DRONE FUND
Venture capitalTokyo · Seed–Series C · 13 people tracked
Also known as DRONE FUND株式会社
Investment thesis
DRONE FUND invests exclusively in the drone space, positioning itself as a specialist backer of drone and air mobility technologies. Beyond capital, it supports portfolio companies with operational help, collaborative planning, and regulatory assistance aimed at expanding the entire drone industry. The firm envisions a Drone Air Mobility Based Society by 2050, in which large numbers of drones and air mobility vehicles operate across society, and actively engages in industry events, expos, and advocacy around regulatory developments such as BVLOS rulemaking to advance that future.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 13 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 62 of 80 portfolio companiesHardware ×32Robotics ×31Deep Tech ×27AI & Machine Learning ×20IoT ×12Advanced Manufacturing ×11Mobility & Transportation ×10Logistics & Supply Chain ×9
HQs:Japan×43United States×6Germany×1Malaysia×1Norway×1New Zealand×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 15 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×103 founders×34+ founders×2
Investments · 80 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 32024 · 14 dated
A Japanese manufacturer of specialized laboratory and measurement equipment including benchtop X-ray irradiation devices, waveform analysis instruments, and portable radiation detection equipment for research and educational applications.
Deep TechHardwareIoTMedical DevicesSemiconductors浜松市, JP
小池 昭史(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsShizuoka CapitalUntroD CapitalEnergy & Environment Investment
MetCom provides high-precision three-dimensional positioning and navigation services in Japan, using a metropolitan beacon system to complement satellite positioning (GPS/GNSS) for outdoor and indoor location tracking across smartphones and IoT devices.
Data & InfrastructureDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareIoT
Yoshiki Chika(CEO, Co-Founder)Kenkichi Araki(Director, Co-Founder)Masato Marushige(Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder)
Co-investorsZENRIN FUTURE PARTNERSSony Network Communications
SkyDrive is a Japanese company that develops, manufactures, sells, and operates flying cars, specifically electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Deep TechHardwareMobility & Transportation
福澤 知浩(Founder / CEO / 代表取締役)Fukuzawa(Founder)Tomohiro Fukuzawa(代表取締役CEO (Representative Director & CEO))岸 信夫(取締役 会長 / 航空安全統括管理者)Arnaud Coville(CTO / Chief Technology Officer)呉 洋海(CFO / Chief Financial Officer)
Co-investorsSTRIVEThe Gogin Capital
VFR manufactures drones and drone components through contract manufacturing and development support services, leveraging manufacturing expertise inherited from PC, automotive, and aerospace industries.
Advanced ManufacturingHardwareMobility & TransportationRoboticsNagoya, JP
Wahei Yomota
Co-investorsGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation Fund
LexxPluss develops autonomous mobile robots and infrastructure systems that enable industrial equipment at factories and logistics hubs to operate independently without human direction.
Advanced ManufacturingLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsTokyo, JP
Masaya Aso(CEO)in
Co-investorsIncubate FundSOSVCanal VenturesDBJ CapitalGlobal BrainAozora Corporate Investment
Trajectory develops digital infrastructure for airspace utilization, converting real-world space into "space IDs" to enable four-dimensional airspace management.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsDBJ CapitalDnx Ventures
Aerodyne is a drone technology and data analytics provider that offers Drone-as-a-Service and an AI-powered, cloud-based asset management platform (vertikaliti) for inspecting industrial assets such as powerlines, wind turbines, and solar installations.
AI & Machine LearningMobility & TransportationRoboticsSaaS
Amir Anuar
Co-investors500 GlobalUntroD CapitalGobi PartnersIntervestKWAPPETRONAS Ventures+1 more
Agri-Info Design provides software, hardware, and consulting services to support agricultural productivity and sustainability, including apps and equipment for farmers and digital automation solutions for agricultural machinery for enterprises.
AgTechHardwareIoTSaaSObihiro, JP
Yasuyuki Hamada
AGRIST develops harvest automation robots equipped with AI capabilities to address labor shortages in agriculture, and offers these robots to farmers on a revenue-sharing basis.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningRoboticsShintomi, JP
Junichi Saito(Representative Director)Yuki Hata(Co-founder & Co-representative Director, Chief Technology Officer)Hiroki Hata(Representative Director / Co-CEO)
Board秋吉孝之齋藤潤一
Co-investorsi Cubed Ventures
AISing applies AI and control technologies across manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure industries.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnergyIoTRobotics
Algo Artis provides technology solutions to optimize social infrastructure by combining advanced technical expertise with deep understanding of on-site constraints.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareTokyo, JP
Board永田 健太郎
Co-investorsDIMENSIONK4 VenturesSalesforce VenturesMiyako CapitalSony Ventures CorporationUTEC
Alva Industries develops electric motors and drive systems using a patented FiberPrinting production technology for ironless, slotless stator windings, offering compact torque motors such as SlimTorq and GearTorq.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCleantechDeep TechHardwareRobotics
Co-investorsEmerald Technology Ventures AgNabtesco Technology VenturesNysnø Climate InvestmentsSandwater
Co-investorsGENIUS NY
teamLab is a digital art collective that creates immersive, interactive art installations and experiences.
Construction TechConsumerMedia & EntertainmentPropTechTokyo, JP
BIRD INITIATIVE is a Japanese R&D and digital innovation firm that accelerates promising technologies from research into business applications through simulation, automation, and ecosystem support.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsDigital HealthEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechTokyo, JP
Konno(CEO)Satoshi Konno
Co-investorsUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.
Civ Robotics manufactures autonomous marking robots (CivDot+/CivDot) that use laser precision to stake construction points on job sites.
CleantechConstruction TechRobotics
Tom Yeshurun(Founder)inLiav Muler(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlleyCorpConvergeFf Venture CapitalGENIUS NYID8 InvestmentsNewfund Capital+2 more
Co-investorsCanal VenturesDelight VenturesDentsu VenturesJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Mobile Internet Capital, Inc.NOW Japan+5 more
CuboRex manufactures and sells crawler units, transport/hauling equipment, and robots for facility and plant management, along with a robot development platform.
Deep TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationRoboticsTokyo, JP
嘉数 正人(代表取締役 (Representative Director))
Co-investorsDG IncubationOpen Network LabMIRAISEUNITED
Konos Digital is a microphone with variable beam technology and network audio output for film, broadcast, and live sports applications.
HardwareRoboticsAuckland, NZ
Co-investorsNZ Growth Capital PartnersTechstarsJelix Ventures
Konos Digital is a variable-beam microphone with an 80-element MEMS array that streams four channels of network audio over AES67, designed for film, broadcast, and live sports production.
Hardware
Co-investorsNZVCJelix Ventures
DroneDeploy provides a robotics and AI platform used for data collection and site intelligence across construction, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningClimate TechConstruction TechImpact & Social GoodRoboticsSan Francisco, US
Mike Winn(CEO & Co-Founder)inNick Pilkington(CTO & Co-Founder)inJono Millin(Chief Data Officer & Co-Founder)inMichael Winn(Founder)Nicholas Pilkington(Founder)
Co-investorsAirTree VenturesAngelPadBessemer Venture PartnersDCVC (Data Collective)Emergence Capital PartnersEnergize Capital+4 more
A cloud-based drone data platform (SaaS) and aerial photo service (DaaS) that provides orthomaps, 3D modeling, multispectral imaging, thermal imaging, and air pollution detection for customers using various UAVs.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSaaSKaohsiung, TW
FaroStarVision is a smartphone application service that enables users to easily share and view disaster-related information with location and temporal data during emergency situations.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechGovTechIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationRobotics
FLIGHTS develops 3D data systems and drone-based hardware and control automation for the construction and civil engineering industry, and provides consulting, surveying and inspection BPO, drone operation, and maintenance services.
Construction TechHardwareRoboticsTokyo, JP
Shuhei Togeshita(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))Shuhei Taoshitain
Co-investorsSkyland Ventures
FullDepth develops and manufactures industrial underwater drones (autonomous vehicles) for inspection and survey operations in marine and subsea environments.
Deep TechHardwareRoboticsTokyo, JP
Shohei Ito(Director (formerly Representative Director & CEO))Satoshi Yoshiga(Representative Director & CEO)
Co-investorsBeyond Next VenturesZENRIN FUTURE PARTNERS
Geolonia structures geospatial information and provides a data platform including a digital map API (Geolonia Maps), a smart city foundation for local governments, and address normalization/cleansing services.
Data & InfrastructureGovTechSaaS
Griff Aviation manufactures specialized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) payloads including cameras and cargo handling equipment designed for industrial and mission-critical operations.
Deep TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSykkylven, NO
Hidden Level develops advanced RF (radio frequency) sensing technology for defense, aviation, and intelligence applications.
Data & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechGovTechHardwareSyracuse, US
Jeffrey A. Cole(Executive Officer, Director)Brad Garber(Executive Officer)Gary Dominicos(Executive Officer)Tim Graham(Executive Officer)Mike Goll(Executive Officer)Gary S. Dominicos(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsBooz Allen VenturesClaritas CapitalFounders Circle CapitalIronGate Capital AdvisorsLauder PartnersLobby Capital+10 more
Homura Heavy Industries develops and manufactures a line of more than ten unmanned surface vehicles (water drones) at its factory in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Deep TechHardwareRobotics
Drone operation management system using automated negotiation AI.
Co-investorsUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.
海外eSIMナビ is a Japanese comparison and information site for travelers going abroad, listing recommended eSIM plans by destination country and length of stay across multiple providers.
Media & EntertainmentTravel & Hospitality
Matternet designs, builds, and operates autonomous drone delivery networks for fast, low-cost, zero-emission package transport, with applications in healthcare and commerce.
HardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRobotics
Co-investorsComet LabsFlucas VenturesSony Ventures CorporationLocus VenturesOS Fund
Nature Architects develops computational design technologies that create new possibilities across industries, products, and technical domains by leveraging advanced design methodologies.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsNew Materials
Co-investorsDAIKIN INDUSTRIESYanmar VenturesPKSHA Technology Capital
NH Institute (NHI) advises real estate developers on "neutral host" telecom infrastructure, offering RF environment surveys, area design, equipment selection, and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) deployment to build 5G coverage inside buildings.
Enterprise SoftwareHardwarePropTech
Proxima Technology develops AI products using mathematical algorithms—including machine learning, optimization, control theory, and 3D data analysis—primarily for manufacturing and industrial sectors to improve business operations.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software
深津 卓弥(エンジニア / リサーチャー / 代表取締役)
Red Dot Drone is a drone software company that develops products, technologies, and custom software to support drone operations.
RoboticsSaaS
Robotic Skies provides maintenance, repair, and inspection services for commercial drone fleets through a global network of over 250 FAA Part 145 service centers across 50 countries.
HardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsAlbuquerque, US
Eric Butler(Executive Officer, Director)Brad Hayden(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsSun Mountain CapitalHearst Ventures
Sabrewing Aircraft Company designs and builds aircraft, with development based at Hayward Executive Airport in California.
Deep TechHardwareMobility & TransportationOxnard, US
Sensyn Robotics develops SENSYN CORE, a platform using AI, IoT, and robots (such as drones) to support digital transformation of business processes for social and industrial infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningIoTRobotics
Co-investorsEmerald Technology Ventures AgGlobis Capital PartnersJapan FinanceNabtesco Technology VenturesSumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
SkyDrive develops a compact electric eVTOL aircraft (the SD-05) designed to take off and land from small urban spaces such as building rooftops and parking lots, aiming to make air travel part of everyday mobility.
Deep TechHardwareMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsEnergy & Environment Investment
SKYX Platforms develops an all-in-one smart home platform that integrates lighting, voice control, IoT management, and emergency services into a single system for residential properties.
CleantechConsumerHardwareIoT
Sunflower Sober operates a digital community and support group for people pursuing sobriety, enabling peer connection and shared recovery journeys.
ConsumerHealthtechMental HealthSocialSan Francisco, US
Koby Conrad(CEO & Founder)in
Co-investorsHAWKTAILLobster CapitalY CombinatorDaybreak VenturesSequoia CapitalWakestream Ventures
Sunflower is an email client that filters noise and prioritizes important messages to help users maintain focus and attention.
SaaS
Co-investorsThomson Reuters VenturesDaybreak VenturesSequoia CapitalWakestream VenturesY Combinator
Sunflower Labs builds the Beehive, an autonomous drone security system where a self-charging drone ("the Bee") launches from a base station ("the Hive") to patrol and record activity on residential and industrial properties.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityHardwareRoboticsSan Carlos, US
Christian Eheim(Director)Alexander Pachikov(Executive Officer, Director)NickAlex
BoardPhil Libin(Director)Elian Kool(Director)
Co-investorsAll TurtlesDaybreak PartnersStanley VenturesWakestream VenturesDaybreak VenturesGeneral Catalyst+1 more
TeraWatt Technology develops and mass-produces next-generation lithium-ion batteries designed to be lighter, smaller, more powerful, and safer, operating manufacturing facilities in Japan.
CleantechEnergyHardwareShizuoka, JP
Co-investorsCoral CapitalJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsAozora Corporate InvestmentJERATemasek
Terra Labo designs, develops, and operates unmanned aircraft systems (fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and VTOL) along with associated airport infrastructure and management systems.
AgTechDeep TechDefense TechHardwareRoboticsNagoya, JP
Takahide Matsuura
Co-investorsUntroD Capital
Tetra Aviation develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) "flying cars," including its two-seater teTra Mk-7 aircraft with a range of up to 200 km, aimed at short-distance air travel that connects rural and urban areas.
CleantechHardwareMobility & TransportationMinamisoma, JP
Nakai(Founder)
Ultimatrust develops technology products under its Wisbrain brand, including IoT-connected remote body-temperature measurement, mask detection, and new retail-format solutions.
AI & Machine LearningIoTRetail Tech
Co-investorsAbies Ventures
Wingcopter develops unmanned delivery drones for commercial logistics, with expansion into drone-based surveying of critical infrastructure using LiDAR technology.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareHealthtechLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsWeiterstadt, DE
Tom Plümmer(Co-Founder and Co-CEO)Jonathan Hesselbarth(Co-Founder and CTO)Ansgar Kadura(Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer)
Co-investorsEuropean Investment BankExpaSalviaXplorer Capital
AIO Core designs and manufactures silicon photonics integrated circuits that enable optical connectivity for high-performance computing, 5G infrastructure, and industrial equipment operating in extreme temperature ranges.
Cloud ComputingDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsTokyo, JP
Hidetaka Fukuda(CEO)Kazuhiko Kurata(CTO)Shuichi Tahara(CFO)
Co-investorsGlobal BrainMIRAI SOUZOU
Co-investors15th RockHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.Oriental Land InnovationsUntroD Capital
Blue Innovation is a Japanese company that develops an Edge-to-Cloud platform (BEP) for operating and managing drones, robots, and devices, along with drone-based inspection and disaster-response solutions such as indoor inspection using the ELIOS 3 spherical drone, power-line inspection (BEPline), and tsunami-alert drone systems.
Cloud ComputingIoTRobotics
Takayuki Kumada(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))
BoardMasayuki Kumada(取締役 (Director))
Co-investorsJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.Nippon Venture CapitalTBS Innovation Partners
Metro Weather develops and manufactures compact Doppler lidar systems that measure wind patterns in real-time up to 15km away for drone operations and air mobility applications.
Climate TechHardwareIoTKyoto, JP
Co-investorsGlobal BrainJR East Start UPUntroD Capital
Redcliff operates drone light shows in Japan, holding the country's largest fleet of show drones managed domestically.
HardwareMedia & EntertainmentRobotics
Co-investorsDG IncubationSamurai Incubate
Liberaware develops compact inspection drones and data editing and analysis technology to inspect narrow, dark, and hazardous indoor spaces.
Deep TechHardwareIoTRoboticsTokyo, JP
Co-investorsJR East Start UP
RICOS develops AI-powered simulation technology that combines computational analysis with machine learning to help manufacturers identify and visualize design and development challenges in product creation.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechTokyo, JP
井原 遊(Representative Director (代表取締役))
Board芳村 貴正(Director (取締役))井出 啓介(Director (取締役))
Co-investorsHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.mint VCXTech Ventures
TriOrb develops autonomous mobile robots that navigate confined spaces and uneven floors without facility modifications, enabling automated material transport in environments where traditional AMRs cannot operate.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsTokyo, JP
石田 秀一(代表取締役 CEO)稲吉 亮太(取締役 COO)
Co-investorsMirai Creation FundMIRAI SOUZOUUTEC
SkymatiX provides cloud-based remote sensing and drone surveying services for industries including construction, agriculture, and infrastructure.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningConstruction TechData & InfrastructureDeep TechTokyo, JP
Zentaro Watanabe(Representative Director and President)Yasutaka Kuramoto(Director and CTO)Kazushi Osari(Director and CFO)
Co-investorsFemto Partners
A Japanese company that manufactures and sells wind tunnels ranging from large to compact models, along with balances and fluid measurement instruments.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Co-investorsColopl Nexti Cubed VenturesMCP Asset ManagementOita Venture Capital
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesWingcopter · techfundingnews.com · Aug 20, 2026
Alva Industries · arcticstartup.com · Aug 20, 2026
Drone Deploy · dronedeploy.com · Jul 29, 2026
Sunflower · mundus-agri.eu · Jul 15, 2026
Sunflower · mundus-agri.eu · Jul 15, 2026
VFR · propilotmag.com · Jul 10, 2026
Matternet · stattimes.com · May 29, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has DRONE FUND made?
- DRONE FUND has 61 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does DRONE FUND invest at?
- DRONE FUND invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C stages.
- What sectors does DRONE FUND focus on?
- DRONE FUND focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Deep Tech, Hardware, Mobility & Transportation, Robotics.
- Where is DRONE FUND located?
- DRONE FUND is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
- Does DRONE FUND lead rounds?
- DRONE FUND typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does DRONE FUND co-invest with?
- DRONE FUND most often shares deals with UntroD Capital, Global Brain, DBJ Capital, among 74 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
from their channel【DF M-Magazine】Liberaware vol.06 Liberaware 会社紹介編
dronefund vc
【DF M-Magazine】Liberaware vol.05 Liberaware 事業紹介編
dronefund vc
Images
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