Japanese IT news media Nikkei Computer reported today that Silicon Valley-based Treasure Data, the startup founded by several Japanese entrepreneurs focused on big data solutions, has fundraised $15 million from American and Japanese investors. This series B round was led by Scale Venture Partners with participation from Sierra Ventures, AME Cloud Ventures, Tokyo-based IT-Farm, and other investors. [1] Treasure Data plans to use the funds for business expansion into Korea, China, and other markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Scale Venture Partners is known for its growth-stage fund focused on big data sector, having led investments in big data solution companies including Omniture (data analysis, acquired by Adobe Systems for $1.8 billion in 2009), ExactTarget (digital marketing automation, acquired by Salesforce.com for $2.5 billion in 2013), Box (cloud storage), and HubSpot (online marketing tool).
Treasure Data partnered with Yahoo Japan in July to provide cloud-based big data analysis solutions for Japanese corporations, followed by announcing co-development of mobile telematics solutions with Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer Pioneer in September.
Edited by Chris Ames Pomeroy
AME Cloud Ventures is led by Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang. ↩
Japanese human resources company Intelligence Holdings (TSE:4757) and messaging platform operator Line announced today that they have agreed to launch a joint venture called Aube, specifically focused on offering part-time jobs for Line users. Intelligence Holdings provides recruitment services for office workers in addition to publishing several digital and hardcopy media for part-time job offerings. By integrating with the userbase of Line, the recruiter wants to launch a new job offering platform targeting smartphone users. According to Jun Masuda, Line’s chief strategy and marketing officer as well as the new company’s chairman, typical part-time job seekers are in their teens and 20s, so the two companies can expect to see a synergy in connecting part-time job offering opportunities with the messaging app’s userbase. Their plan includes finding potential clients by leveraging Line@, the messaging app-based customer engagement platform for retailers, and paying wages to part-time workers using Line Pay, a mobile payments platform for Line users. See also: Japan’s Line unveils to launch payments, cab hailing, food delivery services, and much more Via Nikkei (paywalled) and CNET Japan Edited by Chris Ames Pomeroy
Japanese human resources company Intelligence Holdings (TSE:4757) and messaging platform operator Line announced today that they have agreed to launch a joint venture called Aube, specifically focused on offering part-time jobs for Line users.
Intelligence Holdings provides recruitment services for office workers in addition to publishing several digital and hardcopy media for part-time job offerings. By integrating with the userbase of Line, the recruiter wants to launch a new job offering platform targeting smartphone users.
According to Jun Masuda, Line’s chief strategy and marketing officer as well as the new company’s chairman, typical part-time job seekers are in their teens and 20s, so the two companies can expect to see a synergy in connecting part-time job offering opportunities with the messaging app’s userbase. Their plan includes finding potential clients by leveraging Line@, the messaging app-based customer engagement platform for retailers, and paying wages to part-time workers using Line Pay, a mobile payments platform for Line users.
See the original story in Japanese. Fukuoka-based startup Shikumi Design unveiled a next-gen musical instrument called Kagura on 14 January. The app allows users to play instrumental music by intuitive operations leveraging distance and gesture recognition technologies. The Kagura app won the grand prize at the Intel Perceptual Computing Challenge competition in 2013. The new version introduced at this time has been upgraded to support Intel RealSense 3D, a new technology available on PCs from Lenovo, Acer, and others, enabling an app to understand and respond to natural movement in 3D with a built-in camera. However, vision analysis for playing instruments is conducted in 2D, so if you are satisfied with playing instruments only, the app can work with any Windows PC with a built-in camera regardless of whether it supports the RealSense technology. Below is a Kagura promotional video, produced in cooperation with another Fukuoka-based startup Koo-ki. Shikumi Design CEO Shunsuke Nakamura demonstrated Kagura at a press briefing on Wednesday. Upon this release, they have brushed up several functions including new interface roll-out, five pre-installed sound-sets, as well as YouTube video uploads so that even non-savvy users can enjoy playing it as soon as they install the app. Shikumi Design specializes…
Shikumi Design CEO Shunsuke Nakamura demonstrates Kagura.
Fukuoka-based startup Shikumi Design unveiled a next-gen musical instrument called Kagura on 14 January. The app allows users to play instrumental music by intuitive operations leveraging distance and gesture recognition technologies.
The Kagura app won the grand prize at the Intel Perceptual Computing Challenge competition in 2013. The new version introduced at this time has been upgraded to support Intel RealSense 3D, a new technology available on PCs from Lenovo, Acer, and others, enabling an app to understand and respond to natural movement in 3D with a built-in camera. However, vision analysis for playing instruments is conducted in 2D, so if you are satisfied with playing instruments only, the app can work with any Windows PC with a built-in camera regardless of whether it supports the RealSense technology.
Below is a Kagura promotional video, produced in cooperation with another Fukuoka-based startup Koo-ki.
Shikumi Design CEO Shunsuke Nakamura demonstrated Kagura at a press briefing on Wednesday. Upon this release, they have brushed up several functions including new interface roll-out, five pre-installed sound-sets, as well as YouTube video uploads so that even non-savvy users can enjoy playing it as soon as they install the app.
Shikumi Design specializes in image displays and digital signage, and has been demonstrating the Kagura app at various live performance events, including collaborative performances with DJs, VJs, and vocal percussion artists.
Nakamura said,
Unlike non-music players like me, I’m often impressed at how DJs or VJs play music using various instruments in a professional manner. We’ve been receiving great support from human beatboxers as Kagura is giving them a new way of expression. In addition to professional music players, children can also enjoy creating music with Kagura simply by moving their bodies. Start with exploring the potential of our app with professional musicians, we want to expand the concept of music.
The Kagura app is available for free in order to make the experience open to more people. They aim to monetize the app by selling additional sound-sets and tool kits for professional musicians.
He continued:
Another possibility is a platform that allows users to share their post about playing music. There are many possibilities out there, but we want to develop the app with users while enjoying music.
Kagura has introduced a new way of music expression that will give birth to next-generation musicians and performers. Nakamura wants to kickoff a trend that encourages people to enjoy music and create new expressions similar to Hatsune Miku, the Japanese vocaloid platform from Crypton Future Media.
Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by Kurt Hanson and Masaru Ikeda
Proofread by Chris Ames Pomeroy
See the original story in Japanese. Trinus is a platform for discovering technologies from SMEs in Japan, as well as developing commercial products based on these technologies. The company exhibited at our member-only monthly showcase event last Wednesday. We recently spoke with Shinya Sato, CEO of the service’s operating company under the same name. Receiving over 70 design proposals in two months Since its launch on 17 November, the company has been acquiring design proposals for four technology projects including magnesium alloy pipe/rod deformation and solid wood with high anti-warpage capacity by laminating materials in a wave-like form. The former project has attracted more than 70 design proposals. Beginning with discovering technologies from SME manufacturers across Japan, Trinus gathers design proposals for these technologies from crowdsourced creators via the platform. Then the company selects proposals to be adopted and productized based on the number of “want-it” votes from users. Following the confirming of a prototype from a manufacturer, Trinus launches a campaign for mass-production of the product on crowdfunding sites in Japan and the rest of the world. The process from collecting design proposals to productization takes about four months, and their first product from the platform will come out…
Trinus is a platform for discovering technologies from SMEs in Japan, as well as developing commercial products based on these technologies. The company exhibited at our member-only monthly showcase event last Wednesday. We recently spoke with Shinya Sato, CEO of the service’s operating company under the same name.
Beginning with discovering technologies from SME manufacturers across Japan, Trinus gathers design proposals for these technologies from crowdsourced creators via the platform. Then the company selects proposals to be adopted and productized based on the number of “want-it” votes from users.
Following the confirming of a prototype from a manufacturer, Trinus launches a campaign for mass-production of the product on crowdfunding sites in Japan and the rest of the world. The process from collecting design proposals to productization takes about four months, and their first product from the platform will come out in July.
This is an example submitted by Trinus’ crowdsourced designer Yonanp. This magnesium-made vase keeps flowers fresh longer by helping them make chlorophyll and photosynthesize.
Former job gives him some hints
Partnerships with manufacturers and designers are key for the success of Trinus. Before launching the platform, Sato had previously worked with global consulting firm Accenture, where he helped SMEs and social businesses. Through his work at Accenture he learned about many remarkable technologies and also connected with numerous designers, which is contributing to his current business.
Sato explained what was behind the creation of the platform:
One project I was involved in at Accenture was helping the physically challenged be productive. They would make accessories to earn wages at factory houses, but their products were hard to sell. That’s why my team launched a project to collect proposals from consumers and developed a piggybank called Pos for the physically challenged to make, which is sold at Beams fashion stores.
Through this experience, I launched Trinus by combining the impact of public appeals with an initiative supporting SMEs that have interesting technologies.
Designers using the Trinus platform can receive 50,000 yen ($420) if their proposal is adopted, plus they can earn a 3% sales commission. Employees at major manufacturers (as a weekend job), young designers, and art school students are participating in product design. The company plans to launch an English version of Trinus to acquire more users from outside Japan.
Periodic introduction of new products and global expansion
For Trinus, their goal is to launch a new product every month. With the aim to focus on acquiring crowdsourced designers, evaluating their proposals, as well as acquiring potential purchasing users, the company will add a feature allowing users to follow their favorite users.
Sato explained:
Having a good eye for technologies and designs is key. We are working on this part together with creators supporting us. We want to create a mechanism to bring technologies and people together by visualizing user needs on our platform.
While many SMEs have technological strengths, most are busy with the work at hand and cannot afford to develop new products using their innovative technologies. I hope Trinus will turn many niche technologies into consumer products by helping SMEs cultivate their ideas and sales channels.
Translated by Taijiro Takeda Editted by Kurt Hanson and Masaru Ikeda
Proofread by Chris Ames Pomeroy
See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based incubator and investment firm Samurai Incubate announced today that it has started forming a new fund called Samurai Incubate Fund No. 5. Coinciding with this, the firm also announced that it has invested in two Israeli-based startups by Japanese entrepreneurs, Aniwo and an disclosed company. The investment in these two startups has been disbursed from Samurai Incubate’s No. 4 fund. According to Samurai Incubate CEO Kentaro Sakakibara, they have raised about 500 million yen ($4.2 million) for the new fund, but aim to raise about 1 billion to 2 billion yen ($8.3 million to $16.7 million) by the time the funding is closed in June. The company plans to invest 4.5 million yen ($37,600) in every promising startup in Japan in the seed round as well as about 10 million yen ($83,400) in every pre-seed round startup in Israel. Since 2014, Samurai Incubate has been organizing startup showcase events in many cities in Japan in partnership with Deloitte’s Tohmatsu Venture Support, called Zenkoku Startup Day or literally All-Japan Startup Day. The incubation company wants to invest in about 70 promising startups discovered through this initiative. Samurai Incubate also plans to invest in Israeli…
Samurai Incubate team, Israeli entrepreneurs and investors meet together at Samurai Office in Tel Aviv. Samurai Incubate CEO Kentaro Sakakibara sits in the middle in the front row. (Courtesy: Samurai Incubate)
Tokyo-based incubator and investment firm Samurai Incubate announced today that it has started forming a new fund called Samurai Incubate Fund No. 5. Coinciding with this, the firm also announced that it has invested in two Israeli-based startups by Japanese entrepreneurs, Aniwo and an disclosed company. The investment in these two startups has been disbursed from Samurai Incubate’s No. 4 fund.
According to Samurai Incubate CEO Kentaro Sakakibara, they have raised about 500 million yen ($4.2 million) for the new fund, but aim to raise about 1 billion to 2 billion yen ($8.3 million to $16.7 million) by the time the funding is closed in June. The company plans to invest 4.5 million yen ($37,600) in every promising startup in Japan in the seed round as well as about 10 million yen ($83,400) in every pre-seed round startup in Israel.
Since 2014, Samurai Incubate has been organizing startup showcase events in many cities in Japan in partnership with Deloitte’s Tohmatsu Venture Support, called Zenkoku Startup Day or literally All-Japan Startup Day. The incubation company wants to invest in about 70 promising startups discovered through this initiative.
Samurai Incubate also plans to invest in Israeli startups. Details have not been disclosed because it’s still before the execution of investments, but their expected incubatees include many startups focused on technologies, which makes the Israeli startup scene unique, such as developers of a wearable air purifying device, a voice input/output control for Twitter and Facebook postings, and a footprint scanning-based customized shoe e-commerce service.
Samurai Incubate set up an incubation office in Tel Aviv in July, where they have been organizing meet-up events aiming to connect Japanese startups with Israeli entrepreneurs and investors. The company held a hackathon event in October in partnership with Toyota InfoTechnology Center, the R&D arm of Japan’s No. 1 automaker, where attendees developed exceptional services like one that allows drivers to avoid rainy areas by leveraging GPS and weather update systems, as well as one that makes it unnecessary for drivers to apply the brake until they reach their destination by predicting the timing of traffic signals and advising the best driving speed through the integration of intelligent transport systems.
According to Sakakibara, the Jewish communities in Israel and the US are well connected, so if something becomes popular in Israel, it will automatically be followed in the US. Mobile apps like Viber and Yo gained a global reputation this way. Sakakibara expects to produce more startups from Israel following their example.
I will visit Israel this year to report on their startup scene.
Samurai Incubate team in Tel Aviv. (Courtesy: Samurai Incubate)
See the original story in Japanese. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) announced on Thursday the winners of the Japan-UK Tech Awards competition, bringing promising Japanese startups to the UK. The winning teams are: Anydoor Founded in 2009. Anydoor provides crowdsourced translation service Conyac for affordable rates, helping people exchange e-mails or business documents in unfamiliar languages with the global community. iRidge Founded in 2008. iRidge has developed location-based push notification service for smartphones, called Popinfo, helping real retailers distribute updates to their customers. Oh My Glasses Founded in 2011, Oh My Glasses has been running an e-commerce site focused on glasses, recently launched a new brand called Type that offers glasses styled after fonts such as helvetica or garamond. UKTI had initially said that it will announce winners in late December, but the quality of submitted business ideas were so high that the judging process took a longer time than expected, the UK embassy to Japan explained. NTT Docomo Ventures and Deloitte’s Tohmatsu Venture Support helped UKTI select qualified Japanese startups. These winning startups will receive a complimentary visit to startups in London’s TechCity as well as a complimentary one-month residency at The Bakery incubator in London, following an invitation…
Anydoor
Founded in 2009. Anydoor provides crowdsourced translation service Conyac for affordable rates, helping people exchange e-mails or business documents in unfamiliar languages with the global community.
iRidge
Founded in 2008. iRidge has developed location-based push notification service for smartphones, called Popinfo, helping real retailers distribute updates to their customers.
Oh My Glasses
Founded in 2011, Oh My Glasses has been running an e-commerce site focused on glasses, recently launched a new brand called Type that offers glasses styled after fonts such as helvetica or garamond.
UKTI had initially said that it will announce winners in late December, but the quality of submitted business ideas were so high that the judging process took a longer time than expected, the UK embassy to Japan explained. NTT Docomo Ventures and Deloitte’s Tohmatsu Venture Support helped UKTI select qualified Japanese startups.
These winning startups will receive a complimentary visit to startups in London’s TechCity as well as a complimentary one-month residency at The Bakery incubator in London, following an invitation to an afternoon tea party with the UK ambassador to Japan, Tim Hitchens.
Masaru Ikeda
Shintaro Eguchi
Yukari Mitsuhashi
