Sakana AI, a Tokyo, Japan–based AI startup, has raised approximately ¥20 billion (USD 135 million) in a Series B funding round.
Following this round, the company’s post-money valuation stands at around ¥400 billion (USD 2.635 billion), bringing total funds raised to approximately ¥52 billion (USD 347 million).
Investors
The funding round saw participation from existing investors, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Khosla Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, and Lux Capital, as well as new investors such as Factorial Funds, Macquarie Capital, Santander Group (via Mouro Capital), In-Q-Tel, Fundomo, Geodesic Capital, Ora Global, MPower Partners, and STNet (Shikoku Electric Power Group). Additional investors and funding details will be announced in the coming months.
Sakana AI Use of Funds
The company plans to use the funds to accelerate the development of efficient, sustainable AI models optimized for the Japanese market and to expand AI deployment across industries including finance, defense, and manufacturing. Sakana AI will also pursue global expansion, bringing Japanese AI innovations to international customers.
About Sakana AI
Sakana AI is a Tokyo-based AI company dedicated to developing sustainable, efficient, and cutting-edge AI technologies tailored to Japan’s needs. The company focuses on resource-conscious AI, self-evolving and collaborative models, and practical applications in finance, defense, and manufacturing. Their technologies include model merging, self-modifying AI Scientists, and AI constellations—small cooperating models designed for efficiency and adaptability. Founded in 2023, Sakana AI’s mission is to develop AI solutions for Japan and democratize AI across the country.
Funding Details
Company: Sakana AI
Raised: ¥20.0B
Round: Series B
Funding Date: November 2025
Investors: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Khosla Ventures, Factorial, Macquarie Capital, Fundomo, Mouro Capital, New Enterprise Associates, Geodesic Capital, Lux Capital, Ora Global, MPower Partners, Shikoku Electric Power, In-Q-Tel (IQT)
Company Website: https://sakana.ai/
Software Category: Frontier AI / Applied AI / Sovereign AI
Source: https://sakana.ai/series-b/