Visit U.S. SiteAstroscale Raises USD7.7 Million in Series A Funding
Singapore-based private commercial space venture, Astroscale, announced today, that it has completed USD 7.7 million Series A funding at the end of January 2015 from the respected venture capital – JAFCO and nine successful entrepreneurs –Mistletoe, Inc. (Representative Director and CEO: Mr. Taizo Son), Mr. Kotaro Yamagishi, Mr. Kenji Kasahara, Mr. Shuhei Morofuji, Ms. Mari Murata, Mr. Kiyoshi Nishikawa, Mr. Mamoru Taniya, Mr. Osamu Kaneda and Mr. Takao Ozawa, to make a difference in the world. The money will be used to set up an office in Japan to accelerate manufacturing small-satellites and ASTROSCALE will aim for the world’s first demonstration of active debris/space junk removal towards the end of 2017.
“We are thrilled to announce for the first successful fund raise in commercial space venture in Asia”, says CEO Mitsunobu Okada. “This fund raise itself represents the policy and meaning of our company – ASTROSCALE. This investment from JAFCO demonstrates the paradigm shift in the space industry where used to be government driven, but now private space companies are taking up a big lead to solve the global space debris issues. On top of that, the nine thoughtful entrepreneurs demonstrate their value and commitment to tackle the issues for the sustainable space environment.”
JAFCO’s Tatsuya Nagaoka adds, “ASTROSCALE is a pioneer in the space industry that tackles head-on with the problem of space debris, a global environmental issue. JAFCO has deep faith in Mr. Okada and the team that gathered towards his aspirations. We are excited to be part of the team along with 9 successful entrepreneurs, and will make every effort to take the company to a success.”
JAFCO Co.,Ltd.
JAFCO Co.,Ltd. is Japan’s leading venture capital and private equity firm. Out of their portfolio, 962 companies have successfully completed IPO’s since their inception in 1973. They have offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Korea and the USA. JAFCO is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
To find out more about JAFCO, visit jafco.co.jp
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Press release is available here.
