Rising startups in Japan this week: An AI analyst that makes UI/UX suggestions

Which are the startups coming out of Japan that are about to make an impact? In this regular post, we give you an overview of the companies that have raised money in the past week.

1. Toreta

Toreta is a platform that helps restaurant owners manage reservations and customers. It’s installed in about 12,000 stores. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised: US$26.4 million round
Investors: NTT DoCoMo

2. Caddi

Caddi is a site for small-volume manufacturers to purchase parts. It can obtain cost estimates within seven seconds using 3D CAD files. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised: US$9.87 million
Investors: DCM Ventures, WiL, Global Brain, Globis Capital Partners, and individual investors

3. Wacul

The company has developed AI Analyst, a service which makes UI/UX improvement suggestions to boost customer acquisition on a user’s website. It links Google Analytics data with machine learning to offer advice at 1/10 the price of engaging a design consultant. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised:US$4.94 million
Investors: Ricoh, Minavi, TIS, Mizuho Capital, and individual investors

4. Bulk Homme

It has developed a men’s skincare brand that has shipped over two million units. The company is expanding in Asia to Taiwan, China, and Korea. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised: US$4.4 million
Investors: Nissay Capital

5. Digital Cruise

Digital Cruise has two products: a video distribution technology and digital signage service for displaying advertisements and other video content. Its digital signage service has 10,000 terminals in physical locations so far. The startup plans to expand to 40,000 terminals by 2020. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised: US$2.64 million
Investors: Mizuho Capital, Nagoya TV Ventures, ToKI Miki Supporter No.1 Fund, and Minavi

6. Searns Earl

The company is behind Aldio, an enterprise voice call app that allows group calls (up to 2,000 people) and one-to-one calls. It functions similarly to a walky-talky and is often used by mechanics, bus drivers, and in disaster communications. More info (Japanese).

Amount raised: US$2.29 million
Investors: Unknown investors

See: Previous rising startups from Japan lists