Global Brain

Global Brain Corporation, founded in 1998 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in seed, early, and later-stage startups. The firm has a diverse portfolio, having invested in over 300 companies across various sectors, including e-commerce, software, gaming, media, IoT, disruptive technology, education, entertainment, and fintech. Global Brain is recognized for its hands-on support approach, which has contributed to 25 initial public offerings and 61 mergers and acquisitions among its portfolio companies. In addition to managing traditional investment funds, Global Brain also provides Venture Capital as a Service (VCaaS) solutions and collaborates with leading public companies in sectors such as telecommunications, real estate, financial services, beverages, agriculture, logistics, and electronic devices.

Kaori Akiba

Director

Hidetaka Aoki

Investment Group Partner and Fellow Chief of Space Lab

Tatsunori Arai

Director

Megumi Asatsuma

Director

Anjani Bansal

Partner / India Office Representative

Brooke Beers

Partner

Takuji Chida

Director

Hogil Doh

General Partner

Thomas Duong

Principal

Brian Flucht

Partner / US Division Head

Hajime Furuya

Venture Partner

Kenji Hayashi

Principal

Shohei Hayashi

Partner

Harue Hayashi

Partner / Vice Chief Fund Management Officer

Jie He

Director China office Representative

Yosuke Hirai

Director

Joopyo Hong

Partner Investment Group

Naoki Horie

Principal

Jang Hyeokjin

Principal

Shohei Ichimiya

Partner / US Office

Nozomu Ikuta

Principal

Kotona Inaida

Director

Tomoaki Ishikure

Partner

Yoshinari Ito

Venture Partner

Yuki Ito

Director

Hiroyuki Izumi

Partner

Ken Kajii

General Partner

Naoki Kamimaeda

Partner and Europe Division Head

Daisuke Kashiro

General Partner

Kirin Kato

Principal

Takashi Kato

Partner, San Francisco Office Representative

Masaya Kawakami

Principal, Investment Group

Hiroyuki Kawamoto

Principal

Ko Kawaragi

Director

Maiko Kayata

Principal

ByeongJin Kim

Principal

Riichiro Kimura

Director / US NY Office

Kenta Kitsuka

General Partner

Issei Kokubu

Director

Yoshiomi Kubota

Principal

Jiro Kumakura

General Partner and Board Member

Jinya Kurita

Director

KyungHun Lee

Partner

YingQi Liang(Joy)

Principal

Chukaku Lin

Director

Atsushi Matsuda

Venture Partner

Tatsuya Matsumoto

Partner / Singapore Office Representative

Akira Matsumoto

Principal

Yuki Matsuo

Director

Natsumi Matsuoka

Principal

Tomoko Minagawa

Director

Ai Minamizaki

Principal

Shigeru Mitarai

Director

Kazuhiko Miyama

General Partner

Shuhei Mori

Principal

Seiichiro Mukai

Director

Satoko Murata

Principal, Investment Group

Kohtaro Nagawa

Director

Mitsutaka Nakao

Principal, Investment Group

Shien Nakayama

Director

Yuya Namiki

Director

Ying Jian Ng

Director

Daisuke Nishida

General Partner

Yukari Nishiyama

Director, Investment Group

Akiko Noguchi

Director

Rina Obi

Investment Group Director, Berlin Office

Sho Ohtani

Principal

Tetsui Okada

Director

Mayu Okamoto

Director

Akane Okuyama

Director

Shingo Otaki

Partner

Rampalli Karthik

Principal

Naoki Sadakuni

Venture Partner

Enen Sai

Principal

Youichi Sakagawa

Director, Investment Group

Kazuki Sakuragawa

Partner / Editor in Chief

Masumi Sato

Principal

Naoki Sato

Principal, Investment Group

Tomoki Sekiguchi

Principal

Rie Shibata

Director

Takeru Shigemura

Director

Miku Shimamura

Principal

Masamune Shin

General Partner

Ayu Shinoyama

CFO and Board Member

Chisa Shinsakaue

Director

Divyansh Singh

Principal

Hiroto Sorita

Director

Sachiko Sugiura

Director

Yusuke Suzuki

Partner

Kazumo Tachibana

Director

Mana Takabayashi

Director

Hiroki Takai

Director

Toko Takao

Principal

Hideyuki Tanaka

Director

Marika Tazaki

Partner

Hirotaka Togashi

Director

Haruka Tsujii

Director

Atsushi Ueda Ph.D

Principal, Investment Group

Takuya Ukai

Principal, Investment Group

Tetsuya Urimoto

Director

Noriko Usui

Partner / Chief Fund Management Officer

Keita Washizu

Principal

Masao Yamada

Senior Partner

Kazunori Yamaguchi

Partner, Investment Group

Kazunor Yamaguchi

Partner

Ryozo Yamamoto

Partner

Michiko Yamazaki

Principal, Investment Group

Takuro Yoda

Principal, Investment Group

Sayaka Yoshino

Director

Miku Yoshio

Partner

Miyazawa Yusuke

Venture Partner

Lusheng Zou

Director

Takuya Hosomura

Partner

Sho Ikeda

Partner / Indonesia Office Representative

Past deals in Digital Media

Utaite

Series A in 2024
Utaite is an operator of an entertainment platform that focuses on planning, production, and development of entertainment content.

Pixie Dust Technologies

Post in 2023
Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development of advanced phased array and digital fabrication technologies. The company’s flagship product is an ultrasonic phased array system that enables various innovative applications, such as generating force in mid-air, transporting objects without physical contact, and delivering targeted sounds to individuals in a crowd. Additionally, Pixie Dust Technologies creates devices like Sound Hug, which combines music with light and vibration, and Sonorepro, a hair care tool utilizing non-contact oscillating pressure stimulation. The company's offerings also include Vuevo, a service designed to visualize conversations among multiple people, and kikippa, a device focused on gamma wave sound care. Through its unique technological solutions, Pixie Dust Technologies aims to enhance social trust and improve user experiences across different domains.

foriio

Series A in 2023
Foriio is a digital platform that enables creators to share their work by allowing them to upload and manage their portfolios online. This platform serves as a space for digital creators to present their art, complete with detailed descriptions, and to connect with a community of users. By facilitating the sharing of creative work, Foriio provides a means for both creators and audiences to access and appreciate a diverse array of artistic expressions.

MOSH Japan

Series B in 2022
MOSH is an internet company that provides web page creation services for individual business owners.

JX Press

Series C in 2021
JX PRESS Corporation operates as Japan's virtual news agency, specializing in delivering real-time news through its "FASTALERT" service. This service provides breaking news bulletins on urgent incidents, such as accidents and natural disasters, utilizing artificial intelligence to monitor and disseminate information. It serves all six major television broadcast stations in Japan, including NHK, as well as over 100 local stations. JX PRESS also offers "NewsDigest," a popular app with over 1 million downloads, designed for consumers to receive AI-generated news alerts. The platform is increasingly used by journalists as a standardized service for reporting. In addition to its news services, JX PRESS employs technology to filter misinformation, allowing companies to access reliable data for digital marketing. Key stakeholders include prominent entities like KYODO NEWS, TV Asahi, Fuji TV, and the Nikkei Group, highlighting its significant role in Japan's media landscape.

Divido

Series B in 2021
Divido is a global white label consumer lending platform that enables financial institutions and multinational retailers to enhance their sales and customer experience by offering financing options at the point of purchase. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in London, Divido's omnichannel platform facilitates transactions online, in-store, and via mobile, allowing consumers to spread the cost of significant purchases through installments. The platform integrates seamlessly with multiple lenders, making it accessible across various countries with a single integration. With over 1,000 partners, including notable brands such as BMW and Lenovo, Divido aims to create new revenue streams for merchants and lenders by providing instant credit options to both consumers and corporate clients. The company has expanded its operations to nine countries, reflecting its growth and commitment to improving the retail finance landscape.

Noin

Venture Round in 2021
Noin, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2016 that specializes in online content creation and media development services, particularly in the cosmetics industry. The company focuses on delivering engaging content that resonates with contemporary trends, including videos that address common concerns among young women. In addition to content creation, Noin provides sales account management and social media management services for online businesses, helping clients enhance their digital presence and reach their target audiences effectively.

FIREBUG

Venture Round in 2020
FIREBUG Inc., established in 2016 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in media content production and marketing services. The company supports a diverse range of talents, including comedians, actresses, models, and artists, by providing production plans and developing intellectual property and advertising items tailored to their social media presence. FIREBUG offers comprehensive marketing solutions that encompass both traditional and digital channels, including marketing planning, public relations support, TV commercial production, and media buying. Additionally, the firm organizes events and distributes video content for mobile platforms, catering to the evolving needs of its clients in the entertainment and advertising sectors.

Pixie Dust Technologies

Series A in 2019
Pixie Dust Technologies, Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development of advanced phased array and digital fabrication technologies. The company’s flagship product is an ultrasonic phased array system that enables various innovative applications, such as generating force in mid-air, transporting objects without physical contact, and delivering targeted sounds to individuals in a crowd. Additionally, Pixie Dust Technologies creates devices like Sound Hug, which combines music with light and vibration, and Sonorepro, a hair care tool utilizing non-contact oscillating pressure stimulation. The company's offerings also include Vuevo, a service designed to visualize conversations among multiple people, and kikippa, a device focused on gamma wave sound care. Through its unique technological solutions, Pixie Dust Technologies aims to enhance social trust and improve user experiences across different domains.

One Media

Venture Round in 2019
One Media, Inc. specializes in visual storytelling through animated messages and video content production. Founded in 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, the company provides a range of services including YouTube channel production, social media video creation, live stream planning, and video distribution. One Media focuses on transforming clients' messages into engaging video content while conducting in-house analysis of viewing data to enhance the effectiveness of its productions. By integrating creative planning with comprehensive video distribution, the company aims to deliver unique value to its clients.

JX Press

Series C in 2019
JX PRESS Corporation operates as Japan's virtual news agency, specializing in delivering real-time news through its "FASTALERT" service. This service provides breaking news bulletins on urgent incidents, such as accidents and natural disasters, utilizing artificial intelligence to monitor and disseminate information. It serves all six major television broadcast stations in Japan, including NHK, as well as over 100 local stations. JX PRESS also offers "NewsDigest," a popular app with over 1 million downloads, designed for consumers to receive AI-generated news alerts. The platform is increasingly used by journalists as a standardized service for reporting. In addition to its news services, JX PRESS employs technology to filter misinformation, allowing companies to access reliable data for digital marketing. Key stakeholders include prominent entities like KYODO NEWS, TV Asahi, Fuji TV, and the Nikkei Group, highlighting its significant role in Japan's media landscape.

Eyeota

Series A in 2016
Eyeota is an audience technology platform founded in 2010 that specializes in the intelligent use of data for marketing purposes. The company collaborates with marketers, data owners, and research firms to provide comprehensive and qualified audience data. Its technology platform collects, analyzes, augments, and activates audience data, allowing organizations to make informed business decisions and enhance their marketing strategies. By enabling brands to target their campaigns with precision, Eyeota helps clients deliver relevant content to the right audiences, ultimately increasing revenue potential. The company operates across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

VentureBeat

Venture Round in 2014
VentureBeat, Inc. is an online technology news platform that provides comprehensive coverage of technology innovation through its blog. Established in 2006 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform delivers news, analysis, and insights on a wide range of technology trends, including social media, mobile, health tech, cloud computing, and gaming. VentureBeat features research insights, long-form articles, interviews, and videos, all aimed at equipping executives, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts with the context needed to make informed decisions. Additionally, the company hosts marketing events, mobile events, and webinars focused on innovative products and discussions, creating an engaging environment for advertisers to reach their target audience of tech leaders and business professionals.

Issuu

Series B in 2014
Issuu, Inc. is a digital publishing and discovery platform founded in 2006, with headquarters in Palo Alto, California, and additional offices in Berlin and Copenhagen. The company offers a comprehensive suite of tools for digital publishing, allowing users to create and share a variety of content, including magazines, newspapers, catalogs, and portfolios. With a focus on enhancing the reader experience, Issuu supports over 17 million publications and serves more than 80 million active readers each month. The platform enables publishers, both large and small, to easily upload and distribute their work while maintaining the visual appeal associated with print media. Moreover, Issuu provides various features, such as custom viewer themes, API integrations, and monetization solutions, which facilitate seamless publication management and audience engagement across devices and social networks.

Mbite

Seed Round in 2014
Mbite, Inc. is a leading platform provider for selling and buying graphics and illustrations, both 2D and 3D, for the game industry. It was founded in 2011 in Seoul, Korea, by a serial entrepreneur Jung-Yong Kim. The live service website “rainbow.dot” is available

Moxo

Series A in 2013
Moxo is a client interaction platform that specializes in providing digital automation solutions across various industries, including consulting, accounting, logistics, healthcare, financial services, and legal sectors. The platform facilitates client engagement through embeddable omnichannel collaboration tools, enabling businesses to manage client accounts, automate routine tasks, and streamline business processes. Moxo offers cloud-based project binders that support the management, presentation, and sharing of files, photos, and videos. Additionally, its features include private group-sharing functions, voice and annotation recording, and real-time meeting capabilities, all designed to enhance productivity and improve communication with remote customers and employees.

Plumzi

Seed Round in 2013
Plumzi, Inc. is a provider of a story-driven entertainment technology platform designed for tablets and smartphones. Founded in 2012 and based in Redwood City, California, Plumzi enables children to engage with characters and influence the narrative through interactive features such as touch, voice, and tilt. The platform facilitates studios and creators in authoring and streaming appisodes, a novel form of interactive entertainment that can be experienced on various devices, including tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and virtual reality headsets.

Moxo

Series A in 2013
Moxo is a client interaction platform that specializes in providing digital automation solutions across various industries, including consulting, accounting, logistics, healthcare, financial services, and legal sectors. The platform facilitates client engagement through embeddable omnichannel collaboration tools, enabling businesses to manage client accounts, automate routine tasks, and streamline business processes. Moxo offers cloud-based project binders that support the management, presentation, and sharing of files, photos, and videos. Additionally, its features include private group-sharing functions, voice and annotation recording, and real-time meeting capabilities, all designed to enhance productivity and improve communication with remote customers and employees.

Stipple

Seed Round in 2010
Stipple is the future of the visual web where the web's biggest asset, digital images, transform into experiences that drive discovery, engagement, purchase, and loyalty in-image. Stipple’s image-based marketing technology stack detects, recognizes, and identifies the content inside images at scale and enables Advertisers and Publishers to apply interactive curated content, accurate native advertising solutions, and connects organically to commerce. Only Stipple's marketing technology offers image analytics, advertising & messaging inside images web-wide and without widgets or embed code at scale. Stipple is based in San Francisco and funded by Floodgate, Kleiner Perkins, Relevance Capital and a syndicate of prominent early-stage investors.

I-Freek Mobile

Series A in 2007
I-Freek Mobile Inc. is a company based in Fukuoka, Japan, that specializes in mobile content and e-commerce services for users both domestically and internationally. Founded in 2000, I-Freek develops, plans, and manages mobile sites while also engaging in promotional marketing and consulting. The company's offerings include digital content such as HTML emails, casual and social game applications, and picture book applications. Additionally, I-Freek provides e-commerce marketing solutions tailored for mobile platforms, enhancing the digital experience for its users. Alongside its core business, the company also offers temporary staffing services.
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