Sakana AI Raises $135M to Build Japan AI Models

Sakana AI raises $135M Series B at $2.65B valuation to expand AI models for Japan’s market and culture.
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Sakana AI Raises $135M to Build Japan AI Models
What is Sakana AI’s $135M Series B Funding About? Sakana AI raises $135M Series B at a $2.65B valuation to continue building AI models for Japan, positioning itself as a leader in localized generative AI. Founded in 2023 by ex-Google researchers, the Tokyo-based startup develops AI models tailored for Japanese language and culture, making them highly effective even with smaller datasets. The funding boosts both R&D and team expansion across engineering, sales, and distribution. Image Credits:Sakana AI Who Are the Investors Behind Sakana AI? The Series B round attracted a mix of Japanese financial giants and global venture firms. Key participants include Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Khosla Ventures, Macquarie Capital, NEA, Lux Capital, and In-Q-Tel (IQT). This combination of local and international backing underlines confidence in Sakana AI’s mission to create specialized AI models for Japan. How Will Sakana AI Use the $135M Funding? Sakana AI plans to use the $135M Series B to…