Autify, which promotes DX in software testing, has raised a total of 2 billion yen in Series B round, bringing the total amount of funding to approximately 4.5 billion yen.
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Press release: June 18, 2024
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Autify, which promotes DX in software testing, has raised a total of 2 billion yen in Series B round, bringing the total amount of funding to approximately 4.5 billion yen.
*Take software testing to the next level with the combined power of AI and people*
Autify Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: California, USA, Representative Director: Chikazawa) provides “Autify”, a software test automation tool that utilizes AI.
Ryo (hereinafter referred to as Autify) will be joined by existing investors WiL, Salesforce Ventures, and Archetype.
Ventures, Uncorrelated
In addition to Ventures, this round will include Globis Capital, the largest independent hands-on venture capital firm in Japan.
Partners and LG Technology, which has an excellent global investment track record in the AI, bio, battery, and mobility fields.
We are pleased to announce that we have raised approximately 2 billion yen (US$13 million, equivalent to 1 US dollar = 150 yen, hereinafter the same) in equity in a Series B round, with Ventures as co-lead investor. With this latest procurement, the total amount raised will be approximately 4.5 billion yen (30 million USD).
The funds raised in this round will not only be limited to test execution automation, which Autify has covered so far, but will also be able to support a broader range of software development cycles from the testing area, including test design, test scenario generation, and software testing consulting. We will invest in product development, human resources recruitment, and training. We will strive to improve the value of our services to a wider range of companies than ever before and accelerate global growth.
* ■Becoming a Quality Engineering platform that comprehensively supports the software development cycle with the combined power of AI and people*
Since its founding, Autify’s goal has been to “eliminate the testing phase” from the development process by providing products and services that comprehensively support the development process. With the recent evolution of AI, this is becoming realistically possible to achieve at a high level. The evolution of AI will definitely change the software development and QA processes in the future.
We have been using the power of AI to solve problems in a wide range of software testing areas, based on the know-how we have gained through developing and promoting the introduction of test automation tools and analyzing customer issues. , in 2023 “Autify
The launch of the “AI Labs” project and the beta features “Step Suggestion” and “Scenario”
We have launched two functions of “Summarizer”.
In addition, because we utilize cutting-edge technology called AI, we can successfully improve the efficiency of software testing on a larger scale than across the entire company or across multiple departments by having professional human resources who can use it to accompany us. I feel this again.
Through this funding, we will accelerate investments in people such as further refining AI technology and hiring/training professionals in the software testing field, and will also provide AI-based test design and test scenario generation, software testing consulting, etc. , we will expand our products to address a broader range of issues in the software development lifecycle, evolving into a platform that more comprehensively supports quality and agility in the development process than ever before.
We will become a presence that defines new development processes realized by the combined power of AI and people. Please look forward to the new products and services we will be releasing, and the future of the development process created by Autify.
* ■Comments from investors *
*Mr. Satoshi Fukushima*
*GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS PARTNER*
Nowadays, the importance of software is increasing in all industries globally, and improving development agility is a necessary condition for corporate evolution. In this sense, we believe that Autify’s Product Doubt goes beyond test automation, and by committing to the entire process, it simultaneously improves the quality and speed of output and contributes to improving productivity worldwide. We hope that it will become an accelerator for companies not only in Japan but around the world, as a platform that frees up development resources, including engineers, for “real work” and achieves “added value” in addition to “improving work efficiency.” GCP will continue to provide solid support.
* Mayu Kudo *
*Globis Capital Partners Associate*
I am very happy to have been able to participate in the Series B round as a lead investor. With the increasing need for agile development and rapid product release, software test automation is a rapid and irreversible trend worldwide. We believe that the team led by CEO Chikazawa, who has global knowledge and experience and high
engineering capabilities, can improve the productivity of development organizations in Japan and around the world. We will do our best to support Autify’s global challenges!
*VP Mr. Min Bae*
*Head of Security & Solution Business Division, LG CNS*
Through our partnership with Autify, LG
We will continue to strengthen CNS’s lineup of system verification solutions. We are committed to helping our customers quickly and error-free implement new systems and increase business value. *Mr. Taejoon Park*
* Managing Director, LG Technology Ventures*
Autify features a focus on AI, no-code, and customer success. Autify has already proven that its AI-powered no-code solutions deliver strong value to many customers, and we look forward to further growth as demand for software testing increases. .
*Shunpei Fukui*
*Managing Partner of Archetype Ventures*
It has been more than 10 years since it was said that software would take over the world, and this trend has become a reality, and with the addition of AI, it is accelerating. Under these circumstances, the fundamental competitiveness has shifted to the quality of software, and even beyond that, we have entered an era where good quality is taken for granted. With the development environment evolving at an astonishing speed, there is a strong need for QA evolution to ensure quality, and we have made our third investment in Autify, which continues to evolve to meet that need. We are excited to join you on your journey to create impact at scale.
* Mr. Ken Asada *
*Managing Executive Officer, Salesforce Japan Co., Ltd. Japan Representative Partner, Salesforce Ventures*
With the major wave of development of generative AI technology coming to the fields of software development and testing, major changes are expected in software testing as well. We have invested in Autify for the third time because we believe that its products and team, which we have been working with since the seed stage, have the potential to fully utilize AI technology in the software testing field and become a leading global company. Ta. We are very happy to continue supporting Autify together with the new lead investors we have welcomed. *Mr. Salil Deshpande*
*General partner of Uncorrelated Ventures*
Producing high-quality software requires writing thousands of tests, but the sheer number of tests can be overwhelming. For many engineers, test automation and management is a task that takes up a large portion of their work time. By implementing Autify’s AI-based test automation, companies can finally address long-standing software test automation challenges.
*Mr. Andy Cohen*
*Partner of WiL*
We are pleased to continue supporting Autify in their Series B funding. The global need for software testing is significant, and businesses need professional services powered by easy-to-use products and software. Autify has established a strong position in Japan and is currently expanding globally in the United States and South Korea. WiL believes that Autify has a product lineup suitable for the global market, and that this funding will enable it to strengthen its go-to-market in Japan, the United States, and South Korea, and provide solutions to more companies. I look forward to it.
* Mr. Yuki Uchida *
* Shoko Chukin Bank Tokyo Branch Senior Associate *
Improving agility is one of the important issues in software development sites. We recognize that Autify’s solutions are important products that contribute to speeding up development processes such as software testing automation. We are working to create innovation through various types of support for startup companies, and we are very happy to be able to help them with their growth strategies financially. We look forward to further development in the future as we expand our business areas.
* ■Overview of investors who newly participated in this round* – * GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS * * https://www.globiscapital.co.jp/ja/*
GLOBIS Capital Partners not only provides business funds to
entrepreneurs and venture companies at the start-up and growth stages, but also the human resources and money necessary for corporate growth. “Chie (management know-how)”
Established in 1996 as Japan’s first full-scale hands-on venture capital firm that provides comprehensive support. We invest in startups that aim to update (DX) huge domestic industries and expand globally from Japan, and are working to create unicorn and decacorn companies that tackle markets and themes that can serve as
opportunities for the creation of Japan’s next-generation industries. – * LG CNS * * https://www.lgcns.com/* LG CNS is a global IT services company that leverages smart technology and services to help customers far exceed their expectations. LG CNS has the expertise of highly skilled professionals,
We provide our customers with the best IT solutions and services in a variety of industrial and public sectors, including custom-made system development, strategic consulting, and total IT service outsourcing. – * LG Technology Ventures * * https://www.lgtechventures.com/*
LG Technology Ventures is an LG technology venture founded in 2018. As the venture capital investment arm of CNS, the team is comprised of experienced investors, entrepreneurs, technologists and industry domain experts. Currently, L.G.
Technology
Ventures has more than $400 million in assets under management and invests in early-stage startups in artificial intelligence, mobility, advanced materials, life sciences, next-generation displays, mobile, and 5G. We aim to support the development of strategic partnerships with group companies and enable our investee companies to create value.
* ■Event announcement*
* Autify CEO Chikazawa will appear on GCP House, a podcast by Globis Capital Partners*
We will talk with Mr. Fukushima, Mr. Kudo, and Mr. Abe of Globis Capital Partners about the background of this funding and future business prospects.
-overview-
Distribution start date and time: June 21, 2024 (Friday) 17:00 Viewing URL: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Mci6Xo5rFVTmGXd0dhk3w
*We will be holding a webinar on the theme of “Autify’s current and future goal of becoming No.1 globally”*
Autify CEO Chikazawa and VP of Revenue Shimizu introduce Quality, which comprehensively supports the software development cycle with the combined power of AI and people.
We will talk candidly about the future plans for the Engineering Platform, what kind of organization Autify aims to become, and new services.
There will also be a Q&A period where you can ask questions directly to the board members, so please feel free to participate.
-Event Overview-
Date and time: July 4, 2024 (Thursday) 19:00-20:00
Event format: Online
Application URL: https://autify.com/ja/webinars/autify-serieseb *Archive distribution is also planned at a later date.
* ■About “Autify”*
The test automation tool “Autify” is a cloud application that uses AI to enable anyone to easily automate software testing, which verifies whether developed software works properly, without any code. Anyone can easily automate testing with an intuitive UX, and maintenance is supported by AI. Because of its low learning costs, it has been chosen by companies that aim to achieve greater results by deploying company-wide and multiple teams to promote test automation across departments.
Software testing is essential to prevent defects that pose fatal business risks. By automating testing, Autify enables faster release cycles and increases the competitiveness of businesses that develop products that quickly reflect customer needs.
Autify supports testing of web application systems and mobile apps (iOS/Android).
Official page: https://autify.com/ja
* ■Representative Director Ryo Chikazawa Profile*
As a software engineer, he has been involved in software development for over 10 years in Japan, Singapore, and San Francisco. After developing the No. 1 social game in the US at DeNA, he led product development as a product engineer at Viki in Singapore. After that, he moved to San Francisco and participated in a local startup as an early member.
Founded Autify, Inc. in 2016. Alchemist, the first Japanese to be awarded one of the top accelerators in the US
After graduating from Accelerator, he will work to develop and provide Autify, a test automation tool that utilizes AI, in order to eliminate the testing phase from the world.
We transmit and publish information on our own blog and podcast. ・Autify CEO’s blog https://burningneeds.theletter.jp/
・Burning cast (Podcast):
https://open.spotify.com/show/2sc2zUuLfu4Xkvs9zuovII?si=vEoxUT3ARw6p2MXTmaMb3Q&dl_branch=1
■Company overview
Company name: Autify Co., Ltd.
Address: 6th floor, Cross Sea Higashi Nihonbashi Building, 2-22-1 Higashi Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0004 (Japan Office)
Representative name: Ryo Chikazawa
Established: February 3, 2017
Business content: Development and sales of software test automation platform “Autify”
Official website: https://autify.com/ja
Aiming to be the global number one in the testing field, we are looking for people who can take on the challenge of solving problems in the larger software testing field, not just test automation. Please also check our recruitment page.
Recruitment reinforcement position
QA Consultant / Backend Engineer / ML Engineer / Account Executive / Inside Sales / Marketing / Account Success Manager / Customer Support Engineer / Technical Support Engineer
Recruitment page: https://autify.com/ja/careers
■Contact information regarding this matter
Public relations desk
Person in charge: Shimizu
Email: press@autify.com
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