Anaut Inc. Completes Series B Funding to Accelerate Global Expansion

Anaut Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naoshi Kobayashi), a tenant at the 'Kawasaki Business Incubation Center (KBIC),' an open innovation hub for technical startups located in the Shin-Kawasaki district of Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and operated by a consortium including Tsukuru Co., Ltd., has completed a Series B third-party allotment of shares. The company will utilize the funds from this round to further accelerate its rapidly progressing global expansion, conduct research and development, including the launch of new businesses, and promote product adoption.

## Challenges Facing Surgical Healthcare

Despite advancements in surgical robots and other therapeutic equipment, the medical field today faces critical challenges such as a shortage of surgeons, regional healthcare disparities, and the increasing complexity of surgeries, making the construction of a sustainable healthcare provision system an urgent priority. In fields heavily reliant on the expertise of skilled surgeons, there is a demand for standardization of quality and advanced education. It is evident that technology-based support is essential for surgeons' cognitive domains. Additionally, despite the significant efforts of medical personnel, surgical complications remain a major issue in surgical medicine.

## Anaut's Initiatives: Development and Promotion of Japanese-Originated Surgical AI

To address these issues, Anaut has been working on cognitive support for surgeons via AI since 2018, led by CEO Naoshi Kobayashi, who is also a surgeon. As a result of these efforts, in 2024, the company pioneered the Surgical Image Recognition Support Program (Product Name: Surgical Visual Support Program Eureka α, hereafter 'EUREKA α'), which provides real-time visual support to doctors. The company obtained manufacturing and marketing approval from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare on April 12, 2024 (Approval Number: 30600BZX00061000), and received partial approval for pancreatic and nerve-related applications from the Ministry this January.

While continuing research and development, the company is actively implementing its solutions in society, and the EUREKA series is currently being introduced smoothly within Japan. Furthermore, the technology has received strong acclaim as a necessary tool in operating rooms abroad. Anaut is rapidly advancing its global development, including expanding R&D with international medical institutions and preparing to obtain regulatory approvals. The company established 'Anaut America Inc.' in 2025 and plans to establish a local subsidiary in the European region this summer. Members from around the world who strongly resonate with Anaut's philosophy of 'delivering greater safety and peace of mind to all patients requiring surgery' have joined, and they are taking on the challenge of spreading Japan's world-class surgical expertise across the globe through AI technology.

## Details of the Funding

In this round, conducted in March 2026 (first close) and May 2026 (second close), the company received investments from four new companies: Japan Growth Capital Investment Corporation (managed by Nomura Sparx Investment, Inc.) as the lead investor, along with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan Investment Corporation for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), and Vision Incubate Co., Ltd. In addition, existing investors, including Beyond Next Ventures (lead investor for the seed round), ANRI (lead investor for multiple rounds including Series A and bridge), and KSP, Inc., have provided continuous and very strong support, standing by the company in its challenging endeavor of global medical device development. The company plans to execute another funding round this summer, focusing on overseas VCs (including VCs associated with international medical institutions) in addition to domestic ones.

## Future Outlook: A Message from CEO Naoshi Kobayashi

We will continue to devote all our efforts to solving the challenges of operating rooms in Japan and around the world. In addition to further promoting our products in operating rooms within Japan, we are steadily advancing product development (including obtaining overseas approvals such as FDA and CE marking) by forming local teams abroad. Furthermore, as part of our R&D, we are eagerly working on pioneering new technologies, such as optimization, integration, and collaboration with next-generation therapeutic equipment using advanced AI technology through our 'Eureka Inside' business. We welcome those who share our mission in areas such as surgical medicine, engineering, business development, regulatory compliance, and corporate functions (accounting, HR, general affairs) to join us.