IDDK Co., Ltd. (President: Soichiro Ueno, Head Office: Koto-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "IDDK"), which provides space bio-experiment services utilizing its proprietary semiconductor sensor-based microscopic observation technology, MID, has raised USD 0.5M in pre-series A second close by March 15, 2024, funded by Leave a Nest Capital Co., Ltd., a group company of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and Pasona Group Inc. The total amount raised under the pre-series A was USD 2M (including the issuance of J-KISS type stock acquisition rights).
Going forward, IDDK will deepen collaboration with other companies to utilize MID technology and develop space bio-experiment services. IDDK plan to use the funds raised to develop next-generation MID and strengthen its system.
Background of Fundraising
IDDK has successfully developed an innovative microscopic observation technology “Micro Imaging Device (MID) ” based on a completely different principle from conventional microscopes by combining optical and semiconductor technologies, and is now developing an automated space bio-experiment system using this MID as its core technology.
IDDK aims to establish Japan's first private-sector-led low Earth orbit space bio-experiment platform using satellites and will start demonstration tests in 2024 and services in 2025, providing services to all customers "in space" in a special environment such as microgravity with MID technology that can be used "anytime", "anywhere" and "by anyone". IDDK will provide services to all customers "in space" in special environments such as microgravity’s. In addition, with an eye toward the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2030 and a commercial space station platform, IDDK aims to develop new customers and expand the market for space applications, focusing on bio-experiments in space.
Future Development Plans
By becoming a platform company for space bio-experiments, IDDK will promote privatization of space and provide a place to generate innovation for human issues that cannot be solved only by research on the ground. IDDK will use the funding to develop next-generation MID series and strengthen its structure to accelerate business expansion.
With Leave a Nest, IDDK aims to develop educational programs utilizing their knowledge platform and their space bio-experiment platform.
With Pasona Group, IDDK aims to contribute to the creation of a truly affluent society through their efforts to realize a wellbeing society on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, and through the application of IDDK’s technology to enrich people's health and lives through medicine and healthcare.
Message from Leave a Nest
We were struck by IDDK's Micro Imaging Device (MID) technology, which enables microscopic observation from a completely different perspective than existing microscopes. The process of observation is the starting point for research and development in all fields, and we were so excited by the potential range of applications for this technology that we decided to invest in IDDK.
We are already discussing specific collaborations, including a space education project to gather ideas for space experiments using MID technology. As one of these projects, we are planning to establish a project to build a "micro-bio space lab" to realize research on biology and chemistry in space and the development of automation technology to automate it with middle and high school students in Japan and Southeast Asia. We are convinced that Leave a Nest Group's contribution will accelerate the realization of IDDK's passion to create a place where the next generation can be involved in solving problems facing humanity and the Earth using innovative microscopic observation technology.
Message from IDDK Management
Soichiro Ueno, CEO
We have been promoting the micro imaging device (MID) technology, a single-chip microscopic observation device, based on our basic philosophy of "contributing to a better future for people around the world through microscopic observation technology that can be used “anytime”, “anywhere” and “by anyone". As an important application of this technology, we are involved in the space bio-experiment business. The mission of the space bio-experiment business is to provide a place to generate innovations for human issues that cannot be solved only by research on the ground, through privatization of space bio experiments. This funding is intended to strengthen our organizational structure for the development of our space bio-experiment business and to develop MID technology ahead of the rest of the world. We aim to contribute to the development on the ground through discoveries and technological developments in the new field of space, and to be part of the infrastructure that supports experiments and research to enable humans to live prosperously in space.
Through collaboration with Leave a Nest and Pasona Group that have gathered for this second closing, we hope to contribute to a better future by spreading our technology more widely throughout the world.
About IDDK
Company Name: IDDK Co., Ltd.
Head Office Location: 1-12-8 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Asahi Building 309
CEO: Soichiro Ueno
Business Activities: Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of microscopic observation devices; development, manufacturing, and sales of microscopic observation-related technologies
Established: June 2017
Website: https://iddk.co.jp