Google has invested in Japan-based generative AI startup Sakana AI and signed a strategic partnership to target Japan's market.
Sakana said the investment was made at a valuation of $2.5 billion, the same as its recently announced funding round. The amount invested was not disclosed.
Sakana was co-founded in 2023 by former Google AI researcher David Ha (데이비드 하) and transformer model co-author Llion Jones (리온 존스). It has the highest valuation among AI startups in Japan.
Under the partnership, the two companies agreed to jointly pursue product and technology development using Google's latest AI models. Sakana said it would be able to expand the limits of automated scientific discovery and agent-based AI.
About the Author
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr