CoLab
Kawasaki, JP · 7 known investors
CoLab develops robotic systems that automate assembly processes in manufacturing plants, using AI to analyze production data and create value through planning and development consulting.
Also known as コラボ · 株式会社Colab · 株式会社CoLab
Founders & leadership
Investors · 7
Also in the syndicate · 1
Funding
SEC filings, press & company announcements$72M disclosed across 1 round · 2025
- $72MSeries CNov 2025 · 4 sources
Intrepid Growth Partners (lead), Insight Partners, Killick Capital, Pelorus VC, Spider Capital, Y Combinator
Source ↗
Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026CoLab (株式会社CoLab) is a Japanese company headquartered in Kawasaki that develops industrial AI robotics for manufacturing. Its stated aim is to transform environmental and supply-chain management in global manufacturing through industrial AI robots, automating simple, repetitive tasks so that human workers can spend time on more creative work.
The company organizes its offerings into three lines: AI robots, AI data science, and planning and development consulting. It positions itself as supporting customers across all phases, from new business creation through mass-production ramp-up, providing hands-on technical support from concept to deployment. Alongside its product and service pages, CoLab maintains a corporate blog ("CoLab note") covering engineering topics and company life, and a recruiting section seeking engineers to work on manufacturing automation.
Business model
CoLab works with manufacturing clients on automation projects, combining robot system development with AI data science and planning and development consulting engagements that accompany customers from concept and new business definition through mass-production launch.
Traction
The company publishes case studies of client projects, including a deployed robotic system for inserting workpieces into a pulsating conveyor on a mass-production line and a demonstration project for positioning-free insertion of small parts.
Latest developments
In October and November 2025 CoLab won an Exawizards-hosted startup pitch contest on AI and social issues and was named a finalist for WE AT CHALLENGE 2025. In January 2026 it was featured in an article in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, and in February 2026 it announced it had advanced to the final of NIKKEI THE PITCH GROWTH2025-2026.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
CoLab has been recognized in Japanese startup pitch competitions, winning an Exawizards-hosted "AI x social issue solving" startup pitch contest, being selected as a finalist for WE AT CHALLENGE 2025, and advancing to the final of NIKKEI THE PITCH GROWTH2025-2026.
Technology
Robotics combined with AI. Documented applications include inserting workpieces into a pulsating (intermittently moving) conveyor on a mass-production line, and a proof-of-concept robot that performs high-precision insertion of small components without jig-based positioning, replacing work previously done by operators relying on sight and tactile force adjustment.
Go-to-market
Direct engagement with manufacturing clients via inquiries for deployment consideration and technical consultation, supported by published case studies and visibility through pitch competitions and trade press.
Manufacturers, including operators of mass-production lines seeking to replace manual, physically demanding or high-precision assembly tasks with robots.
Geography
Headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, with a stated ambition to change manufacturing globally.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Timeline · 4
launches, deals, and filingsCoLab announced it had qualified for the final round of the NIKKEI THE PITCH GROWTH2025-2026 competition.
An article about CoLab was published in the Japanese industrial daily Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
CoLab was selected as a finalist in the WE AT CHALLENGE 2025 pitch contest, described as aiming to be one of Asia's largest well-being festivals.
CoLab announced it took first place in a startup pitch contest on AI and social problem solving hosted by Exawizards; a press release followed on 2025-11-04.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- CoLabcolab.co.jp · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does CoLab do?
- Japanese company building industrial AI robots and data-science services that automate repetitive manufacturing tasks.
- Who founded CoLab?
- CoLab was founded by Shinji Kawabata.
- Who are CoLab's investors?
- CoLab's investors include Coral Capital, Insight Partners, Intrepid Growth Partners, Killick Capital, Spider Capital, Y Combinator.
- How much funding has CoLab raised?
- CoLab has disclosed $72M raised across 1 round.
- Where is CoLab headquartered?
- CoLab is headquartered in Kawasaki, JP.