FreakOut is a marketing technology company that develops and sells marketing platforms. Its products include DMP that is used to analyze data; and demand-side platform (DSP), a platform for real-time ad inventory transactions in internet advertising. The company also offers RTB (real-time biting), to analyze the web browsing information of a user; FreakOut DSP which is used to collect marketing information; and FreakOut DMP, a DMP corresponding to the smartphone and PC to optimize digital marketing. FreakOut, Inc. was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

FreakOut Holdings

500 Startups is the most active seed VC in the world. 500 Startups Japan is a $35M regional fund focusing on Japan.

500 Startups Japan

Mitsubishi UFJ Capital is a venture capital firm focusing on life science, ICT, and high technology investments.

Mitsubishi UFJ Capital

Airbus Ventures invests in autonomous mobility, electrification, low-carbon economy, advanced materials, manufacturing systems, next-generation computing, sensing, security, and beyond. AV continuously fosters close and trusted relationships with other leading venture firms, actively offering hands-on expertise to our portfolio companies. We proudly leverage the richly dense networks of our mothership Airbus and its supply chain, as well as the wider ecosystem of our Limited Partners. We work with multiple LPs – including Airbus SE, Development Bank of Japan Inc., Mitsubishi HC Capital, Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd., and McKinley Capital – to better enable our entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.

Airbus Ventures

Sony Innovation Fund is the corporate venture capital arm of Sony that invests and engages in early-stage companies. Beyond investment, our mission is to provide resources such as access to the broader Sony world and its global network, as well as collaborate with startups to:  • Foster business creation in related lines of business and new areas of interest to Sony  • Catalyze a talented and passionate team  Sony innovation Fund was founded in 2016.

Sony Innovation Fund

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance prove worthy of the trust of customers, shareholders and employees as contribute to realize a more prosperous society.

Mitsubishi HC Capital

Daiwa Energy Infrastructure focuses on environmental preservation and the development of efficient social infrastructure. They also invest in the development and operation of power production facilities that contribute to glasshouse gas emissions reductions, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower, as well as value chain investments.

Daiwa Energy Infrastructure

As a pioneer and innovator in venture capital in Japan for the past 2 decades, we are deeply engaged in developing and supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups by leveraging our strategic position as a conduit between government, business and academia.  “WERU” is the first research unit in the field of entrepreneurship in Japan established by professors at the graduate school, Waseda University in 1993.　  “WERU Investment” is the first venture capital closely associated with university research labs, centers and institutes in japan. WERU Investment provides financial services for institutional investors (e.g. Pension funds and Endowments) as a Japanese discretionary investment manager (DIM) by fully taking advantage of these research resources, accumulated know-how and strong network.

WERU Investment

D4V (Design for Ventures) is a Tokyo-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in disruptive, consumer, and enterprise technology startups. Partnering with the global design company IDEO, D4V provides both hands-on assistance and coaching to help startups create value via human-centered customer experiences and interactions.

The history of ITOCHU Corporation (hereinafter ''ITOCHU'') dates back to 1858 when the Company's founder Chubei Itoh commenced linen trading operations. Since then, ITOCHU has evolved and grown over 150 years into a sogo shosha, engaging in domestic trading, import/export, and overseas trading of various products such as textiles, machinery, information and communications-related products, metals, products related to oil and other energy sources, general merchandise, chemicals, and provisions and food. In addition, ITOCHU has made multifaceted investments in insurance agencies, finance, construction, real estate trading, and warehousing as well as operations and businesses incidental or related to those fields.

ITOCHU Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, living essentials, and environmental business. MC's current activities are expanding far beyond its traditional trading operations as its diverse business ranges from natural resources development to investment in retail business, infrastructure, financial products and manufacturing of industrial goods.

Mitsubishi Corporation

Mizuho is the venture capital firm affiliated to Mizuho Bank, the second-largest Japanese bank in terms of assets. The firm has headquarters in Tokyo. The firm has ¥49.6 billion JPY under management, focusing on information technology and biotechnology investments. Over 600 Mizuho companies have gone public. According to Nikkei, Mizuho is the fifth-largest venture capital firm in Japan. Mizuho Capital was formed in 2002 by the merger of Fujigin Capital, Tokyo Venture Capital and IBJ Investment. Three firms were subsidiaries of Fuji Bank, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank and the Industrial Bank of Japan respectively.

Mizuho Capital

QB Capital is make equity investments in venture companies.

QB Capital

SPARX Innovation for the Future Ltd. (SIF) is a new subsidiary that SPARX established to focus on the space domain, which is identified as one of its priority investment areas for the future. SIF manages the Space Frontiers Fund. The Fund aims to generate new growth industries through investment activities based on the unique investment philosophy of SPARX which has been consistent for 30 years since its founding.

SPARX Innovation for the Future

NCB Capital is the venture arm of NCB Bank.

NCB Capital

Pavilion Capital operates as a private equity firm under Temasek Holdings. Pavilion Capital invests primarily in privately owned firms in North Asia.

Pavilion Capital

Tb Innovations is an investment firm that provides management of corporate venture funds that invest in start-up companies. The company was established in March 2020 and is based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Tb Innovations

ICMG Partners is an Investment Firm, focusing on Renewable Energies as well as Power Grid & Infrastructure in Asia.

ICMG Partners

Infostellar

Infostellar make space communications infrastructure, & are now developing our cloud-based satellite antenna sharing platform, StellarStation.  By lowering costs and increasing transmission time, Infostellar empowers satellite operators to improve the quality of their service and expand potential business.

Infostellar make space communications infrastructure, &amp; are now developing our cloud-based satellite antenna sharing platform, StellarStation. By lowering costs and increasing transmission time, Infostellar empowers satellite operators to improve the quality of their service and expand potential business.

Technology providers that enhance satellite operations

Next-gen Satellites

Infostellar Reveals Details of Panasonic Collaboration

SpinLaunch is a space technology company developing a kinetic launch system to provide low-cost and high-frequency access to space. Unlike traditional fuel-based rockets, SpinLaunch's system utilizes a ground-based, electric-powered centrifuge to accelerate payloads to hypersonic speeds before releasing them into the atmosphere. Its solution is capable of putting 200 kg-class satellites into low orbit. The firm claims this method significantly reduces environmental impact by ~95% compared to conventional rocket launches. Its electric-drive Orbital accelerator offers a revolutionary approach to space travel and significantly reduces the fuel needed to reach orbit by 4x, mitigates costs by 10x, and enables multiple launches per day.Suborbital Accelerator operates at speeds between 800 miph and 5,000 miph, and primarily serves as a testing platform for the Orbital Launch System. It allows customers to conduct tests and serves as a facility for long-term satellite qualification. The company’s first major milestone was the successful test of its suborbital accelerator at Spaceport America in New Mexico in October 2021, where a projectile was launched tens of thousands of feet at 20% power capacity. SpinLaunch also planned to launch small satellites into low-Earth orbit by 2026.SpinLaunch has also created a new type of highly affordable satellite. It claims that applying mass manufacturing techniques and simplifying the supply chain reduces costs without compromising performance. SpinLaunch’s satellites are specifically designed for mass accelerators but are also compatible with traditional launch systems and serve a variety of use cases, such as surveillance broadcasts, Internet of things (IoT), machine-to-machine communication (M2M), and emergency communication platforms.<h3>Key customers and partnerships</h3>In September 2023, SpinLaunch partnered with Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) for the global expansion of affordable and sustainable space services. SpinLaunch has also attracted significant interest and formed strategic partnerships with major organizations, including ATW Partners, Kleiner Perkins, and GV. In 2019, the Department of Defense signed a "launch prototype contract" with SpinLaunch to provide reliable and cost-effective launch services​.Funding and financialsIn September 2022, SpinLaunch secured USD 71 million in a Series B funding round led by ATW Partners to continue developing its launch system and satellite technologies​. In January 2020, the company raised USD 35 million from venture capitalists to aid the development of its kinetic launch system.

SpinLaunch

<div>
 
 Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch services and space systems, offering a comprehensive range of solutions from satellite manufacturing to orbital launches. The company's primary launch vehicle, Electron, has become the second most frequently launched US rocket annually, having delivered over 190 satellites to orbit for various commercial and government partners. Electron is capable of carrying payloads of up to 300 kilograms to low Earth orbit. In addition to Electron, Rocket Lab has developed HASTE, a suborbital hypersonic launch vehicle.
 
 
 
 
 Rocket Lab is currently developing Neutron, an advanced 13-tonne payload class reusable launch vehicle designed for constellation deployment and interplanetary missions. The company successfully conducted the first hot fire test of its Archimedes engine in August 2024, which will power Neutron's first stage. Neutron's unique design encapsulates its second stage within a reusable first stage with an integrated payload fairing. Rocket Lab aims to launch Neutron by mid-2025, potentially marking the fastest time to market for a commercially developed medium-class launch vehicle.
 
 
 
 
 Beyond launch services, Rocket Lab has established itself as a premier supplier of advanced satellites, flight-proven subsystems, and spacecraft components. The company's technology spans various areas, including space solar power, composite structures, flight software, star trackers, reaction wheels, and separation systems. As of August 2024, Rocket Lab's satellite technology and components have been integrated into more than 1,700 satellite missions globally. In the second quarter of 2024, Rocket Lab reported record revenue of USD 106.3 million, representing a 71% year-over-year increase.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 Rocket Lab has secured partnerships with several high-profile customers and organizations. The company has conducted multiple launches for NASA, including the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon in 2022 and the upcoming ESCAPADE mission to Mars. In August 2024, Rocket Lab delivered two spacecraft for the ESCAPADE mission to Cape Canaveral.
 
 
 
 
 Rocket Lab has also established a strong relationship with Capella Space, having completed five missions for the company since August 2020. In August 2024, Rocket Lab successfully launched Capella Space's Acadia-3 satellite, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, into orbit. Additionally, the company has partnered with the University of California Berkeley's Space Science Laboratory to build spacecraft for NASA missions.
 
</div>

Rocket Lab

Italy-based D-Orbit specializes in end-to-end solutions for satellite deployment, in-space transportation, and in-orbit servicing through its proprietary orbital transfer vehicle, the ION Satellite Carrier. The company asserts that the ION Satellite Carrier enables efficient satellite deployment by reducing the time from launch to operations by up to 85% and potential cost savings of up to 40%. It is also the first certified B-Corp space company in the world. As at June 2024, D-Orbit conducted its launches from the US and had completed 13 orbital transportation missions, deployed 100 satellites and 44 hosted payloads, with its next launch planned for July 2024.D-Orbit's services include (1) launch and deployment of satellites, (2) in-orbit services, (3) mission control as a service, (4) advanced services, and (5) systems and components.D-Orbit's launch and deployment services cater to small satellite operators with turnkey solutions that cover various phases of a satellite's lifecycle and includes offerings such as (1) Rideshare, which uses third-party compatible launchers for standard orbit deployment, (2) Precision Deployment, which uses the ION Satellite Carrier for customized orbit placement, and (3) Constellation Deployment, which phases satellite constellations using the ION carrier for optimal orbital placement. Additional services include insurance, mission analysis, onboard software development, and specialized transportation​.For Satellite management, D-Orbit offers a cloud-based mission control software suite named Aurora, which is designed for satellite operators and features a customizable web interface for telemetry, trajectory updates, and telecommands, along with 2D/3D orbit visualization. Operators can control satellites from any location and outsource mission control tasks to D-Orbit, reducing operational costs.The company also offers in-orbit maintenance services, which include satellite transportation, lifetime extension, in-orbit assembly and refurbishment, manufacturing, resupply, recycling, relocation, inspection, and debris removal.D-Orbit also offers advanced services such as the (1) ION Hosted Payload Service for swift payload deployment for testing and experiments, the (2) D-Orbit Cloud Platform for in-orbit data computing, and the (3) Satellite as a Service (SaaS) model exemplified by projects like IRIDE, offering satellite-based services without requiring customer-owned infrastructure. The IRIDE satellite constellation project is financed by the Italian PNRR (National Plan for Recovery and Resilience) and supported by the ESA (European Space Agency) and ASI (Italian Space Agency). IRIDE aims to provide advanced earth observation data for the Italian public administration and will offer services related to marine and coastal monitoring, air quality, land movement monitoring, land cover, hydro weather climate, and more. Satellite launches for the constellation are planned between 2025 and 2026.D-Orbit's Systems and Components division provides a suite of hardware components and software solutions for satellite operations, including the AOCS Suite, a modular Attitude and Orbit Control System designed for satellite stabilization and control, alongside the D-Sense multi-sensor ADCS module for precise satellite positioning. Additionally, its product lineup features specialized systems such as SimOn for safe rocket motor ignition, D3, a decommissioning device for satellite disposal, and D-Raise, a propulsion system engineered for efficient orbit raising, among others.Key customers and partnershipsKey customers include the European Space Agency (ESA), the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Planet Labs, the University of Southern California, Brown University School of Engineering, Spaceflight, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace &amp; Defense (EBAD), and TelePIX, a South Korean space startup.Notable partnerships include its tie-up with <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/26250">SpaceX </a>to launch its ION Satellite Carrier missions on <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/26250">SpaceX</a> transporters. D-Orbit has also partnered with <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/404857">Leaf Space</a> and AWS Ground Station to provide global coverage for its mission control software suite Aurora. Other partnerships include a collaboration with Starfish Space for orbital rendezvous missions, ​HyImpulse Technologies for a joint launch and deployment mission, MetaSensing for collaboration on the IRIDE project, and with SkyServe STORM to integrate edge computing functionalities within the SkyServe STORM platform, enabling the processing of live Earth observation data from D-Orbit's resources into inferences directly in space.

D-Orbit

Phantom Space Corporation is a space services company providing all-in-one capabilities for satellite manufacturing and launch services to commercial and government clients.Phantom Space caters to launch services primarily using its launch vehicle, Daytona Rocket, which is a two-stage system designed to carry payloads of up to 450 kg, including satellites and other space cargo into low-Earth orbit (LEO), for less than USD 4 million per launch. In addition to the Daytona, Phantom Space was developing the larger Laguna rocket, scheduled for launch in 2025, to be powered by a combination of Ripley and Hadley engines produced by Ursa Major to increase payload capacity to 1,200 kg for LEO missions at USD 8 million per launch.In November 2022, the company achieved a major milestone by conducting a successful 60-second hot fire test of the Daytona's Pathfinder test stage at Spaceport America in New Mexico, validating approximately 75% of the vehicle's systems in a flight-realistic condition.The company also provides solutions for designing, manufacturing, and operating small satellites, ranging from single CubeSats to constellations of ESPA-class spacecraft. As of May 2024, Phantom Space had 46 satellite and spacecraft programs successfully executed, while three were currently in progress.As of June 2023, the company aimed to offer affordable access to space through its proprietary rocket and satellite designs. To this end, Phantom Space aimed to employ mass production techniques to reduce costs and increase the frequency of space access for government and commercial entities. Key customers and partnershipsIn May 2023, Phantom Space signed a launch services agreement with Quub, a satellite manufacturer, for three dedicated launches in 2025.In November 2022, Phantom Space secured task orders from NASA for the agency's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions program. The orders involved launching four CubeSat satellites on the second and fourth Daytona rocket flights from Vandenberg Space Force Base, planned for 2024.

Phantom Space

Beyond Earth builds small rockets to provide dedicated CubeSat launches to low-earth-orbit on short notice.

Beyond Earth

Companies that offer launch capabilities to get satellites into orbit, including last-mile delivery of satellites and value-added services including launch mission planning and execution

Companies that provide satellite management services once they are deployed

Includes companies that develop satellite buses and payloads for mini, micro and nano systems

Companies that manufacture components for mini, micro, nano, and picosatellite systems

Satellite companies that offer location-based intelligence, navigation, mapping, spatial awareness, and data analytics services

Use of autonomous robotics in the production process, specially in the miniature satellite segments

Infostellar

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless