Mitsubishi UFJ Capital

Airbus Ventures

Sony Innovation Fund

Mitsubishi HC Capital

Daiwa Energy Infrastructure

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

Infostellar

Companies that provide satellite management services once they are deployed

Beyond Next Ventures

QB Capital

Tanaka Ai

KOALA Tech Japan

Japan Lifeline

Tsukuba Exceed Fund

Metcela

Sports Tech

Kitman Labs

Platforms and devices that aid the training process and/or measure player statistics and other metrics, such as health and movement data, to improve player performance

Taiwania Capital Management Corporation

BMW i Ventures

Porsche Ventures

MediaTek Ventures

DSP Concepts, Inc.

Artiman Ventures

Bosch Ventures

Asahi Kasei

Abies Ventures

Hui Capital

UltraSense Systems

ff Venture Capital

Plus Eight Equity Fund LP

Ocean Azul Partners

Chetrit Ventures

Lynq Technologies

Decacorn Capital

Zoomcar

McKesson Ventures

Swiss Post Ventures

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Matternet

Refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that deliver packages. Drones are already in commercial use in many other industries (such as photography, construction, and agriculture). The use of drones for goods delivery has emerged with the gradual advancement of battery and connectivity technologies.

Pegasus Tech Ventures

Promethera Biosciences

Globis Capital Partners

500 Global

East Ventures

DBJ Capital

YJ Capital

Energy & Environment Investment

Delight Ventures

Anchor Ship Partners

Shippio

Aroma Bit

DNS Capital

GreatPoint Ventures

Rising Tide

Tao Capital Partners

Pushing the envelope in MedTech with emerging technologies

Next-gen Medical Devices

Activ Surgical

Companies that develop surgical devices involving invasive interventions (cutting into a patient's body tissues) to treat, cure, or relieve a patient of an illness or disease

Daiwa Corporate Investment

SMBC Venture Capital

Ryoyo Electro Corporation

SPARX Group

WiL (World Innovation Lab)

Aflac Global Ventures

Japan Post Capital

Innovation Growth Ventures

AI Medical Service

Global Brain Corporation

Sony Financial Ventures

Hakuhodo DY Ventures

DG Daiwa Ventures

Idein

Intel Capital

Applied Ventures

Magnetar Capital

OSF Healthcare System

The Longevity Fund

Creative Ventures

OSF Ventures

Bold Capital Partners

Nautilus Venture Partners

Wanxiang America Healthcare Investments Group

Longevity Vision Fund

Companies that develop diagnostic devices used in a hospital setting to identify a disease, condition, or injury, such as imaging systems and endoscopes

Innovation Network Corporation of Japan

IMM Investment

JA Mitsui Leasing

Sapphire Capital

Ground

Fonds de solidarité FTQ

TechNexus Venture Collaborative

Shure

Warner Music Group

Slaight Communications

YUL Ventures

Peak Capital Partners

Plaza Ventures

LANDR

UTokyo Innovation Platform

Mitsui Fudosan

31Ventures

500 Startups Japan

Coral Capital

Connected Robotics

Samsung Venture Investment

Brightspark Ventures

Essilor

HP Tech Ventures

Dream Maker Ventures (DMV)

Ride Home Fund

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

AdHawk Microsystems

Companies developing XR headsets and relevant sub-components (displays, sensors, and processors). Also includes complementary XR hardware (tracking devices, haptic vests, and gloves)

DCM Ventures

Incubate Fund

Linc'well

WndrCo

Tracklib

United Ventures

Indaco Venture Partners

MainStreaming

STRIVE

Mizuho Capital

Trustdock

UDC Ventures

Samsung Ventures

Continental

Niantic

Diamond Edge Ventures

DigiLens

Horizon Ventures

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Plug and Play

Innova Kapital

Alumni Ventures

Al Dhow Capital

SAIC Capital

FM Capital

Ethos Family Office

what3words

Askul

Hacobu

LS Group

Mercury

Jump Capital

E.ON

Oreilly AlphaTech Ventures

Tekfen Ventures

Using data and automation to achieve 24/7 production.

Smart Factory

Sight Machine

Companies that focus on data analytics for operations streamlining and process optimization, and may offer predictive maintenance.

SAIC Venture Capital

JetBlue Ventures

Liil Ventures

Miles

OurCrowd

lool ventures

UL Ventures

Maniv Mobility

Samsung NEXT

AI Alliance

Brodmann17

SBI Investment

Sumitomo

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation

Nomura

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

SBI’s Fintech Business Innovations

TIS Japan

FFG Venture Business Partners

Mirai Creation Fund

Mizuho Bank

Cinnamon AI

IDEA Fund Partners

Innovation Works

Adrich

MID Venture Capital

Saison Ventures

BEENEXT

Archetype Ventures

Sahra Growth Capital

hokan

AdHawk Microsystems develops camera-free eye tracking solutions for extended reality (XR), gaming, research, and healthcare applications.The company’s MindLink eye-tracking glasses utilize ‘micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)’, miniature devices that handle mechanical functions, that can be integrated with AR/VR headsets to track eye movement. The glasses allow researchers to investigate wearers’ neurological and ocular health, behavior, and state of mind using eye movement data.The company claims that compared with using cameras, MEMS improve the speed, form factor, and energy efficiency of AR/VR headsets, while delivering resolution similar to research-grade systems that utilize cameras.In December 2023, the company announced the MindLink Air glasses, which provide eye-tracking features focused on improving task productivity and health and fitness. Further, users will be provided with personalized, longitudinal data they can use to adjust their daily routine to reduce mental fatigue. The company planned to make its solution commercially available sometime in 2024.

Illumix provides a no-code platform for the generation of AR content aimed at the entertainment and marketing industry. Illumix provides two key platforms; one is the Illumix Ecommerce platform that allows for 2D images to be converted into AR objects for virtual try-ons. In addition to virtual-try-ons, Illumix provides marketing solutions, allowing businesses to create AR-based marketing campaigns. Illumix's Ecommerce platform can be integrated with popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Illumix claims that the use of its technology has led to a ~13% higher conversion rate for businesses. The Illumix Entertainment platform allows users to create AR game experiences and objects for live and venue-based events. The company is also the developer of "Five Nights at Freddy’s: Special Delivery," an AR mobile game that challenges players to fend off malfunctioning animatronics that "appear" in their homes.The company offers a freemium pricing scheme, with the Illumix Ecommerce platform costing USD 0.05 per view and the Illumix Entertainment platform costing USD 0.7 per interaction.As of January 2024, the company’s platform had amassed over 40 million downloads.Key customers and partnershipsKey customers include jewelry brands Kwiat and Mejuri.Funding and financialsIn <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17192">March 2023</a>, Illumix raised USD 18 million in a Series A funding round. Funds were earmarked to accelerate the company’s expansion into new product categories.

DigiLens is a developer of holographic waveguides, which is a clear, thin piece of glass or plastic, used for AR devices. In January 2023, the company launched ARGO, an XR smartglass designed for enterprise and industrial use, the first AR device to utilize Qualcomm’s SnapDragon XR2 platform. Other specifications included 6-degrees of freedom (6-DoF) tracking, a 30-degree field-of-view, spatial audio, a 48MP RGB camera, voice and gaze recognition, access to real-time data visualizations, and a 2,500-nits HD display.&nbsp;The company’s first product, the DigiLens Crystal was introduced in 2019, was a thin-film laser-etched photopolymer embedded with microscopic holograms of mirror-like optics. By projecting a micro display to one end of the lens and another set of optics working to guide the light wave toward the eye, this proved to be an ideal piece of hardware for AR devices, which are preferred with as little hardware as possible.&nbsp;It claims that its patented optical platform and photopolymer technology coupled with a holographic copy manufacturing process enable it to produce cheaper and more scalable solutions. In <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17598">April 2023</a>, the company announced the launch of SRG+, a surface relief gratings product that improves upon its waveguide technology.The company generates revenue by licensing its technology across a range of industries including the automobile, enterprise, consumer, avionics, and military sectors. DigiLens also offers a white-label solution for automotive companies whereby it creates holographic waveguides for windshields that could offer in-cabin experiences for drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Key customers and partnershipsKey partnerships include that with1) Phantom Technologies: - Phantom Technology: To integrate Phantom's CASSI Spatial AI assistant into the DigiLens ARGO glasses, providing features such as spatial search, a contextual assistant, and task management using voice commands (October 2023)2) Wisear: To integrate its neural interface-powered earphones with the ARGO smart glasses (May 2023)3) Mojo Vision: To utilize Mojo Vision's micro-LED technology to build improved AR glasses (May 2023)4) Taqtile: To integrate the company's ARGO smart glasses with Taqtile's AR work platform, Manifest (May 2023)5) OMNIVISION: To develop new XR product offerings (January 2023)Other partnerships include that with OMNIVISION (January 2023), a leading global developer of semiconductor solutions to develop new XR product offerings. OMNIVISION’s liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panels allowed DigiLens to build LCOS/LED projectors optimized for its holographic waveguides. OMNIVISION's core camera technology provides DigiLens' devices with features such as visual odometry and six degrees of freedom.&nbsp;DigiLens also works with Taiwanese licensed waveguide manufacturer Young Optics, Chinese original design manufacturer and electronics supplier Malata, Korean display manufacturer Sekonix, international technology company Continental, Chinese optical elements manufacturer Crystal Optech, and Mitsubishi Chemical.&nbsp;Funding and financialsIn April 2022, DigiLens announced the second close of its Series D funding round (intiial close in November 2021) in which it raised USD 50 million at a valuation of USD 530 million. The funds were allocated for the development of DesignV1, its second-generation product.

Scandit, a Switzerland-based company, provides data capture solutions for various industries. The company launched MatrixScan Find in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20156">July 2023 </a>, an AR overlay tool for smart devices that assists both retail employees and customers in finding items on shelves. This tool is part of the Smart Data Capture platform, which allows users to capture inventory data using smart devices. It features a pre-existing user interface that incorporates AR functionalities into native apps.MatrixScan Find can locate, track, and decode multiple barcodes simultaneously. It integrates seamlessly with Scandit's barcode scanner application for mobile devices. The product is primarily aimed at individuals involved in retail logistics and delivery but can also be made available to customers through retailer-specific apps. It is compatible with iOS and certain Android devices.Scandit also offers MatrixScan Count, a tool that allows for quick, intuitive, and error-free scanning of multiple barcodes. This product can be used for tasks like goods reception and inventory counting. The built-in interface eliminates the need for extensive development and user testing. The AR overlay provides real-time information and guidance at all stages of the workflow. Its interface is designed to be easily understandable, even for users who are unfamiliar with the technology.The data capture engine of Scandit can be installed on any device that has a camera, such as smartphones, drones, robots, and smart glasses. The primary use of this tool by retailers is for cashierless checkouts, where customers can scan a product's barcode and pay through the app. In addition to self-checkouts, the application also aids in inventory management, delivery confirmation, and asset tracking.Apart from retail, Scandit extends its services to various sectors, including transportation and logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. It uses its computer vision technology to automate processes, provide insights, and enhance customer engagement and workforce productivity.Key customers and partnershipsAs of March 2024, Scandit’s customer portfolio included over 2,000 customers including 7-Eleven, Alaska Airlines, Carrefour, DPD, and Toyota. As per the company, the app was active in “more than 100 million mobile devices, making billions of scans per year” as of March 2021.Funding and financialsIn February 2022, Scandit raised an oversubscribed Series D funding round of USD 150 million led by Warburg Pincus, garnering a valuation of over USD 1 billion. The company had plans to use the funding to expand its global team and geographic footprint, with a focus on the APAC region— specifically, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The investment was to also support the company’s R&amp;D efforts in AI/ML and autonomous data capture toward better decision-making and more effective core business processes.Competitors: None (Scandit’s presence in providing data capture solutions for AR inventory identification is unique.)

Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

Ridecell develops an internet of things (IoT)-driven automation and mobility platform for fleets. Its cloud-based data platform, launched in April 2021, integrates data from sensors and multiple IT systems to digitize fleet management. Ridecell’s Fleet Transformation Cloud Platform provides a data pipeline and APIs to connect existing IT, fleet management, and connected vehicle systems, which enables turning data insights into triggers for workflow automations. The platform combined with pre-integrated partner solutions enables fleet operators to manage fleet data, automate workflows, digital vehicle control, vehicle access, repairs, and scheduling. Ridecells portfolio of fleet automation solutions include 1) Operations 360, to automate fleet operations and life cycle management for every phase of the vehicle’s life cycle using real-time data; 2) Sustainability, an offering with a sustainability focus (e.g., automatic idle reduction, driver optimization); and 3) Shared; 4) Rental; and 5) Fleet share solutions to cater to different operational models. The company pitches the product toward logistics, rental, motor pool, and shared fleets. Key customers and partnershipsAs of March 2022, the company’s platform was used in fleets in European and North American cities, and its customers include Ferrovial, Groupe Renault, GIG Car Share (powered by AAA NCNU), KINTO by Toyota Sweden, Arval Car Sharing, and Thrifty Car &amp; Van Rental. Ridecell also leverages partnerships with various service providers such as telematics, keyless entry and immobilizers, diagnostics, monetization, insurance, marketing, and cloud platforms to enable fleet automation integrations. The company’s integration partners include Amazon Web Services, Denso, Checkr, Geotab, Salesforce, Hella, Sisense, Stripe, Continental and Jumio.

<div>
 
 SiLC Technologies is a silicon photonics company that focuses on photonic sensor and 4D imaging for applications including autonomous vehicles, security, industrial automation, and robotics. It develops a 4D LiDAR chip called &ldquo;Eyeonic Vision Sensor&rdquo; equipped with unique frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology for high sensing capabilities. The sensor can provide instantaneous depth, velocity, and dual-polarization intensity information and is available in several objects detection range settings between 50 and 500 meters.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company launched the product commercially 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15766">
 in January 2023
 </a>
 and it was available for purchase and shipping worldwide at prices based on the configuration. SiLC Technologies claims to be the only company to integrate an FMCW imaging system on a cost-effective silicon platform.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 SiLC Technologies has product partnerships with companies including Hong Kong-based Cloud Light, a manufacturer of advanced optical modules, to commence volume production of Eyeonic sensors (in June 2022), and automotive semiconductor company Indie Semiconductor, to develop LiDAR for next-gen sensing applications 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20654">
 (August 2023).
 </a>
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23957">
 In November 2023,
 </a>
 SiLC Technologies raised USD 25 million in funding to expand production and support design wins for its Eyeonic Vision solutions. It also planned to continue product development for potential applications in various markets.
 
 
 
</div>

<div>
 
 PreAct Technologies develops software-definable flash LiDAR sensors. These compact and affordable sensors find application across various industries, including automotive, robotics, healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities as well as industrial sectors. Its software-definable flash LiDAR systems named &ldquo;Mojave&rdquo; and &ldquo;Sahara&rdquo; are pitched toward both automotive and non-automotive applications, and can be integrated with ADAS systems and autonomous vehicles. Mojave was made available to the market 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20568">
 in August 2023,
 </a>
 and, as of February 2024, Sahara was yet to be released.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 PreAct Technologies claims that its suite of sensor technologies is the only software-definable LiDAR on the market designed specifically to support the extended life of software-defined vehicles.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In March 2022, PreAct Technologies partnered with ESPROS Photonics, a Swiss phonetics technology company, to jointly develop its flash LiDAR solution pitched toward automotive, trucking, industrial automation, and robotic applications. In September 2023, it partnered with Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Services USA to couple Aioi&rsquo;s edge computing data science platform, MOTER, with PreAct&rsquo;s advanced near-field sensor technology to commercialize data insights related to insurance-related driving risks.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company also acquired Spanish AI/ML-based gesture recognition software company, Gestoos 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15634">
 in January 2023
 </a>
 to complement its sensor solutions.
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17973">
 In April 2023,
 </a>
 PreAct Technologies announced the second close of its Series B funding round, raising USD 20 million led by I Squared Capital following the first close raising USD 14 million 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15518">
 in January 2023.
 </a>
 The company intended to utilize the funds to meet the growing demand for its products from industries like agriculture, healthcare, and robotics.
 
 
 
</div>

Luminopia is a company that has developed a novel digital therapeutic for treating amblyopia (lazy eye) in children. Their lead product, Luminopia One, received FDA approval in October 2021 through the de novo pathway. Luminopia One is a software-based therapeutic that allows children aged 4-7 years with amblyopia associated with anisometropia and/or mild strabismus to watch therapeutically modified TV shows and movies within a virtual reality (VR) headset.
The treatment works by using proprietary algorithms to modify the video content in real-time, promoting weaker eye usage and encouraging the brain to combine input from both eyes. This binocular approach is different from conventional treatments like patching or eye drops, which only penalize the stronger eye. Luminopia One has been validated through clinical trials, including a Phase 3 pivotal trial that demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the indicated patient population.
Luminopia's therapy is engaging for children, with a selection of over 700 hours of popular and educational content from companies like Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks. This increased engagement has led to high treatment adherence rates of around 85% in clinical studies. In June 2023, Luminopia raised USD 16 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing round to support the commercial rollout of their amblyopia therapeutic.

Exo is a medical imaging software and devices company that delivers ultrasound technology at the point of care. Exo's handheld device, “Iris,” was launched in September 2023 at USD 3,500 annually. The device combines imaging capabilities with real-time AI guidance leveraging patented pMUT-based technology, enabling caregivers to scan all major organs and guide procedures with ease. As of April 2024, Exo received FDA clearances for its AI tools for analyzing ultrasound images of the heart, lung, bladder, hip, and thyroid, with plans to double the number of clearances by 2025.&nbsp;In addition to the handheld device, Exo offers Exo Works, a point-of-care ultrasound workflow solution that streamlines documentation, review, billing, and quality assurance processes.&nbsp;In July 2022, Exo acquired Medo to enhance its AI capabilities and leverage Medo's expertise in automated image acquisition and interpretation.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsExo's ultrasound technology serves a diverse range of customers in the healthcare sector, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency medical services. In June 2023, Exo partnered with Sana Kliniken AG to expand Exo’s ultrasound platform to Germany. In June 2022, the company partnered with Henry Ford Health to provide caregivers access to its ultrasound technology.Exo’s notable customers include Geisinger and Wellstart MCG Health.

Activ Surgical is a pioneering digital surgery company aiming to transform the surgical experience through emerging technologies like augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Their first commercial product is ActivSight, an intelligent light module that seamlessly attaches to existing laparoscopic and robotic surgical systems.
ActivSight provides enhanced visualization capabilities through augmented reality overlays, allowing surgeons to view critical physiological data like tissue perfusion and anatomy in real-time without using fluorescent dyes. It received FDA 510(k) clearance in April 2021 after successful first-in-human studies, and obtained CE Mark approval for the European Union in December 2022.
The core technology powering ActivSight is the ActivEdge platform - designed to leverage AI/ML models trained on large surgical datasets to generate intelligent intraoperative insights. In January 2023, ActivSight's proprietary colorectal AI mode was first utilized by Dr. Matthew Kalady at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, clearly delineating blood perfusion in the colon during a laparoscopic colectomy.
By December 2023, ActivSight had been adopted by multiple major US hospital networks. The first international procedure with the system was performed in December 2023 by Dr. Mohamad Abu-Nuwar at Abdali Hospital in Jordan during a bariatric revision surgery, leveraging the ActivPerfusion mode.
Key customers and partnerships
Activ Surgical has partnered with global technology leaders to optimize their cutting-edge data storage, integration and inference pipelines. The company has raised over USD 120 million from investors including Cota Capital, BAM Funds, Hikma Ventures, NVIDIA and Sony Innovation Fund. Hikma Ventures, the strategic venture arm of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, led Activ Surgical's Series B extension in March 2022 to support international expansion.

Sony Innovation Fund

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