Global Brain

Global Brain Corporation, established in 1998, is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm that invests in technology-focused startups globally, from seed to pre-IPO stages. With a track record of 300+ investments, 25 IPOs, and 61 M&As, the firm provides hands-on support to its portfolio companies. Global Brain manages both independent and corporate venture capital funds, partnering with tier 1 public companies across various industries.

Kaori Akiba

Director

Hidetaka Aoki

Investment Group Partner and Fellow Chief of Space Lab

Tatsunori Arai

Director, Investment Group

Megumi Asatsuma

Director

Anjani Bansal

Partner, India Office Representative

Brooke Beers

Partner

Takuji Chida

Director, Investment Groups

Thomas Duong

Director

Brian Flucht

Partner and Head, US Division

Hajime Furuya

Venture Partner

Shohei Hayashi

Partner, Investment Group

Harue Hayashi

Partner / Vice Chief Fund Management Officer

Kenji Hayashi

Director

Jie He

Director China office Representative

Yosuke Hirai

Director

Joopyo Hong

Partner Investment Group

Naoki Horie

Investor

Jang Hyeokjin

Principal, Investment Group

Shohei Ichimiya

Partner, US Office

Sho Ikeda

Partner, Indonesia Office Representative

Nozomu Ikuta

Principal

Kotona Inaida

Director

Tomoaki Ishikure

Investment Group Partner

Yoshinari Ito

Venture Partner

Yuki Ito

Director

Hiroyuki Izumi

Partner

Ken Kajii

General Partner, Investment Group

Daisuke Kashiro

Partner, Investment Group

Kirin Kato

Principal

Takashi Kato

Partner, San Francisco Office Representative

Masaya Kawakami

Principal, Investment Group

Hiroyuki Kawamoto

Principal

Ko Kawaragi

Director

Maiko Kayata

Director

ByeongJin Kim

Principal

Riichiro Kimura Ph.D

Director, Investment Group

Issei Kokubu

Principal, Investment Group

Yoshiomi Kubota

Principal

Jinya Kurita

Director, Investment Group

KyungHun Lee

Partner, South Korea Office Representative

YingQi Liang(Joy)

Principal

Chukaku Lin

Director

Atsushi Matsuda

Venture Partner

Akira Matsumoto

Principal

Yuki Matsuo

Director

Natsumi Matsuoka

Principal

Tomoko Minagawa

Director, Investment Group

Ai Minamizaki

Principal, Investment Group

Shigeru Mitarai

Director

Shuhei Mori

Director

Seiichiro Mukai

Director

Satoko Murata

Director

Kohtaro Nagawa

Director, Investment Group

Tasuke Nakagawa

Partner, M&A

Mitsutaka Nakao

Director

Shien Nakayama

Director

Yuya Namiki

Director

Ying Jian Ng

Director, Investment Group

Daisuke Nishida

General Partner

Yukari Nishiyama

Director, Investment Group

Akiko Noguchi

Director

Rina Obi

Investment Group Director, Berlin Office

Sho Ohtani

Principal, Investment Group

Tetsui Okada

Director, Investments Group

Mayu Okamoto

Director

Akane Okuyama

Director

Shingo Otaki

Partner, Investment Group

Naoki Sadakuni

Venture Partner

Enen Sai

Principal

Youichi Sakagawa

Director, Investment Group

Kazuki Sakuragawa

Partner / Editor in Chief

Naoki Sato

Director

Masumi Sato

Principal

Tomoki Sekiguchi

Director

Rie Shibata

Director

Takeru Shigemura

Director

Miku Shimamura

Principal

Hiroshi Shimazu

Managing Director

Masamune Shin

General Partner

Ayu Shinoyama

CFO

Chisa Shinsakaue

Director

Divyansh Singh

Principal

Hiroto Sorita

Director, Investment Group

Sachiko Sugiura

Director

Yusuke Suzuki

Partner

Kazumo Tachibana

Director

Mana Takabayashi

Director, Investment Group

Hiroki Takai

Director, Investment Group London Office

Toko Takao

Director

Hideyuki Tanaka

Director

Marika Tazaki

Partner

Hirotaka Togashi

Director

Haruka Tsujii

Director

Atsushi Ueda

Director

Takuya Ukai

Principal

Tetsuya Urimoto

Director

Noriko Usui

Partner / Chief Fund Management Officer

Keita Washizu

Principal

Masao Yamada

Senior Partner, Investment Groups

Kazunor Yamaguchi

Partner

Kazunori Yamaguchi

Partner, Investment Group

Ryozo Yamamoto

Partner, Investment Group

Michiko Yamazaki

Principal

Isao Yasuda

Senior Partner

Takuro Yoda

Principal

Sayaka Yoshino

Director

Miku Yoshio

Partner, Investment Group

Yasuhiko Yurimoto

Founder, Owner, CEO and General Partner

Miyazawa Yusuke

Venture Partner

Lusheng Zou

Director, Investment Group

Takuya Hosomura

Partner

Past deals in iOS

Smart Education

Venture Round in 2024
Smart Education, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a developer of educational applications aimed at simplifying the learning process. Led by President Daigo Ikeya, the company specializes in creating smartphone and tablet apps designed for intellectual training. One of its notable products is "Rhythm Book," a kid's music app available on iOS devices. This app allows children to learn and experience rhythm by tapping along with their favorite songs, featuring over 100 tracks from TV shows, cartoons, and nursery rhymes in both English and Japanese. The app encourages parental involvement and offers additional song purchases through the internet, which can be shared across devices using the same Apple ID via iCloud.

Backpackr

Series C in 2020
Backpackr Inc. is a software development company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in mobile applications for Apple devices. Founded in 2012, the company offers a diverse portfolio of applications designed to enhance user experience and functionality. Its products include Good Sleep, which aids users in achieving restful sleep; Quick Search, a tool for efficient information retrieval; Quick Message + for seamless communication; Quick Dial + for simplified calling; Smart Photo Organizer for managing digital photos and videos; Star Wallpapers for personalized wallpaper creation; and Ringtones Plus+ for customizing ringtones. In addition to its application development, Backpackr operates an online app store that allows users to purchase a variety of smartphone applications.

Backpackr

Series B in 2018
Backpackr Inc. is a software development company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in mobile applications for Apple devices. Founded in 2012, the company offers a diverse portfolio of applications designed to enhance user experience and functionality. Its products include Good Sleep, which aids users in achieving restful sleep; Quick Search, a tool for efficient information retrieval; Quick Message + for seamless communication; Quick Dial + for simplified calling; Smart Photo Organizer for managing digital photos and videos; Star Wallpapers for personalized wallpaper creation; and Ringtones Plus+ for customizing ringtones. In addition to its application development, Backpackr operates an online app store that allows users to purchase a variety of smartphone applications.

Translimit

Venture Round in 2017
Translimit, Inc. is a Japanese company founded in 2014 and based in Shibuya-ku, Japan. It specializes in designing and developing mobile applications, notably the quiz app BrainWars, which engages players in competitive mental exercise games. The company was established by Hiroki Takaba and Takuma Kudo, both of whom have a background in game development from their previous roles at CyberAgent. Translimit's portfolio includes a focus on online games that encompass brain training, puzzles, strategy, and sports, catering to users on both Android and iOS platforms. Additionally, the company is involved in the Movida Japan incubation program, furthering its commitment to innovation in the gaming industry.

Wonderplanet

Venture Round in 2016
Wonderplanet Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, specializes in the design and development of native language applications and games tailored for smartphones and tablets. The company creates both 2D and 3D games compatible with iOS and Android platforms.

Wonderplanet

Series D in 2016
Wonderplanet Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, specializes in the design and development of native language applications and games tailored for smartphones and tablets. The company creates both 2D and 3D games compatible with iOS and Android platforms.

Idecca

Seed Round in 2015
Idecca Inc. specializes in developing advanced indoor positioning solutions for iOS and Android platforms. Founded in 2013 and based in Palo Alto, California, the company focuses on creating technologies that allow users to pinpoint their exact indoor locations and analyze customer movement patterns. In addition to its core positioning services, Idecca has developed an automatic multimedia guide application, enabling museum visitors to utilize their own smartphones for enhanced navigation without the need for additional equipment. The company is committed to innovation and aims to leverage its indoor positioning technology for various applications, including military precision. Through its dedicated research and development efforts, Idecca strives to deliver high-quality products that provide clients with a competitive edge in the market while contributing to societal benefits and national competitiveness.

Wonderplanet

Venture Round in 2015
Wonderplanet Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, specializes in the design and development of native language applications and games tailored for smartphones and tablets. The company creates both 2D and 3D games compatible with iOS and Android platforms.

Live Aid

Venture Round in 2015
Live Aid is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in developing applications for smartphones and web services. It creates innovative solutions for both Android and iPhone devices, enhancing advertisement delivery through its product AID. In addition to app development, Live Aid focuses on providing systems that deliver up-to-date information and engaging content across various genres of virtual reality. The company also offers features that facilitate check-in processes, including guest identity verification and key handover services. Through its diverse offerings, Live Aid aims to improve user experience and connectivity in the digital landscape.

3rdKind

Venture Round in 2014
3rdKind Inc. is a Tokyo-based smartphone game publisher established in 2011. The company specializes in assisting overseas game developers with marketing, localization, and cultural adaptation to effectively penetrate the Japanese market. Its services encompass a range of support functions, including publicity, sales forecasting, and promotional activities, ensuring that games are tailored and marketed appropriately for local audiences. 3rdKind collaborates with partners such as the mobile operator KDDI to distribute games across major Japanese app stores, including App Store and Google Play. By providing comprehensive digital marketing services, 3rdKind aims to facilitate the successful launch and distribution of mobile gaming applications, helping clients expand their business in Japan.

Between

Series C in 2014
Between is a mobile application developed by VCNC, a South Korean company founded in 2011. The app is designed specifically for couples, allowing them to create, share, and preserve their special moments together. By focusing on enhancing offline social relationships, Between offers a private space for couples to communicate, share photos, and document important milestones. It is available for download on both the iTunes Store and Google Play Market, making it accessible to a wide audience. Through its user-friendly interface, Between aims to strengthen emotional connections between partners by providing tools that facilitate meaningful interactions and memories.

Between

Series C in 2014
Between is a mobile application developed by VCNC, a South Korean company founded in 2011. The app is designed specifically for couples, allowing them to create, share, and preserve their special moments together. By focusing on enhancing offline social relationships, Between offers a private space for couples to communicate, share photos, and document important milestones. It is available for download on both the iTunes Store and Google Play Market, making it accessible to a wide audience. Through its user-friendly interface, Between aims to strengthen emotional connections between partners by providing tools that facilitate meaningful interactions and memories.

Plumzi

Seed Round in 2013
Plumzi, Inc. is a developer of a story-driven entertainment technology platform designed for tablets and smartphones, offering an interactive experience for children. The platform enables users to engage with characters and influence the narrative through touch, voice, and tilt interactions. This innovative approach allows studios and creators to author and stream "appisodes," a unique format of entertainment suited for tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, and virtual reality headsets. Established in 2012, Plumzi is headquartered in Redwood City, California.

3rdKind

Venture Round in 2013
3rdKind Inc. is a Tokyo-based smartphone game publisher established in 2011. The company specializes in assisting overseas game developers with marketing, localization, and cultural adaptation to effectively penetrate the Japanese market. Its services encompass a range of support functions, including publicity, sales forecasting, and promotional activities, ensuring that games are tailored and marketed appropriately for local audiences. 3rdKind collaborates with partners such as the mobile operator KDDI to distribute games across major Japanese app stores, including App Store and Google Play. By providing comprehensive digital marketing services, 3rdKind aims to facilitate the successful launch and distribution of mobile gaming applications, helping clients expand their business in Japan.
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