速递｜OpenAI 日本竞争对手 Sakana 正洽谈以 25 亿美元估值融资

Core Insights - Sakana AI, a Tokyo-based AI developer, is negotiating to raise $100 million at a valuation of $2.5 billion, reflecting a 66% increase from the previous year's funding round [2] - The CEO, David Ha, has publicly stated that the company aims to achieve profitability within a year [2] - Sakana's AI technology differs from that of OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, focusing on local language and cultural nuances [2][3] Funding and Investment - The company has previously raised a total of $230 million and is backed by major Japanese financial institutions, tech giants like Fujitsu and NEC, and U.S. venture capital firms such as NEA, Khosla Ventures, and Lux Capital [3] - After the new funding round, Sakana's valuation will rise to $2.6 billion, with plans to use the funds to expand its engineering and sales teams [2][3] Competitive Landscape - Sakana faces competition from U.S. AI developers who are expanding into Japan, including OpenAI, which has partnered with SoftBank to invest $3 billion annually in AI technology [3][4] - Other competitors like Anthropic and Canadian company Cohere are also establishing a presence in Japan [4] Technological Approach - Sakana aims to challenge the traditional Transformer architecture by developing AI inspired by natural concepts such as evolution [5] - The company recently released an open-source software called "ShinkaEvolve," which combines LLMs with an algorithm to generate and filter potential solutions more efficiently than traditional methods [7] Strategic Partnerships - Sakana has secured partnerships with major Japanese corporations, including a multi-year collaboration with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group to develop customized AI solutions [7] - The company has also announced a similar agreement with Daiwa Securities Group, further solidifying its position in the Japanese market [7]