Takeaways by Saasverse AI
- LayerX | Series B | $100M (150 billion yen) | AI-Driven SaaS for Enterprise Automation.
- Led by Technology Cross Ventures (TCV) with participation from Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, MUFG Innovation Partners, Coreline Ventures, JAFCO Group, Keyrock Capital Management, and JP Investment.
- Funds to fuel global expansion, including the U.S. and Europe, enhance engineering capabilities, and build a competitive global workforce.
LayerX, the Japanese AI SaaS unicorn, has successfully closed its Series B funding round, raising $100 million (150 billion yen) to accelerate its growth and global market entry. The round was led by Technology Cross Ventures (TCV), marking the firm’s first-ever investment in a Japanese startup. Other key investors include Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, MUFG Innovation Partners, Coreline Ventures, JAFCO Group, Keyrock Capital Management, and JP Investment. This latest infusion brings LayerX’s total funding to an impressive $192.2 million to date.
Founded in 2018 by Tokyo University machine learning graduate Yoshinori Fukushima, LayerX is a pioneer in Japan’s AI-driven enterprise automation sector. Fukushima, who previously founded and successfully listed news app Gunosy on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, identified the inefficiencies in Japan’s reliance on paper-based invoice processing. This insight led to the creation of Bakuraku, LayerX’s flagship platform, which leverages AI to automate back-office operations, including expense management, invoice processing, and corporate credit card workflows. With over 15,000 businesses now using Bakuraku, the platform has become a cornerstone for enterprise automation in Japan.
In addition to its SaaS solutions, LayerX is making strides in fintech with its digital securities investment platform, Alterna, a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., which has already attracted $1.7 billion (250 billion yen) in investments. It also offers an AI workforce optimization solution, Ai Workforce, which has been successfully deployed in major enterprises such as Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Mitsui & Co.
The company has seen exponential growth, with its client base expanding from 10,000 to 15,000 between February 2024 and April 2025. LayerX’s employee count is projected to nearly double, from 220 in October 2023 to 430 by mid-2025. It is also on track to become the fastest company in Japan’s SaaS history to achieve annual revenues of $6.8 million (100 billion yen). By FY2030, LayerX aims to reach $680 million (1,000 billion yen) in annual recurring revenue, with half of this expected to stem from its AI automation solutions.
This Series B funding will be strategically deployed to scale LayerX’s engineering and sales teams, ensuring robust capabilities to support its ambitious global expansion. The company also plans to establish a globally competitive compensation structure to attract and retain top talent. With a particular focus on entering the U.S. and European markets, LayerX is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-driven back-office automation solutions worldwide.
Saasverse Insights
LayerX’s rapid growth and ambitious goals underscore the increasing global appetite for AI enterprise automation solutions. This funding round not only validates the company’s market positioning but also sets a precedent for international investment in Japanese startups. The participation of TCV, a heavyweight in global venture capital, signals a growing recognition of Japan’s burgeoning AI and SaaS ecosystem.
The company’s dual focus on SaaS and fintech solutions positions it uniquely in the competitive landscape. With the global SaaS market projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% through 2030, LayerX’s expansion into the U.S. and Europe aligns with significant market opportunities. However, its ability to navigate regional compliance and establish a strong foothold will be critical to its success.
As LayerX builds on its AI-driven innovations and scales its operations globally, it has the potential to redefine enterprise automation and set new benchmarks for SaaS companies emerging from Asia.