FAI

What FAI does

FAI Co., Ltd. (株式会社FAI / ファイ) is a Nagoya University-born Japanese startup incorporated February 26, 2024, with registered capital of 11,000,000 JPY and headquarters at StationAi in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. The company develops and deploys simulation and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software for the manufacturing sector, with a technical focus on multi-objective topology optimization that simultaneously resolves competing structural performance requirements such as stiffness, weight, vibration, buckling strength, thermal deformation, and energy absorption.

The technology stack centers on Φ-Designer (ファイ・デザイナー), an AI-assisted structural design software that executes up to 10,000 automated simulation iterations per project in approximately one hour, underpinned by two proprietary components: (i) an automated design sensitivity derivation engine that rapidly extends objective functions to new performance criteria, and (ii) an AI-based computing algorithm compatible with 3D models using surrogate modeling. FAI's portfolio is organized as three sub-brands: Φ-Solutions (DX consulting and CAE/topology optimization system development and deployment for manufacturer clients), Φ-Designer (design engineer-facing SaaS, currently offered free during development as part of solution projects), and Φ-Seminar (CAE and advanced mathematics — including category theory — education delivered by PhD-level personnel).

FAI pursues a sales-led, direct-engagement go-to-market targeting Japanese manufacturing companies facing productivity and labor-shortage pressures, supplemented by trade show and academic conference presence (FASTAR DEMO DAY, Toyota Startup Exhibition, Manufacturing World Tokyo, 計算工学講演会). Visible enterprise customers include Kato Keikinzoku Kogyo (aluminum extrusion), Fuji Kohshuha Kogyo (3D-printed metal parts), RMG Machine Farm (jig design), and an unnamed machine tool manufacturer. Monetization is currently dominated by Φ-Solutions professional services on a quote basis; Φ-Designer is positioned for a transition to commercial SaaS upon development completion. The company participates in Japanese startup-support programs (FASTAR 11th cohort at SMRJ, GRIT & Growth Accelerator Nagoya, METI Go-Tech selection FY2025) and won the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Award at FASTER 11th DEMO DAY in September 2025.

Name

FAI

Legal name

株式会社FAI（ファイ）

Website

https://fai-inc.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FAI is a Nagoya University-born Japanese startup (founded February 2024) that develops AI-assisted topology optimization simulation software (Φ-Designer) for Japanese manufacturers facing productivity and labor shortages, sold via DX consulting (Φ-Solutions), free-during-development SaaS, and CAE education (Φ-Seminar).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Simulation Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Generative Design & Topology Optimization for AM (IMAAACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Design-for-Additive (DfAM) & Prototype Optimization (IMAAAFAC), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)

Keywords

• Topology optimization software
• Structural design automation
• CAE simulation services
• Manufacturing DX consulting
• Multi-objective optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. DXソリューション事業 (Φ-Solutions): End-to-end DX consulting and simulation system development/implementation for manufacturing clients, from business problem identification through system deployment and operational improvement. Covers consulting, PoC, simulation system development, and ongoing optimization support.
2. 設計者向けソフトウェア・SaaS事業 (Φ-Designer): Structural design assist software Φ-Designer for designers to perform topology optimization. Currently in development and available free of charge as part of solution projects. Commercial SaaS model planned upon completion.
3. シミュレーション・数学教育事業 (Φ-Seminar): CAE and mathematics education seminars conducted by PhD-level analysts and expert instructors. Training services to enhance clients' professional capabilities and problem-solving skills in simulation and mathematical thinking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FAI develops and sells Φ-Designer, an AI-based structural design assist software that uses multi-objective topology optimization to evaluate up to 10,000 candidate designs per project in about one hour, and pairs it with Φ-Solutions DX consulting (problem framing through simulation system deployment) and Φ-Seminar CAE and mathematics training for Japanese manufacturing customers. The software targets trade-offs among stiffness, weight, vibration, buckling, thermal deformation, and energy absorption that traditional trial-and-error design cannot address simultaneously.

Product overview

FAI (株式会社FAI) is a Nagoya University-born startup founded in February 2024, offering a three-part portfolio of simulation and AI-driven design services: (1) Φ-Solutions — DX consulting and simulation system development for manufacturing clients, covering problem identification, PoC, and deployment; (2) Φ-Designer — the core SaaS/software product providing designer-oriented structural design assistance using multi-objective topology optimization with FAI's proprietary AI-based algorithms capable of executing up to 10,000 simulation iterations, supporting trade-off visualization across stiffness, vibration, weight, and other performance criteria; and (3) Φ-Seminar — simulation and mathematics education services including category theory, topology optimization, and CAE training. All three offerings are underpinned by FAI's mathematical optimization and simulation expertise developed at Nagoya University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Φ-Designer（ファイ・デザイナー）: AI-assisted structural design software for topology optimization. Features include up to 10,000 automated simulation runs, addressing trade-offs between manufacturing constraints and performance requirements for vibration, rigidity, buckling strength, and weight reduction.
• Φ-Seminar（ファイ・セミナー）
• Φ-Solutions（ファイ・ソリューション）

Products and services

• Φ-Designer (ファイ・デザイナー) An AI-driven structural design assist software for designers that applies multi-objective topology optimization to simultaneously optimize stiffness, vibration characteristics, thermal deformation, weight reduction, buckling strength, and energy absorption across up to 10,000 candidate designs per project in approximately one hour, targeting structural designers and engineering teams in manufacturing firms.
• Φ-Solutions (ファイ・ソリューションズ) DX Solutions End-to-end DX consulting and simulation system development services for manufacturing clients, covering problem identification, technical-method mapping, consulting, PoC, CAE and topology optimization system development/rollout, and operational-improvement support.
• Φ-Seminar (ファイ・セミナー) Simulation (CAE) and mathematics education services offered by FAI's PhD-level computational mechanics analysts and external mathematics lecturers, covering category theory for engineers, topology optimization, and hands-on FEM/CAE fundamentals workshops for design and engineering professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% weight reduction while maintaining rigidity and improving natural frequency from 4,420Hz to over 5,362Hz in bellcrank design
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• 西郷甲矢人 (Hayato Saigo) - ZEN UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Professor Hayato Saigo of ZEN University joined as a technical advisor in April 2026. Professor Saigo is a leading researcher in category theory, quantum probability, and cognitive science, bringing mathematical perspectives to FAI's design and analysis integration frameworks.
• 加藤軽金属工業株式会社 (Kato Keikinzoku Kogyo K.K.)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2025FAI developed an aluminum extrusion design support system for Kato Keikinzoku, enabling optimal structural design for their extruded aluminum products.
• FASTAR / 中小機構 (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 September 2025FAI was selected for FASTAR's 11th cohort (November 2024) and subsequently won the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Award at the 11th DEMO DAY final pitch event in September 2025. FASTAR is an accelerator program run by Japan's SME support organization, providing mentorship, resources, and pitch opportunities to startups.
• GRIT & Growth Accelerator NagoyaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024FAI was selected for the GRIT & Growth Accelerator Nagoya program in November 2024, providing startup acceleration support and ecosystem connections.
• OSAKA INNOVATION HUB (ミライノピッチ2024)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024FAI participated in Mirai Pitch 2024, organized by OSAKA INNOVATION HUB, an ICT-focused business plan pitch event connecting startups with potential investors and partners.
• 富士高周波工業株式会社 (Fuji Koshusha Kogyo Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAI developed a topology optimization design system for 3D printed metal parts and provided prototype support. FAI's software was the customer's first experience with simulation software, and they successfully entered the 3D printing market with FAI's support.
• トヨタ自動車・三菱UFJ銀行・経済産業省中部経済産業局 (Toyota Motor, MUFG Bank, Chubu METI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFAI participated in the '第2回 スタートアップ企業 新事業・新技術展示会' (2nd Startup Company New Business/Technology Exhibition) hosted at Toyota headquarters in October 2025, co-organized by Toyota, MUFG Bank, and METI Chubu. This event connected FAI with potential enterprise customers in the automotive ecosystem.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=FG08_I2XaJ0

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 FAI