Bringing You the Latest Insights and Innovations from Japan’s Startup Scene
Tippsy, the LA-Based Sake Startup, Closes Series A First Round with Investment from KOKUBU Group Founded in 2018 in California, Tippsy aims to “Spread the Love of Sake” by making the world of sake more approachable and enjoyable. The company seeks to establish “sake” as a part of everyday lifestyle, much like wine or beer. … Read More “Feeling Tippsy? LA-based Japanese sake startup Tippsy raises funding” »
This startup operates “favy,” a gourmet information platform that supports delicious eateries across Japan. Unlike traditional gourmet sites where restaurants simply post their information and wait to be discovered, favy actively promotes featured restaurants by distributing introduction articles via social media ads to food lovers in the neighborhood. This approach helps reach people who might … Read More “Looking for great restaurants nearby in Japan? Leave it to favy!” »
TOKYO EPIC Inc. (Headquartered in Minato, Tokyo; CEO: Ryoichi Wada), a next-generation anime IP production company, announced in July 2025 that it has raised approximately ¥90 million (~USD 580,000) in a seed funding round. The round was led by East Ventures, with participation from Incubate Fund, Z Venture Capital, and Paradigm Shift Group. This brings … Read More “Anime IP Production Startup Secures New Funding Round” »
A new startup is offering “Porshare,” a car-sharing service exclusively for Porsche enthusiasts. The platform allows Porsche owners to offset their monthly maintenance costs or loan payments by renting out their vehicles on days they’re not using them. In some cases, owners have even achieved “net zero” ownership costs through sharing revenue. Since its soft … Read More “Dreaming of Driving a Porsche? This Startup Can Make It Happen” »
Dwilar Inc. (Headquartered in California, USA; CEO: Yoshitaka Nakamura), the developer of “Dwilar AI,” a credit assessment AI SaaS designed specifically for foreign nationals, has raised approximately ¥100 million (USD ~600,000) in seed funding. The round includes a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) with existing investors East Ventures and Z Venture Capital, new investor … Read More “Fintech Startup Focused on Foreign Nationals Secures Seed Funding” »
Robotruck Inc., a developer of autonomous driving solutions for trucks, announced in July 2025 that it has raised approximately ¥1.2 billion in a Pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Globis Capital Partners, with participation from ORIX Corporation and several other investors. Robotruck is a startup aiming to address Japan’s “2024 logistics problem” … Read More “Autonomous Trucking Startup ROBOTRACK Secures ¥1.2 Billion in Pre-Series A Funding” »
DFree has developed and commercialized the world’s first urination prediction device, “DFree.” DFree is an IoT wearable device that uses an ultrasound sensor to monitor changes in the bladder and predict the timing of urination. By detecting bladder changes via ultrasound and notifying caregivers through smart devices, it helps reduce their workload significantly. The company … Read More “Predicting Urination to Support the Caregiving Industry: DFree Raises 840 Million Yen” »
Goldman Sachs invested around ¥10 billion in Kakehashi (Tokyo), a company developing operational systems for dispensing pharmacies. This marks Goldman Sachs’ first investment in a Japanese startup in two years, following its funding of the taxi-hailing app GO. Together with contributions from other investors, Kakehashi has secured a total of approximately ¥14 billion in its … Read More “Goldman Sachs invests heavily in Japan’s pharmacy DX” »
Company Name : AiRat (Miyagi) Web Page : https://en.legalontech.jp/ Stage : Series A Total Raise Amount : ¥579 Million AiRato Inc., a Miyagi-based startup developing proprietary AI-powered radiation therapy planning software, announces the completion of a ¥460 million (approx. USD 3.3 million) first close of its Pre-Series A funding round. This round includes follow-on investments from … Read More “AiRato Inc., Developer of AI-Based Cancer Radiation Therapy Devices, Secures ¥460 Million in First Close of Pre-Series A Funding” »
Company Name : LegalOn Technologies (Tokyo) Web Page : https://en.legalontech.jp/ Stage : Series D Total Raise Amount : ¥17,970 Million LegalOn Technologies, the developer of the AI-powered contract review platform “LegalForce,” announced on June 23 that it has raised approximately ¥13.7 billion (about USD 91 million) in its Series D funding round. With this latest round, … Read More “Cross-Border Legal Matters? Leave It to AI: LegalTech Startup Secures Major Funding” »
