SMBC Venture Capital is the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, established in 2005 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm focuses on investing in companies across various sectors, including information technology, life sciences, services, and manufacturing. SMBC Venture Capital leverages its parent company's extensive financial services experience to identify and support innovative startups and growth-stage companies, aiming to foster advancements in these key industries. By providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and resources, SMBC Venture Capital seeks to drive growth and create long-term value for its portfolio companies.
Yuzu 1-3-4 Yuzu Chuo- ku, Tokyo 103-0028 Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kureai Bridge Building
Furuta Daiji
Managing Director
Akira Ochiai
President and CEO
Yamaguchi Masahiro
Managing Director
Past deals in Drones
SORA Technology
Seed Round in 2025
SORA Technology specializes in the development and operation of drone technology aimed at enhancing health care and public health infrastructure. The company provides a variety of air mobility services and innovative technologies designed to withstand disasters and epidemics. Additionally, SORA Technology offers data analytics platforms that facilitate access to essential resources in various locations. Through its initiatives, the company seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals globally while promoting sustainability and prosperity.
Okuma Diamond Device
Seed Round in 2024
Okuma Diamond Device is a technology company specializing in the research and development of diamond semiconductors. These advanced materials are engineered to meet the demands of various high-tech applications, including communication satellites, radar systems, and post-5G mobile phone base stations. The company's diamond semiconductors boast superior thermal conductivity, dielectric breakdown, relative permittivity, and mobility, which are crucial for high-power utilization while maintaining a compact and lightweight design. This innovative technology is geared towards addressing the challenges associated with next-generation services such as autonomous driving, drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and the metaverse, as well as supporting sectors like oil exploration and power plant decommissioning.
Drone Show Japan
Series A in 2024
Drone Show Japan specializes in creating innovative drone shows for various events, including outdoor and indoor exhibitions, as well as aerial photography services. The company aims to promote a drone-based society by leveraging advanced drone technologies. In addition to its show offerings, Drone Show Japan provides educational workshops focused on drone operation and technology, catering to event organizers, educators, and innovators. By combining entertainment with education, the company seeks to transform the experiences of its clients and leave a significant impact on their respective markets.
Araya
Series B in 2019
Araya Inc. is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence software solutions. Founded in 2013, the company focuses on deep learning algorithms that facilitate real-time image recognition and processing services, enabling the identification of various individuals and objects in images and videos. Araya's technology also includes deep reinforcement learning, allowing for the autonomous movement of drones and robots. Additionally, the company has developed a unique deep learning compression technology that enhances the efficiency of its algorithms, making them smaller and faster while maintaining accuracy. By aiming to advance the capabilities of artificial intelligence towards potential artificial consciousness, Araya seeks to address the diverse needs of its clients through innovative AI services.
Ambient Intelligence Technology
Seed Round in 2017
Ambient Intelligence Technology is a company based in Tsukuba, Japan, founded in 2014, specializing in underwater drone technology and marine survey solutions. The company focuses on developing and testing devices that facilitate marine monitoring and surveying, leveraging advanced technology to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of underwater explorations. By providing innovative tools and services, Ambient Intelligence Technology plays a crucial role in advancing marine research and environmental monitoring efforts.
FullDepth
Venture Round in 2017
FullDepth is a company focused on developing marine drones that facilitate underwater monitoring. These drones integrate with marine navigation technology to monitor and capture various aspects of aquatic life. They communicate data to connected devices and provide infiltration information accessible through a cloud service. This enables users to observe and study marine life for both educational and recreational purposes.
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