What KNiT does

KNiT Co., Ltd. (株式会社KNiT) is an Osaka-based, privately held Japanese company founded in July 2023 by Masataka Kubouchi, who holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Tohoku University and previously worked at AIST and a major chemical manufacturer. The company sells GeXeL (ジクセ), a cloud-based AI image analysis SaaS targeting researchers and engineers in materials science, chemicals, manufacturing, food, cosmetics, and medical imaging. GeXeL is built on proprietary pre-trained instance segmentation models that extract 90+ geometric parameters (count, size, shape, color, circular equivalent diameter, aspect ratio, circularity, orientation, aggregation rate) from microscope images (SEM/TEM/optical) without requiring users to collect training data or possess AI expertise. The platform added Bayesian optimization and quantitative visualization features in May 2026, enabling multi-objective experimental condition recommendation with 95% confidence intervals.

KNiT monetizes through three streams: (1) GeXeL SaaS subscriptions at ¥50,000–¥200,000/month with optional spot/occasional usage and no initial fees; (2) entrusted analysis services (受託解析) for customers restricted from cloud or requiring video analysis; and (3) custom AI development projects spanning gem appraisal, ophthalmology imaging, hair diagnosis, process informatics, food quality prediction, liquid bubble tracking, and 3D CT analysis. Go-to-market is product-led with a free trial funnel, supplemented by direct inquiry handling for enterprise and academic customers. Distribution is digital-first via the multilingual website (JP/EN/中) and currently concentrated in Japan.

The customer base includes more than 100 entities spanning major Japanese manufacturers (Daikin, Komatsu, GS Yuasa, Toyo Aluminum, Fuso Chemical, Ezaki Glico, Nakano Seiyaku, Tsukishima Kikai) and universities (Kyoto, Tohoku, Hiroshima, Kobe). The company has raised ¥40,000,000 in seed funding from HERO Impact Capital (Feb 2024), is backed by ¥6,000,000 in registered capital, and has earned regional recognition including first place at the 19th Osaka Entrepreneurs Growing Up competition (Dec 2023) and Osaka Top Runner Cultivation Business certification (Sept 2024). Technical advisors include two associate professors from the University of Hyogo.

Name

KNiT

Legal name

株式会社KNiT (Kabushiki Kaisha KNiT)

Website

https://knit-itech.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

KNiT is an Osaka-based AI company that operates GeXeL, a cloud-based image analysis SaaS using pre-trained instance segmentation models to extract geometric parameters from microscope images for researchers and engineers in materials, chemicals, manufacturing, food, cosmetics, and medical imaging.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Image Analysis Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Model Serving, Inference & Deployment Platforms (APIs, Edge/On-Prem) (HDAEANAC), Medical Imaging AI (HDAAAEAH)

Keywords

• AI image analysis
• Instance segmentation
• Microscopy software
• Bayesian optimization
• Image informatics

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. GeXeL SaaS Subscription: Monthly subscription-based access to GeXeL AI image analysis service. Pricing tiers based on number of images analyzed, ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 JPY per month. No initial cost required. Supports both recurring monthly usage and spot/occasional usage for lower-frequency users.
2. Entrusted Analysis Services (受託解析): For customers who cannot use cloud services or require video analysis, KNiT offers custom analysis services where the company performs the analysis on behalf of the client. This professional services offering complements the self-service SaaS product.
3. Custom AI Development: Original AI application development services leveraging proprietary image analysis, machine learning, and LLM technologies. KNiT supports clients from idea consultation through development and operation, providing full-cycle AI system development for various industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KNiT develops and sells GeXeL, a cloud-based AI image analysis SaaS service for researchers and engineers. Using pre-trained instance segmentation AI models, GeXeL processes microscope images (SEM, TEM, optical) to extract 90+ quantitative geometric parameters (particle count, size, shape, color, circularity, orientation) without requiring AI expertise or training data. The company also offers custom AI application development and entrusted analysis services for clients needing specialized image-based AI systems or who cannot use cloud services.

Product overview

KNiT operates two core offerings: the AI image analysis service GeXeL and custom AI application development services. GeXeL is a cloud-based SaaS platform that provides pre-trained AI models for instance segmentation of microscope images, allowing users to upload images and obtain quantitative geometric parameters without AI expertise. The platform offers image analysis capabilities including particle detection, bubble analysis, cuticle segmentation, and nanomaterial classification. Custom AI development provides industry-specific AI systems including gem appraisal, medical imaging, hair diagnosis, process informatics, food quality prediction, video bubble tracking, and 3D CT analysis. The company also offers contracted analysis services for customers with cloud or video analysis needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GeXeL (ジクセル): AI image analysis service for researchers and engineers, offering features including image segmentation, geometric parameter extraction (particle count, size, shape, color), Bayesian optimization, and analysis visualization. Available from 50,000 yen per month with no initial costs.
• GeXeL Analysis
• GeXeL Bayesian Optimization

Products and services

• GeXeL (ジクセル) AI image analysis SaaS that uses pre-trained instance segmentation models to extract 90+ quantitative geometric parameters (count, size, shape, color, circular equivalent diameter, aspect ratio, circularity, orientation, aggregation rate) from SEM, TEM, and optical microscope images. Designed for researchers and engineers in materials, chemicals, food, cosmetics, and medical sectors who need immediate analysis without AI expertise or training data, with integrated Bayesian optimization and one-click PPT/Excel export. Available from ¥50,000/month with no initial costs.
• Entrusted Analysis Services (受託解析サービス) Professional image analysis service where KNiT performs the analysis on behalf of clients who cannot use cloud-based services, need video analysis, or require specialized handling. Includes consultation, dedicated inquiry handling, and direct execution of image analytics workloads.
• Custom AI Application Development (AIアプリ開発) End-to-end bespoke AI system development service using KNiT's image analysis, machine learning, and LLM technology. Delivers industry-specific AI systems such as AI gem appraisal, ophthalmology medical image analysis, hair condition analysis, process informatics platforms, food texture/quality prediction AI, video bubble tracking systems, and CT image 3D structural analysis. Supports clients from idea consultation through deployment and ongoing operation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in routine research work
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Polymerize LLCkey strategic partnershipTechnology or Integration · 2 February 2026Business partnership effective February 2, 2026, focused on image analysis for the materials and chemical industries. The collaboration enables joint proposals of data analysis workflows that extract and quantify high-precision features from unstructured data such as microscope images, using them as training data for machine learning models to support data-driven R&D decision-making in the materials and chemical sectors.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Landing AI: Landing AI's LandingLens is a SaaS computer vision platform providing pre-trained models and model-assisted training for industrial inspection and scientific imaging. Comparable to KNiT because both sell a vision-AI-as-service product targeting manufacturers and R&D teams, with an emphasis on no-code training and rapid deployment in non-AI-expert customer environments.
• Aivia (Carl Zeiss Microscopy): Aivia is a microscopy image analysis platform combining AI-based segmentation with visualization for biological and materials microscopy workflows. Comparable to KNiT because both target microscope image analysis (SEM/TEM/optical) with AI-driven instance segmentation, particle quantification, and 3D visualization for scientific researchers.
• Roboflow: Roboflow offers a cloud-based computer vision platform with pre-trained models, dataset tools, and deployment APIs targeted at industrial and enterprise users. Comparable to KNiT because both provide domain-tuned image analysis SaaS accessible to non-AI-experts, with usage-based pricing and integration into production systems.
• Clarifai: Clarifai is an enterprise computer vision AI platform offering pre-trained models and a model workflow/deployment stack for production use. Comparable to KNiT because both offer AI image analysis as a managed service for non-AI-expert enterprise customers in industrial and commercial domains.
• Encord: Encord provides an end-to-end computer vision data and model platform, including labeling, curation, and evaluation tools for production vision AI teams. Comparable to KNiT because both address enterprise users who need to operationalize image analysis pipelines, with overlapping focus on scientific and industrial data workflows.
• Polymerize: Polymerize is a materials informatics platform that uses experimental and image-derived data to drive materials R&D decisions, and is also KNiT's named joint GTM partner. Comparable to KNiT because both serve materials and chemical R&D teams, complement image analysis with Bayesian optimization, and target the same Japanese/global materials informatics opportunity.
• Imaris (Oxford Instruments / Bitplane): Imaris is a scientific 3D/4D image analysis software suite used by researchers for microscopy image visualization and quantification. Comparable to KNiT because both serve research scientists who need AI-assisted segmentation and quantification of microscope images for materials and life sciences applications.

Emerging players

• Meta AI Segment Anything (SAM): SAM and SAM 2 are Meta's open-source foundation models for promptable and video image segmentation. Comparable to KNiT as a free, rapidly improving alternative for instance segmentation in scientific images, with potential to compress the value of KNiT's proprietary pre-trained models for less-demanding use cases.

Broad incumbents

• Scale AI: Scale AI provides data labeling, curation, and evaluation infrastructure for computer vision and generative AI applications across industries. Comparable to KNiT in addressing the upstream data needs of enterprise vision AI workflows, particularly for industrial and scientific customers building production-grade image analysis systems.
• AWS Rekognition: AWS Rekognition is a hyperscaler computer vision API covering detection, segmentation, and analysis of images and video. Comparable to KNiT as a broad incumbent offering image analysis as a cloud service; overlaps with KNiT's general visual analysis capability, but lacks KNiT's deep specialization for scientific/microscope image workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 KNiT