Japan is known for its beautiful cuisine and advancing technology. Japan’s food culture is considered to be eloquent. But due to the fast life, people want to have more healthy food. So to have a wholesome lifestyle, the startups are making use of technology in the food sector of Japan. Some startups are trying to produce healthy meals. While others are creating easier options for ordering food or booking a table. With these ideas, Japan is moving towards a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the top food technology startups in Japan.
Gochikuru
“Star Festival” owns the creative meal delivery startup Gochikuru, which is transforming the way consumers place food orders. Customers may save time and effort by placing their orders at a pre-arranged time, thanks to the ease of browsing through different restaurants and menus. The latest collaboration between Gochikuru and Askul, a top supplier of diverse services, expands the company’s market penetration and service portfolio. Through this partnership, both businesses will have more opportunities to grow and serve a larger clientele. Gochikuru is well-positioned for success with a healthy roster of investors that includes GREE Ventures, ASKUL, JAFCO, Pegasus Tech Ventures, and Globis Capital Partners, having secured a solid $40Mn so far.
Company Funding: $40M
Website: https://gochikuru.com/
Okan
Okan’s inventive and convenient food delivery business is completely changing how corporate employees eat. Workers may now savour delectable, freshly made meals at their workstations with the option to have meals that can be chilled and reheated at any moment. Offices may easily provide their employees with this service because the refrigerator box comes with a charger from the corporation. Okan is undoubtedly a firm with a bright future ahead of it, as seen by its remarkable $6.28 million raised so far and solid investor roster that includes 31Ventures, CyberAgent Capital, and Rakuten Capital. Okan, which was established in Tokyo in 2012, has become well-known in the meal delivery sector.
Company Funding: $6.28M
Website: https://www.okanlondon.com/
DAIZ
The Kumamoto, Japan-based food firm DAIZ is committed to locating wholesome and sustainable food solutions. They substitute regular meat with germinated Banksoybean meat, which is higher in protein, contains important vitamins and minerals and has health advantages. Investors such as A-Five, Fruit Hall, Kagoshima Bank, Kuredo, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Nichirei, Okasan Capital Partners, and QB Capital have contributed $11.17 million to DAIZ. Established in Kumamoto, Japan, DAIZ is a company that keeps pushing the envelope and working towards a more sustainable future for the world’s food business.
Company Funding: $11.17M
Website: https://www.daiz.inc/en/
Retty
Retty is a top social gourmet app that lets users curate and manage their list of restaurants of choice. With the help of our platform, people may share their own dining experiences with others, giving others insightful feedback. Our consumers have the most freedom when selecting restaurants since they may filter results based on themes, geography, cuisine type, and group size. We have raised $23.58 million from prestigious investors, such as ABC Dream Ventures, WiL, Eight Roads, ITOCHU Technology Ventures, and Mizuho Capital Partners, since our founding in Tokyo in 2010. Come experience your next fantastic meal with us at Retty.
Company Funding: $23.58M
Website: https://retty.me/
Table Check
DNX Ventures, SMBC Venture Capital, and more investors have contributed $9.44 million to Table Check, an online platform located in Tokyo. Users of the platform may arrange for pickup and delivery of orders from local places, as well as reservations at a variety of eateries. Table Check gives its consumers flexibility and convenience with an easy-to-use interface. With $9.44 million in total investment, the platform has shown a notable increase in the restaurant management sector. Restaurant owners can monitor and optimise their companies with the aid of its cutting-edge data integration and analytics solutions, improving overall performance and customer experience.
Company Funding: $9.44M
Website: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/join/
Integriculture
A Tokyo-based firm called Integriculture is leading the way in cellular agriculture for its manufacturing procedures. By using this creative strategy, partners may produce meat on their own, increasing their independence and promoting environmental sustainability. Investors include AgFunder, Hiroshima Venture Capital, Naruhisa Nakagawa, Nippon Meat Packers, VU Venture Partners, Realtech Fund, Next Ventures, and A-Five have contributed $10.2 million to the company’s investment round. Their combined backing is indicative of their faith in Integriculture’s mission and ability to transform the agriculture sector via innovative methods.
Company Funding: $10.2M
Website: https://integriculture.com/
KitchHike
Kangawa-based KitchHike is a website that links locals with foreign cooks for real home-cooked meals. It was created in 2012. Through the platform’s seamless fusion of travel and cuisine, users may travel to nearby nations and immerse themselves in a variety of culinary cultures. KitchHike has attracted $4.24 million in investment from investors such as Venture United, Freebank Capital, and others, indicating its expanding popularity and success. The platform’s success is demonstrated by the way it seamlessly combines travel with cuisine, offering foodies who are enthusiastic about trying new things an unmatched gastronomic experience.
Company Funding: $4.24M
Website: https://kitchhike.com/
Nosh
Together, Nissay Capital, Mynavi, House Meal Group Innovation Fund, Nissay Capital, and SMBC Venture Capital have invested $7.01 million in Nosh, an Osaka-based meal delivery service that accommodates dietary requirements. The cutting-edge software provides frozen meals that users may reheat as required. The popularity of Nosh has made it possible for those with dietary restrictions to have a customised eating experience. The firm is still revolutionising the meal delivery sector with its dedication to culinary quality and client happiness.
Company Funding: $7.01M
Website: https://www.letsnosh.io/
Planet Table
Plant Table is an internet company established in Tokyo that uses big data technologies to link farmers and restaurants to decrease food waste. It has collaborations with major participants in the market, such as Send, to provide a smooth network for farmers to display their goods. To improve operations and have an influence on the food and agriculture industries, Plant Table has received $4.38 million with the help of investors such as CyberAgent Capital, D4V, Genuine Startups, House Foods Group, Mistletoe, Saison Ventures, and SBI Investment.
Company Funding: $4.38M
Website: https://thebridge.jp/en/
GINKAN
With its cutting-edge SynchroLife platform, GINKAN, a top restaurant marketing software, can completely transform the eating sector. The platform transforms traditional payment methods by offering safe and efficient transactions via the use of digital tokens and blockchain technology. The DD Holdings Open Innovation Fund has given GINKAN assistance, indicating its potential for development and vision. The $3.6 million fundraising round reveals GINKAN’s dedication to technical advancement.
Company Funding: $3.6M
Website: https://www.shinkappo-genkan.com/
Conclusion
Japan, a country renowned for its innovative technologies and fine dining, is embracing the change to a population that is increasingly health-conscious. By providing wholesome meal options and streamlining the ordering process, creative businesses are transforming the food industry. By utilising technology, these firms are reaching out to consumers who prioritise convenience while encouraging a better and more balanced way of living. With the adoption of these innovative approaches, Japan is moving closer to being a sustainable and health-conscious nation.
