Participated · Equity · Jul 2026

Starlight Engine was established in April 2025 as a group company of Kyoto Fusioneering and is focused on advancing fusion energy through its FAST project. FAST is a privately led, industry–academia initiative that adopts a tokamak configuration and aims to demonstrate fusion power generation in the 2030s by generating and sustaining D–T burning plasma and demonstrating integrated power generation and fuel-cycle systems. The project has completed its conceptual design and is currently moving into engineering design and construction preparations. SLE is coordinating with leading fusion researchers and a wide set of private-sector partners and universities to develop the project and domestic supply chains. The company plans to use newly raised funds to accelerate engineering and technology development, site selection, regulatory processes, supply chain development, and organizational expansion. SLE intends to grow its headcount to about 200 employees over the next two years as it advances toward fusion power demonstration and future commercial plants.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2026

Neusignal Therapeutics is developing NTX-083, a novel low-molecule compound intended to treat Alzheimer’s disease via a mechanism distinct from existing therapies. The company completed a physician-initiated single-dose Phase 1 trial at the University of Tokyo Hospital (Feb–Sep 2025) and a company-sponsored multiple-dose Phase 1 trial (Nov 2025–Mar 2026) in healthy adults, with both Japanese trials reporting high safety, strong tolerability, and favorable pharmacokinetics and no significant side effects. Neusignal plans to begin a Phase 1b trial in Alzheimer’s patients in the United States later this year. The company intends to use the Series B proceeds to fund that U.S. trial and to expand its workforce ahead of potential strategic alliances with global pharmaceutical firms. Neusignal originated from Tohoku University and is headquartered in Tokyo.

Participated · Seed · May 2026

Graphenory conducts research, development, manufacturing, and sales of optical devices that utilize graphene, drawing on foundational research by Professor Hideyuki Maki of Keio University. Its technology aims to realize graphene optical devices that can operate on semiconductors. The company is developing products including infrared light sources, analytical sensing devices, and optoelectronic fusion devices. Reported target application areas include the semiconductor industry, information and communication, data centers, AI-related fields, quantum technology, and biomedical sectors. Graphenory completed the Keio University Startup Incubation Program (KSIP) and was founded on October 1, 2024. Following its seed A5240 million raise, the company plans to use the proceeds to accelerate hiring and advance technology development as it pursues practical applications and broader market expansion.

Participated · Series A · Mar 2026

Founded in January 2024 and based in Tokyo, Orbital Lasers develops compact, high-efficiency lasers and space optical technologies intended for satellite lidar, space-debris removal, and related space systems. The company bases its R&D on joint research with RIKEN and is conducting concept design and mission hardware prototyping with JAXA for a small high-precision lidar satellite. It has also begun research with the Japanese Ministry of Defense on on-orbit ranging and surveillance technologies. To date the company completed a ¥9億円 seed round in December 2024 and has now raised a total of ¥39.2億円 in cumulative equity after this Series A. Orbital Lasers plans to integrate transmission, reception, and satellite-bus technologies to create differentiated system-level capabilities and pursue commercialization and global market deployment in the 2030s.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2026

Founded in May 2023 and headquartered in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, MiRESSO is building a beryllium manufacturing and sales business based on an innovative low-temperature purification process originally spun out of QST research. The company targets the critical need for a stable domestic supply of beryllium, an essential neutron-multiplying material for commercial fusion reactors, while also offering its purification method as a technology platform for recycling and refining a wider range of mineral resources. MiRESSO is constructing the BETA (Beryllium Testing plant in Aomori) pilot plant on Pacific Metals’ site in Hachinohe, aiming to begin production during fiscal 2027. Over roughly three years since inception, the startup has raised about ¥4.48 billion in equity and approximately ¥6.68 billion when government grants are included. Funds from the latest round will accelerate pilot-plant build-out, secure raw-material supply, and enhance product quality to establish a new beryllium supply chain in Japan.