3503 Top startups in Japan for January 2025

We rank PayPay, Monotaro and DM2C Studio in Japan along with 3500 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. Japan ranks #21 globally and #3 in East Asia.

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Top Unicorn Startups in Japan for 2025

Five startups have achieved unicorn status by exceeding USD 1 billion in valuation. Collectively, the top three unicorns in Japan have raised more than USD 5.6B.
SB Score:685

SmartNews uses machine learning to curate and share top-quality news stories worldwide. Discover and stay informed with ease through this innovative platform.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:593

SmartHR provides a cloud-native human resources management platform that offers a suite of tech-enabled human resources management solutions, focusing on employee management and administration, growth, talent management, and employee productivity. Through its comprehensive range of solutions, SmartHR serves a diversified spectrum of businesses including large enterprises and SMEs.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:498

Spiber Inc. is a Japanese biotech startup creating Brewed Protein™, a revolutionary material made from protein that can be used to make fibers, films, and resins. Their innovative technology combines synthetic biology and material science for sustainable product development.

Industry:
Healthtech
Subindustry:
Biotechnology

City Rank (Tsuruoka)

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Total amount:5

Best Startups in Japan for 2025

SB Score:794

PayPay is a Japanese digital payment platform that streamlines online and in-store transactions, making payments fast and secure. With a focus on enhancing the cashless experience, PayPay offers a convenient way to make purchases with ease.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Payments

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:745

MonotaRO is a top eCommerce distributor specializing in industrial and business supplies. Offering a wide range of products, they provide a convenient online platform for businesses to easily purchase necessary supplies.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce

City Rank (Amagasaki)

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SB Score:693

Hyperspace is a New York-based trading platform launched in 2021 that streamlines the exploration and trading of Solana NFTs. By aggregating NFT listings from all marketplaces in one convenient location, it empowers users to easily discover and trade digital assets.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Blockchain

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:646

Andpad provides a construction management application for users throughout Japan. It began operation on September 1, 2015, with its headquarters in Tokyo in Japan.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:637

Channel Talk is an AI messenger that is focused on helping DTC companies provide VIP-level customer service. We raised $40 million USD in our Series C, and are one of the fastest-growing B2B SaaS startups, currently servicing more than 150,000 brands across the world. At Channel Talk, we believe that a good product nurtures growth in a business and that simple conversations with customers can become the driving force for success. We help you stand out by utilizing AI to resolve repetitive inquiries so you have time to build genuine relationships through our powerful CRM and provide excellent support to your customers.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

City Rank (Tokyo)

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7th

kyu
SB Score:635

Kyu is an innovative imaging brand dedicated to creating simple and beautiful products. By focusing on user-friendly design and aesthetics, Kyu enhances the way people capture and share their visual experiences, making photography more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Industry:
Marketing & Sales
Subindustry:
Content Marketing

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:633

Locoguide is a leaflet and shopping information service that helps users easily access local shopping information.

Industry:
Marketing & Sales
Subindustry:
Marketing & Sales-Other

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:629

TableCheck is a top-tier reservation platform that consolidates bookings from various third-party sites. Centralize all your reservations with ease on one user-friendly platform.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

City Rank (Tokyo)

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10th

Nexon
SB Score:628

Nexon develops free-to-play online games for entertainment. Dive into a world of immersive gameplay experiences without the hassle of paying upfront. Enjoy a wide range of titles that cater to all types of gamers, all at no cost to you.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Gaming

City Rank (Tokyo)

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11th

Gree
SB Score:624

Gree focuses on games, anime, commerce, and the metaverse to create enriching services. Their goal is to improve each day, offering a range of innovative experiences for users to enjoy.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Games

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Total amount:3503

Top 1267 Software & Data Startups in Japan for 2025

The top three Software & Data startups in Japan have raised more than USD 977M. Japan ranks #21 globally for the Software & Data industry.
SB Score:646

Andpad provides a construction management application for users throughout Japan. It began operation on September 1, 2015, with its headquarters in Tokyo in Japan.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

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SB Score:637

Channel Talk is an AI messenger that is focused on helping DTC companies provide VIP-level customer service. We raised $40 million USD in our Series C, and are one of the fastest-growing B2B SaaS startups, currently servicing more than 150,000 brands across the world. At Channel Talk, we believe that a good product nurtures growth in a business and that simple conversations with customers can become the driving force for success. We help you stand out by utilizing AI to resolve repetitive inquiries so you have time to build genuine relationships through our powerful CRM and provide excellent support to your customers.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

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Total amount:1267

Top 327 Hardware & IoT Startups in Japan for 2025

The top three Hardware & IoT startups in Japan have raised more than USD 1.32B. Japan ranks #13 globally for the Hardware & IoT industry.
SB Score:518

Exa Wizards is an AI startup that solves social issues through ideas and technology. The startup improves partnerships with other companies by accelerating their businesses in various fields such as medicine, health care, education, finance, robotics, and so on, using AI technology. The goal is to improve the quality of care for dementia patients while also assisting new caregivers in providing effective care.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

City Rank (Kyoto)

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SB Score:510

Ispace Technologies is a leading space resource exploration company specializing in locating, extracting, and delivering lunar ice to customers in cis-lunar space.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:507

Terra Drone is a drone and software manufacturer, based in Tokyo. By using drone, Terra Drone also delivers civil engineering surveying services for construction companies and analyzes data. With a wide range of usecase of drone, Terra Drone also helps companies to carry out inspection of complex job sites, such as those in construction, oil and gas extraction, agriculture.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Consumer Electronics

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Total amount:327

Top 212 Fintech Startups in Japan for 2025

The top three Fintech startups in Japan have raised more than USD 1.1B. Japan ranks #23 globally for the Fintech industry.
SB Score:794

PayPay is a Japanese digital payment platform that streamlines online and in-store transactions, making payments fast and secure. With a focus on enhancing the cashless experience, PayPay offers a convenient way to make purchases with ease.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Payments

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

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SB Score:693

Hyperspace is a New York-based trading platform launched in 2021 that streamlines the exploration and trading of Solana NFTs. By aggregating NFT listings from all marketplaces in one convenient location, it empowers users to easily discover and trade digital assets.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Blockchain

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

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SB Score:614

bitFlyer is a leading Bitcoin exchange and marketplace where users can easily buy, sell, and spend bitcoins. With an intuitive Application Programming Interface, customers can seamlessly access and manage their accounts using personalized software.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Fintech-Other

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Total amount:212

Most Funded Startups in Japan for 2025

The top three most funded startups in Japan have raised total funding of more than USD 4.37B. OYO LIFE has 2.63% more funding than JOLED.
SB Score:489

OYO LIFE provides a streamlined real estate solution with a network of owned and managed residences, hotels, and offices. Offering affordable startup costs and smartphone-bookable, fully furnished rooms, it caters to the needs of modern living with convenience and flexibility.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Proptech

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:457

JOLED specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of OLED displays, along with their components, materials, and manufacturing equipment. The company is dedicated to advancing display technology and providing innovative solutions for a wide range of applications in the electronics industry.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:794

PayPay is a Japanese digital payment platform that streamlines online and in-store transactions, making payments fast and secure. With a focus on enhancing the cashless experience, PayPay offers a convenient way to make purchases with ease.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Payments

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

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Total amount:3503

Top Hiring Startups in Japan by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in Japan have an median employee size that is between [10001+]
SB Score:596

RECLO is a high-end consignment app for selling luxury branded items. Easily consign and sell your designer products with just a few taps.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:443

M3 offers online medical services for convenient access to healthcare. Connect with licensed professionals through the Internet for consultations, prescriptions, and personalized care.

Industry:
Healthtech
Subindustry:
Health-Other

City Rank (Tokyo)

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SB Score:399

UNIVRS is a thriving platform for market and entertainment, offering a diverse range of popular products and experiences. Dive into a world of endless possibilities with UNIVRS - where discovery and enjoyment collide seamlessly.

Industry:
Marketing & Sales
Subindustry:
Marketing & Sales-Other

City Rank (Tokyo)

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Total amount:3503

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of Japan

Population

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124.3 Million

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Regional Rank

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3rd

1

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

21st

3

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Top Cities for Startups in Japan - Ranked by StartupBlink
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