Japan
Photosynth Inc. is a Japanese startup that focuses on creating a keyless society and generating global impact and innovation. The company has developed and provided the "Akerun Access Management System," a cost-effective and easy-to-install smart lock that can be attached to existing turnkey locks and allows for opening and closing the lock with smartphones, tablets, and IC cards. Notably, the cloud-based key management feature enables time-limited key issuance and facilitates key handover using mobile devices or computers.
Akerun primarily serves as an access management system, but the company plans to leverage this functionality to develop various other products in the future, aiming to achieve a world where all keys can be opened using individual IDM numbers (smartphones or IC cards).
The company's digital and cloud-based approach to key operation offers the potential to revolutionize key and authentication methods in various settings, including office and store key management, utilization of vacant real estate and rental meeting rooms, self-viewings, elderly and child monitoring services, reduction of staffing costs in hotels and sports gyms, and management of part-time staff access in retail stores.
Photosynth Inc. has received numerous accolades, including the Good Design Award in 2015 and 2018, being selected for the NEDO Startup Innovator program, and Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia in 2017. The company has also secured investments in its Series A funding round on 07 July 2021 from prominent investors such as Global Brain, NTT DoCoMo Ventures, NN Investment Partners, 31Ventures, JR East Startup, and Kokuyo.
The company's current focus lies on selling the AkerunPro enclosure for access management systems, with a customer base of over 4,500 corporate clients. Future plans include the release of new products such as visitor management systems, diversifying its offerings beyond access management systems.
