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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

SB Score:649

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

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (Japan)

0

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:563

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.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

National Rank (Japan)

0

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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SB Score:450

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.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Gaming

National Rank (Japan)

0

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Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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Total amount:5

SB Score:649

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

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:563

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.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:450

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.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Gaming

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

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.
SB Score:649

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

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:563

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.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:447

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.

Industry:
Healthtech
Subindustry:
Biotechnology

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:450

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.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Gaming

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
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SB Score:148

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.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Artificial Intelligence

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

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Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

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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.
SB Score:563

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.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:649

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

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:447

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.

Industry:
Healthtech
Subindustry:
Biotechnology

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page
SB Score:450

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.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Gaming

National Rank (Japan)

0

View

Regional Rank (East Asia)

0

View

Global Rank (WorldWide)

0

Browse
View full page

Total amount:5

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 ScoreAnnual GrowthQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
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