Dishwills Raises 200 Million Yen to Tackle Food Security with Agri-Food Tech

Dishwills Secures Funding to Combat Global Food Issues

Tokyo-based Dishwills, a leading agri-food tech company, has made significant strides in its funding journey by securing approximately 200 million yen (about $1.8 million) as part of its seed round. This round, which includes investors such as Delight Ventures from the DeNA Group and SGgrow Pte. Ltd. from Singapore, marks the company's 10th fundraising campaign. With these funds, Dishwills aims to broaden its market reach and initiate international expansions commencing in November 2023.

Dishwills operates an integrated model that spans soybean production and food processing at its innovative plant factories. This round of investments, particularly from the Delight Ventures Builder No.3 Fund, represents a first foray into the food tech sector by the fund. Furthermore, the collaboration with DeNA and Delight Ventures promises to accelerate Dishwills' growth by leveraging various assets within the group's portfolio.

Internationally, the partnership with SGgrow will facilitate Dishwills' entry into Southeast Asian markets, including significant opportunities in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as in countries like India—positions vital for addressing global challenges such as food shortages and food security.

Approximately 80% of the newly raised funds will focus on advancing food manufacturing capabilities within Japan, while the remaining portion will be dedicated to market entry strategies for international markets. As Dishwills continues its journey, it plans to forge new partnerships with various Japanese companies, fostering a collaborative environment that seeks to promote Japanese agricultural products on the global stage.

Investors' Perspectives

Reflecting on this investment, Tomoko Nanba and Kosuke Fujii, managing partners at Delight Ventures, expressed their enthusiasm after experiencing the innovative flavor profiles of Dishwills’ plant-based products. Their feedback emphasized that Dishwills is not simply providing meat alternatives but introducing exceptional food options that seamlessly fit into daily diets. With high culinary standards, even in professional settings like hotels and in-flight meals, Dishwills' products have garnered significant praise.

Vision for the Future

According to Akio Nakamura, the CEO of Dishwills, the collaboration with Delight Ventures represents a critical turning point in pursuing the company's ambitions of merging Japan's rich culinary heritage with modern agricultural techniques for overseas markets. He also highlighted their recent achievement in placing as a runner-up in the LAUNCHPAD SEED 2025 competition, which played a part in their successful partnership with SGgrow.

With plans underway for new production facilities, incorporating AI into operations, and asserting a unique vertical integration model from indoor farming to food distribution, Dishwills is setting the pace for what agriculture can look like in a challenging environment. This includes future visions of sustainable production, inspired by scenarios like food production in desert regions, challenging the traditional notions of agriculture.

Moreover, the company's determination to address critical issues like food scarcity and safety is palpable as they pave the way for a sustainable future in food production. As the global landscape continues to evolve in unpredictable ways due to climate change, Dishwills stands at the forefront of innovation, pushing boundaries in food tech.

Company Overview

Established on July 7, 2022, Dishwills is located at 1-12-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Focusing on agriculture, food processing, and consultation services, the company is determined to combine traditional Japanese craftsmanship with advanced technology for a sustainable food supply model.

For more information about the company and its innovative solutions, please refer to their official website.