Bringing You the Latest Insights and Innovations from Japan’s Startup Scene
WAKUWAKU, the operator of one of Japan’s largest renovation platforms for pre-owned properties, has secured new funding. The company runs Renove Fudosan, a real estate tech service that offers a full suite of solutions for “buy + renovate” projects, covering everything from financial planning and brokerage to renovation design and construction. What sets Renove Fudosan … Read More “WAKUWAKU Raises New Funding for Its Renovation Platform” »
Have you heard of Akihabara? Often called the holy ground for otaku, this Tokyo district has long been the birthplace of Japan’s pop culture, anime, and more. Real Akiba, a startup dedicated to sharing Akiba (short for Akihabara) culture with the world, has raised a total of ¥500 million ((approx. US$3.33 million). Founded in 2024, … Read More “Real Akiba Raises ¥500 Million to Bring Akiba Culture to the World” »
Axelspace Holdings Corporation announced its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on August 13. Founded in 2020, the University of Tokyo and Tokyo Institute of Technology spin-off offers “AxelLiner,” a one-stop service for microsatellite projects. Just six years after its founding, the company has gone public. Leveraging advanced technologies in microsatellites and satellite … Read More “University of Tokyo Satellite Startup Achieves IPO” »
A tablet that combines the warmth of natural wood with a cool, modern design. mui Lab was founded in 2017 as an in-house venture of NISSHA Co., Ltd. and became an independent startup in 2019 through a management buyout (MBO). With the mission of “Creating a rich life and society where people, nature, and technology … Read More “Mui Lab, the developer of a device that fuses wood and tablet technology, secures funding” »
Metro Weather Raises 850 Million Yen to Accelerate Commercialization of Ultra-Compact Doppler Lidar “Wind Guardian” Kyoto-based startup MetroWeather Inc., a spinout from Kyoto University, announced that it has raised 850 million yen (approx. USD 5.9 million) through a third-party allotment of shares to five institutional investors. MetroWeather specializes in the development and production of Doppler … Read More “A wind condition monitoring startup from Kyoto University has raised funding” »
Logomix Raises 2.8 Billion Yen to Accelerate Commercialization of Cell Engineering-Based Bio Products and U.S. Expansion On July 30, 2025, Logomix Inc. announced the completion of a 2.8 billion yen (approximately $18 million USD) funding round. Logomix will use the newly raised capital to accelerate the commercialization of its multi-industry bio products, built upon its … Read More “A startup from Institute of Science Tokyo developing large-scale genome construction technology has raised funding.” »
INSOL, a startup developing a humanoid-specific modular platform, raised 100 million yen in July 2025. The company offers the REAaL Humanoid Robot Platform, a modular system designed to accelerate the research, development, and implementation of humanoid robots. The platform is built with compatibility in mind for ROS and Gazebo, enabling developers to quickly prototype and … Read More “INSOL, a developer of humanoid robots for logistics, has raised funding.” »
Eve Autonomy Raises ¥1.5 Billion to Scale Outdoor Autonomous Transport Service “eve auto” Eve Autonomy is a startup offering “eve auto,” a subscription-based, turnkey solution for outdoor autonomous transport using EVs equipped with advanced self-driving technology. The eve auto system enables automated transport across outdoor areas—such as between buildings within factories or logistics facilities—where traditional … Read More “From EVs to Outdoor Autonomy—Eve Autonomy Raises New Funding to Drive the Future of Mobility” »
Honda-Backed Startup Developing “Ashirase,” a Smart Navigation System for the Visually Impaired, Raises ¥715 Million in Series A Round Ashirase Inc., a startup born out of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new business creation program IGNITION, is developing a shoe-integrated navigation system designed to assist the visually impaired with safe and intuitive walking. The service, called … Read More “Honda Develops Device to Assist the Visually Impaired with Walking” »
