Fact Base Inc, the Tokyo-based company behind the drawing management system Zumeen, has secured $28.1 million in Series C funding. The round was executed through a mix of newly issued shares and secondary share transfers underwritten by New York-based growth investor Insight Partners. This transaction marks Insight Partners’ first investment in a Japanese startup, underscoring growing global interest in Japan’s industrial software sector.
Series C Funding and Strategic Aims
The new capital will be used to accelerate Fact Base’s global expansion and broaden its product portfolio. Management plans to allocate funds toward enhancing Zumeen’s functionality, launching adjacent businesses, and stepping up market specific marketing initiatives. A core priority will be building out overseas hiring capabilities to support deeper penetration of key regions and lay the groundwork for long-term scale.
Manufacturing Challenges and Zumeen’s Role
Japanese manufacturing still depends heavily on paper-based workflows and tacit, person dependent knowledge, which drags on productivity and competitiveness. At the same time, manufacturers worldwide are under pressure to digitize operations, strengthen supply chains, and establish robust data infrastructure on the factory floor. Zumeen addresses these issues by centralizing drawing management and streamlining information sharing and ordering processes from design through procurement and production, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers and local factories.
Growth, Global Footprint, and European Entry
Fact Base reports that over the past two years, sales have increased roughly sixteenfold and the number of companies adopting Zumeen has risen about thirteenfold. The platform is now used across 12 countries, including Japan, reflecting growing demand for digital tools that link engineering data with on site execution. With the support of the Series C round, the company plans to enter the European market in 2026 and further accelerate its global growth trajectory.
Founder Perspective and Product Vision
CEO Masataka Takeuchi framed the investment as validation that Fact Base’s products and business model meet global standards. He emphasized that the company, as a SaaS provider originating in Japan, has already built a track record in Asia and North America by reimagining factory operations around manufacturing drawings and data. Takeuchi added that Fact Base aims to showcase a new version of “Japan as a manufacturing powerhouse” while using the fresh capital to drive full scale European expansion, launch new businesses, and deliver greater value to existing customers.
Investor View and Operational Impact
Insight Partners Managing Director Max Wolff highlighted the traditional pain points around drawing management for small and mid-sized manufacturers, describing it as historically manual and time-consuming. He noted that Zumeen offers a one-stop solution that eliminates manual searches, reduces errors, and shortens lead times, enabling manufacturers to focus on higher-value activities. Wolff said Insight Partners is excited to support Fact Base in its next phase of growth as it scales its software globally.
Organization, Recruitment, and IPO Outlook
Fact Base’s workforce has expanded sixfold over the past two years, reflecting the rapid growth of its business. The company now operates four domestic offices and 11 overseas locations, with approximately 34 percent of its sales staff being foreign nationals, creating a visibly diverse organization. Looking ahead, the company plans to further strengthen global recruitment across engineering, sales, and customer success roles as it builds a solid organizational base with a view to a future IPO.
Fact Base’s $28.1 million Series C round, led by Insight Partners, positions the company to deepen its role in digitizing manufacturing workflows worldwide. By leveraging its expanding customer base and product roadmap, the company intends to advance factory automation, streamline direct material procurement, and enhance inter-company collaboration. Through continued international expansion, including a planned move into Europe, Fact Base aims to fulfill its mission of making manufacturing seamless on a global scale.