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Top Unicorn Startups in Japan for 2026

In Japan, we rank 5 unicorn startups based on an algorithm that considers factors such as total investment, quarterly employee count, and website traffic. Unicorns in Japan are falling behind the performance of their global counterparts.

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Top Unicorn Startups in Japan for 2026

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

Most Valuable Unicorns in Japan for 2026

The top three most valuable unicorns in Japan have raised total funding of more than USD 1.82B. Among the top three funded unicorns, the most popular industry, based on total funding, is Transportation.
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
Spiber logo
SpiberSB Score: 459

Spiber Inc. is a Japanese biotech startup creating Brewed Protein™, a revolutionary material made from protein that can be used to make fibers, films, and resins. Their innovative technology combines synthetic biology and material science for sustainable product development.

View Full Page
Website
spiber.inc/en
Employee range
251 – 500
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$298.3M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
4th
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)
5th
Preferred Networks logo
Preferred NetworksSB Score: 434

Preferred Networks is a cutting-edge tech company specializing in real-time machine learning for IoT. Their focus is on developing advanced technology solutions to enhance the capabilities of connected devices.

View Full Page
Website
www.preferred.jp/en
Employee range
1 – 10
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)

Total amount:5

Top Hiring Unicorns in Japan by Employee Number

The top three hiring unicorns in Japan have an average employee size that is larger than to the global average. Among these, the Software & Data industry features the unicorn with the largest workforce.
1st
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)
2nd
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)
3rd
Spiber logo
SpiberSB Score: 459

Spiber Inc. is a Japanese biotech startup creating Brewed Protein™, a revolutionary material made from protein that can be used to make fibers, films, and resins. Their innovative technology combines synthetic biology and material science for sustainable product development.

View Full Page
Website
spiber.inc/en
Employee range
251 – 500
Web Traffic (Monthly)
Funding amount
$298.3M
National Rank(Japan)
Regional Rank(East Asia)
Global Rank(Worldwide)
4th
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

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

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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
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