すごい SAKANA AI - Japan's New Unicorn, Naturally

Hyper-speed 2.6B Valuation

From 2023 to Unicorn - すごい! - evolve and adapt “like a weed.”

In a landmark development for Japan’s tech ecosystem, Sakana AI has emerged as the country’s most valuable unicorn, achieving a staggering valuation of approximately $2.65 billion following its latest funding round.

Founded in *just* 2023, this Tokyo-based artificial intelligence startup is drawing global attention for its innovative, nature-inspired approach to AI model development, signaling a resurgence in Japan’s innovation landscape amid a global AI boom.

Sakana AI was co-founded by two prominent former Google researchers: David Ha and Llion Jones.

David Ha, known online as @hardmaru, is a renowned AI researcher with a background in generative models and creative AI applications. Llion Jones, one of the original authors of the groundbreaking 2017 paper “Attention Is All You Need,” which introduced the Transformer architecture powering modern AI like ChatGPT, brings deep expertise in large language models.

The duo left Google to establish Sakana AI in Tokyo, aiming to build AI technologies tailored to Japan’s unique needs while fostering sustainable innovation.The company’s name, “Sakana,” meaning “fish” in Japanese, reflects its philosophy of drawing inspiration from natural systems, such as schools of fish that exhibit collective intelligence through simple interactions.

Innovative Technology FocusAt the core of Sakana AI’s work is the development of foundation models inspired by evolutionary processes and collective intelligence found in nature.

Unlike traditional AI approaches that rely on massive computational resources and data, Sakana emphasizes efficiency and sustainability.

The startup believes that true innovation arises from resource constraints, leading to more practical and scalable AI solutions.

Their research focuses on creating AI systems that can evolve and adapt, much like biological organisms.

This includes advancements in generative AI, computer vision, and enterprise applications. Sakana has already deployed its technologies in key Japanese sectors, partnering with major enterprises to deliver real-world benefits in areas like finance, manufacturing, and public services.

The company kicked off with a $30 million seed round in January 2024, led by Lux Capital and Khosla Ventures.

This was followed by a Series A round in September 2024, co-led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Khosla Ventures, and Lux Capital, with participation from Translink Capital and 500 Global, among others.

The pinnacle now November 2025 with a $135 million Series B round, valuing the company at around 400 billion yen ($2.65 billion).

This round attracted a mix of Japanese and international investors, including:

• Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG),

• Khosla Ventures,

• Factorial,

• Macquarie Capital,

• Fundomo,

• Mouro Capital,

• NEA,

• Geodesic,

• Lux Capital,

• Ora Global,

• MPower Partners,

• Shikoku Electric, and

• IQT.

The funding cements Sakana’s unicorn status and highlights growing investor confidence in Japan’s AI potential, especially as the country seeks to catch up with global leaders like the U.S. and China.

It is completely inspiring to see novel creative models of AI (beyond “black box big box LLM” AI, which are proving to be very efficacious. Sakana leads and puts Japan on the AI map making it a new hub for development and in new ways.

As one investor put it, “Sakana AI is pioneering Japan’s AI future,” reflecting the optimism surrounding its trajectory.