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 Transport and logistics
OpenLogi
Series D in 2024
OpenLogi Inc. is a Tokyo-based logistics platform established in December 2013, designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers. The company offers an outsourced logistics solution that includes features such as warehouse inspection, storage, shipping, and management of returned merchandise, all accessible through a user-friendly dashboard. By leveraging unused warehouse assets and optimizing logistics operations, OpenLogi provides affordable rates and innovative technology to streamline warehouse control systems. Founded by Hidetsugu Ito, who previously worked on the Japanese magazine subscription service Fujisan.co.jp, OpenLogi aims to address the logistics challenges faced by small e-commerce businesses in Japan.
Mecho
Seed Round in 2023
Mecho is an on-demand auto repair and maintenance platform that serves individuals and businesses across Africa. The platform facilitates the registration and scheduling of maintenance services, connecting customers with a network of certified mechanics and automobile technicians. By leveraging this network, Mecho enables users to access vehicle maintenance, inspection, and repair services efficiently and conveniently. This innovative approach aims to streamline the auto repair process, making it accessible and straightforward for users in the region.
Mecho
Venture Round in 2023
Mecho is an on-demand auto repair and maintenance platform that serves individuals and businesses across Africa. The platform facilitates the registration and scheduling of maintenance services, connecting customers with a network of certified mechanics and automobile technicians. By leveraging this network, Mecho enables users to access vehicle maintenance, inspection, and repair services efficiently and conveniently. This innovative approach aims to streamline the auto repair process, making it accessible and straightforward for users in the region.
Bakool
Seed Round in 2022
Bakool is an online delivery platform that specializes in providing groceries and everyday essentials to customers. The service encompasses a wide range of products, including basic necessities, instant food, snacks, household items, cosmetics, personal care products, milk, processed foods, beverages, and items for children. By operating hyperlocal warehouses in less central locations, Bakool aims to ensure quick and reliable delivery, allowing customers to conveniently access their daily needs from the comfort of their homes.
Humanising Autonomy
Series A in 2021
Humanising Autonomy, based in London, is focused on transforming human-machine interactions through its innovative Behaviour AI platform. The company leverages a combination of behavioral psychology, computer vision, and advanced artificial intelligence techniques to accurately interpret and predict human behavior in real time. By analyzing camera data, its technology provides insights into pedestrian, passenger, and vehicle actions, which enhances automated decision-making systems and improves safety for transportation applications. With a commitment to ethical data use and a substantial proprietary dataset on human behavior, Humanising Autonomy supports clients in making informed business choices. The company has been recognized for its contributions to innovation, receiving awards such as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and the Together for Safer Roads Truck of the Future Award.
WhereIsMyTransport
Series A in 2021
WhereIsMyTransport Ltd is a mobility technology company focused on providing comprehensive public transport data for megacities in emerging markets. Headquartered in London, with an additional office in Cape Town, the company specializes in digitalizing network information from various modes of public transport across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. By employing a data collection playbook, WhereIsMyTransport maps both formal and informal transport networks, ensuring data accuracy as these systems evolve. The company's platform serves businesses, municipalities, and citizens, enhancing the public transport experience and facilitating informed decision-making for infrastructure improvements and market entry.
Humanising Autonomy
Seed Round in 2019
Humanising Autonomy, based in London, is focused on transforming human-machine interactions through its innovative Behaviour AI platform. The company leverages a combination of behavioral psychology, computer vision, and advanced artificial intelligence techniques to accurately interpret and predict human behavior in real time. By analyzing camera data, its technology provides insights into pedestrian, passenger, and vehicle actions, which enhances automated decision-making systems and improves safety for transportation applications. With a commitment to ethical data use and a substantial proprietary dataset on human behavior, Humanising Autonomy supports clients in making informed business choices. The company has been recognized for its contributions to innovation, receiving awards such as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and the Together for Safer Roads Truck of the Future Award.
Superflex
Series A in 2016
Superflex is a manufacturer specializing in the production of spiral reinforced hoses and conduit, catering to various industries including marine craft, aquatic agriculture, recreational vehicles, and industrial sectors. The company offers a diverse range of products designed for applications in water engineering, petrochemicals, chemicals, electric power, agricultural irrigation, and urban construction. Superflex focuses on meeting client specifications through customized solutions and continues to expand its research and development efforts to explore new applications and markets.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.