Participated · Series A · Jun 2024

REVORN integrates odor sensing, AI formulation and diffusion hardware to digitize smell so it can be recorded, transmitted and replayed like other media. Its platform combines the Obre sensor (detects airborne odor molecules), the Hearom diffuser and fragrances (blends multiple aroma materials in space) and the iinioi® cloud (stores detection data and generates fragrance recipes via machine learning). In 2024 the company’s proprietary sensory-evaluation AI received patent recognition and its efficacy has been validated in multiple use cases. CEO Hiroaki Matsuoka founded the company while at Nagasaki University after noting disaster-response robots lacked a "nose." With fresh capital the team plans to build higher-precision, portable sensors and automatic fragrance reproduction devices and to broaden adoption across food & beverage, cosmetics, healthcare, automotive and general-purpose applications. To date the firm has raised ¥1.35 billion in total funding.

Participated · Series C · Nov 2023

RUTILEA builds zero-code AI products to automate business processes and make high-precision AI immediately usable. Since founding in 2018, the company has focused on solving data shortages in AI adoption by leveraging generative AI and foundation models and simplifying complex implementation through zero-code. Its offerings aim to improve labor productivity by enabling rapid AI deployment in business workflows. The company plans to invest in new businesses, accelerate product R&D, construct recurring-revenue models, and expand sales and engineering hires. As of October 31, 2023, its stated capital (including capital reserve) was ¥946 million, and cumulative funding after the latest round is about ¥1.2 billion. RUTILEA is headquartered in Kyoto and led by CEO Takafumi Yano. RUTILEA offers zero-code AI products designed to simplify AI adoption and automate business processes to improve labor productivity. The company uses generative AI and foundation models to address data shortages that commonly hinder AI implementation and delivers solutions in a ready-to-use form. Since its founding in August 2018, RUTILEA has focused on making the AI introduction process simple through zero-code interfaces. The company plans to invest in new business initiatives, continue product R&D, build recurring-revenue models, and expand sales and engineering headcount. Financially, after a Series C1 in August 2023 the company reports cumulative funding of about ¥900M and capital (including reserves) of ¥675M as of 2023-09-01. RUTILEA is headquartered in Kyoto.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2023

EdgeCortix develops silicon and software platforms using a patented hardware–software co-design approach to enable energy-efficient, runtime-reconfigurable AI acceleration at the edge. Its technology includes the Dynamic Neural Accelerator® architecture and the MERA software stack, which the company positions for applications across defense, aerospace, smart infrastructure, Industry 4.0, robotics, and telecommunications. EdgeCortix is commercializing next-generation, low-power platforms such as SAKURA-II and the chiplet-based SAKURA-X targeted at Generative and Agentic AI workloads. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and maintains operations in the United States and India. Recent fundraising activity includes an oversubscribed prior round and a subsequent new investment from Axiro Semiconductor and MPower Partners to support further development and commercialization.

Participated · Series A · Jul 2022

Proteus Motion develops a hardware and software fitness system that uses patented strength-measurement software to guide users through 4-minute physical assessments and a resistance training experience called 3D Resistance™. The company’s systems are installed in 41 U.S. states and two Canadian territories and are used by high-profile athletes across MLB, the NBA, the NFL and professional golf. Led by founder and CEO Sam Miller, Proteus Motion plans to use new capital to expand the team, scale production capabilities and grow its software offerings. In conjunction with the financing, industry executive Paul Byrne joined the company’s board of directors. Financially, Proteus Motion announced an $8.5M Series A and has raised $17M to date. The company positions its product for elite athletic and commercial fitness markets through combined hardware and analytics. Proteus Motion is a NYC-based sports and healthtech company (formerly Boston Biomotion) that has developed patented hardware and software delivering intelligent strength training and rehabilitation via unlimited three-dimensional movements. Its system is designed to strengthen, optimize and restore sport movements, protect joints and ligaments, and enable faster recovery. The technology has gained particular traction in the pitching community for arm care, improving biomechanics, pitching velocity and rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. Proteus’s products are used by teams in MLB, NHL and top NCAA athletic programs, as well as prominent training and rehabilitation facilities worldwide. The company offers a software subscription that lets trainees access training content, track trends and receive personalized insights, leveraging 50 million data points captured to date. Proteus plans to use new funding to develop and manufacture its software products, conduct R&D on Version 2 of the Proteus system, and grow its subscription user base.

Participated · Series A · May 2022

Arieca develops liquid-metal based thermal interface materials using its patented Liquid Metal Embedded Elastomer (LMEE) technology. Its main products include TIMbber™, an adaptable thermal interface material for semiconductor and power devices, and Thubber®, a soft, stretchable, thermally conductive elastomer. The company targets demanding applications across semiconductor, aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries. Arieca positions its technology to address rising heat densities as processor node sizes shrink to 7nm, 4nm and below. The firm says its materials combine liquid-metal performance with the manufacturability of thermal greases. Arieca was spun off from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018.