Rapidus
About Rapidus
Rapidus is a Semiconductors startup based in Tokyo, Japan that has raised $1.7B in venture capital across 2 funding rounds since 2022. The company reached Growth stage in August 2022 with a $470M round led by Japanese Government (METI/NEDO). Rapidus's investor base includes 8 institutional funds, with IPA (Japanese Government) leading the most recent equity round.
Rapidus is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer founded in August 2022 to develop and produce 2-nanometer (2nm) logic chips using Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor technology at its IIM-1 pilot fab in Chitose, Hokkaido. The company, backed by the Japanese government and 32 major corporations, is pursuing mass production of advanced AI chips by 2027–2028 as Japan's strategic bid to re-enter the leading edge of global chip manufacturing. In February 2026, Rapidus secured ¥267.6 billion ($1.7B) in new equity from the government agency IPA and 32 private-sector companies including Canon, Fujitsu, NTT, SoftBank, Sony, and Toyota — bringing total cumulative government support to approximately ¥2.6 trillion ($16B).
Rapidus Funding Rounds Timeline
2 rounds · $1.7B raised · since 2022
| Round | Date | Amount | Valuation | Lead investor | Co-investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | August 2022 | $470M | — | Japanese Government (METI/NEDO) | Denso, Kioxia, MUFG Bank, NEC, NTT, SoftBank, Sony, Toyota |
| Growth | February 2026 | $1.7B | — | IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan) | Canon, Fujitsu, NTT, SoftBank, Sony Group, Toyota, NEC, Honda, FUJIFILM, Kioxia, Denso, IBM Japan, Development Bank of Japan, MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank |
Investors in Rapidus
8 institutional investors across 2 rounds
Lead investors
Co-investors
Recent news about Rapidus
- FundingJapan invests $16B to propel startup Rapidus into AI chip sectorApril 2026
Questions about Rapidus
How much has Rapidus raised?
Rapidus has raised $1.7B across 2 funding rounds since 2022.
Who are the investors of Rapidus?
Rapidus's investors include IPA (Japanese Government), Canon, Fujitsu, NTT, SoftBank, Sony Group, Toyota, Denso.
When was Rapidus's last funding round?
Rapidus's most recent round was a $470M Seed in August 2022, led by Japanese Government (METI/NEDO).
Where is Rapidus headquartered?
Rapidus is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and was founded in 2022 by Atsuyoshi Koike, Tetsuro Higashi.