Japanese AI expert Alpaca closes JPY647m Series-A round

Maria Nikolova

The list of Series-A round participants include MUFG Bank, SMBC Venture Capital Fund, and Innovative Venture Fund Investment LP.

Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions have seen wide adoption by financial services companies in Japan. Fintech expert AlpacaJapan, a provider of AI solutions, has been trusted by companies like online brokerage Kabu.com Securities.

Today, AlpacaJapan announces the closing of JPY647 million Series-A round and raising of a JPY100 million 7-year SME Loan.

The list of participants in the Series-A Round includes MUFG Bank, SMBC Venture Capital Fund, Innovative Venture Fund Investment LP (co-operated by NEC Capital Solutions and SMBC Venture Capital), CSV Venture Fund LLP (co-operated by NEC Capital Solutions and Venture Labo Investment), D4V (a joint-venture fund by IDEO and Genuine Startups), Archetype Venture Fund (Early stage venture fund specializing in B2B tech), Eric Di Benedetto, a leading AI and Fintech angel investor and other Venture Fund, Angel investor. The company also raised SME loan from Japan Finance Corporation.

The funds are set to be used to accelerate the development of various products, such as “AlpacaForecast”, a platform that predicts market moves, and “AI Prediction Matrix”, an app that was launched with Bloomberg in May.

Alpaca has been working on various projects with Japanese financial services companies. In March this year, for instance, a partnership between Japan’s Jibun Bank and Alpaca resulted in a new service harnessing the capabilities of AI. The solution targets those who would like to make use of foreign currency deposits and would like to do so at the right moment, that is, when the exchange rates are most favourable.

This year, AlpacaJapan was also certified as one of the companies supported by the J-Startup program initiated by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Read this next

Industry News

Horizon Software rebrands to Horizon Trading Solutions

“Horizon Trading Solutions has seen accelerated global growth over the past year to meet the rising demand for our trading solutions and built-for-purpose technology offering. The choice to rebrand represents a key part of this development, while maintaining our heritage and history in the industry.”

Market News

USDJPY has surged to levels last witnessed in 2022. Should we consider opening a short position?

The recent resurgence of the US dollar has propelled USD/JPY to new heights, touching levels not seen since 2022. This surge comes against the backdrop of stable short-term yields and ongoing economic data that fails to signal a significant slowdown, prompting questions about the extent of current monetary easing measures.

Digital Assets

DED Trends on Twitter After Memecoin Snapshot Announcement

Polkadot-backed community coin #DED, made it to the trending charts on X, demonstrating community’s engagement and interest behind the memecoin. 

Digital Assets

BlockDAG Presale Nears $10 Million Amid Toncoin’s Momentum, Green Bitcoin’s Presale, and the Rise of Other Top Cryptos

This article will examine three top trending topics: Toncoin’s potential, Green Bitcoin’s innovative presale, and BlockDAG’s sustainable mining approach. These cryptocurrencies take centre stage for their uniqueness and innovation.

Digital Assets

Coinbase scores minor victory vs SEC, but lawsuit to proceed

A federal judge in Manhattan, U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, ruled on Wednesday that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Coinbase can largely proceed.

Web3

COTI Teams Up with Civic for Enhanced Digital Identity Control

СOTI and Civic are teaming up to enhance digital identity security in Web3, aiming to provide users with more control over their digital selves through innovative technology.

Digital Assets

BlockDAG Takes on Chainlink (LINK) Crypto, and RON With DeFi Card and 5000x Profit Potential

Explore BlockDAG’s innovative DeFi card, which transforms cryptocurrency into spendable cash, alongside Chainlink (LINK) crypto and Ronin’s advancements.

Digital Assets

Court finally decides on Sam Bankman-Fried sentence, experts predict 20 years

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is set to face sentencing on Thursday in a pivotal moment that could see the entrepreneur beginning a lengthy period in federal prison.

Crypto Insider

DeFi Winter Thaws: A Look at the Emerging Landscape

The past year has seen a significant shift in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) market, transitioning from a period of decline (“DeFi winter”) to a potential season of growth.

<