ARCS

What ARCS does

ARCS Inc. (株式会社アークス) is a Tokyo-based AI and robotics startup founded in March 2022 that develops automation and standardization tools for research laboratory operations. The company's product thesis is to reduce manual workload and standardize workflows in scientific research environments by combining applied AI with robotic automation, anchored by academic partnerships with Tokyo University of Science and Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Its primary disclosed product is a deep-learning computer vision system that performs non-invasive, real-time image-based analysis of DNA damage in bovine sperm, launched in July 2025 and presented at the Japanese Society of Animal Science 133rd Conference in September 2025 — the company's first concrete commercial reference point in the livestock breeding vertical.

The company targets three end markets in parallel: fertility treatment clinics seeking AI-assisted sperm analysis, university and corporate research laboratories seeking workflow automation, and the livestock industry seeking non-invasive reproductive evaluation. It sells directly to medical institutions and research labs through a direct sales motion with field demonstrations and technical support to physicians and embryologists; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Revenue is not reported, consistent with a pre-commercial scale of 1–10 employees and a flagship product that only recently entered the market.

ARCS is venture-backed, having raised approximately ¥940 million (~$6.2M USD) in equity across a 2022 pre-seed, a 2023 pre-seed, and a 2025 pre-Series A round (totaling ¥800M across a January first close led by JAFCO and a May close), plus non-dilutive support from NEDO Deep Tech Seeds STS and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare SBIR Phase 3 program. The founding team — CEO Masayasu Tanase (ex-Toyota advanced safety R&D) and CTO Yuya Maruyama (ex-Seiko Epson medical device AI; joined 2023) — provides a hybrid of automotive-grade engineering, medical-device development, and applied AI expertise, with no public listing, parent company, or acquisition history.

Name

ARCS

Legal name

株式会社アークス

Website

https://arcs-inc.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARCS Inc. is a Tokyo-based AI and robotics startup developing automation and standardization tools for research laboratories, anchored by a deep-learning computer vision system for non-invasive bovine sperm DNA damage analysis, serving fertility clinics, research labs, and the livestock breeding industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical AI Software / Lab Automation

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Cattle Ranching and Farming (1121)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD)

Keywords

• Lab automation software
• AI reproductive technology
• Computer vision diagnostics
• Sperm analysis AI
• Research robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ARCS Inc. develops AI and robotics-based automation tools that standardize and improve efficiency in research laboratory operations. Its primary commercial offering is a deep learning-based computer vision system that non-invasively and in real-time analyzes DNA damage in bovine sperm from image data, supporting fertility treatment clinics, university/corporate research labs, and the livestock breeding industry.

Product overview

ARCS Inc. is a single-product AI/robotics company that develops automation tools combining AI and robotics technologies to support efficiency and standardization of operations in research laboratories. The company focuses on image-based AI analysis systems for scientific research applications. Its primary product is a deep learning-based computer vision system for non-invasive analysis of DNA damage in bovine sperm, developed for the livestock breeding industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Deep Learning-based Bovine Sperm DNA Damage Analysis AI System An AI system utilizing deep learning technology to non-invasively and in real-time analyze DNA damage in bovine sperm from image data. The system enables rapid and accurate evaluation of sperm quality, contributing to improved reproductive efficiency in livestock production. Targeted at livestock industry buyers, fertility clinics, and research laboratories.
• Research Lab Automation Tools (AI and Robotics Solutions) Automation tools leveraging AI and robotics technologies developed by ARCS to support efficiency and standardization of operations in research laboratories. The company focuses on image-based AI analysis systems for scientific research applications, targeting operational efficiency, labor reduction, and standardization for university and corporate research labs.
• Assisted Reproductive Medical Devices Medical devices utilizing robotics and AI technology for assisted reproductive applications, targeted at fertility treatment clinics and medical institutions. ARCS is developing these devices in collaboration with Tokyo Medical and Dental University to improve reproductive efficiency and standardize analysis processes in clinical settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Real-time non-invasive analysis of bovine sperm DNA damage, enabling faster evaluation compared to traditional invasive methods

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tokyo Medical and Dental University (東京医科歯科大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2023Established joint research contract and obtained university-certified venture status through collaboration with Tokyo Medical and Dental University. This partnership involves joint research development and provides university backing for the company's medical technology.
• Japan Zeon Co., Ltd. (日本ゼオン株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2022Signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration with Japan Zeon Co., Ltd., a specialty chemicals company. The nature of the collaboration is not specified beyond the MOU.
• SSG Holdings Co., Ltd. and Sun Sun House Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through ARCS 2.0 phase involving blockchain and real-world assets. ARX tokens are used for property transactions, rentals, and loyalty rewards in the traditional Japanese kominka homes market in Tokyo. This appears to be related to a separate ARX token/blockchain project rather than the core AI/robotics business.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jp_arcs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arcs-jp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ARCS