This free sheet contains 100 accelerators and incubators you can apply to today, along with information about the industries they generally invest in.
This free sheet contains all the information about the top 100 unicorns, including their valuation, HQ's location, founded year, name of founders, funding amount and number of employees.
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Japan is home to 15 unicorn startups, with a strong presence in industries like AI, mobility, and media. The ecosystem shows a mix of established players and new entrants. The list is led by battery manufacturer AESC with a $10B valuation. It also features newcomers like Sakana AI, which reached a $2B valuation just a year after its founding in 2023.
Below is the full list of 15 Japan unicorn startups at this time.
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Buy It For $97 $297 →Information about the industries, countries, and cities they generally invest in.
Get the Sheet for $50Information about their valuation, HQ's location, founded year, name of founders, funding amount and number of employees.
Get the Sheet for $50List of startup investors in the BioTech, Health, and Medicine industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50AESC develops and manufactures high-performance lithium-ion batteries designed specifically for electric vehicles. Their technology also powers large-scale energy storage systems, helping to create more stable and sustainable power grids.
Kakao Japan operates Piccoma, a leading digital manga and webtoon platform, and manages the popular messaging app KakaoTalk for the Japanese market. They are known for creating mobile-first experiences that combine social communication with a vast library of digital entertainment.
As part of the Rakuten Group, Rakuten Securities has built one of Japan's leading online brokerage platforms. Their service allows individual investors to trade a wide range of assets, including stocks, foreign exchange, and investment trusts.
Sakana AI builds foundation models based on nature-inspired intelligence, such as the collective behavior of a school of fish. Their research lab is creating generative AI that can produce text, images, and code using evolutionary principles.
SmartNews offers a news discovery app that uses AI to find and organize stories from a wide array of publishers. The platform is designed to help users find quality journalism and break free from personalized filter bubbles.
HashKey Group builds a full suite of financial services for the digital asset industry. They provide institutional and accredited investors with everything from a licensed exchange to venture capital and asset management.
Preferred Networks develops real-world applications for deep learning and robotics. They are known for applying their advanced AI solutions to solve complex challenges in sectors like biotechnology and industrial automation.
SmartHR develops a cloud-native human resources platform that has become the top choice for businesses in Japan. The software automates critical administrative work, from labor management to employee benefits, freeing up HR teams to focus on more productive tasks.
JOLED manufactures high-performance OLED displays for specialized applications like medical and automotive systems. They pioneered a unique printing method for producing these screens, which represents a major innovation in the display manufacturing process.
Spiber produces a novel material called Brewed Protein using a proprietary microbial fermentation technology. Derived entirely from plant-based sugars, this bio-manufactured protein provides a sustainable alternative to conventional animal-based and synthetic materials.
Beyond the top ten, a diverse group of companies is also shaping Japan's startup landscape. They are tackling everything from gaming and crypto to manufacturing and clean energy.
While some are newer to the scene, others have been building for decades. Here’s a look at the rest of the unicorn startups shaping Japan.
| Unicorn Startup | Main Industry | Year Founded | Amount Raised | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto | 2013 | $260.4M | $1B | |
| Gaming | 2020 | $143.5M | $1B | |
| Mobility | 1977 | ¥14B | $1B | |
| Manufacturing | 2011 | ¥22.6B | $1B | |
| Environment | 2012 | ¥2B | $1B |
