JR East Start UP
Corporate VCTokyo · Pre-Seed–Growth · 18 people tracked
Also known as JR東日本スタートアップ株式会社
Investment thesis
JR East Start Up pursues open innovation and business co-creation with startups and entrepreneurs through the 'JR East Start Up Program.' It invites proposals that leverage the JR East group's management resources such as stations, railways, and group business information to create new businesses and services. Themes include regional co-creation, digital co-creation, and global co-creation (SDGs). The firm also operates a local startup investment fund partnering with regional companies to foster new ventures, aiming to solve social challenges and build a prosperous future.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 18 people
from the firm's websiteWhat they invest in
from 38 of 100 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×13IoT ×9Hardware ×8Travel & Hospitality ×8Enterprise Software ×7SaaS ×7Marketplaces ×6B2B Marketplaces ×5
HQs:Japan×38
Investments · 100 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathPicoCELA develops multi-hop wireless mesh Wi-Fi networking products (the PCWL series and PicoManager management software) that reduce wired cabling in large or hard-to-wire sites such as factories, construction sites, and warehouses.
Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareIoTTokyo, JP
Hiroshi Furukawa(Representative Director (CEO))Hideaki Horikiri(Executive Officer, Director)Yoshinari Noguchi(Director)Mutsuko Oba(Director)Kien Leong Lim(Director)Jong Han Rey Foo(Director)
Find Inc. develops an AI-powered lost-and-found management cloud platform that helps businesses and facilities handle lost item inquiries, storage, police filings, and document processing efficiently.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSTokyo, JP
高島 彬(代表取締役CEO)和田 龍(取締役COO)
akippa operates a parking marketplace that connects available parking spaces with drivers who need them, letting owners list spaces and users reserve them.
MarketplacesMobility & TransportationPropTechSaaSTokyo, JP
金谷 元気(代表取締役社長 CEO)
akippa operates a parking reservation service in Japan, offering a paid "Value Plus" membership that provides earlier booking access and a standing 10% discount on parking fees.
ConsumerMarketplacesMobility & Transportation
CalTa develops digital twin technology, including its TRANCITY platform and related tools, for managing and inspecting social infrastructure such as railways, roads, ports, water systems, and plants.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechDeep TechHardwareSaaSTokyo, JP
古林 秀之(代表取締役 CEO)
CB Cloud transforms logistics operations using technology and industry expertise.
Logistics & Supply Chain
DataLabs develops and provides cloud-based systems that use 3D data for the construction industry, along with related research and development.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingConstruction TechSaaSTokyo, JP
Atsushi Joshin(Co-founder & Director, CFO)Daisuke Sato(Director, CTO)
ecbo operates ecbo cloak, a smartphone-based luggage storage service that lets travelers book and pay to store bags at over 2,500 partner locations across Japan (cafes, convenience stores, stations, post offices) and Taiwan, including oversized items.
ConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesTravel & HospitalityTokyo, JP
Shinichi Kudo(Representative Director & President (CEO))
MODE builds an AI-driven IoT platform called BizStack that collects and visualizes real-time data from industrial sites, with an AI assistant component for data analysis and decision-making across manufacturing, factories, and field operations.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareIoTSan Mateo, JP
Ethan Khan(Co-Founder)Ethan Kan(Co-Founder)
NEWLOCAL is a real estate development and town-making company that focuses on creating sustainable regional models in Japan's depopulating communities by attracting talent, ideas, and capital to revitalize local areas.
Impact & Social GoodPropTechTokyo, JP
SIRC develops IoT sensor devices and cloud platform solutions for energy monitoring and digital transformation.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechEnergyIoTOsaka, JP
Tokyo AI provides edge AI solutions for industrial and infrastructure applications, combining real-time processing with low power consumption.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechIoTTokyo, JP
TTG provides unmanned checkout and retail automation systems for convenience stores and shops across various settings including offices, hospitals, and universities.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoTRetail TechTokyo, JP
Tripla provides a hotel booking engine and AI-powered chatbot that automates customer inquiries and CRM integration for hospitality businesses seeking to increase direct online reservations.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSTravel & Hospitality
YUIME is a labor infrastructure company for primary industries in Japan, connecting workers to agricultural, fishing, and forestry sectors to modernize the nation's primary industries.
AgTechB2B MarketplacesHR Tech東京, JP
ADDress operates a multi-location residential service in Japan that allows members to live across different cities and rural areas through access to vacant properties and vacation homes on a flat monthly subscription.
B2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkMarketplacesPropTechTravel & HospitalityTokyo, JP
Connected Robotics develops robotics and AI-powered automation solutions for the food service and restaurant industry, addressing labor shortages and food handling challenges through computer vision and robotic control systems.
AI & Machine LearningFoodTechRobotics
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioPicoCELA株式会社NASDAQ: PCLA
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesSIRC · reason.org · Mar 3, 2026
NEWLOCAL · itbusinesstoday.com · May 21, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does JR East Start UP invest at?
- JR East Start UP invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does JR East Start UP focus on?
- JR East Start UP focuses on Logistics & Supply Chain, Mobility & Transportation, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is JR East Start UP located?
- JR East Start UP is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.
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