Keio University-Founded MedTech Startup LIFESCAPES Raises 600 Million Yen in Funding

Key facts

  • Keio University-Founded MedTech Startup LIFESCAPES Raises 600 Million Yen in Funding
  • LIFESCAPES, a medical startup born from Keio University, has raised a total of 600 million yen. The funds will accelerate clinical trials in Japan and expand its brain-machine interface (BMI) rehabilitation technology into ASEAN and North America.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: June 15, 2026

Direct answer

LIFESCAPES, a medical startup born from Keio University, has raised a total of 600 million yen. The funds will accelerate clinical trials in Japan and expand its brain-machine interface (BMI) rehabilitation technology into ASEAN and North America.

Citation
Keio University-Founded MedTech Startup LIFESCAPES Raises 600 Million Yen in Funding (June 15, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
June 15, 2026
LIFESCAPES, a medical startup born from Keio University, has raised a total of 600 million yen. The funds will accelerate clinical trials in Japan and expand its brain-machine interface (BMI) rehabilitation technology into ASEAN and North America.
資金調達出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: June 15, 2026 at 20:00
  • 🔍 Collected: June 16, 2026 at 01:31 (5h 31m after Published)
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 16, 2026 at 01:38 (6 min after Collected)
LIFESCAPES Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Junichi Ushiba; hereinafter "LIFESCAPES"), a company developing medical devices using brain-machine interface (BMI/BCI) technology, has completed a third-party allotment of new shares, raising a total of 600 million yen from existing and new investors. Transitioning into a Global MedTech Company Based on Domestic Expertise LIFESCAPES is working on the social implementation of BMI technology to support rehabilitation for severe hand paralysis caused by stroke and other conditions. With this funding, the company will advance physician-led clinical trials in Japan following its designation as a "Pioneering Medical Device," while accelerating business development and partnerships in overseas markets—particularly the rapidly growing ASEAN region and North America. 1. Full-Scale International Expansion: Launching in ASEAN with Malaysia as the Base The completion of regulatory approval in Malaysia and the first overseas introduction to Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO), Malaysia’s social security agency under the Ministry of Human Resources, marks a significant step in LIFESCAPES’ global strategy. The company plans to establish sales systems in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and other ASEAN countries by fiscal year 2026, establishing a strong regional presence. 2. Physician-Led Clinical Trial for the Designated "Pioneering Medical Device" Therapeutic BMI In Japan, LIFESCAPES plans to begin physician-led clinical trials around summer 2026 for its "(provisional name) LIFESCAPES Therapeutic BMI," which was designated as a "Pioneering Medical Device" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in December 2025. The trials aim to verify efficacy and safety, and upon completion, the company will accelerate efforts toward public insurance coverage. 3. Next-Generation Business Development: Launch of Self-Pay Healthcare Services LIFESCAPES will advance the development of self-pay medical service models to meet broader patient needs beyond insurance-covered treatments. The company aims to deliver BMI technology to as many patients as possible, including those in the chronic phase who have long since been discharged from acute or recovery-phase rehabilitation hospitals. Funding Overview Amount Raised: 600 million yen Method: Third-party allotment of new shares Shareholders: MSIVC2025V Investment Limited Partnership, Golden Asia Fund III, L.P., SUMISEI-SBI Investment Limited Partnership, Deep Tech Angel 2025 Investment Limited Partnership, PARAMOUNT BED-SBI Healthcare Fund No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership, Fidea Corporate Growth Support Fund Investment Limited Partnership, MUFG Life Sciences No. 3 Investment Limited Partnership (in no particular order) Investor Comments (in no particular order) MSIVC2025V Investment Limited Partnership Hiroaki Hirai, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co., Ltd. "The world’s first BMI device developed by LIFESCAPES for treating and rehabilitating severe hand paralysis is now entering the phase of becoming a therapeutic medical device. We hope the company continues its efforts to deliver treatment and rehabilitation opportunities to as many patients as possible, as soon as possible. We will continue our support." Golden Asia Fund III, L.P. Katsuhiko Ueshima, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. "Golden Asia Fund Ventures Ltd (Japan-Taiwan Fund) is a joint fund between Innovation and Industrial Technology Transfer Corporation (ITIC), the investment arm of Taiwan’s government research institute Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. LIFESCAPES offers a groundbreaking and unique BMI-based solution for severe post-stroke paralysis, where effective existing treatments are lacking. Given its significant social impact and high expectations, and with planned expansion into Taiwan, Asia, and the U.S., we believe the company has strong potential for sustained global growth, which led to our investment." SUMISEI-SBI Investment Limited Partnership Makito Momota, Sumitomo Life Insurance Company "LIFESCAPES’ efforts to implement BMI technology for stroke rehabilitation go beyond functional recovery, supporting patients’ quality of life and social participation. We have high expectations for its social significance and future potential. This aligns with Sumitomo Life’s initiatives toward achieving well-being, and we see great potential for further development." Deep Tech Angel 2025 Investment Limited Partnership Shingo Tsuda, Indie Capital Inc. "For startups, especially deep tech ventures, exceptional technical capability must be paired with a clear vision of whose problems they solve and the product development strength to realize it. LIFESCAPES’ practical BMI technology is a core future technology connecting humans and machines. We are highly encouraged and excited to support a management team that steadily advances toward real-world implementation." PARAMOUNT BED-SBI Healthcare Fund No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership Noriaki Koga, Paramount Bed Co., Ltd. "Our group leverages its expertise and business foundation in healthcare and nursing care to expand into sleep, health, and well-being, aiming to create value that supports better living for individuals. We view LIFESCAPES’ BMI technology as one that not only supports physical function recovery but also enhances independence, social participation, and personalized lifestyles. The company’s initiatives contribute to extending healthy life expectancy and improving quality of life, including positive behavioral changes through gamification, and hold long-term potential for expanding the well-being domain. Through this investment, we will support the company’s growth over the long term and explore new value creation opportunities." Fidea Corporate Growth Support Fund Investment Limited Partnership Yoshikazu Kitano, Fidea Capital Inc. "We highly value LIFESCAPES’ direct approach to unresolved social challenges in healthcare, offering concrete solutions through technology and implementation capability, which led to our investment decision. We believe healthcare challenges will grow in importance, and LIFESCAPES’ initiatives successfully balance social impact with business growth. We look forward to supporting the company through business collaboration and partnerships so its services can benefit more people’s health and quality of life." MUFG Life Sciences No. 3 Investment Limited Partnership Yosuke Izawa, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. "We believe LIFESCAPES’ BMI technology offers a groundbreaking solution for upper limb motor paralysis after stroke, a condition with high unmet medical needs and few effective solutions. Beyond the innovation of BMI, we were drawn to the team’s passion, character, and expertise, prompting our additional investment. We will support the dissemination of this technology using MUFG’s network." About LIFESCAPES LIFESCAPES is a Brain-Machine

FAQ

What makes LIFESCAPES' technology groundbreaking?

It's the world's first therapeutic BMI that decodes brain signals to assist movement in paralyzed hands, aiming for functional recovery and improved quality of life.

In which countries will it be used?

Initially in Japan and Malaysia, expanding to Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand by 2026, with North America as a future target.

Will it be covered by insurance?

Designated as a Pioneering Medical Device in Dec 2025, it aims for public insurance coverage after completing clinical trials in 2026.

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