OSAKA, Japan – Eight Knot Inc. (Headquarters: Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director: Yujin Kimura) is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised funds through equity financing via the J-KISS stock option system with Hiroshima Venture Capital as the underwriter, as well as through debt financing from Senshu Ikeda Bank.
■Purpose of the Fundraising
Seto Inland Sea and the Autonomous Electric Vessel Eight Knot One
We have secured loans from banks in the Osaka region, where our headquarters is located, and accepted investments from venture capital in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is the hub of our operations. This support empowers the business activities of the Eight Knot team and enables us to enhance our presence in the local community, building a solid infrastructure for comprehensive support of our sales activities. Our long-term goal is to connect the Seto Inland Sea with Osaka, known as the “City of Water”, through waterborne transportation, as we aim to establish an extensive maritime transportation network in the Western Japan area.
Since the announcement of our autonomous navigation platform for small vessels, "Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN" in October 2022, we have been actively operating in the Seto and Osaka areas. As a startup, we believe that the most effective way to quickly build a relationship of trust with local businesses is by collaborating with financial institutions that have an in-depth understanding of the local community, which led to this fundraising.
As we forge ahead, we will tackle our business ventures with unwavering dedication and agility, striving to bring to fruition projects that garner the backing of the local community.
■Primary Use of Funds
・Strengthening the sales structure in the Seto and Osaka areas
・Promoting and executing public relations strategies to accelerate social implementation
・Strengthening collaboration with regional businesses
■About Eight Knot Inc.
Eight Knot is a group of robotics and AI experts focused on the development of autonomous navigation technology for small vessels, promoting the “Digital Transformation of the Seas” and the “Robotization of Vessels” to address societal challenges. Through the social implementation of autonomous navigation technology, we aim to support ship crew members, improve vessel safety, optimize operational costs, and make waterborne transport more accessible.
■Selected Achievements (Excerpts)
Fiscal Year 2022
・Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Smart Island Promotion Research Project
・Cabinet Office: Demonstration Project Utilizing “Michibiki”
・Hiroshima Prefecture: "Pioneer" Project Experimental Implementation Services
・Ehime Prefecture: Ehime Prefecture Digital Implementation Acceleration Project Implementation Services
・Toyo Keizai: Selected in “Amazing Venture 100 2022”
Fiscal Year 2021
・Hiroshima Prefecture: Hiroshima Sandbox D-EGGS PROJECT (Winner of Hiroshima Prefecture Governor’s Award)
■Company Information
Company Name: Eight Knot Inc.
Established: March 8, 2021
Officers: Representative Director CEO Yujin Kimura, Director CTO Tomoaki Yokoyama, External Director Kazutaka Yomogita
Head Office : 10 Kitahatocho Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka-fu, 590-0986, Japan
Tokyo Office : Center of Garage, 1-16-3, Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0003
Business Content: Development of autonomous navigation technology for small vessels, development of on-demand water transportation systems.
Website: https://8kt.jp
Twitter: @8ktjp
■Inquiries
Eight Knots Corporation, Public Relations Representative
Email: info@8kt.jp