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.
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 GreenTech
Vizcab
Series A in 2024
Vizcab, based in Lyon, France, specializes in developing software solutions aimed at addressing low-carbon challenges in the building sector. The company offers a data-driven platform that allows designers and builders to import 3D models from digital mock-ups, create a comprehensive database of architectural and technical alternatives, and explore various design options through data visualization techniques. This platform is designed to facilitate creativity and collaboration around shared energy and carbon objectives. In addition to its software offerings, Vizcab provides consultancy services and conducts research projects for leading industrialists and designers in the construction industry, focusing on environmental assessment, energy efficiency, and the application of big data in building design.
CleanFiber
Venture Round in 2024
CleanFiber, LLC specializes in producing high-performance cellulose insulation materials made from recycled corrugated cardboard for residential and commercial construction. Founded in 2013 and based in Blasdell, New York, with an additional office in Buffalo, CleanFiber transitioned from its previous name, UltraCell Insulation, in September 2018. The company focuses on providing sustainable, carbon-negative insulation solutions that can be applied in attics, walls, and floors, catering to both new construction and retrofit projects. CleanFiber's products not only enhance fire resistance in buildings but also offer a cost-competitive alternative for construction companies, supporting environmentally friendly building practices. The company is currently expanding its production capabilities to meet growing demand.
Windfall Bio
Series A in 2024
Windfall Bio is a company focused on developing a sustainable technology that captures and transforms methane emissions into organic fertilizer, addressing significant environmental issues associated with methane and synthetic fertilizers. Founded in 2022 and based in San Mateo, California, Windfall Bio utilizes methane-eating microbes to convert methane from various sources, including agriculture, oil and gas, and waste management, into valuable soil nutrients. This innovative solution not only helps industries reduce their methane footprint but also enhances operational efficiency and profitability, benefiting the planet and consumers alike. The company is backed by prominent venture capital firms, demonstrating strong investor confidence in its mission to tackle climate change through nature-based agricultural technology.
Ac-Planta
Series A in 2024
Ac-Planta Inc. is a Japan-based agricultural biotechnology company founded in 2018. It specializes in researching, manufacturing, and selling acetic acid-based biostimulants and agrochemicals designed to enhance plant resilience against heat, drought, and salt damage. One of its key products, Skeepon, is formulated to improve the adaptability of plants in challenging environmental conditions, addressing issues related to climate change. Through the innovative application of epigenetic technology, Ac-Planta aims to enhance plant growth and quality, ultimately contributing to increased agricultural productivity and food security while combating desertification. The company's efforts are focused on solving global food and environmental challenges through scientific advancements in plant health.
Trove
Series E in 2023
Trove is a leading company in the branded resale and trade-in industry, primarily based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company provides a sophisticated platform that enables brands to efficiently launch, manage, and scale their resale programs, capturing over 75% of the U.S. branded resale market. Trove's platform offers advanced tools for in-store and digital trade-ins, returns processing, and inventory management, which empower brands to connect with diverse customer demographics and optimize their resale strategies through comprehensive analytics. Trove collaborates with notable brands, including Canada Goose, Michael Kors, and Patagonia, enhancing their ability to manage non-new inventory and enabling peer-to-peer sales. As a Certified B Corporation, Trove emphasizes sustainability in retail, aiming to combine commerce with environmental responsibility and drive the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Elephantech
Series D in 2023
Elephantech Inc., founded in January 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the manufacturing of electronic circuits with a focus on sustainability. The company utilizes innovative metal inkjet printing technology to produce flexible printed circuit boards, employing silver nano ink and electroless copper plating. This advanced manufacturing process allows Elephantech to offer clients cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions. Additionally, the company develops application products using flexible substrates, further enhancing its commitment to sustainable practices in the electric industry.
Connect Earth
Seed Round in 2023
Connect Earth, founded in 2021 and based in London, is an environmental data company focused on providing accessible sustainability information. The company has developed a carbon tracking API that enables users to understand the environmental impact of their purchases, offering detailed insights into carbon emissions and facilitating the calculation of carbon footprints. By partnering with financial institutions, Connect Earth empowers consumers to make informed, sustainable choices in their daily spending and promotes transparency regarding the climate effects of financial activities. The company's mission is to bridge the gap between environmental intent and actionable knowledge, thereby driving sustainable finance and helping both individuals and businesses reduce their carbon emissions.
Regent
Venture Round in 2023
Regent is a maritime mobility company focused on developing electric flying machines for coastal transportation. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing seagliders, which are wing-in-ground-effect crafts that operate a few meters above the water's surface. These innovative vehicles combine the high speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat, enabling them to travel at speeds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h) over suitable ranges for regional trips. Regent's seagliders aim to replace traditional ferries and short-haul aircraft on coastal routes, providing fast, safe, and cost-effective transportation solutions that connect coastal cities and islands. By revolutionizing regional transportation, Regent seeks to enhance connectivity among coastal communities while promoting sustainable travel options.
nearMe
Series B in 2023
NearMe Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in a mobile application designed for taxi ride-sharing services. Founded in 2017, the application facilitates instant matching of individuals traveling in the same direction, addressing inefficiencies in transportation and commuting. By enabling users to share taxi rides in real time, NearMe aims to improve the commuting experience and promote a more sustainable community. The platform addresses social inefficiencies by connecting users with similar travel interests, ultimately contributing to a more comfortable and efficient commuting solution.
CleanFiber
Series B in 2023
CleanFiber, LLC specializes in producing high-performance cellulose insulation materials made from recycled corrugated cardboard for residential and commercial construction. Founded in 2013 and based in Blasdell, New York, with an additional office in Buffalo, CleanFiber transitioned from its previous name, UltraCell Insulation, in September 2018. The company focuses on providing sustainable, carbon-negative insulation solutions that can be applied in attics, walls, and floors, catering to both new construction and retrofit projects. CleanFiber's products not only enhance fire resistance in buildings but also offer a cost-competitive alternative for construction companies, supporting environmentally friendly building practices. The company is currently expanding its production capabilities to meet growing demand.
Yanekara
Venture Round in 2022
Yanekara specializes in developing and selling a V2X platform focused on smart grid technology and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The company offers innovative energy management services that transform electric vehicles into virtual storage batteries, allowing them to store and manage energy efficiently. By integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, with their charging systems, Yanekara enables users to optimize power storage and achieve carbon neutrality. Their solutions not only enhance the functionality of electric vehicles but also contribute to sustainable energy management and the advancement of clean energy initiatives.
AmicaTerra
Series C in 2022
AmicaTerra is a supplier of biomass products and services.
Clean Energy Connect
Series A in 2022
Clean Energy Connect is into offering green energy solutions. It invests in its own generation capacity for a stable electricity supply by not harming nature.
Ac-Planta
Venture Round in 2022
Ac-Planta Inc. is a Japan-based agricultural biotechnology company founded in 2018. It specializes in researching, manufacturing, and selling acetic acid-based biostimulants and agrochemicals designed to enhance plant resilience against heat, drought, and salt damage. One of its key products, Skeepon, is formulated to improve the adaptability of plants in challenging environmental conditions, addressing issues related to climate change. Through the innovative application of epigenetic technology, Ac-Planta aims to enhance plant growth and quality, ultimately contributing to increased agricultural productivity and food security while combating desertification. The company's efforts are focused on solving global food and environmental challenges through scientific advancements in plant health.
Girasol Energy
Seed Round in 2021
Girasol Energy Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development and installation of an Internet of Things (IoT) platform tailored for photovoltaic plants. The company's innovative technology utilizes solar radiation statistics derived from satellite data, making it applicable across Japan. Girasol Energy's platform features a cloud engine that collects data from sensor networks, allowing for detailed analysis at the individual panel level. By employing an artificial intelligence engine, it automatically identifies abnormalities and degradation in photovoltaic panels. This capability enables businesses to monitor their solar panel modules remotely, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional consulting services in the industry.
Pale Blue
Series A in 2021
Pale Blue Inc. is a technology company based in Kashiwa, Japan, that specializes in manufacturing water propulsion systems for microsatellites. Founded in 2020, the company designs innovative thrusters, including water resistojet thrusters, water ion thrusters, and hybrid thrusters. These water-based propulsion devices provide a sustainable alternative to traditional, harmful compounds like hydrazine, allowing for enhanced maneuverability of small satellites even after they have been deployed into orbit. Pale Blue aims to support sustainable space development and improve satellite mobility infrastructure in the aerospace industry.
Girasol Energy
Series A in 2021
Girasol Energy Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the development and installation of an Internet of Things (IoT) platform tailored for photovoltaic plants. The company's innovative technology utilizes solar radiation statistics derived from satellite data, making it applicable across Japan. Girasol Energy's platform features a cloud engine that collects data from sensor networks, allowing for detailed analysis at the individual panel level. By employing an artificial intelligence engine, it automatically identifies abnormalities and degradation in photovoltaic panels. This capability enables businesses to monitor their solar panel modules remotely, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional consulting services in the industry.
Lime
Series C in 2019
Lime is a transportation company that focuses on providing sustainable solutions for urban mobility by offering electric scooters and bike-sharing services. The company partners with cities to deploy a fleet of electric bikes and scooters equipped with GPS and self-activating locks, which allows users to access affordable and reliable transportation options. Lime aims to address the first- and last-mile transportation challenges, promoting environmentally friendly alternatives that help reduce carbon footprints. By encouraging a shift in transportation behavior, Lime seeks to empower future generations to contribute to a more sustainable planet.
NBT
Series D in 2015
NBT specializes in the development of wind farms in the field of renewable energy in emerging markets.
Realglobe
Venture Round in 2011
Real Globe is a company that makes use of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and Robotics. Real Globe has set a mission of "Freedom, just the right world" and aims to realize a sustainable society with local production and consumption by appropriate production and consumption by making the whole world WebAPI. I am.
Realglobe
Seed Round in 2011
Real Globe is a company that makes use of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and Robotics. Real Globe has set a mission of "Freedom, just the right world" and aims to realize a sustainable society with local production and consumption by appropriate production and consumption by making the whole world WebAPI. I am.
SUN METALON
SUN METALON specializes in innovative technology aimed at decarbonizing metal manufacturing through processes such as recycling, refining, and forming. The company also manufactures three-dimensional printers designed for local production of metal parts, allowing for on-site fabrication. This approach enables clients to efficiently create metal products in various environments while reducing costs. By combining advanced manufacturing techniques with a focus on sustainability, SUN METALON aims to transform the metal industry and promote more environmentally friendly practices.
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