Solafune

Based in Japan, Solafune Inc. d. b. a Solafune offers innovative data science competitions leveraging satellite and geospatial data to tackle global challenges, fostering a collaborative platform for developers worldwide.

Solafune, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, specializes in data science competitions utilizing satellite and geospatial data. The company has successfully completed 4 deals, with its most recent funding round being a Series A round in March 2026, led by Globis Capital Partners, with participation from Boost Capital, Rice Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Mizuho Capital and Resona Capital. Chiba Dojo and individual investors also participated in this round, along with venture debt funding from Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The round was part of a larger JPY 5 billion series A and venture debt funding.

Ren Uechi, Founder & CEO of Solafune. Solafune specializes in data science competitions that utilize satellite and geospatial data to address significant global challenges. Their primary offering is a collaborative platform where developers can engage in competitive challenges aimed at leveraging satellite imagery and geospatial analytics for innovative solutions. Users can access a comprehensive suite of tools and datasets to enhance their data science skills and contribute to projects that seek to solve pressing issues, such as environmental monitoring and urban planning.

The platform supports a vibrant community of competitors, including data scientists, researchers, and developers, promoting global collaboration and knowledge exchange. Solafune primarily operates within the global market, appealing to users in North America, Europe, and Asia, who are focused on harnessing technological advancements to drive positive societal impact. Solafune generates revenue through organized data science competitions and the accompanying platform services. Transactions typically occur through a competition entry fee structure, where participants pay to compete for cash prizes, such as the notable JPY 12,000 prize for top performers.

The platform may also offer subscription-based services for premium features, enhancing user engagement through additional resources and tools. Clients include individual data scientists, research institutions, and organizations looking to leverage satellite and geospatial data for their own projects. While specific pricing plans for subscriptions or additional services are not disclosed, the existing framework centers around participation fees and potentially value-added services that support the user community in their data-driven endeavors. The company plans to use March 2026 funding to accelerate development of its “Planetary Intelligence OS, strengthen its team, advance AI technologies, upgrade infrastructure and security, enhance AI, multimodal analytics, computing, and security infrastructure and expand overseas government business.