Canal Ventures

Canal Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan. It operates as the venture capital arm of the Nihon Unisys Group and focuses on investing in seed and early-phase startups. The firm primarily targets the technology sector, emphasizing investments that address social causes. Through its investments, Canal Ventures aims to support innovative solutions that contribute positively to society while fostering growth in emerging companies.

Past deals in Japan

TYFFON

Venture Round in 2023
TYFFON is a Tokyo-based developer of immersive mixed reality, virtual reality, and augmented reality entertainment content. The company creates mobile apps such as ZombieBooth and related image transformation tools, and has expanded to immersive experiences that blend 3D animation with social interaction. TYFFON operates Free Roam location-based virtual reality venues under the TYFFONIUM brand, offering guests multi-sensory, hyper-real environments that can be explored freely. Founded in 2011, TYFFON has pursued strategic partnerships and international expansion, including participation in Disney’s accelerator program in 2014 and a collaboration with Disney, as well as opening TYFFONIUM stores in Japan with plans for overseas locations. The company focuses on delivering magical reality experiences across its mobile apps and location-based venues by combining VR and AR technologies with imaginative content.

WED

Series A in 2021
WED, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that focuses on providing an online data utilization platform. The company aims to address various challenges related to data usage by leveraging technology to offer a range of services. These services include data collection, user acquisition, data analysis, custom reporting, and credit card payment applications. WED's platform enables users to efficiently manage their data through a single portal, facilitating improved decision-making and operational efficiency. Additionally, WED broadcasts radio programs, further diversifying its business activities.

HRBrain

Funding Round in 2020
HRBrain, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in providing cloud-based human resource evaluation services. It operates an online platform designed to streamline the management and assessment of employee goals, offering centralized management of human resource data, personal evaluations, and organizational structure analysis. The platform enables businesses to visualize and analyze accumulated evaluation data, facilitating effective personnel evaluation and management of interview logs and target sheets. By leveraging its technology, HRBrain assists companies and HR professionals in developing strategic management measures to enhance workforce performance.

WAmazing

Debt Financing in 2020
WAmazing is a Tokyo-based travel technology company that serves foreign visitors to Japan by combining mobile connectivity, content, and booking services. The company provides free SIM cards to allow travelers to register before arrival and offers an app with up to 500MB of complimentary internet access, reducing barriers created by Japanese signup pages. It also operates an online travel booking platform with a multilingual tourist guide, delivering reservations information and tourism content through smartphones. WAmazing supports local governments and tourism associations with tourism consulting and inbound marketing services for domestic partners, helping them reach inbound visitors. Founded in 2016, WAmazing integrates mobility, information, and reservations to simplify travel in Japan.

SQUEEZE

Series B in 2020
SQUEEZE Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in providing innovative solutions for the lodging business. Founded in 2014, SQUEEZE develops a range of software products aimed at enhancing the management of vacation rentals, hotels, and ryokans. Its offerings include Mister Suite, a comprehensive management system; SuiteBook, which facilitates operations for vacation and short-term rental properties; and Mister Suite Lab, a demand analysis tool that leverages market data for improved decision-making. Additionally, SQUEEZE provides the igloohome smart keybox, a Bluetooth-enabled device designed for secure key exchanges in various settings, and Minn, a hospitality technology platform that enhances guest accommodation experiences. The company focuses on streamlining operations for the hospitality industry, allowing operators to efficiently manage guest information and service requests while optimizing revenue.

PLANTIO

Venture Round in 2020
PLANTIO is a Japan-based provider of IoT and AI powered agricultural solutions, developing and manufacturing farm equipment and offering plantation services. Its connected planter is a solar-powered, eco-friendly system designed to support sustainable farming. The company also delivers modular off-grid farming systems and AI-driven plantation services to optimize vegetable cultivation, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste. Through its IoT and AI technology, PLANTIO aims to enable proactive farm production and contribute to sustainable agriculture and a stable food environment. Headquartered in Minato, Japan, with an additional location in Shibuya, PLANTIO serves customers seeking sustainable, scalable, technologically enabled farming solutions.

bellFace

Venture Round in 2020
bellFace Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing a web-based platform that facilitates video conferencing and business negotiation activities, particularly for business-to-business sales and customer support. The platform requires no login or installation, allowing users to connect within five seconds directly through their web browsers. It features a patented audio system that utilizes telephone lines to ensure clear communication without interruptions common in conventional web meeting systems. bellFace also includes functionalities such as document sharing and a script feature, creating an experience akin to face-to-face interactions. This system is specifically designed to support remote sales across various sectors, including banking and securities, enhancing the efficiency of inside sales teams.

Piazza

Series A in 2019
Piazza, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2015 that specializes in developing mobile applications aimed at providing regional information to residents in Japan. The company focuses on facilitating the development of new towns and communities by connecting various stakeholders involved in community planning and enhancement. Through its applications, Piazza seeks to improve local engagement and support the growth of vibrant, well-informed communities across the region.

PLANTIO

Seed Round in 2019
PLANTIO is a Japan-based provider of IoT and AI powered agricultural solutions, developing and manufacturing farm equipment and offering plantation services. Its connected planter is a solar-powered, eco-friendly system designed to support sustainable farming. The company also delivers modular off-grid farming systems and AI-driven plantation services to optimize vegetable cultivation, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste. Through its IoT and AI technology, PLANTIO aims to enable proactive farm production and contribute to sustainable agriculture and a stable food environment. Headquartered in Minato, Japan, with an additional location in Shibuya, PLANTIO serves customers seeking sustainable, scalable, technologically enabled farming solutions.

One Visa

Venture Round in 2019
One Visa, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in providing software solutions for visa application and management. Founded in 2015, One Visa offers an online platform that streamlines the visa application process for foreign employees by automating the creation of necessary application documents. The service also includes features for submitting these documents to the immigration bureau and managing visa application timelines. By simplifying these tasks, One Visa aims to facilitate a smoother and more efficient visa acquisition experience for its users.

Sprocket

Series B in 2019
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 2014, Sprocket develops a web-based customer development platform. It offers a tool for optimizing digital communication across user touchpoints, integrating real-time personalization, multi-channel messaging, behavioral data analysis, and AI-driven insights.

CLAS

Series A in 2019
CLAS, Inc. is a Japan-based company that specializes in online furniture rental and leasing services. It provides an e-commerce platform that caters to both individuals and corporations, offering rental and subscription options for furniture and home appliances. By facilitating access to essential furnishings and appliances, CLAS aims to meet the diverse needs of its customers in a convenient and flexible manner.

WAmazing

Series B in 2019
WAmazing is a Tokyo-based travel technology company that serves foreign visitors to Japan by combining mobile connectivity, content, and booking services. The company provides free SIM cards to allow travelers to register before arrival and offers an app with up to 500MB of complimentary internet access, reducing barriers created by Japanese signup pages. It also operates an online travel booking platform with a multilingual tourist guide, delivering reservations information and tourism content through smartphones. WAmazing supports local governments and tourism associations with tourism consulting and inbound marketing services for domestic partners, helping them reach inbound visitors. Founded in 2016, WAmazing integrates mobility, information, and reservations to simplify travel in Japan.

Babel

Series A in 2019
Founded in Japan in 2017, Babel is a technology company that specializes in video media provision. It leverages AI and machine learning technologies to create innovative business solutions and offers a cloud-based sales analysis tool.

WAmazing

Venture Round in 2019
WAmazing is a Tokyo-based travel technology company that serves foreign visitors to Japan by combining mobile connectivity, content, and booking services. The company provides free SIM cards to allow travelers to register before arrival and offers an app with up to 500MB of complimentary internet access, reducing barriers created by Japanese signup pages. It also operates an online travel booking platform with a multilingual tourist guide, delivering reservations information and tourism content through smartphones. WAmazing supports local governments and tourism associations with tourism consulting and inbound marketing services for domestic partners, helping them reach inbound visitors. Founded in 2016, WAmazing integrates mobility, information, and reservations to simplify travel in Japan.

Satori

Venture Round in 2019
Satori Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing a comprehensive marketing automation tool. This tool encompasses various functionalities, including lead management, lead generation, lead nurturing, lead qualification, and reporting. Satori aims to deliver creative and effective solutions tailored to their clients' needs, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. The company emphasizes a holistic approach to communications, offering a range of services in-house to meet diverse client requirements.

ClipLine

Venture Round in 2018
ClipLine provides a video-based service for businesses with multiple locations, facilitating management across diverse industries such as retail, nursing care, transportation, and factories. Launched in 2014, ClipLine serves approximately 15,000 stores and 420,000 users, promoting digital transformation and enhancing organizational execution.

Meleap

Series B in 2018
Meleap is a Japanese company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing innovative gaming experiences. It offers an augmented reality (AR) sport called HADO, which combines physical activity with technology. Players wear head-mounted displays and armband sensors to compete in teams, using 'energy balls' or 'shields' to earn points.

Baseconnect

Series A in 2018
Founded in Kyoto, Japan in 2017, Baseconnect develops and operates BaseconnectList, a corporate sales support database. It offers Musubu, a cloud-based platform utilizing AI to target corporate sales and create company lists for prospective customers, enhancing sales efficiency.

TYFFON

Venture Round in 2018
TYFFON is a Tokyo-based developer of immersive mixed reality, virtual reality, and augmented reality entertainment content. The company creates mobile apps such as ZombieBooth and related image transformation tools, and has expanded to immersive experiences that blend 3D animation with social interaction. TYFFON operates Free Roam location-based virtual reality venues under the TYFFONIUM brand, offering guests multi-sensory, hyper-real environments that can be explored freely. Founded in 2011, TYFFON has pursued strategic partnerships and international expansion, including participation in Disney’s accelerator program in 2014 and a collaboration with Disney, as well as opening TYFFONIUM stores in Japan with plans for overseas locations. The company focuses on delivering magical reality experiences across its mobile apps and location-based venues by combining VR and AR technologies with imaginative content.

bellFace

Series A in 2018
bellFace Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing a web-based platform that facilitates video conferencing and business negotiation activities, particularly for business-to-business sales and customer support. The platform requires no login or installation, allowing users to connect within five seconds directly through their web browsers. It features a patented audio system that utilizes telephone lines to ensure clear communication without interruptions common in conventional web meeting systems. bellFace also includes functionalities such as document sharing and a script feature, creating an experience akin to face-to-face interactions. This system is specifically designed to support remote sales across various sectors, including banking and securities, enhancing the efficiency of inside sales teams.

TownWiFi

Venture Round in 2018
TownWiFi Inc. is a Japanese technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, with additional offices in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. It specializes in developing mobile software that automates WiFi connectivity for users. The TownWiFi app enables users to seamlessly connect to nearby WiFi networks without the need for manual registration or authentication, streamlining the process of accessing the internet in various locations around the world. Through its innovative solution, TownWiFi enhances user convenience by eliminating the hassles typically associated with connecting to public WiFi networks.
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