SBI Investment

SBI Investment Co., Ltd. is a venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan, established in 1996. The company plays a pivotal role in supporting the development and growth of private venture companies by providing funding and comprehensive services. With a focus on emerging technologies, SBI Investment targets sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, financial technology, information technology, security, e-commerce, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and environmental energy. Over its 28-year history, SBI Investment has partnered with numerous ventures, having invested in a total of 986 companies, with a notable percentage achieving successful exits through IPOs or mergers and acquisitions. The firm strives to create and nurture core industries, positioning itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape of Korea and beyond.

Takashi Goto

Executive Vice President and Director

Ahn Jae- gwang

Director

Tomoyuki Nii

Executive Officer and Director

Injik Yi

Managing Director and Head of Venture Investment Division I

Past deals in Drones

Pablo Air

Debt Financing in 2023
Pablo Air specializes in innovative unmanned mobility solutions, focusing on long-distance drone delivery and logistics systems. The company employs advanced technologies such as swarming and acrobatic formation flight to enhance its services. Its offerings include integrated ground control systems and intelligent information acquisition tools, allowing clients to effectively monitor and control multiple drones in real time. Additionally, Pablo Air explores diverse applications, including military unmanned aerial systems, drone art shows, and urban air transportation, positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving drone industry.

Flyability

Series C in 2023
Flyability SA is a Swiss company founded in 2014 and based in Lausanne, specializing in the development and manufacturing of flying robots designed for industrial inspections in inaccessible and confined spaces. The company’s flagship product, Elios, is a collision-tolerant flying robot that allows for safe inspections in complex environments, such as within buildings and urban areas, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous situations. Flyability’s technology addresses critical issues in the rapidly growing drone industry, particularly concerning collision and injury risks. Its applications extend beyond industrial inspections to include search and rescue operations and security assessments, enabling professionals to gather vital data while ensuring safety. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Drones for Good Award, reflecting its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Flyability

Series C in 2022
Flyability SA is a Swiss company founded in 2014 and based in Lausanne, specializing in the development and manufacturing of flying robots designed for industrial inspections in inaccessible and confined spaces. The company’s flagship product, Elios, is a collision-tolerant flying robot that allows for safe inspections in complex environments, such as within buildings and urban areas, reducing the need for human presence in hazardous situations. Flyability’s technology addresses critical issues in the rapidly growing drone industry, particularly concerning collision and injury risks. Its applications extend beyond industrial inspections to include search and rescue operations and security assessments, enabling professionals to gather vital data while ensuring safety. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Drones for Good Award, reflecting its commitment to innovation and societal impact.

Terra Drone

Series B in 2022
Terra Drone, based in Tokyo, is a manufacturer of drones and software that offers a variety of drone services, including civil engineering surveying, mine surveying, and facility inspections. The company provides industrial drone services such as aerial photography, data analysis, and operation management, both within Japan and internationally. Terra Drone specializes in inspecting complex job sites in sectors like construction, oil and gas extraction, and agriculture. By leveraging advanced drone technology, the company enables clients to efficiently collect, analyze, and interpret data related to significant infrastructural projects, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness and safety.

NearthLab

Series C in 2022
Nearthlab, Inc. is a technology-focused start-up based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in the development of autonomous drone systems primarily for the wind and renewable energy sectors. Founded by graduates of KAIST, the company leverages proprietary deep-learning algorithms to enhance safety inspections. Its flagship products include NearthWIND Pro, an autonomous drone designed for wind turbine inspections that can detect cracks and damages using AI, Zoomable, a cloud-based platform for managing and analyzing inspection data, and NearthWIND Mobile, a mobile solution for autonomous flight control. Nearthlab's AI technology allows for efficient autonomous flight in low-computing power and low-latency conditions, significantly reducing inspection times from hours to minutes. The company is supported by prominent venture capital firms in Korea, positioning it as a leader in drone technology for inspection purposes.

NearthLab

Series B in 2020
Nearthlab, Inc. is a technology-focused start-up based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in the development of autonomous drone systems primarily for the wind and renewable energy sectors. Founded by graduates of KAIST, the company leverages proprietary deep-learning algorithms to enhance safety inspections. Its flagship products include NearthWIND Pro, an autonomous drone designed for wind turbine inspections that can detect cracks and damages using AI, Zoomable, a cloud-based platform for managing and analyzing inspection data, and NearthWIND Mobile, a mobile solution for autonomous flight control. Nearthlab's AI technology allows for efficient autonomous flight in low-computing power and low-latency conditions, significantly reducing inspection times from hours to minutes. The company is supported by prominent venture capital firms in Korea, positioning it as a leader in drone technology for inspection purposes.

TIE

Series A in 2018
This is Engineering Inc. (TIE) is a manufacturing company focused on transforming the mobility of goods and people through innovative technology. Established in 2016 and based in Seongnam, Gyeong-Gi, TIE specializes in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and personal aerial vehicles (PAVs), addressing challenges associated with traditional ground transportation. The company aims to introduce a cost-effective, safe, and reliable drone delivery service, leveraging in-house developed fully autonomous technology. TIE's team comprises experts in aviation, robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, and logistics, who are dedicated to creating cutting-edge mobility solutions. Their work not only enhances transportation efficiency but also aims to redefine everyday travel, emphasizing safety and reduced flight times for users.
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