Nvidia Partners with Sakana AI to Propel Japan’s AI Revolution: $100 Million Series A Funding Secured

Tokyo-based startup Sakana AI has teamed up with U.S. chip giant Nvidia in a significant partnership aimed at boosting Japan’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. 

The year-old startup, founded by researchers from Google, focuses on developing nature-inspired, sustainable, and energy-efficient AI technologies. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Japan’s growing AI sector, as the country seeks to establish itself as a major player in AI and Web3 industries.

Nvidia Collaboration to Transform Japan’s AI Landscape

The partnership between Sakana AI and Nvidia includes joint research, access to Nvidia’s advanced data centers, and the development of innovative foundation models designed for more efficient AI deployment. With Nvidia’s cutting-edge computing platform, Sakana AI plans to automate and expedite scientific discoveries, thereby driving forward Japan’s AI ecosystem.

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Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s founder and CEO, commented, “The team at Sakana AI is helping spur the democratization of AI in Japan by developing cutting-edge foundation models to automate and speed up scientific discovery with Nvidia’s accelerated computing platform.” 

This partnership is expected to enhance Japan’s AI community by supporting the country’s universities, hosting events, and organizing hackathons to inspire talent and foster innovation.

$100 Million Series A Funding to Drive Innovation

In addition to its collaboration with Nvidia, Sakana AI recently raised $100 million in a Series A funding round led by New Enterprise Associates, Khosla Ventures, and Lux Capital, with Nvidia also participating. The funds will be invested in expanding talent, developing infrastructure, and accelerating AI technology development.

The startup’s ambitious goal is to create a world-class AI lab in Japan, with the aim of helping the country tackle its 21st-century challenges through groundbreaking AI solutions. Sakana AI stated, “We aim to build a world-class AI lab in Japan, to produce technologies that can help Japan and its allies cope with challenges that Japan will face for the rest of the 21st century.”

Japan’s AI and Web3 Sector on the Rise

This collaboration comes at a time when Japan is ramping up efforts to bolster its Web3 industry. Japan’s financial regulators have proposed a 2025 tax code overhaul to support startups and reduce crypto asset tax rates, making the country more attractive for blockchain and AI companies.

While Japan’s AI talent is currently not as competitive as that of the U.S. or China, Sakana AI’s partnership with Nvidia is expected to change this landscape by bringing advanced AI capabilities and talent to the forefront. The startup also revealed that it had raised $30 million in seed funding earlier this year, led by Lux Capital and backed by major investors such as 500 Global and Sony Group.

Nature-Inspired Intelligence at the Core

Sakana AI, named after the Japanese word for “fish,” draws inspiration from nature to develop new foundation models. The startup focuses on creating sustainable, energy-efficient AI solutions that are capable of solving complex problems while minimizing their environmental impact.

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With Nvidia’s support and a substantial injection of capital, Sakana AI is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing Japan’s AI sector and contributing to global AI innovation. The startup’s approach to leveraging nature-inspired intelligence, along with its focus on sustainability, aligns with global efforts to create AI technologies that are not only powerful but also eco-friendly.