Real Tech Fund Invests in Terra Labo, Buiding Disaster Countermeasures Platform with Long-Range UAV

Real Tech Global Fund*, managed by Real Tech Holdings Co., Ltd. (Sumida-ku, Tokyo; CEOs: Yukihiro Maru and Akihiko Nagata), has made its new investment in terra labo Co., Ltd.(Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture; CEO:Takahide Matsuura, hereinafter”Terra Labo”).

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■ Company Overview

Terra Labo,founded in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture in March 2014, is a startup engaged in R&D of fixed-wing, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. Compared to existing unmanned aerial vehicles, the long-range unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Terra Labo can collect high-definition information over long distances and wide areas, and can also perform real-time mapping using a cloud system that utilizes satellite communications. This has been proven to contribute to the construction of a platform for disaster countermeasures. In anticipation of the Nankai megathrust earthquake, which is said to have an 80% probability of occurring within the next 30 years, Terra Labo is currently strengthening its collaboration with local and national government agencies to develop long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. They also plan to establish an air traffic control base in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture which will have an area of approximately 1,300 square meters, including the factory, at a cost of 277 million yen. Construction is scheduled to begin this month in February 2021.

Terra Labo has achieved 100km of continuous flight with 4-meter fixed wing in an automatic control test in Japan, and has built control devices, propulsion systems, and other various systems necessary. In the future, they will further promote the following developments with the aim of building a platform for disaster countermeasures.

1. Development of a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (fixed-wing) that utilizes satellite communications
2. Development of a cloud system for collecting and analyzing geospatial information data
3. Development of ground control support systems

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■ Purpose and Use of Funds Raised

Terra Labo has been selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to receive a subsidy for a project to promote the development of practical applications for regional reconstruction. The project is entitled “Practical Application of an Information Sharing System that Enables the Generation of High-Altitude Wide-Area 3D Models in the Event of a Large-Scale Disaster by Long-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Utilizing Satellite Communications”. By allocating the funds raised to its own R&D expenses, the company aims to realize a platform for disaster countermeasures as soon as possible. In addition, we are considering hiring new employees to accelerate the construction of the platform for disaster countermeasures.

■Comment from the person in charge

In Japan, many natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and floods have occurred, resulting in the loss of many lives and property. Historically, how to protect, deal with, and recover from such disasters has been a major issue. In addition to the introduction of advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, it is also important to develop (1) wide-area strategies at normal times and (2) robust infrastructures that can function in the event of a disaster, because disasters can occur at any time and are difficult to avoid. We highly evaluate Terra Labo’s efforts to develop wide-area disaster countermeasures through partnerships with local governments, as well as its progress in developing several air traffic control bases that can serve as bases for disaster countermeasures. In addition, we hope that this investment will contribute to realizing SDG Goal 11, “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable,” and that it will play a role in solving global social issues in the near future. *Formal name：Real Tech Fund 3 Investment Limited Partnership (A)(Glocal Deeptech Fund）

■About terra labo Co., Ltd.

• Date of establishment: March 24, 2014
• Location: 3-28 Fujigaoka, Kasugai-shi, Aichi 487-0023, Japan
• Representative: Takahide Matsuura
• Capital: 339.1 million yen (including capital reserve)
• Business activities：

1. Design and development of unmanned aircraft (fixed wing, rotary wing, VTOL)
2. Design and development of facilities, equipment and operation management for unmanned aircraft
3. Various observation operations and training for operators of unmanned aircraft
4. Development of ststems to collect, analyze, and share spatial information
5. Planning, development, design and supervision of information and communication systems, and their consulting services

• Official website：https://terra-labo.jp
• Investment period: January 2021

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■About REAL TECH FUND

REAL TECH FUND is a venture capital fund managed by Real Tech Holdings and its subsidiary Real Tech Japan. It solely invests in deep-tech startups solving societal and environmental issues.
HP： https://www.realtech.fund

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■About Real Tech Holdings Co.,Ltd.

Real Tech Holdings support changemakers who give their heart and soul to solve societal and environmental challenges. Real Tech Holdings is a joint venture between euglena Co.,Ltd ( https://www.euglena.jp/ ) and Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. ( https://lne.st/ ).
HP： https://www.realtech.holdings

▶︎Press Contact

Real Tech Holdings Co.,Ltd.
Narita Shinya
contact@realtech.fund