US-Based Seaweed Tech Startup Aqua Theon Inc. Raises Approximately 2 Billion Yen in Total for Pre-Series A
Aqua Theon Inc., developing seaweed food-tech in LA, raised an additional 800 million JPY, bringing its Pre-Series A total to 2 billion JPY, and launched 'OoMee Matcha'.
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- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 16:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 07:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 03:02 (355h 32m after Collected)
Aqua Theon Inc. (Headquarters: Los Angeles, California; CEO: Arissa Miki), which develops a food-tech business using seaweed, spearheaded by the Japanese confectionery D2C 'MISAKY.TOKYO' and the seaweed functional beverage 'OoMee' in Los Angeles, announces that it has raised approximately 800 million yen in January 2026 as a Pre-Series A 3rd round from the Mirai Creation Fund III (Operated by: SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd.), Beyond Next Ventures Inc., and The Shizuoka Shimbun. This brings the total amount raised in the Pre-Series A round to approximately 2 billion yen. Additionally, the seaweed functional beverage 'OoMee Matcha' has been officially launched.
## Background and Purpose of Fundraising
'OoMee', launched in May 2025, was introduced to 700 stores nationwide, including Sprouts and Raley's, in just five months after its release, achieving nationwide expansion at an unprecedented speed for a new brand. Since its launch, it has maintained a high repeat rate, earning strong praise from retail buyers in addition to consumer support. Against the backdrop of such a strong market response and solid growth momentum, this fundraising was executed to accelerate further brand expansion and category establishment.
The funds raised will be utilized to strengthen marketing and sales structures, promoting awareness and distribution expansion. In addition, we will proceed with expanding the portfolio of our proprietary 'Seabiotics™' technology, strengthen strategic partnerships with other companies, and further expand the creation of new value derived from seaweed.
## Comments from Investors
- SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd. Vice President Sayane Yokomatsu, Head of Next Generation Growth Investment Dept. Ichitaro Akita
In the US, while the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs is advancing, many people suffer from side effects. The company's functional beverage 'OoMee' using seaweed is a product expected to have the effect of bringing a healthy feeling of fullness. We are delighted to have made this investment, fascinated by the local management team and the high breakthrough power of the management who have achieved the cultivation of retail stores in the US market, which has different commercial customs from Japan. Also, raw materials from Japanese agar manufacturers are used in this product. We expect that as the company's products become widely popular in the US, new value will be added to traditional Japanese materials.
- Beyond Next Ventures Inc. Partner/Agri-Food Sector Lead Akito Arima
Following the lead investment in the previous round, we made an additional investment in Aqua Theon this time as well. Over the past year, the company has further strengthened its team and steadily expanded its rollout to retail across the US. Founder Arissa has believed in the potential of Japan's unique resource, seaweed, and strongly promoted the 'Japan to Global' challenge with a strong vision and ability to take action. We look forward to the further growth of the company as it spreads the new value of seaweed to the world!
- The Shizuoka Shimbun Silicon Valley Branch Ryo Hagiwara
Against the backdrop of growing wellness trends in the US, we deeply empathized with CEO Miki's strong desire to spread the goodness of Japan overseas and the vision to open up a healthy alternative market with the potential of 'seaweed'. Driven by her outstanding marketing skills and an experienced team, we also highly evaluate their strong track record, including advancing into major US supermarkets. Moving forward, we expect regional revitalization in Shizuoka through the joint development of new products using Shizuoka's specialty tea and citrus fruits and exports to the US, and we will fully support the company's further leap forward in the US market...
## Background and Purpose of Fundraising
'OoMee', launched in May 2025, was introduced to 700 stores nationwide, including Sprouts and Raley's, in just five months after its release, achieving nationwide expansion at an unprecedented speed for a new brand. Since its launch, it has maintained a high repeat rate, earning strong praise from retail buyers in addition to consumer support. Against the backdrop of such a strong market response and solid growth momentum, this fundraising was executed to accelerate further brand expansion and category establishment.
The funds raised will be utilized to strengthen marketing and sales structures, promoting awareness and distribution expansion. In addition, we will proceed with expanding the portfolio of our proprietary 'Seabiotics™' technology, strengthen strategic partnerships with other companies, and further expand the creation of new value derived from seaweed.
## Comments from Investors
- SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd. Vice President Sayane Yokomatsu, Head of Next Generation Growth Investment Dept. Ichitaro Akita
In the US, while the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs is advancing, many people suffer from side effects. The company's functional beverage 'OoMee' using seaweed is a product expected to have the effect of bringing a healthy feeling of fullness. We are delighted to have made this investment, fascinated by the local management team and the high breakthrough power of the management who have achieved the cultivation of retail stores in the US market, which has different commercial customs from Japan. Also, raw materials from Japanese agar manufacturers are used in this product. We expect that as the company's products become widely popular in the US, new value will be added to traditional Japanese materials.
- Beyond Next Ventures Inc. Partner/Agri-Food Sector Lead Akito Arima
Following the lead investment in the previous round, we made an additional investment in Aqua Theon this time as well. Over the past year, the company has further strengthened its team and steadily expanded its rollout to retail across the US. Founder Arissa has believed in the potential of Japan's unique resource, seaweed, and strongly promoted the 'Japan to Global' challenge with a strong vision and ability to take action. We look forward to the further growth of the company as it spreads the new value of seaweed to the world!
- The Shizuoka Shimbun Silicon Valley Branch Ryo Hagiwara
Against the backdrop of growing wellness trends in the US, we deeply empathized with CEO Miki's strong desire to spread the goodness of Japan overseas and the vision to open up a healthy alternative market with the potential of 'seaweed'. Driven by her outstanding marketing skills and an experienced team, we also highly evaluate their strong track record, including advancing into major US supermarkets. Moving forward, we expect regional revitalization in Shizuoka through the joint development of new products using Shizuoka's specialty tea and citrus fruits and exports to the US, and we will fully support the company's further leap forward in the US market...