Participated · Seed · Aug 2025

amu operates a vertically integrated upcycling business that purchases discarded fishing nets at ports nationwide, sorts, crushes and pelletizes them into a recycled material called “amuca.” The company supplies amuca to apparel and outdoor manufacturers and also sells its own miscellaneous goods and accessories. amu says its proprietary sorting and compound technology preserves physical properties and coloration of recycled resin and reduces CO2 emissions, which it presents as a key differentiator. The company has built nationwide collection networks and works directly with fishermen to source feedstock. amu was established in May 2023, received initial funding from ANOBAKA, ANRI and UBE, completed a ¥75 million seed round in 2024, and reports expanding adoption of amuca domestically and internationally. Recent activity includes crowdfunding sales of an original collection in July 2025 and plans to scale its model overseas. amu collects and upcycles discarded fishing gear to develop new materials and products. The company is developing a nylon material brand called amuca, which it expects to complete within the year. amu aims to recover 1,000 tons of fishing gear nationwide by 2028 and intends to promote its material at overseas exhibitions. The company was founded in May 2023 and is headquartered in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture. The announcement notes that fishing gear accounts for about 40% of the roughly 8 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually, and cites a recycled-plastics market growing at an 8.1% annual rate to ¥17.7 trillion by 2030. amu raised a ¥75 million seed round to fund collection costs, development and manufacture of amuca, marketing, hiring, and new-business validation.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2025

WAKU is an agri-bio venture developing glutathione-based biostimulants that enhance plant stress tolerance, photosynthetic activity, root development, and crop establishment. Its mission is to “protect human food with glutathione,” and it has progressed from founding in 2022 to field trials with over 70 producers nationwide, including a large leek producer in Fukaya City. The company plans to use its technology first in agriculture and later explore applications in forestry, algae cultivation, and cosmetics. Near-term commercial plans include expanding a domestic sales organization and preparing for overseas deployment, particularly in the EU where biostimulant adoption is growing. Financially, WAKU completed a pre-Series A fundraising to support R&D on new glutathione products and go-to-market activities.