Taking on the Challenge of Sony Bank's Investment-Based Crowdfunding 'Sony Bank GATE'
augment AI Inc. has announced that it will launch the 'wena Support Fund' on Sony Bank's investment-based crowdfunding platform, 'Sony Bank GATE.' This initiative aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of the new-generation smartwatch, 'wena X.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 13:02 (1487h 22m after Collected)
augment AI Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director: Teppei Tsushima; hereinafter "augment AI") is pleased to announce that, in connection with the new-generation smartwatch "wena X" currently under development, a recruitment drive for the "wena Support Fund," for which our company will act as the business operator, is scheduled to begin on "Sony Bank GATE," an investment-based crowdfunding platform operated by Sony Bank Inc.
Through this initiative, augment AI aims to accelerate business growth and product commercialization. The official Sony Bank GATE website features details about the fund, an overview of the wena business, and "story" content, including an interview with our representative, Mr. Tsushima.
<"wena Support Fund" page> https://sonybank.jp/products/sbg/pj/20250008/
### About Sony Bank GATE
"Sony Bank GATE," provided by Sony Bank, is an investment-based crowdfunding platform that supports companies taking on the challenge of creating new markets or solving societal issues through "asset management x empathy/support." Its key features include being an investment-type (fund-type) platform where users can invest in the business itself, and placing importance on the vision and stories behind the business, allowing investors to support corporate challenges based on "empathy." By fostering support-based investments rooted in empathy for challenging companies, it aims to "create a culture that supports challengers," serving as a platform that connects companies, investors, and society.
### Comments from the Sony Bank Representative
Sony Bank GATE is a service designed to connect challenging companies—which aim to create new markets, solve social issues, and realize rich lifestyles through highly unique initiatives—with supporters who empathize with those visions. We launched this platform as a space for companies to take on business challenges by gaining the empathy of supporters, while leveraging the knowledge we cultivated through "First Flight," the former Sony Group crowdfunding service (now discontinued). "wena" is a project that was born using that very "First Flight" platform. Their attitude of sincerely listening to user feedback and delivering value that fits into people's lives while respecting watch culture perfectly aligns with the ideal of a challenging company on Sony Bank GATE. We feel a great sense of significance and a certain fated connection in being able to welcome this new chapter for "wena" through the Sony Bank GATE platform. We hope that through this fund, a great deal of empathy will be gathered, and this challenge will advance to the next stage.
[Image: New-generation smartwatch "wena X"]
### Purpose of this Press Release
This press release is not intended to provide information on specific financial products or recruitment conditions, but rather to provide information to deepen understanding of the business and development background of augment AI. It is not intended as a solicitation for transactions.
For details and conditions regarding the project, please check the official Sony Bank website.
<"wena Support Fund" page> https://sonybank.jp/products/sbg/pj/20250008/
### About augment AI Inc.
augment AI is an independent company founded by Representative Teppei Tsushima and the development team that led the wena business, having inherited the trademarks and patents from Sony Group Corporation. We will continue to promote this project while maintaining the aesthetics and philosophy of wena.
Company Name: augment AI Inc.
Representative: Representative Director and CEO Teppei Tsushima
Headquarters: Tokyo
Capital: 65,500,000 JPY
Established: July 18, 2025
URL: https://wena.jp/
Through this initiative, augment AI aims to accelerate business growth and product commercialization. The official Sony Bank GATE website features details about the fund, an overview of the wena business, and "story" content, including an interview with our representative, Mr. Tsushima.
<"wena Support Fund" page> https://sonybank.jp/products/sbg/pj/20250008/
### About Sony Bank GATE
"Sony Bank GATE," provided by Sony Bank, is an investment-based crowdfunding platform that supports companies taking on the challenge of creating new markets or solving societal issues through "asset management x empathy/support." Its key features include being an investment-type (fund-type) platform where users can invest in the business itself, and placing importance on the vision and stories behind the business, allowing investors to support corporate challenges based on "empathy." By fostering support-based investments rooted in empathy for challenging companies, it aims to "create a culture that supports challengers," serving as a platform that connects companies, investors, and society.
### Comments from the Sony Bank Representative
Sony Bank GATE is a service designed to connect challenging companies—which aim to create new markets, solve social issues, and realize rich lifestyles through highly unique initiatives—with supporters who empathize with those visions. We launched this platform as a space for companies to take on business challenges by gaining the empathy of supporters, while leveraging the knowledge we cultivated through "First Flight," the former Sony Group crowdfunding service (now discontinued). "wena" is a project that was born using that very "First Flight" platform. Their attitude of sincerely listening to user feedback and delivering value that fits into people's lives while respecting watch culture perfectly aligns with the ideal of a challenging company on Sony Bank GATE. We feel a great sense of significance and a certain fated connection in being able to welcome this new chapter for "wena" through the Sony Bank GATE platform. We hope that through this fund, a great deal of empathy will be gathered, and this challenge will advance to the next stage.
[Image: New-generation smartwatch "wena X"]
### Purpose of this Press Release
This press release is not intended to provide information on specific financial products or recruitment conditions, but rather to provide information to deepen understanding of the business and development background of augment AI. It is not intended as a solicitation for transactions.
For details and conditions regarding the project, please check the official Sony Bank website.
<"wena Support Fund" page> https://sonybank.jp/products/sbg/pj/20250008/
### About augment AI Inc.
augment AI is an independent company founded by Representative Teppei Tsushima and the development team that led the wena business, having inherited the trademarks and patents from Sony Group Corporation. We will continue to promote this project while maintaining the aesthetics and philosophy of wena.
Company Name: augment AI Inc.
Representative: Representative Director and CEO Teppei Tsushima
Headquarters: Tokyo
Capital: 65,500,000 JPY
Established: July 18, 2025
URL: https://wena.jp/