LexxPluss Secures ¥640 Million in Funding to Expand Development and Sales Operations through Strategic Capital and Business Alliances

LexxPluss is strengthening its technological foundation to accelerate the adoption of its automated cart-pulling solution “LexxTug” in logistics environments and to expand the application of autonomous driving technology in manufacturing factories.

Kawasaki, Japan – LexxPluss Inc. is excited to announce that it has raised ¥640 million in a Series A extension round. This amount includes funds raised through the issuance of bonds with stock acquisition rights. With this latest funding round, the company’s total funding has reached ¥4.6 billion, including a grant from the NEDO Deep Tech Startup Support Fund.

■　　Background

The Japanese startup offers the “Lexx500,” an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR), to help tackle the labor shortages in Japan’s manufacturing and logistics industries by automating the transportation process. In January 2024, the company will launch “LexxTug,” capable of towing carts weighing up to 500 kg without modifications, to meet the various automation needs of logistics and manufacturing sites alongside Lexx500. Additionally, for manufacturing sites, LexxPluss has started offering custom solutions that utilize AMR autonomous driving technology.

With the newly raised funds, LexxPluss aims to enhance its development capabilities, advance autonomous driving technology, shorten the AMR implementation process, and utilize data across the entire production process.

■　　Details

• Amount Raised in Series A Extension Round: ¥640 million
• Total Cumulative Funding: ¥4.6 billion (including ¥1.9 billion from the NEDO Deep Tech Startup Support Fund)

Investors

• Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. (※)
• Nifco Inc. (※)
• Aozora Corporate Investment Co., Ltd.
• Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd. (※)
• Canal Ventures Inc.
• Yokohama Capital, Inc.
• 77 Capital, Inc.
• Iceblue Fund Limited Partnership

※ Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., Nifco Inc., and Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd. have entered into business alliances with LexxPluss in conjunction with this funding round. For further details, please refer to the press release below.

• Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.
  https://lexxpluss.com/press-release/signed-capital-and-business-alliance-agreement-with-mitsubishi-hc-capital-inc/
• Nifco Inc.
  https://lexxpluss.com/press-release/joint-development-of-solutions-with-nifco-inc/
• Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd.
  https://lexxpluss.com/press-release/business-alliance-agreement-with-sanoh/

■　Comments from Investors

Takashi Saeki, General Manager, Robotics Business Development Department, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

“In April of this year, Mitsubishi HC Capital established a new Robotics Business Development Department, combining our strengths in global asset management expertise, extensive partner networks, a solid customer base, and financing capabilities. We aim to accelerate the development and promotion of new businesses in the robotics field by leveraging our unique coordination functions.

The capital and business alliance with LexxPluss was born from our shared philosophy of prioritizing customer problem-solving rather than focusing solely on manufacturing or robotics, and from our commitment to delivering innovative services that enhance productivity through the use of robotics.

Moving forward, through our partnership with LexxPluss, we will contribute to solving our customers’ challenges, as well as the societal issue of labor shortages, by providing easy-to-implement subscription-based automation solutions, primarily in the logistics, manufacturing, and facility management sectors.”

Masaharu Shibao, President and CEO, Nifco Inc.

“While advanced safety features in automobiles are becoming more widespread, the automotive maintenance industry is facing serious social challenges, such as the need for increasingly sophisticated maintenance procedures and the chronic aging of the workforce coupled with labor shortages. A significant improvement in labor productivity through automation and workforce reduction is required to address these challenges.

Nifco has traditionally provided solutions to improve labor productivity primarily in the automotive manufacturing process through our automotive components. Moving forward, we are committed to actively addressing these social challenges across the entire value chain.

Under the slogan ‘Value Co-Creation,’ Nifco will collaborate with LexxPluss to promote ‘automated solutions for automotive maintenance’ by leveraging automation technology and the business foundation we have cultivated in the automotive industry. We will strive to realize a safe, comfortable, and sustainable mobility society through our partnership and create future innovations together.”

■　Recruitment Page

LexxPluss is seeking team members to help accelerate the evolution toward autonomous industrial infrastructure.

Recruitment Page:https://lexxpluss.com/careers/

■　About LexxPluss Inc.

LexxPluss Inc. is a startup with a mission to “accelerate the evolution toward autonomous industrial infrastructure.” The company is committed to addressing the challenges faced by Japan’s logistics and manufacturing industries, both critical to the nation’s infrastructure. Currently, LexxPluss develops, manufactures, and sells robotics and automation solutions that will shape the next-generation industrial landscape, including the “Lexx500” autonomous mobile robot and the “LexxFleet” robot integration control system.

Company Name: LexxPluss Inc. CEO: Masaya Aso Headquarters: 18th Floor, Kawasaki Ekimae Tower Riverk, 12-1 Ekimae Honcho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Number of Employees: 56 (as of the end of July 2024, including contract and temporary staff) Company Website: https://www.lexxpluss.com SNS　　　：https://x.com/LexxPluss LinkedIn ：https://www.linkedin.com/company/lexxpluss/