natural language processing and other advanced technologies, LegalForce's platform helps users analyze contracts based on their specific types, while identifying potentially omitted or risky clauses. This functionality aids legal professionals in preventing oversights and enhancing the quality and efficiency of their operations, ultimately strengthening their legal systems.
LegalOn Technologies
Series C in 2021
LegalOn Technologies offers AI-powered contract review software that helps legal teams review and negotiate contracts faster and more accurately. The platform combines artificial intelligence with attorney expertise to identify contract risks, generate precise redlines, and enforce organization-specific standards. It supports a range of contract operations, including search, storage, and comparison, and includes an AI assistant with answers to contract questions, available online and integrated with Microsoft Word. The solution is used by thousands of companies and firms worldwide and includes customizable playbooks that provide immediate, real-world value. Founded in 2017, LegalOn serves a global customer base and focuses on improving speed, risk management, and efficiency in contract workflows.
Latona, Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in microfinance and innovative technologies that enhance front-end user experiences. It integrates three key technological domains: AI model container runtimes, sensor-controlling software, and real-time applications using FPGA/RTOS hardware. Latona's platform facilitates development in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing, providing clients with a comprehensive suite of resources to optimize user experience and application architecture. The company offers a range of services including visual programming, technology consulting, data integration, system integration, and automation processing, primarily aimed at supporting businesses operating in the IoT sector.
iCare Co., Ltd., established in 2011 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in health management solutions. It operates a cloud-based platform that consolidates and securely stores employee health information, including check-up results, stress levels, work hours, and consultation records. iCare's platform is designed to alleviate administrative burdens from businesses, enabling them to better manage employee health and well-being. The company is recognized as the leading health and labor cloud solution provider in Japan, catering to both small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations expanding globally.
HRBrain
Funding Round in 2020
HRBrain, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in providing cloud-based human resource evaluation services. It operates an online platform designed to streamline the management and assessment of employee goals, offering centralized management of human resource data, personal evaluations, and organizational structure analysis. The platform enables businesses to visualize and analyze accumulated evaluation data, facilitating effective personnel evaluation and management of interview logs and target sheets. By leveraging its technology, HRBrain assists companies and HR professionals in developing strategic management measures to enhance workforce performance.
Ghelia
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in 2017, Ghelia develops integrated AI solutions for business operations. Its offerings include Deep Station, deep learning hardware, and Deep Analyzer, a learning software. The company aims to make advanced deep learning technology accessible and beneficial to diverse users.
Aipore
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in 2018, Aipore specializes in developing nanopore sensors using semiconductor Si microfabrication technology. These sensors measure and analyze changes in ion current flow, enabling accurate identification of particles such as viruses for diverse industrial applications like microbiological testing, cancer detection, and environmental evaluation.
Varinos
Seed Round in 2020
Varinos Inc. is a clinical testing company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2017. It specializes in genomic testing and continuous clinical sequencing services, partnering with medical institutions to provide advanced contract analysis. Utilizing next-generation sequencing technology, Varinos offers services such as endometrial microbiome testing and flow of intrauterine flora testing. The company's innovative genome analysis capabilities enable the detection of microscopic amounts of bacteria and facilitate the examination of genes and chromosomes in embryos before pregnancy, thereby assisting women in identifying potential abnormalities and reducing associated physical and mental burdens.
ClipLine provides a video-based service for businesses with multiple locations, facilitating management across diverse industries such as retail, nursing care, transportation, and factories. Launched in 2014, ClipLine serves approximately 15,000 stores and 420,000 users, promoting digital transformation and enhancing organizational execution.
INGAGE
Venture Round in 2020
INGAGE specializes in developing cloud-based software for managing customer communications. Founded in Japan in 2014, the company's flagship product is 'Re:lation', a platform enabling businesses to track and manage interactions with customers across various channels.
Founded in 2016, Findy is a Tokyo-based company that connects IT engineers, freelancers, and sideline engineers with companies. It offers job change services, hiring information, and an interview platform for active engineers called Findy Engineer Lab.
BluAge Corp. is a technology company based in Chuo-ku, Japan, specializing in the development of application software for rental property searches. Founded in 2018, the company offers a mobile application called Canary, which facilitates fast and easy searching for rental rooms. The software is accessible on both the Play Store and the App Store, catering to users looking for efficient solutions in the rental market.
Tanp is an e-commerce platform operated by Gracia Inc., which specializes in providing a diverse selection of gift options for various occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, job celebrations, and weddings. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Shinagawa, Japan, Tanp aims to enhance the gift-giving experience by offering products that help customers celebrate and cherish important moments in their lives. The platform is designed to make the process of selecting and purchasing gifts more enjoyable and accessible for its users.
beBit
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in 2000, beBit is a Tokyo-based consulting firm specializing in customer experience management and user-centered design services. It assists enterprises in identifying digital trends, analyzing user behavior shifts, and creating feasible digital solutions and omnichannel strategies.
Opn, formerly known as SYNQA, is a company established in 2013 that focuses on online payment solutions, blockchain technology for fintech applications, and digital transformation services. With a strong presence in Asia, Opn aims to connect individuals, businesses, and society through innovative financial solutions that promote equitable access to the digital economy. The company's comprehensive payment management platform allows businesses to securely accept, process, and disburse payments, enhancing their ability to reach a broader customer base and drive revenue. Opn's offerings are supported by its sister company, Omise Payment Holdings, which provides a one-stop solution for online payment needs. Through its services, Opn serves thousands of merchants and businesses globally, contributing to a growing economic ecosystem.
NOT A HOTEL
Venture Round in 2020
NOT A HOTEL Inc., established in Tokyo, Japan in 2020, operates a unique membership service that allows users to seamlessly switch between using properties as personal residences or hotel accommodations via a user-friendly app. The company focuses on small luxury hotels and manages the operation and maintenance of these properties, ensuring availability for members three months in advance. Members can gift their unused dates to others and receive earnings through the platform, with key delivery and chat support available within the app.
Creww
Venture Round in 2020
Creww Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2012 that operates a platform dedicated to the business development of startups. It provides a range of services designed to support new businesses, including creww accele, a collaborative platform that promotes entrepreneurship, and docks, which offers co-working spaces. Additionally, Creww offers steams, a cloud service for co-creation business programs, as well as a corporate membership that delivers business support for emerging enterprises. The company aims to facilitate corporate open innovation and digital transformation, connecting entrepreneurs with the resources, expertise, and networks necessary to foster growth and address social and corporate challenges.
Zehitomo Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2015 that operates an online platform designed to connect clients with local service professionals across Japan. The platform facilitates the hiring of various specialists, including photographers and personal trainers, providing users with access to a diverse range of services. By enabling these connections, Zehitomo supports local professionals in expanding their businesses and enhancing profitability through increased service volume.
Luup, Inc., founded in 2018 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in electric micro-mobility sharing services. The company's primary offering is an app-based service that allows users to rent and return electric kickboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes at various ports across multiple cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama. Luup aims to provide a convenient and enjoyable travel experience by enabling customers to pick up and drop off vehicles at different locations through their application.
MabGenesis
Series A in 2020
Founded in 2019, MabGenesis is a biopharmaceutical company based in Yokohama, Japan. It specializes in developing therapeutic monoclonal antibody drugs for both human and animal use.
Div
Debt Financing in 2020
Div Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2012 that specializes in providing programming education through its TECH::CAMP initiative. It offers short-term intensive training courses designed to equip students with the skills needed to become proficient engineers. Div operates programming schools in both online and classroom formats, catering to a diverse range of learners. The company's primary objective is to transform inexperienced individuals into professional engineers capable of pursuing careers in technology, particularly in web design. Through its comprehensive curriculum, Div aims to facilitate the transition from novice to skilled practitioner in the software programming field.
Photoruction
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in Tokyo in 2016, Photoruction specializes in developing cloud-based solutions for the construction industry. Its flagship product is a platform that streamlines construction photography and supports civil engineering production processes. The company also offers aoz cloud, an AI engine that reads information from drawings and photographs to enhance productivity.
Alivexis is a private preclinical stage drug discovery company based in Tokyo, specializing in the rapid design and generation of small molecule clinical candidates targeting high-value disease conditions. The company leverages advanced computational drug discovery techniques and unique biological insights to expedite the development of new medicines. Its international team comprises experts in drug design and disease biology, drawing on extensive research and development experience from global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and technology firms. By focusing on innovative approaches, Alivexis aims to enhance biotechnological research and improve the efficiency of delivering essential medicines to patients with unmet medical needs.
Antaa
Venture Round in 2020
Antaa, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that facilitates online connections among doctors to enhance medical treatment and decision-making. The company operates a platform that allows doctors to pose questions and receive answers from their peers, thereby fostering collaboration within the medical community. Antaa also provides resources for sharing medical research findings and reports, as well as a learning environment for medical professionals, curated by doctors themselves. By promoting knowledge exchange and offering access to second opinions, Antaa aims to support healthcare providers in delivering efficient and informed patient care.
Remohab
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in Japan in 2017, Remohab specializes in remote telemedicine solutions for rehabilitation patients. Its core product, the Remohub system, leverages IoT and ICT technologies to connect patients at home with medical institutions remotely, facilitating cardiac rehabilitation.
Caulis
Venture Round in 2020
Caulis Inc. is a cybersecurity company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing an open security platform designed to detect fraud and identity theft through the analysis of users’ online behavior. The platform incorporates a risk detection engine that safeguards users from unauthorized access and malicious activities. Caulis provides cloud-based fraud detection services tailored for corporate clients, which include features such as unauthorized access detection and anti-phishing measures. The company employs advanced technologies to automatically identify and register phishing sites with major browsing services. Additionally, Caulis monitors account resale information across various platforms, keeping clients informed through daily email notifications regarding account purchase activities.
Catallaxy
Venture Round in 2020
Catallaxy is a platform and services company that provides metal parts procurement, cloud business management, and consulting. It operates Mitsuri, a trading platform for web quotes of metal custom parts linked to suppliers, including processing for industrial machinery, factory automation equipment, and facility equipment, and it also runs Fabit, a platform for manufacturing media. The company coordinates with processing companies and partner factories to streamline procurement, production, and distribution of metal parts, enabling customers to receive materials and improve operational efficiency.
AIQ Corporation, established in 2017 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing an online platform that focuses on the planning, development, and sales of artificial intelligence and software technologies. The company's platform is designed to visualize and analyze market insights using profiling AI, helping to identify potential customers with high lifetime value (LTV). Additionally, AIQ offers services such as customer satisfaction surveys and investigates customer attributes in research and development, as well as marketing fields.
LegalForce
Series B in 2020
LegalForce, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in developing software for legal services. It operates an AI-powered contract management platform designed to assist legal professionals in contract review. By utilizing natural language processing and other advanced technologies, LegalForce's platform helps users analyze contracts based on their specific types, while identifying potentially omitted or risky clauses. This functionality aids legal professionals in preventing oversights and enhancing the quality and efficiency of their operations, ultimately strengthening their legal systems.
Rentio
Venture Round in 2020
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2015, Rentio operates an online platform for selling and leasing camera and home appliances. It offers subscription-based rental services, allowing customers to try products without purchasing them outright.
bellFace
Venture Round in 2020
bellFace Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing a web-based platform that facilitates video conferencing and business negotiation activities, particularly for business-to-business sales and customer support. The platform requires no login or installation, allowing users to connect within five seconds directly through their web browsers. It features a patented audio system that utilizes telephone lines to ensure clear communication without interruptions common in conventional web meeting systems. bellFace also includes functionalities such as document sharing and a script feature, creating an experience akin to face-to-face interactions. This system is specifically designed to support remote sales across various sectors, including banking and securities, enhancing the efficiency of inside sales teams.
ROXX Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in developing and providing a job placement platform and related services tailored for musicians. Founded in 2013 and rebranded from Scouter Inc. in July 2019, ROXX operates key products such as Back Check, a reference verification service, and SARDINE, a cloud-based job database. The company's platform emphasizes the recruitment of inexperienced full-time employees and incorporates features that enhance reference compliance and research capabilities.
Clear
Venture Round in 2020
Clear is a Tokyo-based information services and web media company focused on the sake market. It provides content on domestic and international market trends, regulatory developments related to liquor tax, and overseas brewing prospects to help readers understand opportunities and issues in the sake industry. Founded in 2013, Clear delivers its information through web media platforms.
LegalOn Technologies
Series B in 2020
LegalOn Technologies offers AI-powered contract review software that helps legal teams review and negotiate contracts faster and more accurately. The platform combines artificial intelligence with attorney expertise to identify contract risks, generate precise redlines, and enforce organization-specific standards. It supports a range of contract operations, including search, storage, and comparison, and includes an AI assistant with answers to contract questions, available online and integrated with Microsoft Word. The solution is used by thousands of companies and firms worldwide and includes customizable playbooks that provide immediate, real-world value. Founded in 2017, LegalOn serves a global customer base and focuses on improving speed, risk management, and efficiency in contract workflows.
Caulis
Venture Round in 2020
Caulis Inc. is a cybersecurity company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing an open security platform designed to detect fraud and identity theft through the analysis of users’ online behavior. The platform incorporates a risk detection engine that safeguards users from unauthorized access and malicious activities. Caulis provides cloud-based fraud detection services tailored for corporate clients, which include features such as unauthorized access detection and anti-phishing measures. The company employs advanced technologies to automatically identify and register phishing sites with major browsing services. Additionally, Caulis monitors account resale information across various platforms, keeping clients informed through daily email notifications regarding account purchase activities.
Cellusion
Series A in 2020
Cellusion is a regenerative medicine company developing induced pluripotent stem cell-derived corneal endothelial cells for the treatment of bullous keratopathy. The company focuses on research, development, manufacturing, and commercial supply of corneal endothelial cell substitutes for transplantation to restore corneal function and vision. Originating from Keio University, Cellusion aims to enable scalable, cell-based therapies by cultivating corneal endothelial cells from iPS sources and delivering them for surgical transplantation. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the company emphasizes advancing regenerative ophthalmology through cell-based therapies that offer less invasive treatment options for patients with endothelial corneal disease.