SoftBank Investment Advisers

SoftBank Investment Advisers is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. and specializes in growth capital and late-stage investments predominantly within the technology sector. The firm focuses on a diverse array of industries, including internet-of-things, artificial intelligence, robotics, telecommunications, computational biology, fintech, and digital financial services. With a preference for global investments, particularly in the United States, SoftBank Investment Advisers typically commits a minimum of $100 million to both minority and majority stakes in private and public companies. The firm is known for offering operational expertise and leveraging a vast global network, aiming to support innovative companies that have the potential to revolutionize their respective fields. It maintains additional offices in key locations such as Tokyo, San Francisco, and Singapore.

Lee Bocker

COO

Rodrigo Costa

Partner

Serena Dayal

Investment Director

Angela Du

Investor

Fan, Colin

Managing Partner, Americas, Asia

Fike, Ted

Director, Americas

Ronald Fisher

Executive Vice Chairman

Jett, Lydia Bly

Partner

Sumer Juneja

Partner and Head of India

Robert Kaplan

Investment Director

Greg Moon

Managing Partner, Asia

Niewiadomski, Karol

Partner

Shu Nyatta

Managing Partner

Max Ohrstrand

Partner, EMEA

Vikas Parekh

Partner

Yanni Pipilis

Managing Partner

Thevenon, David

Partner

Ram Trichur

Partner

Aaron Wong

Vice President

Andrew Zloto

Investment Director

Past deals in Tokyo

Rapidus

Grant in 2022
Rapidus is an Electronic component research, development, design, production, and sales that includes semiconductor elements and integrated circuits. Environmentally friendly, energy-saving semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing technology are being researched and developed. Human resource development and training for the semiconductor sector.

LegalForce

Series D in 2022
LegalForce is an AI-powered contract management platform that provides contract review support services. The company uses and combines natural language processing and other technologies to offer functions that include reviewing contracts according to the type of agreement and detecting clauses that may be omitted or risky in addition to preventing omissions and oversights helping legal professionals to strengthen the system and improve the quality and efficiency of legal operations. LegalForce was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Toyosu, Tokyo, Japan.

AI Medical Service

Series C in 2022
AI Medical Service is a start-up company that develops artificial intelligence that brings together the wisdom of Japanese endoscopic specialists and contributes to the development of endoscopic medical care worldwide.

Soul Machines

Series B in 2022
Soul Machines Limited, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, specializes in the development of emotionally responsive avatars that enhance user experiences across various artificial intelligence platforms. The company offers a range of products, including the Digital DNA Studio, which allows users to create custom digital avatars for applications in customer care, marketing, education, and more. By utilizing its innovative Biological AI technology and patented Digital Brain™, Soul Machines aims to humanize AI, creating engaging and empathetic AI assistants that facilitate deeper interactions and personalized experiences. With additional offices in major cities worldwide, including San Francisco, New York, London, Tokyo, and Melbourne, Soul Machines is at the forefront of transforming customer engagement through ethical and responsive human-machine collaboration.

SODA

Series D in 2021
Soda launched its customer-to-customer marketplace SNKRDUNK, which now has over 3 million monthly users in Japan. Through the platform, users can buy and sell sneakers safely as it offers legitimacy checking services through local authentication provider Fake Busters.

Gelato

Venture Round in 2021
Gelato operates an on-demand printing platform that specializes in customized print products. It enables entrepreneurs, creators, and global brands to sell their products worldwide while producing them locally in 30 countries, thus streamlining the logistics and eliminating the need for inventory management or cross-border shipping. This approach allows businesses of all sizes to efficiently scale their e-commerce operations, reaching a vast consumer base of up to 5 billion people. Gelato's commitment to sustainability and efficiency positions it as a leader in the customized print market. The company has a global presence with offices in key cities, including Boston, London, and Tokyo, while headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

Cybereason

Series F in 2021
Cybereason Inc. develops a comprehensive cybersecurity platform focused on endpoint protection, including endpoint detection and response, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and antivirus solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of elite intelligence professionals, the company offers a suite of products designed to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. Key offerings include Deep Detect & Respond, which analyzes behavioral data to identify suspicious activities; Deep Prevent, aimed at blocking advanced attacks; Deep Investigate, which collects enterprise data for threat analysis; and Deep Respond, a threat detection and response interface. Additionally, Cybereason provides RansomFree, an anti-ransomware solution, alongside various services such as monitoring, investigation, and training. The company is headquartered in Boston and maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, leveraging a custom-built in-memory graph to enhance its threat detection capabilities.

OpenStreet

Venture Round in 2021
OpenStreet is a service that allows to use shared cycling nationwide.

Latona

Series A in 2021
Latona is combining three major technological segments, such as onboarding AI model container runtimes, sensor-controlling software stacks, and FPGA/RTOS real-time applications and hardware. Latona creates a platform that includes all AI, IoT, edge computing, and relevant resources to innovate every type of UX, application-driven architecture, computational facet, and technological component in a business environment.

DiDi Mobility Japan

Venture Round in 2021
DiDi is a vehicle dispatch platform that connects those who want to ride a taxi with those who need one. It will optimize taxi dispatch and provide an unprecedented travel experience by utilizing advanced analysis and prediction technology that makes use of AI (artificial intelligence).

PayPay

Venture Round in 2020
PayPay is an online payment application. This benefit is not applicable when paying with PayPay online payment service. For PayPay, per person, the granting limit for one payment is equivalent to 15,000 yen, and the total granting limit for one month is equivalent to 30,000 yen.

One Tap BUY

Venture Round in 2020
One Tap BUY provides my banker, the financial smartphone application. The application allows its users to select the stocks they want to buy and sell, helps them to decide amounts, and buy stocks by spending a lesser amount of money. Stocks can be traded throughout the day and it also allows its users to buy and sell only profits and keep the stocks with them.

Brain Corp

Series D in 2020
Brain Corporation, founded in 2009 and based in San Diego, California, specializes in developing a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform for self-driving robots. Its primary product, BrainOS, is an operating system that integrates with off-the-shelf hardware and sensors, providing robots with advanced computer vision and AI capabilities to navigate complex environments. The company's technology supports various industries, including delivery, healthcare, security, and personal services, by enabling robots to operate autonomously. Additionally, Brain Corporation's solutions aid manufacturers in producing and deploying autonomous machines effectively, positioning the company as a leader in the robotics industry. With offices in Amsterdam and Tokyo, Brain Corporation continues to expand its influence in robotics and automation globally.

C Channel

Venture Round in 2020
C Channel is a video media provider that targets women aged 20 to 34 by delivering high-quality lifestyle content. The company focuses on a variety of topics, including hairstyling, food, fashion, and travel tips. In addition to its media offerings, C Channel also operates as a marketing and advertising agency, specializing in the production and management of influential content creators. Through its diverse range of videos and strategic partnerships with influencers, C Channel aims to engage and inspire its audience.

Behavox

Venture Round in 2020
Behavox Ltd. specializes in compliance surveillance software tailored for the capital markets sector. Its offerings include Behavox Compliance, an employee monitoring and risk scoring system, and Behavox Voice, which processes and analyzes voice recordings with multi-lingual capabilities. The company has developed a unified enterprise platform that aggregates various data types into a single data lake, allowing for real-time querying and the application of machine learning to identify misconduct and insider threats. Behavox's innovative approach combines sophisticated engineering with insights from academic research, enabling the continuous improvement of detection algorithms and facilitating the early identification of market abuse, fraud, and other risky behaviors. Founded in 2014, Behavox is headquartered in London, with additional offices in St Petersburg, Russia, and Tokyo, Japan, and operations in Canada.

Accel Robotics

Series A in 2019
Accel Robotics Corporation is a technology company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence-enabled solutions for retail environments. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in La Jolla, California, with additional offices in Tokyo and Buenos Aires, the company offers the OMNIO robot and a 360-degree visual intelligence platform. This camera-based AI system enhances customer experiences by allowing shoppers to enter a store, select items, and exit without traditional checkout processes, receiving receipts via text or app notifications. By facilitating a seamless, checkout-free shopping experience, Accel Robotics empowers retailers to improve operational efficiency, optimize store layouts, and expand their market reach. The company's focus on computer vision, product design, system engineering, and software development enables businesses to adapt quickly to new retail environments and attract a broader customer base.

CBcloud

Series B in 2019
CBcloud transforms logistics with tech, solving delivery challenges, optimizing operations, and boosting driver career opportunities.

Cybereason

Series E in 2019
Cybereason Inc. develops a comprehensive cybersecurity platform focused on endpoint protection, including endpoint detection and response, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and antivirus solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of elite intelligence professionals, the company offers a suite of products designed to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. Key offerings include Deep Detect & Respond, which analyzes behavioral data to identify suspicious activities; Deep Prevent, aimed at blocking advanced attacks; Deep Investigate, which collects enterprise data for threat analysis; and Deep Respond, a threat detection and response interface. Additionally, Cybereason provides RansomFree, an anti-ransomware solution, alongside various services such as monitoring, investigation, and training. The company is headquartered in Boston and maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, leveraging a custom-built in-memory graph to enhance its threat detection capabilities.

PayPay

Corporate Round in 2019
PayPay is an online payment application. This benefit is not applicable when paying with PayPay online payment service. For PayPay, per person, the granting limit for one payment is equivalent to 15,000 yen, and the total granting limit for one month is equivalent to 30,000 yen.

One Tap BUY

Corporate Round in 2018
One Tap BUY provides my banker, the financial smartphone application. The application allows its users to select the stocks they want to buy and sell, helps them to decide amounts, and buy stocks by spending a lesser amount of money. Stocks can be traded throughout the day and it also allows its users to buy and sell only profits and keep the stocks with them.

hugmo

Corporate Round in 2018
Hugmo provides childcare, ICT business development, construction, and consulting services. The company offers attendance management, child management, staff management, attendance QR stamping, and billing management services.

Uhuru

Venture Round in 2018
Uhuru Corporation is a technology service company based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) products and solutions. Founded in 2006, Uhuru offers a comprehensive suite of services including IoT consulting, system integration, cloud development, and data analytics. The company provides tailored solutions for businesses, helping them to navigate digital transformation through effective marketing, consulting, and social media operations. It also develops cloud systems and integrates services for notable platforms such as Salesforce.com and Google App Engine. Overall, Uhuru aims to enhance organizational efficiency and drive innovation through its diverse technological offerings.

HI

Venture Round in 2018
HI Corporation, established in April 1989 and headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the planning, development, and licensing of middleware, particularly for the mobile phone market. The company also offers support services and content production, focusing on 3D software engines. Through its comprehensive approach, HI Corporation aims to enhance user experiences in mobile applications by providing robust technological solutions.

Uhuru

Venture Round in 2018
Uhuru Corporation is a technology service company based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) products and solutions. Founded in 2006, Uhuru offers a comprehensive suite of services including IoT consulting, system integration, cloud development, and data analytics. The company provides tailored solutions for businesses, helping them to navigate digital transformation through effective marketing, consulting, and social media operations. It also develops cloud systems and integrates services for notable platforms such as Salesforce.com and Google App Engine. Overall, Uhuru aims to enhance organizational efficiency and drive innovation through its diverse technological offerings.

Line Mobile

Acquisition in 2018
Line Mobile Corporation, a mobile virtual network operator, provides internet, access services, telecommunications, internet telephony, and other information and communications services. It offers cheap smartphones and cheap SIMs. The company’s service enables users to use as much data as they want for major social networks, such as LINE, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as the LINE MUSIC music service. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Shinjuku, Japan. Line Mobile Corporation operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp.

Dely

Venture Round in 2018
Dely is running Japan's best cooking video service, Kurashiru. It strives every day to make services that impact the world. Kurashiru helps many people per day. It introduces a variety of tasty food recipes that color the dining table with cooking videos. Tens of millions of people watch and listen to the monthly recipe service in Japan.

One Tap BUY

Corporate Round in 2017
One Tap BUY provides my banker, the financial smartphone application. The application allows its users to select the stocks they want to buy and sell, helps them to decide amounts, and buy stocks by spending a lesser amount of money. Stocks can be traded throughout the day and it also allows its users to buy and sell only profits and keep the stocks with them.

RPA Holdings Japan

Venture Round in 2017
RPA Holdings primarily engages in the robot outsourcing business.

Appier

Series C in 2017
Appier Inc. is a technology company headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, founded in 2012. It specializes in providing artificial intelligence platforms designed to enhance customer engagement and facilitate data-driven decision-making for enterprises. Appier offers a suite of products, including Aideal, which helps businesses influence purchase decisions and shorten sales cycles; AIQUA, a proactive platform for customer engagement based on user behavior; AIXON, a data science platform that consolidates customer data for predictive analytics; and CrossX, an AI-powered advertising solution for optimizing campaign performance. The company serves around 1,000 global brands and agencies and has a presence in 14 markets across Asia, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Sydney. Appier’s solutions allow businesses to leverage AI for improved targeting and customer retention, making it easier for them to operate in a cross-screen environment without needing extensive in-house AI expertise.

Brain Corp

Series C in 2017
Brain Corporation, founded in 2009 and based in San Diego, California, specializes in developing a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform for self-driving robots. Its primary product, BrainOS, is an operating system that integrates with off-the-shelf hardware and sensors, providing robots with advanced computer vision and AI capabilities to navigate complex environments. The company's technology supports various industries, including delivery, healthcare, security, and personal services, by enabling robots to operate autonomously. Additionally, Brain Corporation's solutions aid manufacturers in producing and deploying autonomous machines effectively, positioning the company as a leader in the robotics industry. With offices in Amsterdam and Tokyo, Brain Corporation continues to expand its influence in robotics and automation globally.

Cybereason

Series D in 2017
Cybereason Inc. develops a comprehensive cybersecurity platform focused on endpoint protection, including endpoint detection and response, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and antivirus solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of elite intelligence professionals, the company offers a suite of products designed to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. Key offerings include Deep Detect & Respond, which analyzes behavioral data to identify suspicious activities; Deep Prevent, aimed at blocking advanced attacks; Deep Investigate, which collects enterprise data for threat analysis; and Deep Respond, a threat detection and response interface. Additionally, Cybereason provides RansomFree, an anti-ransomware solution, alongside various services such as monitoring, investigation, and training. The company is headquartered in Boston and maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, leveraging a custom-built in-memory graph to enhance its threat detection capabilities.

Schaft

Acquisition in 2017
SCHAFT traces its origins to the JSK Robotics Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, where legendary Japanese roboticist Hirochika Inoue did some of his pioneering work. The lab is now led by another influential roboticist, Masayuki Inaba. Under Professor Inaba, SCHAFT's cofounders Junichi Urata and Yuto Nakanishi started working on humanoid robots about a decade ago. They joined a project to develop a humanoid called Kotaro around 2004, and later went on to work on other similar projects: Kojiro, Kenzo, and Kenshiro. (Spectrum.iee.org)

Global Mobility Service

Series B in 2017
Global Mobility Service is a fintech enabling mobility loans and leases for underserved individuals worldwide with unique technology.

SB Drive

Series A in 2017
SB Drive is an entity created last year to develop autonomous vehicle technology for public transport. SB Drive is a self-driving project with a focus on making public transportation options, particularly in more rural areas, smarter. The company is aiming to conduct tests on public roads next year with the eventual target of a commercial service by 2020. Already, it said, it has run “social trials” and testing using fixed-route public buses and freighter trucks that make use of autonomous driving tech. SB Drive has also struck partnerships with four municipalities in Japan.

One Tap BUY

Venture Round in 2017
One Tap BUY provides my banker, the financial smartphone application. The application allows its users to select the stocks they want to buy and sell, helps them to decide amounts, and buy stocks by spending a lesser amount of money. Stocks can be traded throughout the day and it also allows its users to buy and sell only profits and keep the stocks with them.

C Channel

Venture Round in 2016
C Channel is a video media provider that targets women aged 20 to 34 by delivering high-quality lifestyle content. The company focuses on a variety of topics, including hairstyling, food, fashion, and travel tips. In addition to its media offerings, C Channel also operates as a marketing and advertising agency, specializing in the production and management of influential content creators. Through its diverse range of videos and strategic partnerships with influencers, C Channel aims to engage and inspire its audience.

One Tap BUY

Venture Round in 2016
One Tap BUY provides my banker, the financial smartphone application. The application allows its users to select the stocks they want to buy and sell, helps them to decide amounts, and buy stocks by spending a lesser amount of money. Stocks can be traded throughout the day and it also allows its users to buy and sell only profits and keep the stocks with them.

MicroAd

Seed Round in 2016
MicroAd carries out the ad platform and ad network businesses in the field of online advertising. In the ad platform business, they offer MicroAd BLADE, a demand-side platform (DSP), and MicroAd COMPASS, a supply-side platform (SSP). Cutting-edge display ad serving technologies such as these have become the mainstream in the United States. They provide mutually suitable solutions to both advertisers, such as optimized ad serving, and to publishers, such as the maximization of revenue.

Cybereason

Series C in 2015
Cybereason Inc. develops a comprehensive cybersecurity platform focused on endpoint protection, including endpoint detection and response, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and antivirus solutions. Founded in 2012 by a team of elite intelligence professionals, the company offers a suite of products designed to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. Key offerings include Deep Detect & Respond, which analyzes behavioral data to identify suspicious activities; Deep Prevent, aimed at blocking advanced attacks; Deep Investigate, which collects enterprise data for threat analysis; and Deep Respond, a threat detection and response interface. Additionally, Cybereason provides RansomFree, an anti-ransomware solution, alongside various services such as monitoring, investigation, and training. The company is headquartered in Boston and maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo, leveraging a custom-built in-memory graph to enhance its threat detection capabilities.

Origami Labs

Series B in 2015
Origami Labs is a developer of a mobile platform that facilitates cashless payments and aims to redefine the commerce landscape. Founded in 2012, the company offers a marketplace that connects online and offline shopping experiences, allowing consumers to make purchases seamlessly using their mobile devices. Origami's platform is designed to accept payments through an internet connection, enabling users to discover and buy products from leading international brands. The service has been implemented nationwide, reaching various sectors, including convenience stores, fast food chains, taxis, and retail shops. By integrating innovative payment solutions, Origami Labs is focused on creating a more efficient and modern approach to transactions in both physical and digital environments.

eAccess

Acquisition in 2012
eAccess is a telecommunication company based in Japan that provides ADSL services to other ISPs.

GungHo

Corporate Round in 2003
GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. is a Japanese company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Tokyo. It specializes in the planning, development, operation, and distribution of online video games across various platforms, including smartphones, personal computers, and consoles. The company operates through two main segments: the Personal Computer segment focuses on the distribution and licensing of online games, while the Mobile Consumer segment is dedicated to the development and delivery of games for mobile and handheld devices. GungHo Online Entertainment America, the company's U.S. division established in 2012, collaborates with notable developers to publish network-oriented games for multiple platforms, enhancing its presence in the online gaming community.

GungHo

Corporate Round in 2001
GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. is a Japanese company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Tokyo. It specializes in the planning, development, operation, and distribution of online video games across various platforms, including smartphones, personal computers, and consoles. The company operates through two main segments: the Personal Computer segment focuses on the distribution and licensing of online games, while the Mobile Consumer segment is dedicated to the development and delivery of games for mobile and handheld devices. GungHo Online Entertainment America, the company's U.S. division established in 2012, collaborates with notable developers to publish network-oriented games for multiple platforms, enhancing its presence in the online gaming community.

KK RioPort.com

Series A in 2001
KK RioPort.com Japan operates as a music application service provider. The company delivers digital media technologies and services, and digital audio solutions. It provides e-commerce and content delivery infrastructure development for e-tailors; encoding, rights management, and hosting services to content holders; and innovative system software, firmware, and support services to Internet appliance and digital home stereo manufacturers.

TurboLinux

Series C in 2000
TurboLinux, founded in 1995, specializes in the development and support of open source software, notably the Linux operating system. The company focuses on enhancing business utility through the development and delivery of middleware applications. To promote the adoption of open source software in the business sector, TurboLinux actively forms partnerships and alliances with various companies. This strategic approach allows TurboLinux to expand its offerings and strengthen its position in the open source software market.

Asia-Net

Venture Round in 2000
Established in 1994 as Japan-Net, Asia-Net has been serving Asia/Pacific-Rim business communities by helping professionals locate job opportunities, while providing companies the premier on-line recruitment service. The Asia-Net community comprises over 140,000 professionals with unique ties to Asia, i.c., Asian nationals, people of Asian heritage (including first, second, and third generation Asian Americans), and others with professional interests in Asia/Pacific-Rim.

DIP

Venture Round in 1999
DIP Corporation (ディップ) (TYO: 2379) is a Japan-based employment agency that links people with the jobs they want. DIP Corporation (ディップ) (TYO: 2379) is a Japan-based employment agency that links people with the jobs they want.

Asteria

Series B in 1999
Asteria Corporation is a Japanese software company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Tokyo. The company develops and sells various software products, including ASTERIA Warp, a data integration middleware designed to automate operations without the need for programming. Other notable products include SnapCal, which integrates Google Calendar and tasks with iOS calendars, and the lino service, which provides a sticky canvas for user interactions. Asteria also offers Handbook, a mobile content management platform for tablets and smartphones, alongside a range of digital services. In addition to software solutions, the company provides consulting, training services, and product support to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
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