Hiway Raises ¥300 Million in Series A Funding
Hiway, a company specializing in AI-native CRM solutions for automating sales operations, has successfully raised ¥300 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by DNX Ventures, reflecting continued investor confidence in Hiway's innovative approach to streamlining agency sales processes.
Company Overview
Founded in November 2021, Hiway offers a PRM/CRM platform designed to automate and enhance the efficiency of sales operations for B2B enterprises. The platform facilitates seamless information sharing between manufacturers and sales agents, utilizing AI to handle inquiries, generate quotations, and synchronize data with existing CRM systems. The solution is particularly targeted at industries with complex distribution channels, such as manufacturing, IT, SaaS, and finance.
The company's AI agent is capable of processing inquiries received via email, phone, and online forms. It organizes and cross-references product details, customer information, and past activities to produce accurate response proposals and draft quotations. Hiway's platform integrates with a corporate database of 5.4 million companies, offering a comprehensive tool for enterprise users.
Leadership
Hiway is led by co-founders Fumitaka Kubo and Ayumu Sumida. Kubo, serving as CEO, has a background in corporate sales at SoftBank and experience as a founding member and executive at a domestic CRM startup. Sumida, the CTO, brings technical expertise to the company's innovative solutions.
Strategic Allocation of Funds
The recent funding will be directed towards several key areas. Hiway plans to enhance its AI agents by leveraging extensive product data and customer information. Additionally, the company aims to expand its integration with external systems, offering more robust support for enterprise implementation. Recruitment efforts will also be intensified, focusing on both engineering and business development to support the company's growth objectives.
This funding marks a significant milestone for Hiway as it continues to develop its AI-driven solutions and expand its presence in the enterprise market.