Bio-DeepTech Startup WAKU Secures 480 Million Yen in Pre-Series A Funding
Funding Overview
WAKU Inc. has successfully closed its Pre-Series A funding round, raising a total of 480 million yen. This brings together a July 2025 third-party allotment of 180 million yen, alongside a subsequent third-party allotment of 150 million yen and 150 million yen in debt financing completed in August 2026. The newly secured capital will be allocated to strengthening the sales and manufacturing infrastructure for its flagship glutathione biostimulant, "WAKUFUL," and accelerating research and development for its newly unveiled "fission yeast" platform.
About WAKU Inc.
Founded in 2022, WAKU is a biotechnology startup headquartered in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, operating under the mission of "protecting human food security with glutathione." The company leverages technology that maximizes the environmental adaptability of plants through glutathione, while also driving bio-manufacturing initiatives utilizing its proprietary research platform based on fission yeast.
Purpose of Funding and Future Outlook
Buoyed by this funding round, WAKU will accelerate its domestic sales network expansion and full-scale global rollout for "WAKUFUL." At the same time, the company has officially disclosed its ongoing R&D efforts regarding fission yeast for the first time. By utilizing fission yeast—which possesses distinct characteristics compared to conventional budding yeast—as an industrial platform, WAKU aims to supply high-functional materials across a broad spectrum of industries including agriculture, food, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, paving the way for a new wave of Japan-originated bio-industries.
List of Investors and Lenders
[Equity Investments]
- Chugin Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (Existing)
- Asahi Media Lab Ventures Inc. (Existing)
- Nanto Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (New)
- Tottori Capital Co., Ltd. (New)
[Debt Financing]
- The Toho Bank, Ltd.
- The 77 Bank, Ltd.
- Abukuma Shinkin Bank