iPresence Secures ¥30 Million in Funding for Next-Generation Services Integrating AI, Digital Twin, and Robotics
iPresence Corporation has successfully raised ¥30 million in funding from the Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund and others. The raised capital will be used to accelerate the development of next-generation services integrating AI, digital twins, and robotics, aiming to boost DX initiatives in factories across Hyogo Prefecture and the Kinki region.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 10:41 (93h 9m after Collected)
iPresence Corporation (Headquarters: Higashinada-ku, Kobe; CEO: Christopher Chris Francis; hereinafter "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has received investment on March 24, 2026, from the "Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund No. 3 Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership," jointly established by Resona Group's The Minato Bank, Ltd., Resona Capital Co., Ltd., and Minato Capital Co., Ltd.
■ Funding Overview
Investee: iPresence Corporation
Representative Director: Christopher Chris Francis
Location: 6-9 Mukoyamanaka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe (within Kobe Fashion Mart)
Business Description: Development and sales of telepresence avatar robots and 3D digital twin services
Investor: Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund No. 3 Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership
Funding Method: Third-party allotment J-KISS warrants
Amount Raised: ¥30 million
Investment Execution Date: March 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
■ About This Investment
This investment comes from a fund jointly established by The Minato Bank, Resona Capital, and Minato Capital. The Minato Bank is a financial institution contributing to the development of the regional economy, primarily in Hyogo Prefecture. This support will be utilized to expand our business and strengthen our development system. Moving forward, we will maximally leverage the extensive networks of these companies, including The Minato Bank, to further accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of factories and government offices in Hyogo Prefecture and the Kinki region.
Through telepresence avatar robots*1 and 3D digital twin services*2, our company is working to solve on-site challenges in factories of major corporations, as well as in government, medical, and educational settings. Our unique composite technology, which combines robots, digital twins, and AI, enables immersive communication and on-site management even from remote locations. We aim to achieve "social progress and self-realization for customers and employees through the spread of a better communication culture, and contribution to Japan's manufacturing industry."
*1 Services that support operational efficiency through remote control of self-driving robots, and realize remote presence with communication robots.
*2 Services that visualize the site with 3D spatial data, providing progress management and remote monitoring systems.
■ President & CEO Comment
Christopher Chris Francis (President & CEO)
We are deeply honored to receive support through the "Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund No. 3" from The Minato Bank, Resona Capital, and Minato Capital.
The Minato Bank is a leading financial institution representing Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe. As a partner based in Kobe, just like our company, we are confident that this investment will not only be a mere fundraising but will also foster deep connections with regional industries.
Leveraging the funds raised, we will further accelerate the introduction of tele-robots in factories, medical, educational, and government sites, and focus on developing next-generation services that fuse AI, digital twins, and robots. We are committed to working as one team to realize our vision of "being there, no matter where you are."
■ Main Awards and Certifications
2018: 5th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Runner-up (iTOUR®)
2019: 6th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Runner-up (CARE-JIRO)
2020: Hyogo Creative Business Grand Prix, Excellence Award
2021: 8th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Distinction (X:Presence)
2023: 11th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Awarded by the Director-General of the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (Digital Robot Remote Welding System)
2024: 1st EXPO INNOVATION AWARD (Expo Innovation Award), Social Innovation Division Winner (Dokodemo Banpaku - Expo Anywhere)
2025: Cabinet Office "Fiscal Year 2025 Promotion of Barrier-Free and Universal Design
■ Funding Overview
Investee: iPresence Corporation
Representative Director: Christopher Chris Francis
Location: 6-9 Mukoyamanaka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe (within Kobe Fashion Mart)
Business Description: Development and sales of telepresence avatar robots and 3D digital twin services
Investor: Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund No. 3 Investment Business Limited Liability Partnership
Funding Method: Third-party allotment J-KISS warrants
Amount Raised: ¥30 million
Investment Execution Date: March 24, 2026 (Tuesday)
■ About This Investment
This investment comes from a fund jointly established by The Minato Bank, Resona Capital, and Minato Capital. The Minato Bank is a financial institution contributing to the development of the regional economy, primarily in Hyogo Prefecture. This support will be utilized to expand our business and strengthen our development system. Moving forward, we will maximally leverage the extensive networks of these companies, including The Minato Bank, to further accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of factories and government offices in Hyogo Prefecture and the Kinki region.
Through telepresence avatar robots*1 and 3D digital twin services*2, our company is working to solve on-site challenges in factories of major corporations, as well as in government, medical, and educational settings. Our unique composite technology, which combines robots, digital twins, and AI, enables immersive communication and on-site management even from remote locations. We aim to achieve "social progress and self-realization for customers and employees through the spread of a better communication culture, and contribution to Japan's manufacturing industry."
*1 Services that support operational efficiency through remote control of self-driving robots, and realize remote presence with communication robots.
*2 Services that visualize the site with 3D spatial data, providing progress management and remote monitoring systems.
■ President & CEO Comment
Christopher Chris Francis (President & CEO)
We are deeply honored to receive support through the "Minato Growth Company Mirai Fund No. 3" from The Minato Bank, Resona Capital, and Minato Capital.
The Minato Bank is a leading financial institution representing Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe. As a partner based in Kobe, just like our company, we are confident that this investment will not only be a mere fundraising but will also foster deep connections with regional industries.
Leveraging the funds raised, we will further accelerate the introduction of tele-robots in factories, medical, educational, and government sites, and focus on developing next-generation services that fuse AI, digital twins, and robots. We are committed to working as one team to realize our vision of "being there, no matter where you are."
■ Main Awards and Certifications
2018: 5th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Runner-up (iTOUR®)
2019: 6th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Runner-up (CARE-JIRO)
2020: Hyogo Creative Business Grand Prix, Excellence Award
2021: 8th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Distinction (X:Presence)
2023: 11th Knowledge Capital Innovation Award, Awarded by the Director-General of the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (Digital Robot Remote Welding System)
2024: 1st EXPO INNOVATION AWARD (Expo Innovation Award), Social Innovation Division Winner (Dokodemo Banpaku - Expo Anywhere)
2025: Cabinet Office "Fiscal Year 2025 Promotion of Barrier-Free and Universal Design