Some seriously cool stuff got funded in Japan last week. Here are our picks for the week.
Astroscale
Astroscale is a Japanese startup that deals with tracking and disposing of space debris. The company is based in Singapore, but after a successful US$7.7 million seed round in 2014 it established offices and manufacturing facilities in Japan.
Today, the startup provides satellite operators with solutions for tracking and monitoring debris in space. They are slated to start testing a spacecraft that can remove old satellites from orbit in 2019.
Last week, the company raised an astronomical US$24 million in a C round of investment from Japanese firms including All Nippon Airways and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. This round comes three years after Astroscale’s participation at Tech in Asia Singapore 2014’s Arena startup pitch battle.
Open8
Open8 is a Japanese company that runs several advertising and video media services. These services include Native Tap, Video Tap, and Letronc.
Video Tap and Native Tap provide a mixture of advertising and lifestyle content aimed at women. Letronc is Open8’s newest service, a “video magazine” that shares information about places to shop, eat, or sightsee.
Open8 closed a round of investment last monday with over US$13 million in funds from Jafco and Globis Capital Partners.
Bitbank
Bitbank is a virtual currency exchange site. Users can keep track of the value of virtual currencies and make trades all through this online marketplace. The company is currently working to provide new services to smartphone users and provide a stronger cryptocurrency environment throughout Japan.
Bitbank’s received US$7.5 million in funding last week from internet marketing company Ceres early last week.
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