KDDI Open Innovation Fund

NOT A HOTEL operates a fractional ownership model for vacation residences across Japan, allowing individuals to purchase annual usage rights (minimum 10 nights per year) with full ownership privileges including resale and inheritance.

B2B MarketplacesPropTechTravel & Hospitality

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGMGMO VenturePartnersHIHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.MIMinerva Growth PartnersOROriental Land InnovationsSHShizuoka Capital+2 more

Noxtua develops a Legal AI Workspace and a European legal database of over 130 million documents and 8.5 million court decisions, providing legal research, analysis, and document drafting tools for legal professionals.

AI & Machine LearningLegalTechSaaSBerlin, DE

LLLeif-Nissen Lundbæk(CEO & Co-Founder)inMichael Huth(Founder)inFelix Hahmann(Founder)Leif-Nissen Lundbaek(Founder)

Co-investorsSPSpinLabEAEarlybird Venture CapitalGLGlobal BrainMOMolten Ventures

Okage offers a business product referred to as the "Okage DX Platform" (formerly the Okage series).

Enterprise SoftwareFoodTechRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP

内田善久(代表取締役 (Representative Director))

Co-investorsTBTBS Innovation Partners

ONE MEDIA is a Japanese content studio that helps major domestic brands with communication and advertising campaigns using YouTube, TikTok, and Podcasts.

AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

Gakuto Akashi(代表取締役CEO (Founder & CEO))inSaki Yogoro(取締役COO / Business Producer)Takuma Kagawa(執行役員 / Executive Producer)Takahiro Sasaki(執行役員 / Business Producer)

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainZ Z Venture Capital

Optimind develops software to support logistics operations, helping delivery sites respond to increasingly diverse and complex delivery needs.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

松健松下 健(代表取締役社長 (President & CEO))八裕八坂 裕一郎(取締役COO)斉志斉東 志一(取締役CDO)

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Ossia develops and licenses Cota, an RF-based wireless power technology that delivers targeted energy to devices at a distance without pads or contact-based charging, along with receivers, transmitters, and cloud software.

CleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareIoTRedmond, US

HZHatem Zeine(Founder)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainINIn-Q-TelTRTransform Capital Management

Pebblebee makes Bluetooth item finders and tracking devices, including compact clip tags and ultra-thin wallet cards, along with a personal safety device featuring a strobe light, siren, and live location sharing to emergency contacts.

ConsumerHardwareIoT

DDDaniel Daoura(Founder)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainKEKeiretsu Forum

PharmaX designs digital healthcare solutions focused on improving access to medical services and medications for patients in Japan.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechTokyo, JP

辻 裕介 (Yusuke Tsuji)(代表取締役・医師 (Representative Director & Physician))

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGLGlobis Capital PartnersANANRI

Pocket RD develops 3D avatar technology and blockchain-based Web3 services, combining XR, blockchain, and avatar creation for metaverse applications and NFT management.

AI & Machine LearningCrypto & Web3Tokyo, JP

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Pogoseat, founded in 2012, builds technology for live-event experiences, focused on fan engagement and ancillary revenue for sports and live-entertainment organizations.

Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSSports Tech

MSMaish Simon(Cofounder, Chief designer)in

Co-investorsKIKima VenturesMIMI VenturesTYTYLT VenturesXGXG VenturesZEZelkova VenturesK5K5 Ventures

PREVENT provides health support services targeting high-risk populations with lifestyle-related diseases, with a focus on preventing disease progression and supporting patients' return to daily life.

Digital HealthHealthtechSaaSWellness & Fitness

Hagihara

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

STYLY is a spatial layer platform that enables creators to build and distribute digital content for both public spaces and personal environments in the spatial computing era.

Creator EconomyDeep TechMedia & Entertainment

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainANAnimoca Brands JapanGRGreat Wave Ventures

Rally is an investment platform that lets people buy and sell equity shares in collectible assets, which are securitized into individual companies and offered as shares through registered broker dealers.

FintechMarketplacesNew York City, US

Maximilian Niederste-Ostholt(Founder)RPRob Petrozzo(Founder)in

Co-investorsACAccelANAnthemis VentureGLGlobal BrainRARaptor GroupRERed Beard VenturesRERelay Ventures+11 more

Recho develops voice AI technology for enterprise contact centers, enabling real-time conversation understanding and context preservation to automate customer interactions while preserving company-specific knowledge and processes.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

SQShi Qiu(Founder)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainJAJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.W W Inc.EAEast VenturesSBSBI Investment

Repro provides web performance optimization tools, specifically Repro Booster, which improves website page load speeds for e-commerce and other platforms through minimal implementation overhead.

AdTechEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSTokyo, JP

Co-investorsCACARTA VENTURES, Inc.DGDG Daiwa VenturesDGDG Ventures, Inc.GLGlobal BrainNTNTT DOCOMO VenturesVOVOYAGE VENTURES+2 more

Resemble develops generative voice models and synthetic speech technology, alongside deepfake detection capabilities.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareMedia & Entertainment

ZAZohaib Ahmed(Founder)inSMSaqib Muhammad(Founder)in

Co-investorsBEBerkeley FrontierBEBetaworksBRBright Pixel CapitalCACAL InnovationCACalifornia Innovation FundCOComcast Ventures+13 more

RevComm develops voice technology and AI that analyzes and extracts value from voice communication data to support business decision-making.

AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech

TATakeshi aida(Founder)in

Co-investorsDNDnx VenturesGLGlobal BrainSOSony Ventures Corporation

RLWRLD develops robotic hand dexterity solutions using proprietary motion capture data and foundation models for industrial automation tasks.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechRobotics

JRJunghee Ryu(Founder)inJung-hee Ryu(Founder)

Co-investorsFUFuturePlayGLGlobal BrainZ Z Venture CapitalHAHashedHEHeadlineMIMirae Asset Venture Investment+1 more

Tokyo-based provider of video search and analysis software for sports, education and enterprise, including FL-UX and PITCHBASE.

Tokyo

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainKEKeio Innovation InitiativeSOSony Ventures CorporationTETechstarsW W Inc.

Sakana AI develops frontier AI research and products, including large language models, multi-agent orchestration systems, and AI solutions tailored for Japanese enterprises and public sector organizations.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeep TechDefense TechTokyo, JP

DHDavid Ha(Founder)inRIRen Ito(Founder)inLJLlion Jones(Founder)in

Co-investorsBABasis Set VenturesGLGlobal BrainINIn-Q-Tel50500 GlobalFUFujitsu VenturesGEGeodesic Capital+18 more

SHOWROOM operates a live-streaming service where viewers interact with performers in real time through gifting and comments, aimed at supporting entertainers and creators.

ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & Entertainment

Co-investorsDIDIMENSIONGLGlobal BrainZEZENRIN FUTURE PARTNERSACAccion Venture LabALAlteria CapitalJUJungle Ventures+4 more

Soft Gear is a technology company specializing in server development for real-time online games, library provision, and metaverse development.

Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsGaming

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

SPeak provides a career platform for young international talent seeking employment in Japan, and an HR tech solution for companies recruiting global workers.

B2B MarketplacesEdTechHR TechTokyo, JP

HKHiromi Karahashi(CEO)in

Co-investorsANANRIEAEast VenturesGLGlobal BrainLILifetime Ventures

SPORTS BULL is a Japanese company that operates the internet sports media platform "SPORTS BULL," which delivers content across professional, amateur, local, and minor sports.

ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSports Tech

Yusuke Wakamura(代表取締役社長 CEO)

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

SprouTx is a Japanese company that develops plant-based meat and egg alternatives from sprouted soybeans and peas, designed for food manufacturers and ingredient buyers.

AgTechBiotechClimate TechFoodTechMashiki, JP

KOKoji Ochiai(Representative Director / CEO)in

Starlight Engine develops fusion energy technology and aims to demonstrate commercial fusion power generation using advanced superconducting tokamak (FAST) technology.

CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyTokyo, JP

菊清菊地 清貴 (Kiyotaka Kikuchi)(代表取締役社長CEO (CEO))

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainKEKeio Innovation InitiativeKYKyoto University Innovation Capital

Subsclife operates a subscription-based rental service for furniture and home appliances, offering designer furniture brands, lighting, and appliances such as chairs, tables, refrigerators, and washing machines.

ConsumerE-commerceMarketplaces

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainCYCyberAgent CapitalMIMitsubishi UFJ CapitalSMSMBC Venture CapitalUNUNITEDXTXTech Ventures

Swift Navigation provides low-cost, high-accuracy GPS and GNSS positioning solutions for autonomous vehicles, mobility applications, and mass-market uses.

Deep TechHardwareMobility & TransportationCalifornia, US

Timothy Harris(CEO and Co-Founder)

Co-investorsCLClear VenturesENEnerTech CapitalESEssentia VenturesEVEvolution VenturesFIFirst Round CapitalFRFraser McCombs Capital+19 more

TELEXISTENCE Inc. designs, manufactures, and operates remote-controlled robots with artificial intelligence, developing hardware, software, AI, and teleoperation technologies in-house.

AI & Machine LearningRetail TechRoboticsTokyo, JP

STSusumu Tachi(Chairman)Jin Tomioka(Founder)

Co-investorsABAbies VenturesGLGlobal BrainGLGlobis Capital PartnersRIRicohUTUTokyo Innovation Platform Co. Ltd.AIAirbus Ventures+1 more

The Chain Museum operates art-related services including ArtSticker, a gallery, and art project coordination.

ConsumerMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

遠山正道(Founder (Smiles / involved with The Chain Museum))MTMasamichi Toyama(代表取締役 (Representative Director / CEO))

BoardNINaoki Ito(取締役 (Director))JTJun Tanaka(取締役 (Director))DMDai Miyagawa(取締役 (Director))

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGOGOLDWIN VENTURE PARTNERSRERegional Revitalization SolutionTBTBS Innovation PartnersJAJAFCO Group

Thirdverse is an XR game studio that develops immersive virtual reality games and social experiences, including social VR, multiplayer sword fighting, hero shooters, and narrative action titles, for players worldwide.

ConsumerGaming

Masaru(Founder / CEO)

Co-investorsCYCyberAgent CapitalFEFenbushi CapitalKUKUSABINONOW JapanSISisu Game VenturesJAJAFCO Group

TOLOT sells customizable desktop calendars printed on premium matte paper, offered with a wooden or premium stand and various cover designs.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce

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

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainJRJR East Start UP

Company working on fully autonomous driving technology, presenting itself under the slogan "We Overtake Tesla." The page is a recruitment section seeking team members to work on self-driving vehicle development.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechMobility & TransportationRoboticsTokyo, JP

IYIssei Yamamoto(Founder & CEO (代表取締役CEO))inDTDaisuke Tanaka(取締役COO)inMasato Morishima(取締役CFO)inYYYu Yamaguchi(執行役員 兼 CTO)inYTYugo Tokuchi(執行役員 兼 CSO)in

Co-investorsBOBonds Investment GroupDEDentsu VenturesDIDIMENSIONGLGlobal BrainNCNCB Venture CapitalNTNTT DOCOMO Ventures+3 more

Veritas In Silico develops AI-driven drug discovery platforms targeting RNA and nucleic acid-based therapeutics, partnering with pharmaceutical companies for small molecule and mRNA drug creation.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesKawasaki, JP

SNShingo Nakamura(CEO)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainNINippon Venture CapitalSHShinsei Capital PartnersSMSMBC Venture 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-investorsDRDRONE FUNDGLGlobal Brain

Vivola provides data analysis for fertility treatment, operates a clinical information portal, and offers talent recruitment services in Japan.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthFemTechHealthtechTokyo, JP

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGXGxPartnersMIMIRAI SOUZOU

WhyNot Media is a South Korean content studio producing web dramas, entertainment shows, and animation for digital and OTT platforms, with over 6.7 million subscribers and more than 147 content IP series.

ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & Entertainment

Co-investorsKBKB Investment

European privacy-focused search engine

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Zoyi offers a free team chat application for real-time communication and collaboration among remote teams and groups.

AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkSaaSSales Tech

Co-investorsAJAju IB Investment

Allganize builds AI Coworkers and an enterprise AI platform called Alli, offering vertically integrated tools spanning LLM selection, RAG 2.0 document handling, agent execution, deployment, and security compliance.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSPleasanton, US

CLChangsu Lee(Founder)in

BoardYoon Kang(Director)Yasuhiko Yurimoto(Director)

Co-investorsATAtinum Investment Co. Ltd.LALaguna InvestmentLGLG Technology VenturesSKSk Telecom Venture Capital, LlcSPSpark Labs Korea Accelerator Fund 4FUFuturePlay+5 more

iRidge develops app-based business solutions centered on OMO (online-to-offline) capabilities for retail and commerce customers.

Developer ToolsE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareRetail TechSaaSTokyo, JP

Kenta Oda(Representative Director & President)

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainTBTBS Innovation Partners

Unbereal develops and operates topia, a virtual music live streaming app that creates communities where users can express themselves freely and connect with others in a virtual third space.

Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSocialTokyo, JP

前原幸美in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGUgumi IncW W Inc.ANANRI

EditForce develops proprietary PPR gene-editing technology that can modify both DNA and RNA, with applications in medicine, agriculture, and chemical industries.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechFukuoka, JP

小野 高(代表取締役社長 CEO)

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainNENewton BiocapitalUTUTEC

Creema operates a creator empowerment platform and related businesses, serving creative professionals and artisans.

Creator EconomyE-commerceMarketplacesTokyo, JP

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGLGlobis Capital Partners

Sky Farm operates NEW PORT, a smartphone-based mobile ordering and payment system for restaurants and food halls, supporting pre-payment, post-payment, takeout, delivery, and OMO scenarios.

FoodTechRetail TechSaaS

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Atsushi Takatain

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Japanese manga publisher and Webtoon studio producing original vertical-scroll comics distributed in 11 countries.

Tokyo, JP

前田儒郎(Founder)in

Co-investorsATAtinum Investment Co. Ltd.CYCyberAgent CapitalDBDBJ CapitalDEDentsu VenturesFUFunds StartupsGLGlobal Brain+4 more

TSUMIKI INC. is a Japanese company operating in film distribution and the planning/sales of apparel and merchandise related to video content.

Direct to ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

A Japanese cosmetic surgery platform that connects patients with aesthetic clinics and provides educational content about procedures like liposuction, breast augmentation, and facial surgeries.

Healthtech

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainMIMinerva Growth PartnersNINippon Venture CapitalW W Inc.MIMitsubishi UFJ CapitalNINissay Capital+2 more

Hacosco develops VR and metaverse services, alongside braintech technology solutions.

Deep TechEnterprise SoftwareGamingTokyo, JP

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Japanese developer of Parallel, a mobile voice-chat app where friends hang out online while playing games and sharing media.

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainSHShizuoka CapitalW W Inc.ANANRIJAJAFCO GroupMIMitsubishi UFJ Capital+2 more

Pixie Dust Technologies develops hardware products and services based on ultrasonic and sound research, including a hair care device using non-contact vibration pressure stimulation, open-ear earphones and TV speakers using gamma-wave sound, sound-absorbing materials, and indoor positioning and spatial DX platforms.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareHealthtechMedia & EntertainmentNew Materials

YOYoichi Ochiai(代表取締役 CEO (Representative Director & CEO))

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainJRJR East Start UPSMSMBC Venture CapitalTOTOHOKU University Venture PartnersABAbies Ventures

Findy Inc. runs a set of services for software engineers and engineering organizations, including a job-matching service for engineers, a freelance/side-job matching service, and a SaaS product for measuring and supporting engineering team performance.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsHR TechSaaSTokyo, JP

山田 裕一朗(代表取締役 (Representative Director))YYYamada Yuichiro(Representative Director)SMSato Masataka(Director CTO)in

Co-investorsCACarbide VenturesGLGlobal BrainLBLB InvestmentZEZENRIN FUTURE PARTNERS

Mirrativ operates a live game streaming platform where users can broadcast and watch gameplay, alongside advertising services and live gaming events.

Creator EconomyGamingMarketing TechSocialTokyo, JP

Junichi Akagawa(Founder)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainGLGlobis Capital PartnersZ Z Venture CapitalANANRIITItochu Technology VenturesJAJAFCO Group

Operates a live-streaming and broadcasting platform (branded Twitcast/TwitCasting) where users watch and host live streams across categories such as music, gaming, talk, and voice content.

ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSocial

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Members-only outlet e-commerce service 'LUXA' (KDDI subsidiary)

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

RareJob offers an online English conversation learning platform with a proprietary lesson delivery system called Lesson Room that enables students to take lessons directly through a browser or mobile app without additional installations.

EdTechSaaSTokyo, JP

Gaku Nakamura(Founder)in

Co-investorsGLGlobal Brain

Masahisa Kishimotoin

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainSMSMBC Venture Capital

BitStar is a Japanese company operating creator support and content production businesses, including influencer marketing solutions for brands and businesses.

AdTechCreator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

渡邉 拓(代表取締役 社長執行役員CEO)原直原田 直(執行役員 (Co-founder))山雄山下 雄太(執行役員CTO)出厚出水 厚輝(執行役員CPO)

Co-investorsAGAG Capital Co. Ltd.COColopl NextGLGlobal BrainMAMakers FundRERegrowth Capital ManagementTBTBS Innovation Partners+3 more

GINKAN develops SyFu, a next-generation fintech platform that visualizes daily transaction and consumption data as "consumption achievements" and converts them into gaming experiences, digital assets, and future credit opportunities.

ConsumerFintech

TKTomochika Kamiya(Founder)in

Co-investorsAPAPOLLO CAPITALDDDD Holdings Venture CapitalE-E-CrowdGLGlobal Brain

Jij is a startup founded by experts in mathematical optimization and quantum technology, providing software services such as the "JijZept" series that support the process from building mathematical optimization models to implementation.

Deep TechQuantum ComputingSaaS

Yu Yamashiro(Founder)

Co-investorsFUFujitsu VenturesGLGlobal BrainMIMIRAI SOUZOU

Japanese GovTech startup operating policy co-creation platforms connecting citizens, politicians, ministries, municipalities and companies.

Co-investorsGLGlobal BrainNONOW JapanNTNTT DOCOMO VenturesSKSkyland VenturesZ Z Venture Capital

QunaSys develops algorithms and software to maximize the performance of quantum computers, aiming to make quantum computing practical for real business applications.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechQuantum ComputingSaaSTokyo, JP

楊 天任 (Tennin Yang)(Co-founder & CEO)御手洗 光祐 (Kosuke Mitarai)(Co-founder & Advisor)TYTennin Yan(代表取締役 (CEO / President))in松智松岡 智代(COO)越由越智 由浩(CRO)ESErik Stangerup(QunaSys Europe CEO)in

Co-investorsFUFujitsu VenturesGLGlobal BrainJIJIC Venture Growth InvestmentsMIMirai Creation FundOSOSAKA University Venture Capital

Metaverse tech company offering fan-marketing metaverse 'SYNMN' to promote fan engagement and community building.

Co-investorsANANOBAKADGDG Daiwa VenturesGLGlobal BrainOPOpen Network LabGEGenesia Ventures

THINKR is a collective of creative studios and design firm that produces original content and IP through strategic brand building, offering services in artist management, digital content production, animation and game development, design consulting, and metaverse development.

Creator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentTokyo, JP

Co-investorsCHChishima Real Estate — Startup InvestmentCYCygames CapitalGLGlobal BrainJAJAFCO Group

Creema is an online marketplace where creators sell original handmade works directly to consumers, offering promotion tools, anonymous shipping, and craft events.

Creator EconomyE-commerceMarketplaces

Co-investorsJAJapan Post Capital Co. Ltd.SMSMBC Venture CapitalW W Inc.GLGlobis Capital Partners

Taimee is a mobile app-based gig work platform that connects workers with short-term job opportunities across various industries including warehouse work, food service, delivery, and office work in Japan.

B2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkSaaS

Ryo Ogawa(Founder)

Co-investorsCOColopl NextCYCyberAgent CapitalF F VenturesGLGlobal BrainJRJR East Start UPKIKintetsu Venture Partners+5 more

Little Planet operates digital theme parks that combine technology with traditional play (such as sand play, shadow play, and coloring) to create interactive attractions for children, aiming to develop non-cognitive skills like creativity and problem-solving.

ConsumerEdTechGaming

Suzuki Shota(Founder)in

Co-investorsHIHiroshima Venture Capital Co. Ltd.IGIgnition Point Venture PartnersSOSony Ventures Corporation