Osaka-based Eight Knot Inc. (CEO: Yujin Kimura) is pleased to announce a successful funding of 100 million yen in the Seed Round 1st, conducted in February 2022. This funding was achieved through the J-KISS method with investments from DRONE FUND, 15th Rock Ventures, and Real Tech Fund. The total amount of funding acquired to date has reached 150 million yen.
Purpose and Use of Funds:
Established in March 2021, Eight Knot has a mission to "Automate all waterborne mobility with robotics and AI." Our development team, a collective of robotics specialists, has the capability to develop practical technology swiftly at a realistic cost. Within just six months of establishment, we succeeded in developing and demonstrating autonomous navigation technology for small vessels. We aim to implement autonomous unmanned ships in society by 2025, accelerating our business endeavors.
Main Uses of Funds:
・Enhance our engineering team skilled in robotics and AI.
・Strengthen our business development team for the use of EV robotic boats.
・Development of small vessels with autonomous navigation capabilities.
・Development of a remote monitoring system.
・Navigation trials in a demonstration field envisioning commercialization.
Our Initiatives and Outlook:
As automated technologies have become more common in land transportation and drones, they are now expanding to maritime transport like ships. These advancements promise safer, more convenient, and cost-effective water travel. In Japan, a nation surrounded by the sea, this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people and goods are transported. It's also seen as a potential alternative during emergencies or disasters. Globally, in places where urban traffic is a major concern, especially in emerging countries, there's a growing emphasis on boat transport as a crucial means of movement. Eight Knot is at the forefront of this, aiming to introduce on-demand water transportation with EV robotic boats, championing the "robotization" of maritime transport.
<Demonstration at Hiroshima Prefecture, Osaki Shimojima, October 2021 >
Awards:
Hiroshima Sandbox D-EGGS Project:
- Hiroshima Governor's Award.
Tech Planter Marine Tech Grand Prix 2021:
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Prize
- IHI Jet Service Prize.
Comments from Investors:
<Soki Ohmae, Representative of DRONE FUND>:
I'm thrilled to see Eight Knot achieve a successful demonstration in Osakikamijima Town within a year of its founding, and I warmly welcome our new investors. I was deeply impressed not just by the core autonomous navigation technology but also by the emphasis on safety. DRONE FUND remains dedicated to highlighting the importance of waterborne mobility in a world increasingly focused on drones and air mobility.
<Takeshi Minamoto, Representative of 15th Rock Ventures>:
I've always loved marine sports, and after obtaining a small boat license last year, I became aware of many challenges in marine transportation and passenger ships. I believe Eight Knot is a robust startup that directly addresses these challenges. I look forward to creating a new norm with Eight Knot, where, without any traffic congestion by the waterside, one can hail an autonomous water taxi on-demand using a smartphone.
<Yukihiro Maru, Representative Director of Realtech Holdings>:
From the inception of Euglena, a company dedicated to tackling the grand challenge of "solving the world's malnutrition through microalgae," I have been a supporter. My backing was driven by the fervor of its CEO, Mr. Izumo, towards solving this challenge. His passion has attracted many allies, leading management teams and large corporations to support Mr. Izumo in making a change in society.
Eight Knot, though a recently established venture, has already garnered many supporters due to CEO Kimura's fervent desire to solve water transportation issues through autonomous navigation.
While there are challenges, such as the need for legal changes for the implementation of a small boat autonomous navigation system in society, I believe that by conveying Mr. Kimura's passion to more people, we can eventually bring about societal change. Realtech Fund is an ecosystem designed to support entrepreneurs addressing global challenges. We will continue to work hand in hand with Mr. Kimura to make his dream a reality.
Details of Investors:
Short Name: DRONE FUND
Official Name: DRONE FUND III Investment Limited Partnership
Representatives: Kotaro Chiba, Soki Ohmae
Address: 3-3-6 Ebisu, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Website: https://dronefund.vc/en/
Short Name: 15th Rock Ventures
Official Name: 15th Rock Ventures Fund 1 L.P.
Representatives: Tetsu Nakajima, Takeshi Minamoto
Address: 3-28-5 Kanda Ogawamachi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, axle Ochanomizu Room 101
Website: https://15th-rock.com/en/
Short Name: Realtech Fund
Official Name: Realtech Fund 3 Investment Limited Partnership
Representative: Akihiko Nagata
Address: 1-16-3 Yokokawa, Sumida Ward, Tokyo, Center of Garage Room02
Website: https://www.realtech.holdings/en/
Overview of Eight Knot:
Company Name: Eight Knot Corporation
English Name: Eight Knot Inc.
Established: March 8, 2021
Executives: CEO and Representative Director Yujin Kimura, CTO Tomoaki Yokoyama
Headquarters: 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 Description: Development of EV robotic boats, Development of on-demand water transportation systems
Website: https://8kt.jp/en
Twitter: @8ktjp