Global Brain has invested in endophyte Inc. (endophyte), which focuses on developing greening and agricultural materials using the soil core microorganism, DSE, through its TOKYU-CNST GB Innovation Fund L.P. (TCIF). endophyte is a startup originating from the Ibaraki University and University of Tsukuba, aiming to provide greening that adds significant value in any environment. The soil core microorganism, DSE, which the company conducts research and development on, is capable of providing various features to plants, such as improving environmental stress tolerance and enhancing nutritional absorption. According to a United Nations (Food and Agriculture Organization) report*, it is predicted that over 90% of the world's agricultural soils will be degraded by 2050^\*1, and forest areas are decreasing by approximately six million hectares annually^\*2. As climate crisis and soil degradation worsen, game-changing technologies are needed for plants to grow stably without being affected by the external environment.
* Source:
^\*1 https://www.undrr.org/understanding-disaster-risk/terminology/hips/en0019
^\*2 https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/kaigai/attach/pdf/index-5.pdf (in Japanese)
By utilizing a large-scale library of DSE, endophyte aims to provide greening that adds significant value under climate change conditions and establish an ecosystem for co-creating new green businesses. To date, the company has collaborated with more than 10 major corporations in developing plant cultivation methods and materials for greening and agriculture, expecting to verify its technology in more areas. By combining a joint verification network and the results of these collaborations, endophyte supports companies in co-creating new green businesses in sectors like real estate, construction, and commercial infrastructure, with the goal of maximizing the business impact on the green industry. Global Brain has decided to invest in endophyte, based on its high regard for endophyte’s business and talented management team with the ability to bring its plans to fruition. Global Brain will contribute to the growth of endophyte’s business in collaboration with TOKYU CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

About endophyte

Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Toshiki Kazaoka
Founded: April 2023
URL: https://endo-phyte.com/en/

About TCIF

Name: TOKYU-CNST GB Innovation Fund L.P.
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation
Fund Size: JPY 5 billion

About Global Brain

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

Global Brain has invested in endophyte Inc., which focuses on developing greening and agricultural materials using the soil core microorganism, Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE)