Wavelet

What Wavelet does

Wavelet Inc. (株式会社ウェーブレット) is a Tokyo-based deep-technology startup founded in July 2022 as a spin-off from the University of Tokyo Tsuji Laboratory, where its core technology — the PASS (Portable Active Seismic Source) family of ultra-compact seismic devices — was invented. The PASS product line comprises three models targeting different depth regimes: the PASS-S1 (~1kg, 10cm x 10cm x 12cm) for shallow investigations such as buried utilities; the PASS-P28 (24cm x 24cm x 12cm) for emphasizing vertical vibrations; and the PASS-M1/M2 (52cm x 66cm x 47cm) for deep CCS exploration with confirmed signal transmission to 2,000 meters. The company pairs its hardware with seismometer and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) receivers and proprietary signal-processing algorithms to deliver subsurface visualization across applications including CCS/CCUS monitoring, geothermal fault mapping, buried-utility detection, and civil engineering subsurface assessment.

The business operates a B2B enterprise field-sales model with two revenue streams: professional services (survey planning, data acquisition, and seismic analysis/imaging) and hardware provision of PASS devices. Pricing is custom-quoted per project based on scope, depth, and accessibility, and is not publicly disclosed. Customer segments include government agencies (e.g., Tokyo Metropolitan Government), energy companies (CCS/CCUS operators, geothermal and resource developers), and civil engineering firms, with named engagements including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's On-site Interactive Startup Collaborative Project, the JR East Startup Program, and a recently signed collaboration with Indonesia's Institut Teknologi Bandung. Marketing reach is concentrated in industry events, government accelerator programs, academic publications, and earned media (NHK, Nikkei, MedTech Innovator).

The company is venture-backed, having closed a Series A of approximately 250 million JPY in November 2024 from Tokyo University Co-Creation Platform Development and ONE Innovators — its first institutional round. In November 2024, co-founder Akihisa Takahashi transitioned from CEO to Chairman and Tomoyuki Iwamoto (formerly of Marubeni) was appointed CEO. In March 2025 the firm received the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'New Business Pioneer' certification (valid through March 2028) for its buried-object detection service, enabling discretionary government contracts, and in 2025–2026 it extended internationally via the ITB partnership in Indonesia and a Japan-Australia Decarbonization Tech Showcase presence. A new vibration-based security product line was introduced in January 2025.

Name

Wavelet

Legal name

株式会社ウェーブレット

Website

https://wvl.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Wavelet is a Tokyo-based University of Tokyo spin-off that provides ultra-compact PASS (Portable Active Seismic Source) devices and seismic analysis services for underground visualization, serving government agencies, energy companies, and civil engineering firms in CCS monitoring, geothermal, and infrastructure inspection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technical Services - Monitoring and Analysis: Technical services including survey planning, data acquisition, and analysis for underground environment monitoring using PASS devices. Services provided to government agencies, energy companies, and civil engineering firms.
2. Equipment Provision: Provision of PASS seismic source devices for client use in monitoring and exploration projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wavelet manufactures ultra-compact seismic source devices (PASS) and provides technical services for underground environment visualization and monitoring. The PASS devices generate seismic signals received by seismometers and DAS systems, enabling subsurface imaging for CCS/CCUS monitoring, geothermal exploration, infrastructure inspection, and civil engineering applications at depths ranging from shallow (2-5 meters for utilities) to deep (up to 2,000 meters for CCS).

Product overview

Wavelet offers a unified portfolio centered on the PASS (Portable Active Seismic Source) device ecosystem. The core product line includes three PASS models—PASS-S1 (compact single-axis for shallow surveys), PASS-P28 (dual-axis for enhanced vertical vibration), and PASS-M1 (largest model for deep CCS exploration up to 2,000m). These are complemented by technical services for underground environment monitoring, data analysis and imaging, underground utility detection, and vibration-based security systems. The PASS devices generate seismic signals that are received by seismometers and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems, enabling subsurface visualization across applications including CCS monitoring, geothermal exploration, civil engineering surveys, and infrastructure inspection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PASS: Portable Active Seismic Source - Ultra-compact seismic device for underground visualization, CO2 storage monitoring, and geophysical exploration. Models include PASS-S1, PASS-P28, and PASS-M1.

Products and services

• PASS-S1 Smallest single-axis PASS model, approximately 10cm x 10cm x 12cm and about 1kg in weight. Used for shallow investigations such as examining social infrastructure and buried utilities.
• PASS-P28 Dual-axis PASS model, approximately 24cm x 24cm x 12cm. Designed to emphasize and transmit vertical vibrations for subsurface imaging.
• PASS-M1 (PASS-M2) Largest PASS model, approximately 52cm x 66cm x 47cm. Designed for carbon dioxide subsurface storage (CCS) exploration with confirmed signal transmission to depths of up to 2,000 meters.
• Underground Environment Monitoring Service Technical services including survey planning, data acquisition, and analysis using PASS devices combined with seismometers and DAS systems for long-term subsurface monitoring over wide areas including remote locations.
• Data Analysis and Imaging Service Signal processing and subsurface visualization services including superposition and correlation processing to enhance signal energy, producing P-wave and S-wave mode analysis for underground structure imaging.
• Underground Utility Detection Service Subsurface utility detection service using PASS for seismic analysis to identify buried objects up to 4 meters depth, applicable for detecting water pipes and other underground infrastructure.
• Vibration-based Security System Security monitoring system using multiple vibration sensors to detect people and vehicles, designed for commercial facilities, outdoor installations, factories, data centers, residential properties, and wildlife monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost reduction for monitoring surveys compared to conventional methods (which cost hundreds of millions of yen per survey)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Collaboration agreement signed October 2025 for data processing and business development. Focus on PASS technology deployment in Indonesia for CCS/CCUS, geothermal, and mining sectors. Includes scholarship programs for ITB geophysics students and technical supervision by ITB faculty.
• Mizuho Bank Sydney BranchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 August 2024Hosted Japan-Australia Decarbonization Tech Showcase 2024 CCUS event where CEO presented PASS technology applications for CCS monitoring. Event included approximately 70 participants from Australian businesses, Japanese companies, and government officials.
• Tokyo University Tsuji LaboratorycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Exclusive licensing and collaboration for PASS (Portable Active Seismic Source) technology developed by Professor Takeshi Tsuji's laboratory. University spin-off relationship with ongoing research collaboration for advanced data analysis methods and new technology development including lunar exploration applications.
• JR East Startup (JR東日本スタートアップ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Selected for JR East Startup Program 2022 Autumn. Theme: 'Underground monitoring and obstacle detection using ultra-compact oscillator device'. Project exploring groundwater level measurement and underground obstacle detection using PASS technology.
• MUFG Bank (三菱UFJ銀行)minorOthers · 1 January 2022Designated corresponding bank for the company.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• STRYDE: UK-based seismic acquisition technology company that develops ultra-miniaturized, low-cost seismic nodes. Highly comparable to Wavelet in targeting portable, lower-cost subsurface imaging and addressing the same fundamental limitation of conventional vehicle-based seismic sources.
• OYO Corporation: Japan's leading geophysical and geotechnical instrumentation/services company, providing subsurface investigation and monitoring solutions. Directly comparable to Wavelet in its Japanese market footprint, customer base in government and infrastructure, and seismic-based service portfolio.
• Silixa: UK-based developer of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology using fiber optic cables as high-resolution seismic sensors. Highly comparable to Wavelet because Wavelet's PASS devices integrate with DAS receivers for continuous subsurface monitoring, and Silixa targets the same energy, CCS, and infrastructure monitoring use cases.
• Wireless Seismic: US-based developer of cable-free, real-time seismic acquisition systems designed to reduce cost and enable flexible deployment in challenging terrain. Directly comparable to Wavelet's value proposition of replacing heavy conventional seismic sources with portable, rapidly deployable technology.
• OptaSense: UK-based Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) provider specializing in pipeline monitoring, perimeter security, and seismic acquisition. Comparable to Wavelet because both companies use fiber-optic and vibration-based sensing for subsurface and infrastructure monitoring, including CCS-relevant applications.
• Dia Consultants: Japan-based engineering consultancy providing geophysical survey, geological investigation, and underground infrastructure assessment services. Direct Japanese peer competing for the same municipal and infrastructure-monitoring engagements, including buried utility detection that Wavelet has demonstrated for Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Broad incumbents

• CGG: French global leader in geoscience and subsurface imaging, providing seismic acquisition, data, and reservoir monitoring services. Comparable as a broad incumbent in geophysical services for energy and resource exploration, against which Wavelet's portable, continuous-monitoring approach is positioned.
• SLB (Schlumberger): World's largest oilfield services and subsurface technology company, with extensive seismic, well monitoring, and CCS-adjacent capabilities. Represents the dominant incumbent whose deep resources and Schlumberger alumni network Wavelet competes with for talent and enterprise customer mindshare.
• TGS: Norwegian provider of multi-client geoscience data and subsurface imaging for the energy industry. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the subsurface imaging ecosystem for energy exploration and CCS site characterization, the same buyer pool Wavelet targets with its PASS service.
• Sercel: French designer and manufacturer of seismic acquisition equipment (nodes, sources, recording systems) for the global oil & gas and mineral exploration industries. Broad incumbent comparable to Wavelet's PASS as a seismic source technology aimed at modernizing acquisition economics.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Wavelet