Japanese startup raises funding to keep you from pooping your pants

As inspiration stories about startup ideas go, “I pooped my pants on the street one time” isn’t one you hear often.

While this is more of an anecdote than a real founder’s story (still prominently featured on the startup’s website though), D Free, a wearable that warns you when you need to poop, is an equally unique product.

The funding will be used to strengthen the company’s leadership and fill key roles.

D Free maker Triple W, a Japan- and California-based hardware startup, announced today it has raised a series A round worth US$4 million. The round was led by Hon Hai Ventures partner fund, 2020. Other Investors include ISGS Investment Works, Daiwa Corporate Investment, and SBI Investment.

Japan’s Mizuho Bank and the Japanese Finance Corporation put up an additional US$1 million for the startup.

D Free uses ultrasound technology to let users know when their next bowel movement is imminent. The gizmo, worn somewhere close to the tummy, monitors your intestines and sends a signal to your phone when it detects that things are getting, um, hairy. Laugh it up if you want, but D Free has the potential to make life much easier for people who suffer from incontinence and similar conditions.

The company previously raised an undisclosed seed round from investors Nissay Capital and iStyle Capital in April 2015. At around the same time, it kicked off a crowdfunding campaign on Japanese website Ready For. It managed to bag US$124,000 by July 2015, surpassing its US$117,000 goal.

See: Don’t laugh – this wearable device alerts you before you have to poop

The funding will be used to strengthen the company’s leadership and fill key roles. For example, its new CTO is Yuichiro Kuzuryu, a former hardware architect for Yamaha and Silicon Valley startup Miselu.

Triple W is currently working with local authorities in Japan to test the second version of its wearable in care facilities. Based on how that trial goes, it will then look toward mass production and long-term business-to-business relationships with care institutions and professionals.

After cementing the business in Japan, the startup plans to take the product global.

Triple W was one of the startups that pitched during Tech in Asia Tour Tokyo in March 2015.

Converted from Japanese Yen. US$1 = JPY 103