SOSV backs $3.2m round of Japanese healthtech firm

Japanese healthtech firm Bisu has raised about US$3.2 million in a seed funding round led by Korean biotech investor Quad.

Asics Ventures, 15th Rock Ventures, Pacifico Investments, and SOSV also participated in the round, according to a statement.

Photo credit: Bisu

Bisu develops at-home health tracking devices using microfluidic “lab-on-chip” technology. These devices are miniaturized laboratories built on a small chip that can perform functions such as clinical diagnostics and DNA scanning.

The company uses this technology for Bisu Body Coach, a program that measures key nutrition indicators such as hydration, minerals, and vitamins through saliva and urine testing. By analyzing this data, Bisu Body Coach gives personalized health recommendations to its users based on their goals, dietary preferences, activity, and weight.

The startup plans to use the new funds to bring Bisu Body Coach to market. In addition, Bisu said it reached an agreement with Asics Ventures to collaborate on health and fitness service initiatives.

“We decided to invest in Bisu because we believe its home health lab technology, which provides affordable access to actionable health data, is very innovative and has huge potential,” said Hiroaki Kageyama, president of Asics Ventures.