Power Spin

About Power Spin

Power Spin Inc. is a deep-tech startup originating from Tohoku University, established in October 2018 to accelerate the commercialization of the university's research in spintronics and power electronics. The company was co-founded by Dr. Etsuo Fukuda and Dr. Tetsuo Endoh, who first met in 1987 as colleagues at a major electronics manufacturer's research center. After pursuing separate paths, they reconnected at a conference in Hawaii in 2014 and decided to launch Power Spin. Dr. Fukuda serves as the Representative Director & CEO, bringing management and business development experience, including two IPOs. Dr. Endoh, the Representative Director & COO, is a professor at Tohoku University and a renowned researcher in spintronics, credited with the invention of 3D NAND memory.

The company focuses on providing ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions by leveraging spintronics, a technology that utilizes the magnetic spin of electrons in addition to their charge. This approach enables the creation of non-volatile memory like MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory), which retains data without power, drastically reducing energy consumption by over 100 times compared to conventional semiconductors. Power Spin's core business revolves around three main services: providing LSI design and prototyping for circuits integrating spintronic devices (STT-MRAM); offering evaluation and analysis services; and licensing its extensive intellectual property portfolio of over 350 patents. Its target markets include AI processors, automotive systems, IoT devices, and data centers, where reducing power consumption is a critical challenge.

Power Spin operates on a B2B model, collaborating with clients to develop and prototype energy-efficient semiconductor chips. The startup has secured significant funding to support its growth, including a Series C round of ¥2.5 billion in November 2023, bringing its total funding to approximately ¥3.56 billion. Key investors include JAFCO Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, SPARX Group, JIC Venture Growth Investments, and Tohoku University Venture Partners. Headquartered within the Material Innovation Center at Tohoku University in Sendai, the company aims to become a global leader in the semiconductor industry and achieve unicorn status.