DataGrid
DataGrid (株式会社データグリッド) is a Kyoto University spin-off founded in 2017 that builds proprietary generative AI systems (GAN, Diffusion Models, LLMs) for synthetic data generation, serving enterprise clients in manufacturing inspection, pharmaceutical research, fashion/retail, construction, and telecommunications across Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersKyoto, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DataGrid does
DataGrid (株式会社データグリッド) is a Kyoto University spin-off founded in July 2017 that builds proprietary generative AI systems for synthetic data generation, serving enterprise clients primarily in Japan. The company's core technology combines Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), Diffusion Models, and large language models (LLMs) into a unified platform capable of producing photorealistic digital humans, synthetic defect images for manufacturing inspection, virtual try-on imagery, and molecular structures for drug discovery. Three granted patents cover locality-aware anomaly generation, harmonizing attention mechanisms for appearance control, and synthetic molecule optimization, signaling substantive proprietary depth rather than commodity model usage.
The company monetizes through a B2B enterprise sales model with quote-based subscriptions and co-development engagements. The product portfolio includes Anomaly Generator (defect image generation for visual inspection AI), kitemiru (AI virtual try-on for fashion e-commerce), DATAGRID DrugFinder (interactive molecule design for pharmaceutical research), a Drawing Analysis AI Solution for construction document verification (launched December 2025), a Deepfake Countermeasure Solution developed under a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications project, and Shirabel, an iOS fact-checking app released in January 2026. Strategic corporate partnerships with NTT Docomo, Kyocera, and Trimble serve as embedded distribution channels across telecom, manufacturing inspection, and construction software, and in February 2026 Procore Technologies announced the acquisition of DataGrid to integrate its AI capabilities into a global construction platform.
DataGrid serves named enterprise customers across manufacturing (Sumitomo Electric Industries, NSK, Toyota Automatic Loom Works, Toppan, Tokyo Wells, Daiwa Pak, JCU, Sekisui Chemical), pharmaceuticals (Eisai, Pfizer), cosmetics (Kao), and construction (矢作建設工業). The company raised approximately 600 million yen in cumulative funding across seed rounds in 2018 and 2019 and a pre-Series A round in November 2021 from investors including Deep30, Aeria, SMBC Venture Capital, MUFG Capital, and JAFCO. Headcount stood at 23 employees as of March 2024, and the company achieved ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS certification in September 2023. An absorption merger of Virtual AI Workshop in October 2024 added CG-based data generation and an AI SDK to the platform, and the company was selected as a GENIAC Cycle 2 operator in 2024 for Vision foundation model development under a METI-NEDO program.
DataGrid firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DataGrid
- Legal name
- 株式会社データグリッド
- Website
- https://datagrid.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DataGrid (株式会社データグリッド) is a Kyoto University spin-off founded in 2017 that builds proprietary generative AI systems (GAN, Diffusion Models, LLMs) for synthetic data generation, serving enterprise clients in manufacturing inspection, pharmaceutical research, fashion/retail, construction, and telecommunications across Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DataGrid industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Synthetic Data / Generative AI Platform
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Software Publishers (5132), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Synthetic Data Generation Platforms (HDAAALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Synthetic Data & Data Augmentation for Foundation Models (HDAAACAK), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF), End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management) (HDAEANAA)
Keywords
Where DataGrid is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kyoto
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
DataGrid business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Enterprise AI Software Licenses and Subscriptions: DataGrid licenses its synthetic data generation platform (Digital Human, Anomaly Generator, kitemiru) to enterprise clients on a subscription or license basis. Revenue is derived from annual contracts with manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and fashion/retail companies for AI model training data.
- Professional Services and Co-development: Revenue from joint development agreements with strategic partners (NTT Docomo, Kyocera, Trimble, Procore) for customized AI solutions. Open innovation partnerships contribute to both product development and revenue through collaborative engagement.
- Platform Usage and API Access: Usage-based revenue from API access to synthetic data generation capabilities, serving technology partners and integration customers who embed DataGrid's capabilities into their own products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Custom Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
DataGrid product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DataGrid develops proprietary generative AI technology (GAN, Diffusion Models, and LLMs) to synthesize high-fidelity image, video, and structured data, and sells enterprise AI products and co-developed solutions built on this platform. Core sellable products include Anomaly Generator (synthetic defect images for manufacturing inspection AI), kitemiru (virtual try-on), DATAGRID DrugFinder (interactive AI molecule design for pharma), Shirabel (AI fact-checking app), Drawing Analysis AI Solution (VLM-based construction document verification), and a Deepfake Countermeasure Solution.
Product overview
DataGrid operates as a generative AI platform company built around proprietary synthesis AI (GAN, Diffusion Models, LLMs), offering a portfolio of products and co-creation solutions. Core self-developed products include: Anomaly Generator (manufacturing defect image generation for visual inspection AI training), kitemiru (AI virtual try-on for e-commerce), DATAGRID DrugFinder (interactive drug discovery molecule design), シラベル (AI fact-checking app), drawing analysis AI (construction document verification), and deepfake detection solutions. Co-creation products include INAI MODEL (AI-generated stock photography with imagenavi). In October 2024, DataGrid expanded its technical portfolio by absorbing Virtual AI Studio (バーチャルAI工房), gaining CG-based data generation and an AI SDK. All products leverage the company's unified generative AI platform combining digital human generation, training data generation, and general-purpose image/video synthesis modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Anomaly Generator: AI-powered defect image generation platform for manufacturing visual inspection AI development
- kitemiru
- DATAGRID Drug Finder
- シラベル (Shirabel)
- INAI MODEL
Products and services
- Anomaly Generator An AI data generation platform for manufacturing visual inspection that uses proprietary generative AI to produce diverse synthetic defect (NG) images from a small number of actual defect samples, solving the training data shortage problem for inspection AI systems.
- kitemiru Virtual try-on service using DataGrid's generative AI that allows users to upload smartphone photos and instantly generate AI-simulated try-on images of clothing items for e-commerce and retail applications.
- DATAGRID DrugFinder A drug discovery AI platform combining proprietary generative AI with predictive AI to help pharmaceutical chemists interactively design and optimize low-molecular-weight drug compounds by generating structures meeting multiple property criteria such as activity, solubility, and metabolic stability.
- Shirabel (シラベル) A fact-checking support iOS app that uses AI deep research technology to analyze X (Twitter) posts, extract claims, and search reliable sources to provide supporting or contradicting evidence for information verification.
- Drawing Analysis AI Solution (図面解析AIソリューション) An AI solution using Vision-Language Model (VLM) technology to structurally understand and cross-reference construction drawings (施工図 and 構造図), automating the verification process and reducing inspection work by up to 62%.
- Deepfake Countermeasure Solution (ディープフェイク対策ソリューション) A deepfake detection solution combining DataGrid's generative AI expertise with advanced deepfake detection technology to counter AI-generated fake images and videos, developed in part through a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications project.
- INAI MODEL A co-created stock photo service with imagenavi that provides AI-generated digital human images as person素材 for advertising and content production, eliminating the need for model sourcing and photography.
Quantifiable outcome
- Generates synthetic defect images enabling AI training without real defect data
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use DataGrid
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
DataGrid technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability11 records
Feature5 records
DataGrid partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- NTT DocomoflagshipNTT Docomo partnered with DataGrid for digital human generation technology. DataGrid provides its proprietary GAN and Diffusion Model-based digital human generation capabilities, while Docomo integrates these into its communication services and mobile platforms. This is a flagship strategic partnership targeting AI-powered communication experiences for Docomo's consumer and enterprise customers.
- Kyoto UniversitycoreDataGrid was founded at Kyoto University and maintains ongoing open innovation research collaboration with the university. Kyoto University provides research talent, academic credibility, and access to cutting-edge AI research, while DataGrid commercializes university-developed technologies.
- Kyoto OriginalminorDataGrid partners with Kyoto Original for research on clothing and appearance-related synthetic data generation, supporting the company's virtual fitting and fashion technology applications.
- Urban ResearchminorFashion/AI collaboration between DataGrid and Urban Research for digital fashion applications, including virtual fitting and synthetic fashion visualization for the retail brand.
- KyoceraflagshipKyocera integrated DataGrid's digital human generation technology into its communication services. The partnership enables Kyocera to offer AI-powered digital avatars and human-like communication interfaces powered by DataGrid's generative AI.
- PROTRUDEcorePROTRUDE partnered with DataGrid for manufacturing inspection applications. DataGrid provides synthetic anomaly/defect generation technology that PROTRUDE integrates into its industrial inspection solutions for manufacturing quality control.
- docomo gaccominorDataGrid's technology is deployed through docomo gacco's educational platform, expanding the reach of DataGrid's AI capabilities into the education and online learning market.
- Nakayoshi DigitalcoreNakayoshi Digital partnered with DataGrid to offer an integrated anomaly detection solution combining DataGrid's synthetic defect generation with Nakayoshi Digital's inspection systems for manufacturing quality control.
- CCScoreCCS partnered with DataGrid for an integrated anomaly detection solution targeting manufacturing inspection, using DataGrid's synthetic anomaly generation to enhance CCS's quality control AI systems.
- TrimbleflagshipTrimble partnered with DataGrid for AI task automation, integrating DataGrid's synthetic data generation and digital human technology into Trimble's enterprise solutions for construction and industrial applications.
- ProcoreflagshipProcore Technologies acquired DataGrid in 2026, bringing DataGrid's AI and synthetic data generation capabilities into Procore's construction management platform. The acquisition represents a major strategic exit and integration of DataGrid's technology into Procore's global construction industry solutions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DataGrid competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Synthesis AI: Synthesis AI generates synthetic image and video data, including digital humans, for computer-vision model training. It directly competes with DataGrid's digital human generation and training-data capabilities for vision AI applications.
- Datagen: Datagen (now part of Bria) generates synthetic image data for computer-vision AI training, with strong overlap in digital human and synthetic image generation. It is a direct competitor in the synthetic-data-for-AI training category.
- Gretel: Gretel provides a synthetic data platform for tabular, text, and image data generation, with privacy-preserving APIs for AI/ML teams. Its product overlaps directly with DataGrid's enterprise synthetic-data platform across multiple data modalities.
- Mostly AI: Mostly AI is a synthetic data platform focused on generating high-fidelity tabular and structured synthetic data for enterprise AI training. It is the closest direct competitor to DataGrid's enterprise synthetic-data offering, particularly for regulated industries like financial services and pharma.
Broad incumbents
- Keyence: Keyence is a Japanese industrial automation and inspection-systems leader with deep penetration in Japanese manufacturing. Its machine-vision and quality-control offerings compete with DataGrid's Anomaly Generator in the same enterprise accounts.
- Appen: Appen is a global data annotation and dataset provider for AI/ML, with growing synthetic-data offerings. While its core is labeled real-world data, its expansion into synthetic data makes it an adjacent competitor to DataGrid's enterprise synthetic-data positioning.
- Scale AI: Scale AI is a leading data-labeling and data-generation platform serving enterprise AI customers. While broader in scope (including real-data annotation), Scale's synthetic data and generative-AI capabilities overlap with DataGrid's enterprise positioning.
- NVIDIA (Omniverse Replicator): NVIDIA Omniverse Replicator is a synthetic-data generation platform for training perception AI, particularly in manufacturing and autonomous systems. NVIDIA is both a DataGrid ecosystem partner (via NVIDIA Inception) and a potential competitive threat in synthetic-data infrastructure.
- Cognex: Cognex is a global leader in machine-vision systems for manufacturing quality control. As it embeds AI-based defect detection into its existing platforms, Cognex competes directly with DataGrid's Anomaly Generator in the manufacturing inspection vertical.
Emerging players
- Mindtech: Mindtech provides a synthetic-data platform for training computer-vision systems, with focus on retail, security, and smart-city applications. It overlaps with DataGrid's training-data generation capability but is earlier-stage and geographically narrower.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DataGrid social profiles
Digital presenceDataGrid compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DataGrid financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DataGrid leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DataGrid subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
DataGrid funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DataGrid M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DataGrid
What does DataGrid do?
DataGrid develops proprietary generative AI technology (GAN, Diffusion Models, and LLMs) to synthesize high-fidelity image, video, and structured data, and sells enterprise AI products and co-developed solutions built on this platform. Core sellable products include Anomaly Generator (synthetic defect images for manufacturing inspection AI), kitemiru (virtual try-on), DATAGRID DrugFinder (interactive AI molecule design for pharma), Shirabel (AI fact-checking app), Drawing Analysis AI Solution (VLM-based construction document verification), and a Deepfake Countermeasure Solution.
Is DataGrid a public or private company?
DataGrid is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was DataGrid founded?
DataGrid was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DataGrid based?
DataGrid is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does DataGrid make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Enterprise AI Software Licenses and Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Services and Co-development and platform Usage and API Access.
Who are DataGrid's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Synthesis AI, Datagen, Gretel and Mostly AI. Broad incumbents are Keyence, Appen, Scale AI, NVIDIA (Omniverse Replicator) and Cognex. Mindtech is listed as an emerging player.
Does DataGrid have an API?
No public API is recorded for DataGrid.
What industry is DataGrid in?
DataGrid's product category is Synthetic Data / Generative AI Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAALAA, Synthetic Data Generation Platforms, with a secondary code of HDAAACAK, Synthetic Data & Data Augmentation for Foundation Models. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7370.