The archive · AI & Models · Strategic decision · 2025–2026
Third Intelligence raises 8 billion yen, betting on ubiquitous AGI
Matsuo and Ishibashi founded Third Intelligence in March 2025, betting on continually learning AI; raised 8 billion yen led by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank.
Third Intelligence
What the business is
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.
Starting capital：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)
How it started
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.
What happened
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.
No ending yet — it is still running.
Background
Third Intelligence, founded in Tokyo in March 2025 by Matsuo and Ishibashi, spun off from Matsuo Research Institute with 40 researchers. It develops ubiquitous AGI: AI that continually updates parameters during use, becoming personalized.
On 2025-11-12, it raised 8 billion yen led by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, SBI Group, and Hakuhodo DY Ventures. Hakuhodo DY Holdings announced an alliance in February 2026.
It avoids the compute race, using cortex-inspired algorithms for low-data, continual learning. Target uses include agents, physical AI, and personal AI. Forbes Japan reported a 110 billion yen valuation and a planned 2026 product launch, but as of September 2026, no product.
What has to be true
- 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.
What can be applied
When compute race is unwinnable, switch to personalized, continually learning AI, and seek funding from banks, not just VCs.
Aftermath
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.
Sources
- Third Intelligenceが初のラウンドで80億円の資金調達を実施し、独自AI開発を軸とした「遍在型AGI（汎用人工知能）」の確立へ
- 東大・松尾豊教授が設立のAIスタートアップ、80億円の資金調達 三菱UFJ銀行などから
- 博報堂ＤＹグループ、松尾豊氏らが率いるAI研究・プロダクト開発企業のThird Intelligenceと 資本業務提携
- 創業1年目で企業価値1100億円、松尾研究所発ベンチャーが目指す「遍在型AGI」
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