UTokyo IPC Announces Follow-on Investment in Visban, Inc.
PrintUTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Kosuke Ueda; hereinafter “UTokyo IPC”), through the AOI No.1 Investment Limited Partnership (the “AOI No.1 Fund”) which it manages, has made a follow-on investment in Visban, Inc. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: S.B. Cha; hereinafter “Visban”), a developer of AI-managed millimeter wave network technology.
This investment is being made jointly with Beyond Next Ventures, Inc.
Advancement of AI-Managed Millimeter-Wave Network Technology
As demand for high-capacity, low-latency wireless connectivity continues to expand—driven by applications such as VR/AR, 8K video, and autonomous systems—millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in next-generation communication infrastructure. However, mmWave signals are characterized by limited propagation range and sensitivity to physical obstructions, often necessitating dense infrastructure deployment to ensure reliable coverage.
Visban’s V-Mesh technology extends millimeter-wave coverage by creating an AI-managed mesh of network-controlled repeaters that distribute signals around obstacles and into and out of buildings. This approach enables reliable indoor and outdoor coverage across complex environments without requiring major changes to the underlying network.
Designed to operate with public and private networks, including terrestrial and non-terrestrial architectures, V-Mesh provides operators and infrastructure providers with a means to expand millimeter-wave reach while reducing deployment cost.
Visban is currently advancing product development, system validation, AI training, and field trials with strategic partners.
Rationale for the Follow-on Investment
UTokyo IPC selected Visban prior to its incorporation through the 8th cohort of its “1stRound” startup support program*, providing support in business planning and early-stage development. UTokyo IPC subsequently made its initial investment in September 2024.
Since the initial investment, Visban has demonstrated steady progress in product development and validation activities. This follow-on investment reflects UTokyo IPC’s assessment of the company’s technological advancement and its continued commitment to supporting the execution phase, including system validation and proof-of-concept initiatives in local 5G environments.
Through this investment, UTokyo IPC will continue to provide strategic and organizational support to facilitate Visban’s progression toward commercialization.
About the AOI No.1 Fund
Established in 2020, the AOI No.1 Fund promotes open innovation centered around the University of Tokyo under the concept of venture creation and investment through collaboration between corporations and academia. The Fund supports the establishment of new ventures and carve-out companies in partnership with leading corporations, as well as startups leveraging strategic corporate assets.
UTokyo IPC will continue to foster the innovation ecosystem surrounding the University of Tokyo and contribute to the advancement of global innovation by creating, nurturing, and investing in ventures that leverage academic research outcomes.
* “1stRound” is one of Japan’s largest university- and research-institution-backed startup support programs, operated by UTokyo IPC.
About Visban, Inc.
Visban is the developer of V-Mesh technology, an AI-managed millimeter wave network technology designed to increase coverage and reliability while minimizing deployment costs. V-Mesh enables scalable connectivity across public, private, and hybrid network environments.
Established: September 2022
Head Office: HiRAKU GATE 601, 2-3-10 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: S.B. Cha
Website: https://visban.com/?lang=ja
About UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC)
UTokyo IPC is an investment company dedicated to advancing the startup ecosystem related to academia.
Established: January 2016
Shareholder: The University of Tokyo (100%)
Head Office: Entrepreneur Lab 261, The University of Tokyo South Research Building, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
President & CEO: Kosuke Ueda
Website: https://www.utokyo-ipc.co.jp/