Participated · Series A · Jun 2026

Founded in August 2024 and based in Tokyo, Snack Technologies (Snatech) offers a web application that brings cashless payments, automated accounting, transparent pricing, and customer management to Japan's snack bars. It also provides Snabomb, a patent-pending digital tipping system that lets remote patrons buy drinks for people in the bar with on-screen visual effects. The company is moving from proof-of-concept to full-scale rollout and is prioritising merchant expansion, product development, Snabomb deployment, and hiring. Snack Technologies has raised a total of ¥356M to date following the ¥222M pre-series A round. The startup is still pre-product-market-fit and faces adoption challenges among an ageing, analogue merchant base. The market opportunity sits within roughly 100,000 snack bars in Japan, a sector estimated to generate about ¥2 trillion in annual revenue.

Led · Seed · Jan 2025

Bythen provides a platform for users to produce creative content, livestream, and transform personalized characters into AI-powered digital twins called “Bytes.” The product democratizes access for creators globally to become virtual influencers by leveraging AI-driven content generation and automated engagement. It operates on a revenue-sharing model that channels earnings back to its creator community, creating an ecosystem that shares growth with users. The company plans to use the new funding to expand operations and accelerate product development. Bythen was founded in 2024 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. The platform targets continuous, 24/7 social media engagement through its AI automation tools.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2024

AstroX is a Japanese private space startup founded in May 2022 that is building a Rockoon system, in which a balloon carries a rocket to high altitude before launch, to provide low-cost, high-frequency and rapid-response small-satellite deployment. Headquartered in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, the company pursues the vision of restoring “Japan as No. 1” in space development. Demand for small-satellite launches is rising sharply, yet Japan currently depends almost entirely on foreign launchers; AstroX aims to fill this gap domestically. In December 2025 the firm successfully conducted its first launcher experiment, validating separation mechanics for its rocket mount. Proceeds from its Series A financing will be used to accelerate Rockoon R&D and expand engineering talent, with the goal of reaching space by 2026. Total Series A funding now amounts to ¥2.32 billion, providing capital for continued technology development and operational scaling. No revenue or customer metrics were disclosed in the article.

Led · Equity · Aug 2024

Paronym builds the Tig series of interactive-video products, including Tig Video, Tig LIVE and Tig Creator, plus planned modules such as Tig AI and Tig Media Platform. Its SaaS editing tools add tags to videos so viewers can access information and commerce directly from objects, people, sounds and places in the footage. The company says deployments have expanded into department stores, apparel and interior-product clients, driving improvements in both e-commerce and in‑store sales. Paronym launched Tig Video in March 2018 and reports a patent portfolio spanning Japan, the U.S., China and Korea. The firm lists headquarters in Chuo‑ku, Tokyo, and was founded in November 2016. Following the recent round, cumulative funding stands at ¥1.45 billion and the company intends to accelerate hiring, last‑mile product development and marketing to support domestic and international growth. Paronym, founded in 2016 and based in Tokyo, develops TIG, a software-as-a-service interactive video platform that lets users retrieve information and tag objects such as persons, places, clothing, and music by touching points on the screen. TIG includes a tracking and editing tool to match objects in clips with link destinations and a heat map tool that shows which parts of a clip users tap. The company offers its B2B platform via monthly subscription or license and provides an enterprise model to integrate TIG into customer apps or websites. Paronym's platform has been adopted by customers including Chukyo TV, NTT Docomo, and The North Face. The firm announced a $6.5M Series B to support geographic expansion, with an initial focus on Thailand. Management has said it aims to first enhance its presence in Thailand and eventually establish the service across Southeast Asia.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2024

Nailie operates a nailist-focused discovery and booking app that surfaces designs from over 1.9 million uploaded nail images and enables in-app booking and payment (credit card and atone). The app has surpassed 2 million downloads and more than 30,000 registered nailists nationwide. Nailie’s product streamlines reservation and settlement so users can find designers and complete payment without leaving the app. The company says it aims to promote nailists’ individuality and move customer acquisition away from coupons and discounting. Management plans to use new capital to strengthen marketing, accelerate product development, build internal capabilities, and hire talent to speed growth. Nailie was founded in September 2016 and is headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; the CEO is Kengo Asakura.