Off-road open rover mobility platform startup Kisui closes Series A round
Startup developing Adam, an off-road mobility rover, has found applications in agriculture, construction and other outdoor industries; announces its Series A financing round to start go to market and look global
The company is headquartered in Sendai, Miyagi and has its main development office in Kashiwa, Chiba
Kisui announces it has closed its Series A financing round with lead investor Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. underwriting an investment of 150 million yen. The financing round will allow Kisui to launch Adam, its off-road rover platform, to the Japanese agricultural market amidst a pre-order and a showing of strong interest by farmers around Japan. It will allow the team to expand on the functionality of Adam to both enable it to serve a wider range of farmers, adapt to non-farming applications like construction, as well as to further development and launch of first work unit attachments that allow Adam to do many jobs on the farm.
About Kisui
Kisui, founded in September 2021 by Dr. Tamir Blum, emerged from his pioneering work as a PhD student at the Space Robotics Lab at Tohoku University. His research centered on applying advanced AI technologies such as reinforcement learning and computer vision to lunar rovers, enabling them to navigate safely through complex, off-road terrain. Before his tenure at Tohoku University, Tamir earned his Master’s degree in AeroSpace Engineering from UCLA, specializing in robotics control. He garnered valuable industry experience at esteemed organizations, serving as an associate engineer at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of the Crew Dragon Capsule, and as a GNC Controls intern at AeroVironment, focusing on military drone technology.
The genesis of Kisui stemmed from Tamir's firsthand observations of the challenges faced by rural communities and farmers in the Tohoku countryside. Moved by the juxtaposition of Japan's picturesque rural landscapes with the harsh realities of aging populations, labor shortages, and the physical toll of farm work, Tamir was inspired to leverage his expertise in off-road lunar rover technology for agricultural applications.
Since its inception, Kisui has experienced significant growth, boasting a diverse team of approximately 25 members, with a particularly robust engineering contingent coming from top global universities and companies in a number of key industries. The company's global presence is underscored by its multinational composition, with representatives from over 15 different nationalities contributing to its dynamic culture and innovative spirit and its global drive.
Central to Kisui's mission is the development of Adam, their groundbreaking off-road mobility rover, poised for imminent release to the market. Already, initial sales have been completed, signaling strong demand and market interest. Through a rapid and iterative development process, Kisui has refined its robotics technology, deploying prototypes to farmers for rigorous testing and feedback. Over a span of two years, the company has introduced eight prototype iterations, meticulously refining every aspect of Adam's design, from its robust off-road hardware to its intuitive user interface, advanced mapping software, and AI-driven safety features.
Kisui's relentless commitment to innovation and its dedication to addressing the pressing challenges facing agriculture position it as a transformative force in the industry, poised to revolutionize farming practices and empower farmers worldwide.
Background: Addressing the Challenges Facing Agriculture
In recent years, global agriculture has faced a myriad of challenges, amplifying the struggles of farmers worldwide. Issues such as labor shortages, aging populations, lack of successors, and the escalating impacts of climate change have catapulted agriculture to the forefront of socio-economic concerns in countries spanning from Japan to Europe, America, Canada and beyond.
The confluence of a burgeoning global population and the ever-increasing demand for food has exacerbated the strain on an already fragile agricultural system. These pressures have not only threatened the livelihoods of farmers but also compromised food security on a global scale.
The severity of these challenges has been underscored by widespread protests among farmers in various countries, including the United States, Canada, and Europe. These demonstrations serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for innovative solutions to revitalize and sustainably transform the agricultural sector.
Despite the imperative for change, agriculture remains a traditionally rooted industry, characterized by a reluctance to embrace technological advancements. Nowhere is this more evident than in orchards, vineyards, and other fruit farms, where the adoption of machinery has been particularly sluggish. The intricacies of tasks, the rugged terrain, narrow spacing between crops, and the demanding outdoor conditions present formidable obstacles to the integration of modern technology.
However, the persistence of these challenges has also catalyzed a wave of innovation within the agritech sector. Entrepreneurs and innovators are actively seeking solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. From robotic harvesting systems to precision agriculture technologies, there is a growing recognition of the potential for technology to revolutionize traditional farming practices.
In this landscape of opportunity and necessity, Kisui’s Adam, an agritech off-road mobility solution, is poised to play a pivotal role in driving the transformation of agriculture. By addressing the unique challenges posed by off-road environments, Adam has the potential to unlock new possibilities for farmers, enabling them to navigate the rugged terrain with greater ease, efficiency, and precision.
As the global population continues to grow and the pressures on agriculture intensify, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, agritech startups have the opportunity to usher in a new era of sustainability and prosperity for farmers worldwide.
History and Awards
2021:
April: Kisui launches crowdfunding campaign to build its first prototype.
September: Kisui is officially founded, and the first prototype is tested with a farmer in Fukushima.
October: Accepted into Accelerate Aichi program by 500 Startups, now known as 500 Global. First visit to Aomori farmer.
JA Accelerator・AgVenture Lab Innovation Prize
2022:
April: Adam version 2 released
September to November: Adam versions 2 and 3 undergo testing in Aomori during the harvest season.
MIT Tech Review Japan Innovators Under 35 Award.
French Business Awards French Tech Award.
2023:
March: Kisui and founder are featured by JETRO to attract more foreign investors to Japan.
April: First Adam units are deployed to paying customers as part of pilot program in Aomori
September: MVP of Adam is finished with V8 robot
September - November: Approx. 40 farmers use Adam throughout their harvest season
October: Featured on NHK Global in "Farm-bot to the Rescue!" segment.
June: Accepted into Japan Agriculture (JA) Accelerator program.
Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 and Forbes Japan Rising Star Awards.
J-Startup Tohoku Award.
2024:
January: Awarded the Toyohashi Agri Contest Top Award and Innovation Award.
January: Featured on YouTube Channel by the Prime Minister's Office of Japan.
March: First Adam unit purchased and delivered via pre-order, with approximately a dozen letters of intent received.
April: Named finalist in FOOD 4 FUTURE - EXPO FOODTECH World Summit: The Best Robotics Solution.
May: TiE Silicon Valley TiECON TiE50 Award.
May: Named finalist in Future Food Asia Award.
Support Programs: Kisui has received support from various government institutions and organizations, both at local and national levels:
Local Level: Sendai, Aomori, Kashiwa, Fukushima, Chiba, Gunma, Aichi, Toyohashi, Yamanashi, Hiroshima, Hamamatsu, Miyagi.
National Level: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Communications.
This impressive history and accolades demonstrate Kisui's rapid growth and recognition within the agritech industry, showcasing its commitment to innovation and its impact on transforming agriculture.
▼Kisui TECH
Founder, CEO Tamir Blum
I am glad to have found such a great investor to lead our Series A round, both with EEI, focused on solving important environmental problems and with Hayashi-san, with his years of experience in the mobility and automotive industry.
As we are building an EV off-road mobility platform, I believe they can help accelerate our growth. Closing this fundraising will give us the resources to look ahead as we launch the product first in Japan, and then adapt it to new markets abroad. Agriculture is core for life everywhere, however, farmers around the world are struggling. Adam can help them, and we will do our best to show that potential in the coming year. By supporting farmers and other primary industries like construction, we can help reduce inequalities between rural and urban environments through economic revitalization while addressing big global markets. There are many large hurdles ahead, and off-road mobility is not an easy problem, but we have assembled a world-class team of experts ready to work together to solve it.
▼Series A Lead Investor Comments
Ryusuke Hayashi
Energy & Environment Investment Inc. Principal - Head of Mobility Business Innovation
Energy and Environment Investment is proud to announce its participation in Kisui's Series A funding round. Kisui's Adam, a revolutionary electric off-road mobility rover, represents a significant push towards electrification across various industries. This investment aligns perfectly with our commitment to supporting cleantech innovation since 2006. We believe Adam has the potential to improve lives and contribute to a cleaner planet globally, and we're excited to leverage our global network to support Kisui's international expansion.
▼Existing Investor Comments
KENJI SHIMOSATO
Spurcle
Kisui has made great progress in realizing your vision. Congratulations to Kisui & Tamir-san!
We have been a big believer in Kisui's potential since before the company was founded, and we are especially thrilled to see the successful fundraising to bring Adam to market.
Kisui's journey as a startup continues, and we will continue to support them as they celebrate the addition of a great new supporter in EEI.
Masato Iino
XVC
As one of the early investors, I congratulate KISUI TECH for successfully completing this fundraising. When we invested 2 years ago, the initial prototype was just completed, and we watched the founder Tamir Blum keep his commitment to deliver improved robots to solve the problem among apple growers in Aomori. But what I have personally marveled at more was the ability of Tamir, a startup manager with scarce resources, to involve people. I was amazed not only by the fact that he secured the support from a prestigious investor EEI, but also by his ability to attract a team of superb academics and engineers of all nationalities. With this successful funding, KISUI will step up to a new stage, and I am confident that they will take off with the new wings they’ve got.
Yasuhiko Mataehara
LAC Co., Ltd.
We congratulate Kisui on the successful completion of the fundraising. In Japan, where a rapid decline in population is occurring, there are countless challenges that must be addressed. Among them, the promotion of agriculture is a crucial issue, and we recognize the significant role that Kisui TECH's products and solutions play in this regard. We are considering providing support from the perspectives of business expansion in various regions of the country, as well as security and data integration infrastructure.