Google invests in Japanese startup Sakana AI to develop Gemini chatbot in Japan
Google has become an investor in the Japanese startup Sakana AI to strengthen the position of its Gemini chatbot in the Japanese market. The investment followed a $135 million Series B round, which led to the startup being valued at $2.6 billion.
Sakana AI does not disclose the amount of investment from Google, but the deal provides the startup with access to Alphabet Inc.’s language models, which will allow them to improve their products and enhance the reliability of their services. According to David Ha, co-founder and CEO of the startup, access to Google’s models is essential for improving their products.
The investment agreement aims to help Google counter the dominance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the corporate environment in Japan, providing the opportunity to expand the use of the Gemini chatbot. For Sakana AI, it is also a chance to expand cooperation with the Japanese government and strengthen its position in foreign markets. The startup, founded in 2023, has already received a government grant to support local AI solutions in the Japanese language and plans to expand cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and other organizations.
| Company | Investment | Valuation | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakana AI | Series B $135 million | $2.6 billion | 2023 |
Experts believe that Google’s investment in Sakana AI could contribute to the growth of Google’s sales in Japan and the proliferation of artificial intelligence technologies across various industries.
