StartupBlink

4074 Top startups in Japan for August 2026

We rank PayPay, Monotaro and Nexon in Japan along with 4071 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. Japan startup ecosystem ranks #18 globally and #2 in East Asia.

Powered by

Category

Startups

Unicorns

Exits

Coworking Spaces

Accelerators

Top Unicorn Startups in Japan for 2026

Five startups have achieved unicorn status by exceeding USD 1 billion in valuation. Collectively, the top three unicorns in Japan have raised more than USD 4.82B.
1st
SmartNews logo
SmartNewsSB Score: 657

SmartNews uses machine learning to curate and share top-quality news stories worldwide. Discover and stay informed with ease through this innovative platform.

View Full Page
Website
www.smartnews.com/en
Employee range
501 – 1,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$410.3M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
2nd
SmartHR logo
SmartHRSB Score: 586

SmartHR provides a cloud-native human resources management platform that offers a suite of tech-enabled human resources management solutions, focusing on employee management and administration, growth, talent management, and employee productivity. Through its comprehensive range of solutions, SmartHR serves a diversified spectrum of businesses including large enterprises and SMEs.

View Full Page
Website
smarthr.co.jp
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$322.2M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
3rd
Playco logo
PlaycoSB Score: 469

Playco is revolutionizing gaming by creating instant multiplayer games that require no additional app downloads. With a focus on social play, Playco's games bring people together for fun and interactive experiences, making gaming accessible and enjoyable for all.

View Full Page
Website
www.play.co
Employee range
51 – 100
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$143.5M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)

Total amount:5

Best Startups in Japan for 2026

1st
PayPay logo
PayPaySB Score: 757

PayPay is an online payment application. This benefit is not applicable when paying with PayPay online payment service. For PayPay, per person, the granting limit for one payment is equivalent to 15,000 yen, and the total granting limit for one month is equivalent to 30,000 yen.

View Full Page
Website
paypay.ne.jp
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$489.1M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
2nd
Monotaro logo
MonotaroSB Score: 670

MonotaRO is a top eCommerce distributor specializing in industrial and business supplies. Offering a wide range of products, they provide a convenient online platform for businesses to easily purchase necessary supplies.

View Full Page
Website
www.monotaro.com
Employee range
501 – 1,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$32.6M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
3rd
Nexon logo
NexonSB Score: 639

Nexon is an entertainment software developing company that creates free-to-play online games. Nexon is a pioneer in the world of interactive entertainment software. They introduced the world to the first graphic MMORPG, The Kingdom of the Winds, back in 1995. Since then, they've become the industry leader in massively multiplayer online games, continuing to redefine the genre with each of their innovative titles.

View Full Page
Website
company.nexon.co.jp/en
Employee range
5,001 – 10,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$61.9M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
4th
Sansan logo
SansanSB Score: 610

Since its founding in 2007, Sansan has focused on delivering its cloud based contact management service to customers in Japan and beyond. Sansan is setting the standard in Japan for cloud-based contact management, with annually doubling numbers of users from over 7,000 premium corporate users including the Japanese Government (METI). Sansan Inc. is based in Tokyo, Japan and has its subsidiary Sansan global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore since October 2015. The company began offering its business card app Eight in 2012. It has over 1.5 million registered users as a new business network that incorporates a social media framework to transform business cards into business connections. Founded: June 11, 2007 URL: https://www.corp-sansan.com/ Address: Aoyama Oval Building, 13F, 5-52-2, Jingu-mae Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001 Business scope: Planning, development, and sales of cloud-based business card management services Sansan for business users: https://www.sansan.com Eight for individual users: https://8card.net

View Full Page
Website
www.sansan.com
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$120.5M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
5th
Retty logo
RettySB Score: 609

Retty is a social gourmet site where you can share the restaurants you have been to or want to go to with your friends. Choosing where you want to eat will become much easier with Retty! The iPhone and Android apps are coming soon. You'll be able to use Retty on the go on your smartphone.

View Full Page
Website
retty.me
Employee range
51 – 100
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$23.5M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
6th
Timee logo
TimeeSB Score: 609

Timee is an online platform that facilitates part-time job matching services. Workers can commence employment immediately without the need for a resume or interview by simply selecting their preferred job, and they can receive payment right after starting. Businesses can easily specify the required time and skills, and workers who fulfill these criteria will be automatically matched. The platform also provides information on activities and initiatives in collaboration with local governments and organizations, along with research and studies related to spot work.

View Full Page
Website
timee.co.jp
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$34.5M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
7th
TableCheck logo
TableCheckSB Score: 606

TableCheck empowers restaurant operators worldwide to maximize guest engagement, reservations, and table utilization. We analyze and evaluate data from restaurants and use this information to create a more vibrant dining experience for their customers. Our team of creative minds is continuously seeking to drive innovative solutions to support our restaurant partners. TableCheck’s restaurant management tools give restaurants the power and flexibility to provide seamless customer experiences for every guest from the moment they make reservations. "

View Full Page
Website
www.tablecheck.com/en/join
Employee range
101 – 250
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$22.2M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
8th
Coconala logo
CoconalaSB Score: 603

Coconala operates a website to buy and sell knowledge, skills and, experience from users who are willing to teach. It provides a broad range of services for sellers including fortune-telling, relieving mental anguish, illustration, design, consultation for hobbies, and travel destinations. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Japan.

View Full Page
Website
coconala.com
Employee range
251 – 500
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$22.7M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
9th
Raksul logo
RaksulSB Score: 600

Raksul.inc is a fabless B2B platform builder. It aims to redesign and simplify value chains in legacy industries. It has enabled the "sharing economy" business model in printing, logistics and advertising, by connecting SME customers directly to excess capacities of existing players in various industries at a low cost.

View Full Page
Website
corp.raksul.com/en
Employee range
501 – 1,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$71.8M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
10th
UQ Communications logo
UQ CommunicationsSB Score: 599

UQ Communications is a Japanese company that specializes in providing WiMAX mobile services. Their goal is to build a WiMAX network to make mobile broadband access available everywhere. Their key stakeholders are, KDDI CORPORATION, Intel Capital Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, KYOCERA Corporation, Daiwa Securities Group Inc., and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. They received $43 million from Intel Capital in June.

View Full Page
Website
www.uqwimax.jp
Employee range
101 – 250
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$43M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
11th
Andpad logo
AndpadSB Score: 594

Andpad provides a construction management application for users throughout Japan. It began operation on September 1, 2015, with its headquarters in Tokyo in Japan.

View Full Page
Website
andpad.jp
Employee range
501 – 1,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$179.5M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)

Total amount:2541

Most Funded Startups in Japan for 2026

The top three most funded startups in Japan have raised total funding of more than USD 4.98B. Rapidus has 7.23% more funding than PayPay.
2nd
PayPay logo
PayPaySB Score: 757

PayPay is an online payment application. This benefit is not applicable when paying with PayPay online payment service. For PayPay, per person, the granting limit for one payment is equivalent to 15,000 yen, and the total granting limit for one month is equivalent to 30,000 yen.

View Full Page
Website
paypay.ne.jp
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$489.1M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
3rd
Voice App Lab logo
Voice App LabSB Score: 467

Voice App Lab specializes in creating voice skills, chatbots, and designing conversational interfaces. They offer development services and consulting to help businesses enhance their user experiences through engaging and innovative technologies.

View Full Page
Website
voiceapp-lab.com
Employee range
1,001 – 5,000
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$467M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)

Total amount:2541

Top Hiring Startups in Japan by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in Japan have an median employee size that is between [10001+]
1st
RECLO logo
RECLOSB Score: 575

RECLO is a luxury brand consignment application that allows the user to consign and sell branded products. Anyone can purchase a wide range of second-hand brand items (including new and rare items) such as clothes, bags, watches, accessories, and jewelry at up to 90% off. All products have been judged by experienced appraisers. Responsible quality assurance. In addition, since you can return the product after purchase, customers who are uneasy about purchasing online, such as size and condition, should shop with peace of mind.

View Full Page
Website
reclo.jp
Employee range
10,001+
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$186.2M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
3rd
Ricoh Company logo
Ricoh CompanySB Score: 417

Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions.

View Full Page
Website
www.ricoh.com/products/iqui/?_ga=2.4297587.1731023326.1644765654-648183396.1644765654
Employee range
10,001+
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
4th
WFrontier logo
WFrontierSB Score: 384

Wfrontier is developing and operating a shopping agency platform.In the past three years, we have become a "public infrastructure (infrastructure)" that changes society. The first thing to address is the “shopping issues” that the child-rearing generation has.Wfrontier support people who are busy with childcare, housework, work, and those who are too far away from shopping, as a shopping agency platform.

View Full Page
Website
wfrontier.jp
Employee range
10,001+
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$2.2M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)

Total amount:4074

Explore More Top Startups

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of Japan

Population

(Japan)

124.3 Million

new

Regional Rank

(East Asia)

2nd

1

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

18th

3

Visit

Top Cities for Startups in Japan - Ranked by StartupBlink

StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
2026 National Rank CityGlobal RankTotal Score & National ShareAnnual GrowthQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
No Data Available
Microsoft Excel icon
Download CSV file