Supporting wena's New Beginning! Investment-Type Crowdfunding 'Sony Bank GATE' New Fund Offering (Solicitation Starts April 14)
Sony Bank will begin soliciting investments for augment AI Inc., which is developing the next-generation 'wena X' smartwatch, through its investment-type crowdfunding platform 'Sony Bank GATE' starting April 14. This initiative supports the new challenge of the wena team, which has become independent from Sony Group.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 02:09 (492h 30m after Collected)
Sony Bank Inc. (President and Representative Director: Keiji Minami / Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / hereinafter 'Sony Bank') announced today that it will begin handling investment solicitations for augment AI Inc. as the business operator on its investment-type crowdfunding platform 'Sony Bank GATE' starting Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
augment AI Inc. (hereinafter 'the Company') is a startup company that plans and develops a new generation of the smartwatch series 'wena.' The Company is currently developing a new product, 'wena X.' To accelerate the Company's business growth and product commercialization, a new fund offering will commence on Sony Bank GATE.
wena Team Inherits Trademarks and Patents, Becomes Independent Startup
'wena' is a product that extends the convenience of a smartwatch without compromising the beauty of a favorite wristwatch, based on its unique concept of 'a smartwatch that can be attached to a wristwatch.' It has been developed through three generations and has gained support from many users.
In response to the wishes and expectations of these users, the team that led the wena business, including its representative Mr. Tsushima, inherited trademarks and patents (*1) from Sony Group Corporation and became an independent startup as augment AI Inc. While maintaining wena's aesthetics and philosophy, they are working on developing 'wena X,' a new generation with a further refined concept.
Japan-Born, World's Smallest (*2) Smartwatch 'wena X'
'wena X' adopts a new structure where the buckle part can be attached and detached with a single touch. This makes band replacement easy, allowing for flexible use according to daily life scenes, such as a wristwatch style normally, and a smart band during exercise or sleep.
While inheriting the philosophy of the conventional 'wena' series, it achieves the world's smallest size (*2) with a patent-pending new buckle structure and an ultra-low power wena OS. Sleep and exercise functions have also been significantly enhanced, providing an experience that subtly blends into daily life while valuing the original design and worldview of a wristwatch.
About Investment Solicitation on Sony Bank GATE
Sony Bank GATE is Sony Bank's investment-type crowdfunding platform that connects challenging companies with supportive investors.
It was launched by leveraging the knowledge gained from Sony's 'First Flight' (service now terminated). 'wena' itself was a project born from 'First Flight.' The respect for watch culture and the user-centric manufacturing approach align with the philosophy of Sony Bank GATE.
This time, through Sony Bank GATE, investment solicitations will be made for 'wena's' new challenge.
On Sony Bank GATE, investments for business operations, including this project, will be solicited at 50,000 yen per unit, with a target fundraising amount of 20,000,000 yen.
Investment Benefits
Five individuals who invest 4 units (200,000 yen) will be selected by lottery to receive one wena X (Cross) loop rubber Black.
(*1) Does not include patents of other companies.
(*2) Comparison based on public specifications and actual measurements (Archimedes method) of smartwatches from major manufacturers with 1.0-inch or larger full-color displays (surveyed by the operator, as of March 17, 2026)
