Innovators in Japan: Weekly Digest 10/8/2018
Startup Hubs in Tokyo
Tokyo isn’t one area you casually visit — just like Los Angeles and New York, it’s a sprawling landmass with dozens of districts (wards, as they are called), each with its own moods and culture unlike neighboring wards.
While Tokyo boasts a large number of startups scattered across its wide prefecture, startups have formed clusters in some of these areas, making certain wards known as a hotbed for a specific field, whether it be FinTech or AI, sometimes with the support of municipal governments.
This week, we’ll be taking a look at four such areas: Hongo and Shibuya for AI and Machine Learning; Tokyo Station for FinTech; and Gotanda for the smaller, seed stage category.
Read more here in the article.
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New Rounds:
BitStar, an InfluencerMarketing startup, provided strategic investment to Cloud modeling agency REMEMBER. More here: http://thebridge.jp/?p=297205
chaintope, a blockchain platform / protocol development startup, raised ¥110m (~$990k) from ANRI. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2pAoFyn
Cocon, a cybersecurity startup, raised ¥2.8b (~$25m) YJ Capital, etc. for global growth through R&D and M&A. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2DZ1wQ6
DMM, a gaming conglomerate, set up a ¥10bn (~$90m) early stage fund aimed at 1~5% minority ownership to augment their M&A strategy. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2y0ZcTi
Hacarus, a startup tackling issues deep learning can’t solve yet, raised ¥100m (~$900k). More here: https://tcrn.ch/2y0Or3l
hachidori, an easy bot creation startup, raised a round from investors including Persol Holdings for their part-time and shift work efficiency tool. More here: https://bit.ly/2DYs589
Money Design, an AI investment advisor operator and FinTech startup, raised ¥700m (~$6.3m) from insurer Sompo Japan and printing company Toppan Insatsu. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2NeYGpt
MTG, a brand development firm, launched a ¥5b (~$45m) corporate venture capital fund focused on beauty and wellness, FoodTech, and SportTech. More here: https://bit.ly/2RebU9p
Panforyou, a local bread delivery startup, raised funds from F Ventures and individual investors. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2IwLY4F
STOCK POINT, a service for stock investments through pegged points, raised ¥200m (~$1.8m) from Credit Saison. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2NhboUZ
TEAMKIT, a freelancer collaboration project sharing startup, raised early stage funding valued at a few hundred thousand dollars. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2E1fFfU
Toremono, an ASMR sound streaming app maker, raised an undisclosed fund from NOW.vc and Metaps founder. More here: https://bit.ly/2NVrx7q
Vorkers, an 11-year old job search site, raised ¥2.25b (~$20m) externally for the first time. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2xUGtIW
Writone, a novel-to-audiobook startup, launched its service and raised funds from NOW.vc. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2DPYr4T
zens, operator of ZensHome (Airbnb for monthly corporate rentals), raised ¥50m (~$450k) in seed funding from Monex Ventures and Venture United. More here: https://bit.ly/2NUdyyZ
Quick Updates:
Aerial Lab Industries, a drone R&D and production company, acquired drone service provider Drone Department. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2Nncsqg
Coupe Management, a social media influencer agency, announced their integration with 6 livestream platforms. More here: https://bit.ly/2xKVygn
Toyota and SoftBank announced a joint subsidiary to bring new electric mobility as a service. More here: https://tcrn.ch/2QskO1W
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