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		<title>MODE, an IoT Platform Automating Operations with AI, Raises ¥970 Million—Led by SoftBank</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/mode-an-iot-platform-automating-operations-with-ai-raises-%c2%a5970-million-led-by-softbank</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:22:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MODE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66603</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On the 22nd, MODE, which provides the IoT platform BizStack that integrates real-time data from the field and automates operations with AI, announced that it has raised a total of USD 6.2 million (approximately ¥967 million) in funding. Read more. This round was led by SoftBank, with participation from Basis and Sankyu-SBI Investment (Sankyu-SBI Innovation Fund No. 1 Investment Business Limited Partnership). Since its establishment, the company has raised a cumulative total of USD 35.96 million. BizStack is an IoT platform that collects, integrates, and visualizes diverse data generated on-site in real-time, analyzes it with AI, and supports decision-making and operations on the ground. It features IoT gateways, sensor data...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66603</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Cykinso Completes Series D Round for Gut Flora Testing Service &#8220;Mykinso&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/cykinso-completes-series-d-round-for-gut-flora-testing-service-mykinso</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:18:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cykinso]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66602</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On the 22nd, Cykinso, the provider of the gut flora testing service &#8220;Mykinso&#8220;, announced the completion of its Series D funding round through a third-party allocation of shares during the second close of the Series D extension round. The company has completed its Series D funding round. This round saw investments from Inno Associates (Brand New Retail Initiative Fund Investment Business Limited Partnership), Green Next Create, Yamanashi Chugin Management Consulting (Yamanashi Sustainability Investment Business Limited Partnership), Akigin Capital Partners (Akigin NEXT Investment Business Limited Partnership), and NOBUNAGA Capital Village (NOBUNAGA Raise Fund Investment Business Limited Partnership). Mykinso is a service that allows users to easily test their gut flora (intestinal...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66602</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Prodrone, Developer of Industrial Drones, Conducts Third-Party Allotment of Shares with Fund Managed by Central Japan Innovation Capital</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/prodrone-developer-of-industrial-drones-conducts-third-party-allotment-of-shares-with-fund-managed-by-central-japan-innovation-capital</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:14:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prodrone]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66601</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On the 21st, Prodrone, a company engaged in the development and manufacturing of industrial drones, announced that it has conducted a third-party allotment of shares with Central Japan Innovation Capital (Tokai Research and Development No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership) as the underwriter. The amount raised has not been disclosed. Prodrone is a company that develops and manufactures multicopters and long-range drones for industrial applications such as logistics and infrastructure inspection. They develop and produce aircraft capable of handling large payloads and long-distance flights on a one-stop basis, such as the mass-produced multicopter &#8220;PD6B-Type3&#8221; with a maximum recommended payload of 20kg, and the &#8220;Prodrone GT-M&#8221; which conducted a 100km long-distance flight...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66601</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Development of Shock-Absorbing Floor &#8220;Koroyawa&#8221; Raises ¥1.28 Billion in Series B Round</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/development-of-shock-absorbing-floor-koroyawa-raises-%c2%a51-28-billion-in-series-b-round</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:12:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Magic Shields]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66600</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Magic Shields, a company developing cushioning floor mats that absorb impact during falls to reduce fracture risk, announced on the 21st that it has raised a total of ¥1.28 billion in the first and second closings of its Series B round. Read more. The breakdown includes ¥1.03 billion in equity and ¥250 million in debt. The equity round was led by WPower Fund, with JIC Venture Growth Investments Co., Ltd. as co-lead, and participation from Carbide Ventures Fund I, L.P., Hulic Startup, and Mizuho Capital. The debt portion consists of unsecured and non-guaranteed loans from Shizuoka Bank and Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin Bank. The company&#8217;s product, &#8220;Koroyawa,&#8221; is a cushioning floor...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66600</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>LQUOM Advances Social Implementation of Long-Distance Quantum Communication with Quantum Repeaters—Raises ¥1.23 Billion in Series B</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/lquom-advances-social-implementation-of-long-distance-quantum-communication-with-quantum-repeaters-raises-%c2%a51-23-billion-in-series-b</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:08:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LQUOM]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66599</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[LQUOM, which is advancing research and social implementation of long-distance quantum communication centered on quantum repeaters, announced on the 21st that it has completed the second close of its Series B round, bringing the total amount raised in this round to ¥1.23 billion. The initial close of Series B included participation from SBI Investment, ORIX Capital, Osaka University Venture Capital, SMBC Venture Capital, JMTC Capital, Anritsu, and Bio-Sight Capital, with Nissay Capital, MPower Partners, and SCREEN Holdings joining in the second close. LQUOM is a startup originating from Yokohama National University, aiming to build a quantum network by integrating core technologies such as quantum repeaters, quantum light sources, quantum memory,...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66599</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Brave Group Raises Over 8 Billion Yen in Series E Round</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/brave-group-raises-over-8-billion-yen-in-series-e-round</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:02:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brave group]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66598</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On the 22nd, Brave group, which specializes in the creation and management of IP content centered around VTubers, announced that it has raised approximately ¥8 billion in a Series E round. With this funding, the cumulative amount raised since its founding in October 2017 has reached approximately ¥14 billion. This round consists of third-party allotments from 16 companies and loans from 3 companies. Investors and lenders include Gree Holdings (through its subsidiary REALITY), the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport &#38; Urban Development, Mizuho Bank, Thirdwave, Tokyo University of Science Innovation Capital, SPRIX, Kakao Investment, NHN JAPAN, SMBC Nikko Securities, Wing Capital Partners, Shizuoka Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66598</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Molmir, Developer of Drug Discovery Platform Technology to Visualize &#8220;Molecular Movement,&#8221; Raises ¥300 Million in Series A Round</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/molmir-developer-of-drug-discovery-platform-technology-to-visualize-molecular-movement-raises-%c2%a5300-million-in-series-a-round</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:54:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Molmir]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66597</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Molmir, which possesses a unique drug discovery platform technology to visualize &#8220;molecular movement,&#8221; announced on the 22nd that it has raised ¥300 million in a Series A round. The total amount raised now stands at ¥480 million. This round included participation from existing investors UntroD Capital Japan, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, and Ikeda Senshu Capital, as well as new investors BP Capital, Nanto Capital Partners, and Higin Capital. Molmir offers a technology platform that comprehensively captures changes and dynamics of intracellular molecules, targeting &#8220;moving&#8221; molecules that have traditionally been difficult to target in drug discovery. The company owns proprietary technologies &#8220;CHEmir&#8221; and &#8220;MAGmir,&#8221; which address dynamic molecules that are said to...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66597</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Zenkoku Hosho Invests in Monochrome, Provider of Integrated Roof Solar Panels</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/zenkoku-hosho-invests-in-monochrome-provider-of-integrated-roof-solar-panels</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:51:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monochrome]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66596</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Zenkoku Hosho, which operates a mortgage guarantee business, announced on the 22nd that it has invested in Monochrome, a provider of integrated roof solar panels and home energy management systems (HEMS), through a CVC fund (Zenkoku Hosho Innovation Investment Business Limited Partnership) jointly established with Spiral Capital. Zenkoku Hosho disclosed this investment. Monochrome offers a one-stop solution centered on aesthetically superior integrated roof solar panels, enabling the visualization of electricity usage through HEMS and the distribution of electricity. Traditional solar panels have faced challenges that deterred installation, but Monochrome&#8217;s integrated panels allow for the introduction of solar power while preserving the environment and landscape. The CVC fund of Zenkoku Hosho...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66596</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Amidex, a Startup from Tokushima University, Raises ¥120 Million in Pre-Series A Round to Shorten Dental Restorative Treatments</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/amidex-a-startup-from-tokushima-university-raises-%c2%a5120-million-in-pre-series-a-round-to-shorten-dental-restorative-treatments</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:47:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amidex]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66595</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Amidex, which offers the Clear Index System &#8220;Amidex&#8221; to shorten dental restorative treatments, announced on the 22nd that it has raised a total of ¥120 million in equity in a pre-Series A round. Read more. This round saw investments from University-Industry Collaboration Capital (University-Industry Collaboration No. 1 Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership), Awa Bank Capital (Awagin Innovation Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership), Iyo Bank Capital (Iyo Venture Fund No. 8 Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership), among others. With this funding, the total amount raised has reached approximately ¥170 million. The Amidex system uses a pre-designed tooth shape as a transparent mold (index) to perform composite resin (CR) restorations quickly and...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66595</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>ugo, Developer of Business-Oriented Robots, Secures Additional Series B Funding Led by NTT West</title>
		<link>https://thebridge.jp/en/2026/04/ugo-developer-of-business-oriented-robots-secures-additional-series-b-funding-led-by-ntt-west</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Bridge]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:21:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ugo]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://thebridge.jp/en/?p=66580</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[On the 15th, ugo, a company engaged in the development and provision of business-oriented robots, announced that it has completed a third-party allotment in a Series B3 round led by NTT West as the lead investor. Participants in this round include EXEO Innovation Fund, the &#8220;Kokochiyoi Mirai e no Tobira&#8221; Investment Business Limited Partnership (CVC of Denkyou Group HD), JR East Startup, Daiwa House Group Co-Creation and Co-Existence No. 1 Investment Business Limited Partnership, Tokyo Gas, Hankyu Hanshin Innovation Partners Investment Business Limited Partnership, and Brand New Retail Initiative Fund Investment Business Limited Partnership. With this funding, the cumulative amount raised has reached approximately ¥4 billion. ugo offers a group...]]></description>
		
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">66580</post-id>	</item>
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