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DG Lab Fund Invested in Skydisc, a Cloud Service Using AI/IoT as the Fukuoka City’s Startup Support Program’s First Project
Technological collaboration with DG Lab and creation of joint enterprises via DG’s global network
Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE first section: 4819; HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG) and Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. (TSE first section: 8601; HQ: Tokyo; President & CEO: Seiji Nakata; Daiwa Securities Group) announced investment in Skydisc, Inc. (HQ: Fukuoka; Representative Director and CEO: Tsukasa Hashimoto; Skydisc), a company carrying out development of cloud services and IoT sensor devices, as well as AI analysis of sensor acquired data. The investment will be made through the DG Lab Fund 1 (also known as DG Lab Fund) which has been operating since July 2016 by DG Daiwa Ventures, Inc. (hereinafter, DG Daiwa Ventures), a joint venture between DG and Daiwa Securities Group. Through DG Lab, an open innovation R&D organization that was established with Kakaku.com, Inc. (TSE first section: 2371; HQ: Tokyo; President: Shonosuke Hata) and Credit Saison Co., Ltd. (TSE first section: 8253; HQ: Tokyo; President & CEO: Hiroshi Rinno), DG will work with Skydisc to develop technology in the AI/IoT field.
Meanwhile, Skydisc will provide maintenance services to major power companies, utilizing AI/IoT equipped mechanical anomaly detection functions. The technology developed by the company will also offer alternative services that could only previously be accomplished by skilled laborers. Lastly, Skydisc will engage in industry-university cooperation with Kyushu University and Kyushu Institute of Technology to develop solutions, employing AI/IoT, to the social problem of labor shortage in several fields. These solutions will specifically target difficulties that could not previously be addressed by IT services.
A major feature of the DG Lab Fund is the inclusion of an incubation function through its collaboration with DG Lab, whose engineers have exemplary technical competence. As part of this new investment, DG will utilize DG Lab to work in collaboration with Skydisc to support development of AI/IoT technology, while also exploring joint business development through DG’s existing global business network.
The investment is also the first project of the Fukuoka City Startup Support Program, agreed to in September 2017 between DG and the Fukuoka Directive Council (Chairman: Tai Aso; FDC). Under this program, DG will continue to conduct entrepreneurial education activities in the Fukuoka region, as well as management aid for startup corporations, contributing to employment and the overall economic development of the region.
[About Skydisc, Inc.]
Company name: Skydisc, Inc.
Established: October 1, 2013
Representative: Tsukasa Hashimoto (Representative Director & CEO)
Location of HQ: Fukuka Growth Next 2F 217, Fukuoka Daimyo 2-6-11, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Business content: Development of IoT sensor devices, formation of IoT communications networks, formation of IoT analysis (AI) clouds, other services in the IoT field
URL: https://skydisc.jp/
*This press release is not intended to offer any investment operation services and specific operation products. DG and Daiwa Securities Group are not calling for any participation of DG Lab Fund through this press release.