4 rising startups in Japan

New year, new roundup. Check out the latest in media, data security, drone technology, and more.

One Media

Video content media startup One Media recently secured around US$3 million from B Dash Ventures and Gree Corp. One Media makes videos that can be viewed through various social media platforms like Line and Facebook. So far, it has created over 1,200 videos, ranging from music festivals to craft whiskey drinks. The startup also collaborates with companies like automakers Honda and Toyota.

One Media’s funding comes as  Japanese media startups seem on the rise, with Lute and Candee also securing financing  in recent months.

ACSL

ACSL, which got its start  while CEO Kenzo Nonami was teaching at the University of Chiba, is a drone manufacturing company. The startup promotes a wide range of applications for its autonomous drones like building inspection, delivery services, and agriculture production support. Drones can be customized based on customers specific needs.

The company recently raised a sizeable amount of cash of US$19 million from Mirai Creation Fund, iGlobe Partners, Mizuho Capital, University of Tokyo Edge Capital, and Drone Fund.

Another Japanese drone company, Clue, received funding in November to develop similar drone and software- like capabilities.

Michael

Cartune, a community app for car enthusiasts, has achieved over 100,000 downloads since it was launched in May 2017 by Michael. Users must input their car model and photos in order to complete registration. They  can also browse through Cartune’s Instagram-like user interface or filter their searches by applying a specific tag.

As local transportation and electric vehicles become more popular, the future of cars seems to be headed towards the direction of sustainability and and energy efficiency. As such, people may wonder whether classic cars still have a purpose . However, Cartune founder Makoto Fukyama believes that older cars will remain relevant as a hobby. He also thinks that the after-parts market and exhibition culture are strong, and car companies are keen revive some of their older models.

Other than Cartune, other new companies like Garage have entered on the scene, as well as older legacy players such as Minkara.

For its seed round, Michael received approximately US$1 million from IGPI.

Caulis

Fraud Alert by Caulis took the stage in early December at the elite pitch contest, Japan’s Infinity Ventures Summit. Fraud Alert is a cloud-based fraud detection service that monitors suspicious  behavior and alerts clients. The service is being introduced in 10 companies, of which most are financial institutions.

The company, which also shares its database of malicious users, just raised over US$1.4 million in its series A from four investors. Participants included previous backers Sony Innovation Fund and iSiD as well as two new additions, Seven Bank and Revamp.

 

This post 4 rising startups in Japan appeared first on Tech in Asia.

from Tech in Asia https://www.techinasia.com/jp-funding-01-17-2018
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