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Top 50 Software Angel Investors in Japan (October 2026)

The most active angel investors investing in Japan Software startups. This investor list is updated monthly from the Shizune investor database, ranked by number of investments in Japan Software startup companies. Find investors to raise a Seed, Series A or Angel round with Shizune.
Investor Relevant Deals Geography Stage Focus Round Size
Kotaro Chiba
Angel
20 Japan, United States Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Series A Information Technology, Content, Software $215k–$18M
Ayataro Nakagawa
Angel
19 Japan, Hong Kong, United States Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Internet, Software, Content $29k–$36M
Kensuke Furukawa
Angel
18 Japan Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Angel Content, Internet, Media and Entertainment $63k–$36M
Yusuke Sato
Angel
18 Japan, Indonesia, United States Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Angel Internet, Content, Software $226k–$27M
Hirofumi Miki
Angel
14 Japan Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed Content, Artificial Intelligence, Internet $252k–$2M
Nobuhiro Ariyasu
Angel
14 Japan, Singapore Seed, Angel, Series A Finance, Content, Internet $177k–$40M
Yu Akasaka
Angel
12 Japan, Australia, Hong Kong Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Content, Food and Beverage, Internet $28k–$6.2M
Hidetoshi Takano
Angel
11 Japan, United States Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Internet, Information Technology, Content $255k–$30M
Mamoru Taniya
Angel
10 Japan, Singapore, Spain Seed, Series A, Angel Apps, Content, FinTech $134k–$10M
Masao Ito
Angel
9 Japan Seed, Series A, Angel Content, Social Media, Information Technology $147k–$9.2M
Shunsuke Oyu
Angel
9 Japan, Singapore, United States Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Content, Internet, E-Commerce $320k–$36M
Tatsuo Sakamoto
Angel
8 Japan Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed Information Technology, Content, Education $90k–$14M
Toru Shimada
Angel
8 Japan Seed, Angel, Series A Content, Internet, Task Management $37k–$9.1M
Yoshinori Fukushima
Angel
7 Japan, Singapore Seed, Angel, Series A Internet, Software, Marketing $222k–$12M
Yuichi Kawasaki
Angel
7 Japan Seed, Angel Apps, Finance, Artificial Intelligence $86k–$3M
Eric Di Benedetto
Angel
6 United States, Japan Seed, Series A FinTech, Internet, Developer APIs $1.8M–$6M
Hironao Kunimitsu
Angel
6 Japan, United States Seed, Angel Virtual Reality, Content, Internet $320k–$2.6M
Shintaro Yamada
Angel
6 Japan, United States, Kenya Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed Internet, Finance, Content $251k–$5M
Akinori Harada
Angel
6 Japan Seed, Series A Apps, Gaming, Web3 $769k–$1.2M
Soichiro Kawai
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Angel Media and Entertainment, Internet, Mobile Apps $35k–$2M
Masaru Sunagawa
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Finance, Software, Artificial Intelligence $608k–$1.2M
Tomohito Ebine
Angel
5 Japan, United States Seed, Angel, Series A Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, SaaS $493k–$24M
Kazuma Ieiri
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Content, Fashion, Finance $19k–$28M
Yuzuru Honda
Angel
5 Japan, Nigeria, Singapore Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Information Technology, SNS, Internet $19k–$5.7M
Masanori Sugiyama
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Angel, Series A Internet, Software, Web Design $380k–$18M
Sotaro Karasawa
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel Software, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence $109k–$14M
Shogo Kawada
Angel
5 Japan, United States Seed, Angel Software, SaaS, Mobile $182k–$14M
Noboru Miyata
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Series A Software, Apps, SaaS $933k–$6.8M
Naoki Aoyagi
Angel
5 Japan Seed, Angel, Series A Internet, Fashion, Software $252k–$9.2M
Noguchi Keito
Angel
5 Japan, United States Seed, Angel Marketing, Financial Services, Media and Entertainment $467k–$1.8M
Kenji Kasahara
Angel
5 Japan, United States Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A Information Technology, Aerospace, Education $329k–$7.7M
Otomi Tomohiro
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown Travel, Tourism, Recruiting $377k–$8.5M
Yutaka Matsuo
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Angel Artificial Intelligence, SaaS, Robotics
Chihiro Asano
Angel
4 Japan, United States Seed, Angel, Series A Content, FinTech, Financial Services $216k–$14M
Yoshitsune Ido
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed Robotics, Information Technology, B2C $353k–$1.4M
Hiroki Nakamura
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Series A Software, Web Design, Sales $437k–$18M
Shunsuke Sasaki
Angel
4 Japan, Myanmar Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed Content, Social Media, SNS
Yasuyuki Kin
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Recruiting $90k–$7.1M
Narita Shuzo
Angel
4 Japan Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel Task Management, Content, Internet $151k–$1.2M
Taizo Son
Angel
4 Japan, United States, Singapore Seed, Series A, Angel Medical Device, Financial Services, Information Technology $493k–$30M
Kiyoshi Nishikawa
Angel
4 Japan, United States Seed, Pre-Seed News, Social Media, Big Data $77k–$2.8M
Jun Ogawa
Angel
3 Japan Seed, Angel Software, Education, Information Technology
Justin Waldron
Angel
3 United States, Japan, Chile Seed, Pre-Seed, Venture - Series Unknown Software, Internet, Gaming $50k–$20M
Daisuke Takanashi
Angel
3 Japan Seed, Angel Content, SNS, Adult $222k–$8.7M
Takaya Shinozuka
Angel
3 Japan Seed, Angel, Series A E-Commerce, Local, Content $610k–$4.3M
Masahiko Inada
Angel
3 Japan Angel, Seed SNS, Content, Finance
Shinji Kimura
Angel
3 United States, India, Japan Seed, Series B, Venture - Series Unknown FinTech, Financial Services, Software $67k–$220M
Mizuki Inoue
Angel
3 Japan Seed, Angel CRM, Finance, Security $4.3M–$45M
Ryosuke Matsumoto
Angel
3 Japan Seed, Angel, Series A Art, Software, Reservations $182k–$5.5M
Dai Tamesue
Angel
3 Japan Angel, Seed, Pre-Seed Apps, Sports, Health Care
Access all 258 angel investors in Japan Software startups.

Access 48,091 investors

822 industries, 177 countries. Updated daily. Emails and phones included.

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Investor list

Kotaro Chiba
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 20 investments in Japan Software startups

Kotaro Chiba is the founder of ChibaDojo Fund. Kotaro Chiba attended Keio University.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Information Technology, Content, Software
  • Stage:Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 78
  • Round size: Seed $215k–$18M; Series A $841k–$14M; Venture - Series Unknown $947k–$11M
  • Lead/follow: 9% lead, 91% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • MI-6 — MI-6 is a research, development, consulting, and project management for material development using IT. We will promote materials informatics in the field of material development with our technological capabilities and a wealth of project knowledge that challenge the world's most advanced technologies .
  • ELESTYLE — ELESTYLE are promoting mobile payments and providing high value-added services for users to realize a cashless society.
  • Luup — Luup is Japan's #1 e-scooter and e-bike sharing service provider. Luup currently operates in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama, while planning to expand to other cities all over Japan. The service is based on a high-density port network, where anyone can rent and return to their original fleets.
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Ayataro Nakagawa
Angel · 19 investments in Japan Software startups

2011 At university, participated in the founding period as a director of Atcole Co., Ltd., and started the web service experience.2012 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd., which operates a curation platform for women "MERY" .2014 Founded Peroli Co., Ltd. Sold to DeNA 2015 Jointly established Tokyo Founders Fund as an angel investor and startedinvesting in startups in Japan and overseas 2019 Appointed outside director of FIREBUG Co., Ltd.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Software, Content
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan, Hong Kong, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 43
  • Round size: Seed $151k–$1.8M; Angel $29k–$4.3M; Venture - Series Unknown $200k–$36M
  • Lead/follow: 9% lead, 91% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Mepple — Mepple is planning, developing, and operating internet services.
  • For you — For you is a comprehensive Advertising agency business specializing in SNS.
  • SPORTS CROWN — SPORTS CROWN is a fantasy sports developer that introduces a new type of game where the players can earn prize money by predicting the players who will play an active role in soccer and baseball.
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Kensuke Furukawa
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 18 investments in Japan Software startups

Kensuke Furukawa was born in June 2, 1981. He graduated Waseda University majoring Political Science and Economics, and in 2000, he launched "Milkcafe", a student community, which has grown to a site with 10 million PV per month. In 2004, he became the CEO of Media Clip, which operates a rental bulletin board service "ShitarabaBBS". After that year, he had transfer "Shitaraba BBS" to Livedoor, and took charge of starting up the Consumer Generated Media sector. In 2006, he joined Recruit, and took charge of starting up a new business at Business development sector. In June of 2009, he left Recruit, and became the CEO of nanapi (formerly Rocket Start), which operates the How-to Site "nanapi".

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Internet, Media and Entertainment
  • Stage:Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 42
  • Round size: Seed $63k–$2.6M; Angel $64k–$457k; Venture - Series Unknown $537k–$36M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • iiba — Iiba is a geospatial platform that specializes in providing location information related to child-rearing.
  • Tohakusha — Tohakusha is a creative agency that offers design, production and sale of digital content and EC websites, and content creation services.
  • Neighbor — Neighbor is a metaverse game developer that specializes in Fortnite.
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Yusuke Sato
Angel · 18 investments in Japan Software startups

Yusuke Sato is the Co-Representative and Co-Founder of Pulit.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Content, Software
  • Stage:Seed, Venture - Series Unknown, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, Indonesia, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 60
  • Round size: Seed $226k–$4.3M; Angel $254k–$4.3M; Venture - Series Unknown $363k–$27M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Kaimak — Kaymak is a recruitment platform that focuses on creating a recruitment website, planning a recruitment strategy, and managing candidates.
  • Meetscare — Meetscare provides correct information and supports the self-awareness of all people involved in care. The company provides a wealth of information to ensure optimal care and create a mechanism for the realization. Users can make a telephone consultation and web diagnosis and search for free information using the system.Meetscare was founded on2016 and is headquartered in Arakawa, Tokyo.
  • Driver Technologies — Driver Technologies is a cloud logistics platform provider. It provides a solution for driver matching and cargo vehicle demands.
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Hirofumi Miki
Angel · Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan · 14 investments in Japan Software startups

After JTB Co., Ltd. and CYBIRD Co., Ltd. as an initial member of Glee Co., Ltd. is responsible for business development. Currently, he is mainly engaged in venture support in the Internet area, investing in venture and venture capital, and served as management advisor for dozens of companies. Hands-on business development, growth strategydevelopment, financing advice, HR organization design support, partner referral and Recruit Support. He is also engaged in business support for ventures in the healthcare and university venture fields. He served as Digital Health Meetup Advisor, NEDOTCP Mentor and Future 2016 Mentor.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Artificial Intelligence, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 27
  • Round size: Seed $252k–$2M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Go Visions — Go Visions engages in the edutainment tech for children and human resources services.
  • Ai-Dounyu.com — Ai-Dounyu.com is a platform that helps organizations looking to integrate AI choose their ideal AI implementation partner for free.
  • Compass — Compass is a Solve problems in the local labor market with Consultation x Technology
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Nobuhiro Ariyasu
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 14 investments in Japan Software startups

Nobuhiro Ariyasu is the CEO at Coach United.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Finance, Content, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, Singapore

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 52
  • Round size: Seed $330k–$8.2M; Angel $177k–$626k; Series A $1.4M–$40M
  • Lead/follow: 8% lead, 92% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Grafto — Grafto operates “Mylo Magazine,” a platform dedicated to sharing and promoting trend culture, where readers can explore the latest developments in lifestyle, fashion, art, and emerging cultural movements through engaging and curated content.
  • FLASH — FLASH is an entertainment and technology startup.
  • OPERA TECH — OPERA Lead is a sales-focused AI web chatbot service from Opera Technology that turns websites into 24/7 "exhibit booths" for lead generation.It deploys AI sales assistants on existing sites (via simple tag embedding, no redesign needed) to engage the 99% of visitors who don't convert via inbound methods alone. Key capabilitiesinclude direct booking of meetings, guiding users to whitepapers/webinars, and targeted lead qualification for efficient deal progression.
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Yu Akasaka
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 12 investments in Japan Software startups

During Hosei University student, and intern at Hakuhodo C & D. After joining the Image-net, I do media monetization of EC site as a media planner. Then, new business, engaged in Alliance. Launched a crowdsourcing site "MILLION DESIGNS" of design in the individual, sold to Ransazu Corporation. Established the Eureka Co., Ltd., wasappointed Representative Director CEO.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Food and Beverage, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan, Australia, Hong Kong

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 41
  • Round size: Seed $302k–$4.3M; Angel $28k–$474k; Venture - Series Unknown $538k–$6.2M
  • Lead/follow: 7% lead, 93% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Now Do — Now Do provides online growth revolution platform.
  • RE — RE specializes in smartphone application design and development.
  • Vitalogue Health — Vitalogue Health is a hormone testing service intended to provide access to hormones and medical care. They allow users to self-check the physical condition for pregnancy and how hormones affect it, whether the symptoms are related to menopause, and provide personalized test results, commented on by physicians.
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Hidetoshi Takano
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 11 investments in Japan Software startups

Joined Intelligence in 1999. Established Key Players Inc. in 2005. Consultation with more than 3,000 managers and career counseling for more than 10,000 individuals. In addition, we have invested in more than 55 outside directors, advisors and angels in Silicon Valley and Bangladesh in Japan. Over 100 lectures on careers, entrepreneurship andstartups.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Information Technology, Content
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 42
  • Round size: Seed $255k–$5.7M; Angel $493k–$30M; Venture - Series Unknown $461k–$3.8M
  • Lead/follow: 2% lead, 98% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Kaimak — Kaymak is a recruitment platform that focuses on creating a recruitment website, planning a recruitment strategy, and managing candidates.
  • D-Chain — D-Chain offers services related to IT development and production in the Web3 and Web2 fields.
  • Rayout — Rayout is a business consulting company that provides creative content development, recruitment videos, and web production services.
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Mamoru Taniya
Angel · Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong · 10 investments in Japan Software startups

After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he joined Solomon Brothers, where he became the youngest managing director in Asia, where he was in charge of Asian investment. After that, he created one of the largest independent Asuka assets. He also launched Japan's first independent online life insurance company,LifeNet Life Insurance, and inspired Japan's first International.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Apps, Content, FinTech
  • Stage:Seed, Series A, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, Singapore, Spain

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 28
  • Round size: Seed $134k–$3M; Angel $137k–$1.3M; Series A $1.8M–$10M
  • Lead/follow: 7% lead, 93% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • abillion — Find tips for plant-based food & products near you. Join the community to share reviews of restaurants & brands. Raise funds & drive sustainability!
  • Amateras Space — Amateras Space is a startup driven by the mission to “expand the realm of human activity,” aiming to establish a next-generation spacesuit business by developing advanced, practical technologies that enable humans to work, explore, and thrive in space and other extreme environments.
  • RIMM Sustainability — RIMM Sustainability provides a SaaS platform that enables companies of all sizes to optimise their sustainability management effort. It builds tools for sustainability management, reporting and optimisation.
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Masao Ito
Angel · 9 investments in Japan Software startups

Masao Ito is a Founder & CEO at User Local.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Social Media, Information Technology
  • Stage:Seed, Series A, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 22
  • Round size: Seed $147k–$9.2M; Series A $755k–$841k
  • Lead/follow: 5% lead, 95% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Illusil — Illusil is a service that makes it easier for anyone to generate slide materials and reduces the amount of time needed to do it. Additionally, presentations can be automatically generated from text input by AI, and over 1,000 design templates can be used to build original slides.
  • Alyaum — Aryaum supports "regional revitalization through NFT" by offering local governments all around the nation hometown tax and tourism NFT solutions.
  • FinT — FinT operates SNS marketing businesses and young women's media.
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Access 48,091 investors

822 industries, 177 countries. Updated daily. Emails and phones included.

Browse database — It's Free!
Shunsuke Oyu
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 9 investments in Japan Software startups

Shunsuke Oyu is the co-founder of Connehito Inc. Started an online Q&A platform “mamari” which is the largest platform for moms in Japan. Connehito was acquired by one of the telecom giant KDDI in 2016. Selected as a “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia” at consumer technology department. Angel-investing 50+ companies globally.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Internet, E-Commerce
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan, Singapore, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 22
  • Round size: Seed $320k–$3.3M; Venture - Series Unknown $1.5M–$36M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Tohakusha — Tohakusha is a creative agency that offers design, production and sale of digital content and EC websites, and content creation services.
  • Ai-Dounyu.com — Ai-Dounyu.com is a platform that helps organizations looking to integrate AI choose their ideal AI implementation partner for free.
  • Neighbor — Neighbor is a metaverse game developer that specializes in Fortnite.
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Tatsuo Sakamoto
Angel · 8 investments in Japan Software startups

Tatsuo Sakamoto is a Head of Sales, Japan at MOLOCO. He Attended The University of Tokyo.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Information Technology, Content, Education
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 20
  • Round size: Seed $90k–$14M; Pre-Seed $272k–$622k
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • bgrass — bgrass is a consultation support platform for women working in the IT industry.
  • Kids Snack Lab — Kids Snack Lab is a food manufacturing firm that produces and sells nutritional sweets for children.
  • Metaverse Creators — Metaverse Creators is a feature-rich virtual platform providing gamers with a wide range of games, creation tools, and avatar editing tools.
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Toru Shimada
Angel · 8 investments in Japan Software startups

Toru Shimada is a Senior Executive Officer and Director of Rakuten. Mr. Shimada is a Director of Rakuten Baseball, Inc., and Head of Asia Regional Headquarters Office of the Company.Mr. Shimada joined Rakuten in 2004. Prior to joining Rakuten, Mr. Shimada was founder and Director of INTELLIGENCE, LTD from 1989 to 2004. Prior to INTELLIGENCE, LTD.Mr. Shimada worked at RECRUIT CO., LTD. from 1987 to 1989.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Internet, Task Management
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 22
  • Round size: Seed $72k–$4.3M; Angel $37k–$735k; Series A $3.2M–$9.1M
  • Lead/follow: 9% lead, 91% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • COELU — COELU wants to be at the forefront of organizations that decide to take on obstacles in order to become a "core of growth."
  • Ixyas — Ixyas offers internet service planning, operation, marketing support, and sales services.
  • CAN EAT — CAN EAT is an information-intensive web service that can be expected to prevent allergic accidents.
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Yoshinori Fukushima
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 7 investments in Japan Software startups

Yoshinori Fukushima - CEO @ LayerX

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Software, Marketing
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, Singapore

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 20
  • Round size: Seed $222k–$12M; Angel $457k–$716k; Series A $880k–$6.6M
  • Lead/follow: 5% lead, 95% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Jizai — Jizai is a provider of artificial intelligence technology, offering AI solutions, software-as-a-service products powered by AI, and robots that utilize AI capabilities for businesses across various industries. The company focuses on generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and robotics, offering customizable AI platforms and automation tools.It also engages in AI consulting and research collaborations.
  • Amptalk — Amptalk is a software development firm specializing in operating automatic transcription and analysis of online business negotiations.
  • Media Aid — Media Aid is an advertising agency that provides recruitment, marketing, web creation, and SNS management services
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Yuichi Kawasaki
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 7 investments in Japan Software startups

Yuichi Kawasaki Prior joining SmartNews, I was COO at mixi, Founder & CEO at kamado, Executive Vice President at Hatena. I started my career at Cisco Systems G.K.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Apps, Finance, Artificial Intelligence
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 8
  • Round size: Seed $1M–$3M; Angel $86k–$1.7M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Nose ID — Nose ID is a mobile application designed to monitor and protect pet dogs in the vicinity.
  • Givearth — Givearth app enable users to make donations just by carrying out their daily shopping and consumption activities.
  • StoryHub — StoryHub is a powerful all-in-one AI editing assistant designed to help users create high-quality content quickly, efficiently, and at a significantly lower cost. Whether you're drafting blog posts, polishing articles, scripting videos, or refining marketing copy, StoryHub streamlines the entire content creation process with intelligent tools
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Eric Di Benedetto
Angel · San Francisco, California, United States · 6 investments in Japan Software startups

Private investor at the crossroads of finance & technology: seed, private & public, hedge and other alternatives. Over 30 IPOs and M&A exits in excess of $13 billion in aggregate value...Professional investor in software start-ups for over 25 years, first as a VC, then as a professional angel investor. Specialties include technologyinnovation in financial services, AI and mobile services. Most recent primary focus: disruptive financial technologies with massive impact. Original investor in Lending Club - the world's largest P2P lending marketplace -, Clairmail, now Monitise - the world's leader in mobile banking and mobile money -, Signio, now PayPal - the world's leader in online and mobile payments -, Sentient Technologies - a company seeking to solve the world’s most complex problems through massively scaled artificial intelligence -, etc.Currently, investor in such companies as: Alpaca, Aromyx, Coursekey, Fuzzy, GoShare, GraphWear, Jyve, LeadCrunch, PeerIQ, QMerit, Sentient, Siftery...Please have your project referred and strongly supported by one of my LinkedIn network connections for consideration.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: FinTech, Internet, Developer APIs
  • Stage:Seed, Series A
  • Geography: United States, Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 9
  • Round size: Seed $1.8M–$4M; Series A $5.7M–$6M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • GoShare — Moving, hauling, and delivery help is just a tap away with GoShare's easy app. Get a truck or cargo van in less than an hour.
  • Alpaca — Alpaca API allows developers and businesses to build apps, embed investing, and trade algorithms
  • AlpacaJapan — Alpaca is a technology company developing financial system platforms powered by the collaboration of AI and people.
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Hironao Kunimitsu
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 6 investments in Japan Software startups

Hironao Kunimitsu was born in Hyogo, Japan. After graduating from Okayama High School, he spent several years traveling around the world. He visited over 30 countries including the US, China, India, Canada, and others in Central and South America.In 1996 he entered Fudan University in China, and then later went on to study at Santa MonicaCollege in the US. In 2004 he entered Atmovie Inc. where he produced movies and televised dramas, and was appointed company director in the same year. In 2007 he founded gumi Inc., and it started listing on first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December, 2014.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Virtual Reality, Content, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 19
  • Round size: Seed $729k–$2.6M; Angel $320k–$1.8M
  • Lead/follow: 16% lead, 84% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • 1SEC — 1sec is a virtual influencers in Japan,develop in-house and management. IMPACT to CEKAI in 1 second. Based on the concept of making CEKAI happy in one second, US based in Los Angeles and Japan, based in Tokyo, virtual influencers × AI, fashion & music & The company will develop a number of CEKAI's first and first projects in Japan inthe field of enter teignment.
  • Gatari — Gatari specializes in the planning, development, and operation of XR services. Auris, a futuristic audio guide, and Vismuth, a camera app that transforms reality into a story, are two of Gatari's services.
  • Thirdverse — Thirdverse is a web3 and virtual reality game studio that develops and operates multiplayer virtual reality games. The company combines the technology of blockchain to create an economic zone and a virtual world, enabling customers to experience seamless gameplay in a virtual environment.Thirdverse was founded in 2016 and is headquartered nTokyo, Japan.
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Shintaro Yamada
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 6 investments in Japan Software startups

During his years at Waseda University, Shintaro worked at Japan’s biggest e-commerce mall, Rakuten, Inc. On August 1st 2001, Shintaro established “Unoh Inc.” after graduating university. At Unoh he was responsible for designing and developing several web services, one of which was the online magazine subscription . Services provided by Unohinclude planning, development and management of the film enthusiast community site “Movie Life” (acquired by PIA Corporation) as well as “Sugu.CC” , “NeoAd” (both acquired by GMOAP) and the photo sharing site “Photozou” (acquired by Digital Garage).In 2009 Unoh entered into social gaming, creating multiple successful social games. Among these games, “Machitsuku!” has been its biggest hit with over 5 million users. On August 3rd 2010, Unoh joined Zynga and Shintaro became General Manager of Zynga Japan. He resigned on January 2012. After traveling around the world, He established the new company “Mercari, Inc.” on February 2013 and released the resale shopping app “Mercari” on July 2013 in Japan.He is a true Internet geek, spending a lot of time on the Internet and boasts around 180,000 followers on Twitter.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Finance, Content
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan, United States, Kenya

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 18
  • Round size: Seed $251k–$5M; Angel $320k–$3.7M; Pre-Seed $277k–$510k
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • AssetHub — AssetHub is an AI-powered 3D modeling tool that enables game developers to create and edit 3D assets 100 times faster, enabling mass production of content and combining AI with manual work, enabling faster prototyping and editing.
  • Peach Cars — Buy or sell your car in Nairobi-Kenya with ease. Browse a wide range of vehicles, connect with trusted sellers, and find the perfect car today. Simple, fast, and secure transactions.
  • AnotherBall — AnotherBall is a blockchain startup that combines entertainment and blockchain.
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Akinori Harada
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 6 investments in Japan Software startups

He is the vice president of mixi, Inc which is social media network in Japan since June 2009. He’s managed “mixi application” and “mixi new year card”. He’s also directed “mixi alum” and “mixi voice” to make it to be more social but community based. He joined mixi, Inc in 2007. He managed mobile development, “mixi mobile” which became a mixi’sdevelopment driver.Before he started his career at mixi, he was managing mainly portal sites such as searching engine section of “i-mode” at NTT Docomo Inc.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Apps, Gaming, Web3
  • Stage:Seed, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 6
  • Round size: Seed $769k–$1.2M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Coco — Coco is a communication tool. They develop software that will help the service sector become more customer-oriented. They improve customer satisfaction by digitizing customer surveys and converting telephone interactions with customers to text chat.
  • HEAL-lll — HEAL-lll is a multifaceted firm that merges healthcare, technology, and gamification to promote individual and organizational well-being.
  • Tohakusha — Tohakusha is a creative agency that offers design, production and sale of digital content and EC websites, and content creation services.
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Soichiro Kawai
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Soichiro Kawai - CEO @ ReBoost

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Media and Entertainment, Internet, Mobile Apps
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 18
  • Round size: Seed $35k–$2M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Villio — Villio provides talent experience SaaS which helps companies with human resource development and recruitment of talented engineers.
  • Back Dooor — Back Dooor is an app that provides 1on1 chatting services with favorite player of the users.
  • SPeak — SPeak is an IT services firm that operates web content and matching platforms for global talents. It operates JPort Match, which is involved in direct recruiting services. It is a global career platform for budding new talents.
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Masaru Sunagawa
Angel · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

After joining Mitsubishi Corporation, he studied at Harvard Business School. After graduating, he joined Globespan Capital Partners, an independent United States VC, and worked as a director of investment. He started LocationValue after the company's representative in Japan. Joined Google after selling the company to NTT DOCOMO. He served asDirector of Product Development for Google Maps and General Manager for Android. He left Google in February 2018 and started Smartround Co., Ltd. in May.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Finance, Software, Artificial Intelligence
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 7
  • Round size: Seed $608k–$1.2M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Flyle — Flyle provides a cloud based platform for product management helping customers to improve productivity & creativity in product development.
  • Sustainable Lab — SusLab is a data bank that uses AI technology to support SDG and ESG development goals and investments.
  • Paytner — Paytner is providing services to support freelance people's funding. The freelance population in Japan has been shown to continue to increase in many Chosa. While working styles are diversified, they are not able to respond to the development of the working environment, and they will develop their business to change the situation whereproblems such as funding, credit, sexual harassment, and power harassment are accumulated.
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Tomohito Ebine
Angel · Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Tomohito Ebine is non-executive Director at Owls Co., Ltd.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, SaaS
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 12
  • Round size: Seed $493k–$4.9M; Series A $1.7M–$24M
  • Lead/follow: 8% lead, 92% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Mign — Mign offers a generative AI-related SaaS solutions for the construction and real estate fields.
  • Smartround — Smartround is a specialized finance management platform for startups and their investors. For start-ups, for entrepreneurs who are not familiar with finance, simply enter the necessary information according to the guide, prepare appropriate financing round, and prepare a function that can simulate and execute a capital increase. Support informationsharing and communication with shareholders even after the capital increase.
  • CAREER BIJIN — Career bijin is a total support company.
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Kazuma Ieiri
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Born in 1978 and raised in Fukuoka prefecture, Kazuma founded paperboy&co. inc. (currently GMO Pepabo) and went on to become the youngest CEO ever (at the time) to take a company public in Japan by taking paperboy&co. public on the JASDAQ Japanese stock exchange. After leaving paperboy&co, he continued his startup trail by foundingBASE, CAMPFIRE, and XIMERA. Kazuma also dabbled in the food services industry via the founding of On The Corner (a cafe) and is active in the startup investment scene. He also started the Liverty-house project which attempts to create shared housing for young people in need.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Fashion, Finance
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 22
  • Round size: Seed $380k–$28M; Angel $64k–$474k; Venture - Series Unknown $19k–$363k
  • Lead/follow: 9% lead, 91% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Taliki — Taliki is a Coworking Space Operates Social Entrepreneurs Development Support for Intrepreneur Development.
  • One Nova — One Nova is a lifestyle brand and online platform that offers a range of innerwear products, such as men's boxers.
  • Vivid Garden — vivid garden is an Agriculture company.
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Yuzuru Honda
Angel · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Yuzuru Honda is a Founder & Global CEO of FreakOut.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Information Technology, SNS, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan, Nigeria, Singapore

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 15
  • Round size: Seed $182k–$5.7M; Venture - Series Unknown $19k–$184k
  • Lead/follow: 7% lead, 93% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • IVA — IVA ensures the safety of the market towards the threat of counterfeit goods.
  • Tyms — Tyms online accounting software for your business connects you to your bank, accountant, bookkeeper, and other business apps. Start a free trial today. Also available in Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius and South Africa.
  • ForCreators — ForCreators is a company operating the virtual talent agency ‘NEXAS', with the goal of globalizing Japan's world-class culture such as anime and VTubers.
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Masanori Sugiyama
Angel · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

He graduated from Kansai University in 1988. He was enrolled in Ljoma while he was in college. 2002 Vice President of Practice (now index lights). In 2004, he became president of zappallas. Listed on the TSE Mothers in the second year of his appointment, and in 2010 he was listed in part of the TSE. In 2011 he became the CEO of enish. Listed on apart of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Thereafter, he served as outside directors such as Nikkatsu and JibannetHD.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Software, Web Design
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 10
  • Round size: Seed $380k–$18M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • MI-6 — MI-6 is a research, development, consulting, and project management for material development using IT. We will promote materials informatics in the field of material development with our technological capabilities and a wealth of project knowledge that challenge the world's most advanced technologies .
  • STUDIO — The easiest and quickest way to build your beautiful portfolio website, landing page or anything. No code. All creative freedom.
  • STUDIO Japan — STUDIO is a development and operation of the next-generation design tool.
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Sotaro Karasawa
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Sotaro Karasawa - Chief Technology Officer @ STAR FESTIVAL

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence
  • Stage:Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 9
  • Round size: Seed $109k–$14M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Cloudbase — Cloudbase is an information technology company that specializes in the fields of cloud services and management.
  • Josan-shes — Josan shes is web start up that offers nursing service to women and babies.
  • OPERA TECH — OPERA Lead is a sales-focused AI web chatbot service from Opera Technology that turns websites into 24/7 "exhibit booths" for lead generation.It deploys AI sales assistants on existing sites (via simple tag embedding, no redesign needed) to engage the 99% of visitors who don't convert via inbound methods alone. Key capabilitiesinclude direct booking of meetings, guiding users to whitepapers/webinars, and targeted lead qualification for efficient deal progression.
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Shogo Kawada
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Shogo Kawada is Co-founder and Adviser of DeNA, a global Internet company focused on a social games platform, social games, e-commerce and other Web services for mobile devices and PCs.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, SaaS, Mobile
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 22
  • Round size: Seed $182k–$14M; Angel $254k–$709k
  • Lead/follow: 9% lead, 91% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Sunblaze — sunblaze is a android-based smartphone users begin to experience stability issues after one to two years of use. For example, their device may get slower or they encounter unexpected app crashes. These stability issues also lead to security vulnerabilities.SUNBLAZE OS features essential functions only, meaning it does not have any unnecessaryfunctions. This allows the system to be more stable and secure, and users are able to use it for a longer period of time.
  • IVA — IVA ensures the safety of the market towards the threat of counterfeit goods.
  • Spider Labs — Spider AF is an ad fraud detection tool that detects, blocks, and protects web advertisements from fraudulent clicks and conversions. Advertisers can easily detect fraudulent activity across published ads using centralized fraud management and advanced automation. Spider AF provides complete transparency in digital advertising, allowing advertisersto track ad placement, identify fraudulent behaviors, and analyze clean - fraud-free data.The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.
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Noboru Miyata
Angel · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Noboru Miyata is the Founder at SmartHR .

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, Apps, SaaS
  • Stage:Seed, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 5
  • Round size: Seed $933k–$1M; Series A $2.7M–$6.8M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • iiba — Iiba is a geospatial platform that specializes in providing location information related to child-rearing.
  • Nagaku — Nagaku is a web magazine that publishes about culture along with web development, PR, marketing, and consulting services.
  • PartnerSuccess — PartnerSuccess develops and provides SaaS tools that automate the collaboration between manufacturers and distributors.
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Naoki Aoyagi
Angel · San Francisco, California, United States · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Naoki Aoyagi is a Senior Vice President at GREE, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of GREE International, Inc. He joined GREE, Inc. in March 2006 from Deutsche Bank, where he had specialized in tech and media sector IPOs and M&A advisory work. At GREE, Aoyagi oversaw the Company's partnership with KDDI and its IPO before leading thedevelopment of GREE’s global operations, a role he continues today. Aoyagi earned a bachelor's degree in policy management from Keio University in 2002.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Internet, Fashion, Software
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 10
  • Round size: Seed $252k–$4.3M; Series A $4.6M–$9.2M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Enechain — enechain provides liquidity in Japan’s energy market by brokering OTC transactions of energy.
  • Parallel — Parallel is the hangout app where you can enjoy games, videos, music, and more with friends.
  • Holmes — Holmesis a cloud contract system to consistently carry out the creation, conclusion and management of contracts in the cloud.
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Noguchi Keito
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Noguchi Keito - Founder @ Vapes

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Marketing, Financial Services, Media and Entertainment
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 12
  • Round size: Seed $619k–$1.8M; Angel $467k–$716k
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Dofa — Dofa aims to develop services that enrich the way of life and work of human resources that are active mainly in sales.
  • Alliance Cloud — Alliance Cloud primarily engages in the Sales Tech and BtoB Sales Outsourcing Business.
  • Cloud Franchise — Cloud Franchise is a cloud kitchen model that aims to maximize the kitchen occupancy rate of restaurants.
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Kenji Kasahara
Angel · Shibuya, Kanagawa, Japan · 5 investments in Japan Software startups

Born in 1975, Kenji Kasahara grew up in Osaka Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of Economics at the University of Tokyo. Inspired by the case studies of IT business he studied in a university seminar on management strategy and by the rapid rise of Internet business in Silicon Valley in the USA, he started up “Find Job !”, an online jobinformation site, in 1997. In 1999 Kasahara established eMercury, Inc. (mixi, Inc.) and assumed the post of representative director.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Information Technology, Aerospace, Education
  • Stage:Seed, Pre-Seed, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 15
  • Round size: Seed $329k–$2.5M; Pre-Seed $3M–$3.4M; Series A $3.1M–$7.7M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Voicetep — Voicetep is a unique dating app that enables users to begin meaningful connections without needing to share photos or exchange messages, instead fostering relationships through voice-based interactions that emphasize personality, authenticity, and genuine communication from the very first encounter.
  • AVIATE — AVIATE Inc. is a Tokyo-based technology startup that designs and builds AI-driven business automation systems. The company develops TASKBASE, an operational workflow layer that allows enterprise teams to run backend business operations entirely from natural language prompts.
  • Nicoli — Nicoli is a company that creates content and advertisements that increase happy time for parents and children .
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Otomi Tomohiro
Angel · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Otomi Tomohiro - CEO @ Tyrus

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Travel, Tourism, Recruiting
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 8
  • Round size: Seed $377k–$8.5M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • CUICIN — Quickin is changing the travel experience with the digital transformation.
  • HANOWA — Hanowa is a matching platform between freelance dental hygienists and dental clinics. It matches dental care workers who want to work in their spare time with dental clinics. It can be used for studying, side jobs, and job change activities.
  • Yondemy — Yondemy is an online platform for children reading books.
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Yutaka Matsuo
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

1997 Graduated from Tokyo University, Department of Electronic and Information Engineering. In 2002, he completed the doctoral program at the same graduate school. Ph.D. (Engineering) He was a researcher at the Institute of Industrial Science and Technology since the same year. After working as a visiting researcher at Stanford University in August2005, Associate Professor of Technology Management Strategy, Institute of Research, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo in 2007. Co-Representative, Associate Professor, Global Consumption Intelligence Donation Course, Department of Technology Management Strategy, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University. Professor from 2019, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Engineering, Department of Technology Management Strategy. He specializes in artificial intelligence, web mining, big data analytics. The Society of Artificial Intelligence received the Paper Award (2002), the 20th Anniversary Project Award (2006), the Field Innovation Award (2011), and the Merit Award (2013). At the Society of Artificial Intelligence, he has been a student editorial committee and an editorial committee, and vice chair/director since 2010. Chairman of Ethics from 2014 to 2018. Chairman of Japan Deep Learning Association since 2017.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Artificial Intelligence, SaaS, Robotics
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 6
  • Lead/follow: 17% lead, 83% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Jizai — Jizai is a provider of artificial intelligence technology, offering AI solutions, software-as-a-service products powered by AI, and robots that utilize AI capabilities for businesses across various industries. The company focuses on generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and robotics, offering customizable AI platforms and automation tools.It also engages in AI consulting and research collaborations.
  • MemoriaPet — Memoria Pet operated by Next Paradigm 2 Co., Ltd. Creates full-color 3D-printed pet figurines from a single uploaded photo. Uses AI to generate 3D models, followed by full-color 3D printing.
  • Tsunagari AI — Tsunagari specializes in developing and providing AI-powered consultation services tailored for local governments, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency, support citizen engagement, and streamline public service delivery.
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Chihiro Asano
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Chief Technology Officer at Money Forward.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, FinTech, Financial Services
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 7
  • Round size: Seed $3M–$14M; Angel $216k–$733k
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • HERP — HERP is a recruitment management platform.
  • Issues — Issues provides development and management of web service issues that solve the problems.
  • Luup — Luup is Japan's #1 e-scooter and e-bike sharing service provider. Luup currently operates in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama, while planning to expand to other cities all over Japan. The service is based on a high-density port network, where anyone can rent and return to their original fleets.
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Yoshitsune Ido
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Yoshitsune Ido

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Robotics, Information Technology, B2C
  • Stage:Seed, Series A, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 7
  • Round size: Seed $353k–$1.4M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • BionicM — BionicM develops high-performance robot prostheses that enhance mobility for people with disabilities.BionicM has been conducting research on innovative technologies since 2015 at the University of Tokyo's Information Systems Engineering Laboratory (JSK) under the guidance of Professor Inaba and utilizing the world's most advancedrobotics research. In 2016, we were adopted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency as part of "Program for Creating STart-ups from Advanced Research and Technology" (START), and in 2018, the company was established as a joint-stock company.
  • AndGAMER — AndGAMER is an eSports agency that develops custom controllers and gaming products for players.
  • Freecracy — FreeC a platform that connects millions of employers and job seekers by utilizing intelligent matching technology that is powered by AI.
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Hiroki Nakamura
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

After joining DENTSU, I initially produced only banner advertising, but it is expected to be active, and I will be able to work on a number of digital campaigns. In 2011, he became independent and founded PARTY with four members. Cannes Lions Young Competition, Japan's Cyber Division, 2nd place in the world. He has received more than 250advertising awards in Japan and abroad. Recent masterpieces include Lady Gaga's life-size hearing aids “GAGADOLL”, “UNIQLO / UT Picks”, “Suntory / Intensive Regain”, “TOYOTA / TOWN”, such as “Shizukita-” all digital campaigns. TOKYO FM Radio “Sawamoto Gonpachi will end soon.” Guest Personality.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, Web Design, Sales
  • Stage:Seed, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 5
  • Round size: Seed $437k–$18M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Edoga — Edoga is a VR production and education company. Edoga offer services such as "VR training" and "off-site VR".
  • Collectest — Collectest specializes in integrating AI into trading card appraisal procedures that show current market pricing and verify authenticity.
  • Be-A Japan — Bé-A Japan producer and distributor of fashion accessories. They provide products that include underwear, sanitary napkins, interior goods, fashion accessories, health foods, and cosmetic products. They offer products that are available for shopping online.
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Shunsuke Sasaki
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Shunsuke Sasaki - Executive officer @ Jiraffe

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, Social Media, SNS
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan, Myanmar

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 6
  • Lead/follow: 17% lead, 83% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Hackazouk — Hackazouk is an HR Tech company that operates Official-Alumni.com, an alumni relationship management system in Japan and the Philippines to help companies stay connected with their alumni.
  • Bond — Bond Co., Ltd. is a video learning platform specializing in Japanese language studies.
  • Linklusion — Linklusion is a system development and management support for microfinance institutions in developing countries. Linklusion provides management support such as business improvement and fund procurement to help institutions to deliver better financial services to more people with the power of technology.
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Yasuyuki Kin
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Yasuyuki Kin

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Media and Entertainment, Information Technology, Recruiting
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 16
  • Round size: Seed $90k–$7.1M
  • Lead/follow: 13% lead, 87% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Onepair — Onepair is a job consulting and recruiting company. Onepair is to co-creating careers by talking about real-world ace with active ace.
  • Strainer — Strainer Co., Ltd. is an information distribution platform that conveys corporate information centered on financial data. Although there are not a few media to deliver financial information, the company's strengths are strong to be easily viewed, including financial information of overseas companies.
  • LAMILA — LAMILA develops system that improves the creation of retail stores.
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Narita Shuzo
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Narita Shuzo is a Executive Vice President/COO, CrowdWorks Inc.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Task Management, Content, Internet
  • Stage:Seed, Pre-Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 9
  • Round size: Seed $151k–$1.2M
  • Lead/follow: 11% lead, 89% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • MIL — MIL is a marketing company it can be used for a wide range of video marketing such as video commerce , O2O measures , recruitment videos , and landing videos.
  • Morght — Morght is an information technology service company.
  • MiL Inc — Emerging products for healthcare food brands Producing food retailing and wholesale recipe development Restaurant management Catering media operation.
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Taizo Son
Angel · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

Taizo Son is the Co-Founder of VIVITA. Taizo Son attended the University of Tokyo.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Medical Device, Financial Services, Information Technology
  • Stage:Seed, Series A, Angel
  • Geography: Japan, United States, Singapore

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 28
  • Round size: Seed $493k–$4.5M; Angel $737k–$2.2M; Series A $1.8M–$30M
  • Lead/follow: 39% lead, 61% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Favolist5 — Favolist5 is a software company that develops an abbreviated voice SNS based on web3 for personal media.
  • Smartround — Smartround is a specialized finance management platform for startups and their investors. For start-ups, for entrepreneurs who are not familiar with finance, simply enter the necessary information according to the guide, prepare appropriate financing round, and prepare a function that can simulate and execute a capital increase. Support informationsharing and communication with shareholders even after the capital increase.
  • AnotherBall — AnotherBall is a blockchain startup that combines entertainment and blockchain.
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Kiyoshi Nishikawa
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 4 investments in Japan Software startups

After working at KDD Corporation (Currently known as KDDI Corporation), Kiyoshi Nishikawa next went to work at Arthur D. Little Inc. in the United States, where he became inspired to start his own company. After returning to Japan, he established a Japanese corporation of the world’s largest Internet company, America On Line, LLC. Later andbased on this experience and the relationships he developed, he founded the first Internet business incubator, NETAGE, Inc. After serving as the President and CEO of NETAGE Group, he later became and still serves as the Chairman of ngi group, inc. Kiyoshi was one of the main entrepreneurs responsible for proposing and realization of “Shibuya Bit Valley Concept” and is well known for his various speeches and writings. He is a graduate of the Department of Education at Tokyo University.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: News, Social Media, Big Data
  • Stage:Seed, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan, United States

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 12
  • Round size: Seed $77k–$2.8M
  • Lead/follow: 8% lead, 92% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • PoliPoli — PoliPoli is a next-generation politics co-creation platform where you can participate like a game. Politicians from all over Japan post their policies in an easy-to-understand manner, and those who sympathize can enjoy working on the "missions" necessary to realize the policies.
  • Astroscale — Astroscale is one of the few companies in the world proposing to aid in the removal of orbital debris through the provision of End of Life (EOL) and Active Debris Removal (ADR) services. In addition to providing a technical solution, Astroscale is helping to define the business case for this service and are working with national space agencies,international institutions, non-profit organizations, insurance companies and satellite operators to develop norms, regulations and incentives that contribute to the responsible use of space.
  • TECHFUND — TechFund is a venture capital firm specializing in incubation and seed stage investments. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
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Jun Ogawa
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Jun Ogawa is the Managing Director at Pixie Dust Technologies. He was a former Country Manager at Kaizen Platform.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, Education, Information Technology
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 4
  • Lead/follow: no public data

Portfolio highlights

  • Qurate Inc. (Japan) — Plan, create and manage all your content, across all your channels with all your teams. Try for free now.
  • Kakedas — Kakedas specializes in the development and operation of web services.
  • noFRAME schools — noFRAME schools is an EdTech startup is a mission to reinvent a textbook.
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Justin Waldron
Angel · San Francisco, California, United States · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Justin Waldron is Co-Founder & President of Playco, and previously Co-Founder / EVP of Product of Zynga, the world's largest mobile game company. Zynga IPO'd in 2011 with a $10 billion valuation and over $1b in annual revenue. Justin is an angel investor in Lambda School, Substack, and 60+ other companies. He mentors youngentrepreneurs at The Thiel Foundation's Thiel Fellowship program.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Software, Internet, Gaming
  • Stage:Seed, Pre-Seed, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: United States, Japan, Chile

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 60
  • Round size: Seed $933k–$5.3M; Pre-Seed $50k–$2.1M; Venture - Series Unknown $2M–$20M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Remix — Remix is a platform combining AI and mobile gaming, designed to offer on-chain, AI-powered games.
  • Proof of Play — Proof of Play helps you create high-performance, serverless apps and games that can be extended or remixed by anyone.
  • Uncharted — Uncharted is a cryptocurrency-based gaming platform helps game developers and companies.
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Daisuke Takanashi
Angel · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Daisuke Takanashi is an angel investor.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Content, SNS, Adult
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 9
  • Round size: Seed $493k–$8.7M; Angel $222k–$229k
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • RATEL — Since its establishment in 2018, the company has been operating and broadcasting esports tournaments with the mission of making esports the best entertainment in the universe. We mainly run official tournaments and large-scale tournaments for various titles such as CoD Mobile, CoDBOCW, ApexLegends, VALORANT, and Knives out. We are also developing avoice chat application called “VOLBOX” to solve the issues raised by many esports players.
  • VCook — VCook is a website for posting recipes that offer vegan food. They give users the ability to search for and save vegan recipes on VCook. They post and share vegan recipes with everyone.
  • Abentry — Abentry is engaged in the SNS business and media advertising business.
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Takaya Shinozuka
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Takaya Shinozuka is the President, CEO, and Founder at Reiwa Travel.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: E-Commerce, Local, Content
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 7
  • Round size: Seed $610k–$4.3M
  • Lead/follow: 29% lead, 71% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • KAUCHE — KAUCHE is a discovery-based e-commerce model where friends and family can “discover” and purchase daily sale items together. They provide services for online retail shops. KAUCHE is committed in creating an exciting shopping experience for both customers and partners who want to sell products.
  • Now Do — Now Do provides online growth revolution platform.
  • KAUCHE — X Asia creates enjoyable shopping experience.
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Masahiko Inada
Angel · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Masahiko Inada is the Venture Advisor at DNX Ventures. He was Founder and Chairman at Kabuku Inc. He attended The University of Tokyo.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: SNS, Content, Finance
  • Stage:Angel, Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 4
  • Lead/follow: no public data

Portfolio highlights

  • Theoria — Theoria is a marketing team that brings together practical knowledge.
  • Recipio Japan — Recipio is a service that can suggest recipes just by entering ingredients the user already has at home. The app can also refine suggestions based on the user's mood, the occasion, and how many people the user is eating with, and more.
  • Theoria Japan — Theoria Japan is a specialized Q & A service.
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Shinji Kimura
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Shinji Kimura - Chairman/Founder @ AnyPay

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Investment focus

  • Industry: FinTech, Financial Services, Software
  • Stage:Seed, Series B, Venture - Series Unknown
  • Geography: United States, India, Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 30
  • Round size: Seed $120k–$107M; Series B $4M–$220M; Venture - Series Unknown $67k–$20M
  • Lead/follow: 33% lead, 67% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • POKKT — POKKT is an Alternate Mobile Payment Platform that helps owners of Paid Digital Goods and Services to monetise thier users through an advertiser-funded Model. Develpoers and Publishers of Digital content can significantly increase monetization and convert non-paying users into paying users.
  • misterb&b — Find & book the best gay bnbs worldwide with trusted hosts . Gay Hotels, resorts & more in 220 countries. Loved by 1M+ travelers. Safe travels with the LGBTQ travel community!
  • Drifting in Space — Cloud infrastructure for teams that develop, train, and serve AI applications at scale. Inference, training, sandboxes, and functions on one platform.
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Mizuki Inoue
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Mizuki Inoue - Director @ Kudan

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Investment focus

  • Industry: CRM, Finance, Security
  • Stage:Seed, Angel
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 4
  • Round size: Seed $4.3M–$45M
  • Lead/follow: 50% lead, 50% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • Kudan — Built on spatial perception technology, we seamlessly connect the physical and digital worlds in 3D, driving industrial transformation through robotics and digital twins.
  • G-Next — G NEXT is an Information Technology based company.
  • Perpetuals.com (Formerly Earlyworks) — Earlyworks Co., Ltd. provides blockchain technology solutions. The Company develops hybrid blockchain product that is fast and secure. Earlyworks offers software and system development, consulting, and security solution services.
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Ryosuke Matsumoto
Angel · Minato, Chiba, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Ryosuke Matsumoto is the Founder / CEO at Kankak. Ryosuke Matsumoto attended Chuo University.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Art, Software, Reservations
  • Stage:Seed, Angel, Series A
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 12
  • Round size: Seed $182k–$5.5M; Series A $1M–$1.9M
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • 6curry — 6curry is a brand that creates a new community around “curry”, one of the world's best Japanese foods. The concept is to mix many people and ideas like curry made by mixing various ingredients and spices. Original menu development, weekly events are held in the central kitchen, open only to members. We design and produce communication bornfrom food, such as event catering for over 500 people and communication proposals within the company.
  • TRiCERA — TRiCERA provides a platform for artists to advance their careers. It breaks down the barriers of language and distance that artists from all over the world face. It fosters an environment in which participating artists can freely sell their works to collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.
  • Vivid Garden — vivid garden is an Agriculture company.
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Dai Tamesue
Angel · Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · 3 investments in Japan Software startups

Dai Tamesue is the Chief Marketing Officer of Miekuru.

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Investment focus

  • Industry: Apps, Sports, Health Care
  • Stage:Angel, Seed, Pre-Seed
  • Geography: Japan

Investor stats

  • Total investments: 7
  • Lead/follow: 0% lead, 100% follow

Portfolio highlights

  • MIL — MIL is a marketing company it can be used for a wide range of video marketing such as video commerce , O2O measures , recruitment videos , and landing videos.
  • Vivid Garden — vivid garden is an Agriculture company.
  • SAMURAI Security — SAMURAI Security is a best support tech company.
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Software Angel investor funding in Japan at a glance

Stats across 164 deals from 258 investors.

258
investors
in Japan Software startups
164
deals
in Japan Software startups
$935k
median round
in Japan Software startups
3%
lead investors
lead at least one round
46%
Seed
most common funding stage

Access all 258 angel investors in Japan Software startups.

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