This week’s featured startups are a nice snapshot capturing the development of the Japanese ecosystem. Two deals feature angel investors who were leaders of massively successful companies (Colopl and Mixi). Three of the deals are follow-on investments. The one seed deal is by a new fund (also backed by Colopl) dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs under 30.
Full details below.
LaFabric
Photo credit: Ben Rosett.
LaFabric is a custom clothing service. Targeting men, the startup lets shoppers get tailor-made clothes for the office or the weekend. Its US$3.5 million series B sees IMJ Partners, Chiba Bank Capital, and Future Ventures joining previous investor Nissay Capital. Well-known angel investor (and founder of gaming giant Colopl) Kotaro Chiba chipped in as well.
The latest funding will go towards expanding the apparel business and making a production platform for those products. Readers in the market for a new jacket can also swing by the company’s physical store in Tokyo.
Hachidori
Photo credit: martialred / 123RF.
Hachidori is a startup that makes chatbots for marketing and customer support. It just took home an undisclosed amount from a new VC fund – the Colopl Next New Generation Entrepreneur Fund. The fund is for founders under 30 and is not limited to Japanese companies. Hachidori’s founder, Takashi Van, started the company after living and studying in Australia, Japan, and the United States, and doing a stint in an investment bank. Chances are the new fund will target more founders like him in the months to come.
Andpad
Photo credit: Pexels.
Andpad is looking to make life easier for construction companies. Similar to Photoruction, which took US$130,000 in funding last December, Andpad lets workers collate their materials and digitize the paperwork side of construction.
Andpad has a good head start on its competitors. The company announced it has the winning market share with installations by 350 companies. It has another advantage in the form of a new funding round. Though details were not shared, the startup revealed that this round was made up exclusively of angels. Yusuke Asakura, the former Mixi CEO who helped turn that company around, adds more firepower through his new role of strategic advisor.
Compathy
Photo credit: David Stanley.
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