Third Intelligence raises 8 billion yen, betting on ubiquitous AGI

AI research and product development: developing 'ubiquitous AGI' (遍在型AGI) that starts from foundational capabilities and grows by continually updating parameters through use, with a consumer-facing product planned for launch in 2026.

Bet on ubiquitous AGI: low-data, continually learning AI for individuals and organizations, becoming a third pole beyond US and China.

First round of 8 billion yen third-party allotment capital increase (2025-11-12, led by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (三菱UFJ银行), with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (三井住友银行), SBI Group (SBI集团) and Hakuhodo DY Ventures (博报堂DY风投) participating)

On 2025-03-27, Yutaka Matsuo (松尾豊) and Junya Ishibashi (石橋準也) established Third Intelligence in Chiyoda, Tokyo, carving out part of the AI development business advanced by Matsuo Research Institute (松尾研究所); about 40 researchers and engineers relocated with it. In June, the company formally began developing its own AI. The company's stated public rationale was that frontier foundation models are concentrated in the hands of a few global technology companies, with usage restrictions arising from competitive and geopolitical factors, and that Japan needs its own AGI option.

On 2025-11-12, the company completed a first round of 8 billion yen third-party allotment capital increase, led by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (三菱UFJ银行), with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (三井住友银行), SBI Group (SBI集团) and Hakuhodo DY Ventures (博报堂DY风投) participating. The funds were used to recruit AI researchers and engineers and accelerate development of its own models. In February 2026, Hakuhodo DY Holdings (博报堂DY控股) announced a capital and business alliance with the company, and the FUTURE DESIGN FUND it operates completed its investment. Forbes Japan reported in July 2026 that the company's enterprise value in its first year reached 110 billion yen, that it plans to launch a consumer product within 2026, and that it has targeted the United States market from the outset.

Matsuo's academic reputation and Ishibashi's entrepreneurial experience complement, with a 40-person team from Matsuo Research Institute.

Ubiquitous AGI bets on a new paradigm of growable AI for everyone, not the compute race.

Bank-led funding signals long-term infrastructure bet, not short-term returns.

Risk: concept-first, no product yet; future funding depends on validation.

When compute race is unwinnable, switch to personalized, continually learning AI, and seek funding from banks, not just VCs.

As of 2026-09-01, Third Intelligence had no product. It completed an 8 billion yen round on 2025-11-12, led by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, SBI Group, and Hakuhodo DY Ventures. Hakuhodo DY Holdings announced an alliance on 2026-02-16. Forbes Japan reported a 110 billion yen enterprise value, plans to launch a consumer product in 2026, and a half Silicon Valley, half Japanese engineering team.