Sakana AI
AI research lab Sakana AI closed $300M+ in its latest 2026 funding round. Full breakdown: valuation, lead investors, and top AI deal comparisons.
Overview
Sakana AI is a Tokyo-based artificial intelligence research laboratory founded by David Ha (former Google Brain researcher) and Llion Jones (co-author of the original Transformer paper). The company is developing a novel approach to AI using nature-inspired algorithms, including evolutionary computation and swarm intelligence, to create more efficient and adaptable AI systems. Sakana's research has produced breakthroughs in model merging — combining existing models to create more capable systems without expensive retraining. As Japan's most prominent AI startup, Sakana has attracted significant government support and investment, positioning Tokyo as a credible hub for frontier AI research alongside Silicon Valley and London.
Funding History
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much has Sakana AI raised in total?
- Sakana AI has raised a total of $330M across 2 funding rounds.
- Who are Sakana AI's investors?
- Sakana AI's investors include Khosla Ventures, NVIDIA, Lux Capital.
- What does Sakana AI do?
- Sakana AI is a Tokyo-based artificial intelligence research laboratory founded by David Ha (former Google Brain researcher) and Llion Jones (co-author of the original Transformer paper). The company is developing a novel approach to AI using nature-inspired algorithms, including evolutionary computation and swarm intelligence, to create more efficient and adaptable AI systems. Sakana's research has produced breakthroughs in model merging — combining existing models to create more capable systems without expensive retraining. As Japan's most prominent AI startup, Sakana has attracted significant government support and investment, positioning Tokyo as a credible hub for frontier AI research alongside Silicon Valley and London.
- When was Sakana AI founded?
- Sakana AI was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
- Where is Sakana AI headquartered?
- Sakana AI is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
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