Global Brain has invested in SKY FARM, Inc. (SKY FARM), a provider of a mobile ordering system for commercial facilities, through its TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund L.P. (TAKANAWA Fund) as the lead investor. This round of funding was also joined by KDDI Open Innovation Fund V (KOIF V). SKY FARM is a startup that provides a one-stop mobile ordering function for various payment scenarios in commercial facilities, including table orders, delivery/takeout, and pop-up stores. Mobile order-based payments are rapidly gaining popularity due to the chronic labor shortage in the retail industry and the need to improve the operational efficiency of food, beverage, and retail outlets. However, conventional mobile ordering systems have a UI/UX designed for individual restaurant chains and retail stores and were not optimized for use in large commercial facilities and department stores. The NEW PORT mobile ordering system provided by SKY FARM is designed as a multi-tenant product that can be introduced across multiple stores and has the flexibility to integrate with systems such as ID and loyalty point platforms at commercial facilities. The system has already been introduced in many large shopping centers and food malls in Japan. SKY FARM is also building a robot delivery service that can seamlessly provide everything from product ordering to payment and automated delivery. SKY FARM is committed to solving issues faced by commercial facilities and tenants and improving consumer convenience through digitalization of customer contact points, while also contributing to the creation of new value in urban life through human-robot symbiosis. Global Brain has decided to invest in SKY FARM because of its unique positioning in the mobile ordering market and its potential to become a platform to drive digital transformation in commercial facilities. Through this investment, Global Brain will leverage the extensive networks and assets of the limited partner (LP) companies of the TAKANAWA Fund including East Japan Railway Company as well as those of KDDI CORPORATION to contribute to SKY FARM’s business growth.

About SKY FARM

Location: Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
Representative: Takuya Kimura
Founded: July 2015
URL: https://sky-farm.co.jp/
(Available only in Japanese)

About TAKANAWA Fund

Name: TAKANAWA GATEWAY Global Co-Benefits Fund L.P.
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation
Fund Size: Approximately JPY 10 billion (planned)
Fund Term: 10 years

About KOIF V

Name: KDDI Open Innovation Fund V
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation
Fund Size: JPY 5 billion (planned)
Fund Term: 10 years

About Global Brain

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Founded: January 1998
URL: https://globalbrains.com

Global Brain has invested in SKY FARM, Inc., a provider of a mobile ordering system for commercial facilities, as the lead investor