Magic Shields

The company's founder and CEO, Hiroshi Shimomura, was previously an engineer at Yamaha Motor, where he developed shock-absorption technologies for motorcycle racing. His expertise in impact reduction, combined with inspiration from an ancient ninja tool called "Mizugumo" for weight distribution, led to the development of Magic Shields' patented flooring. The flooring is constructed with a bottom layer of a special polymer that compresses on impact, topped with a laminate or carpet surface.

Magic Shields primarily serves the healthcare and senior care markets, with its products installed in over 1,000 care facilities and hospitals, mostly in Japan. The business model involves selling these flooring systems directly and through partnerships. A significant collaboration includes an OEM agreement with Panasonic, which produces and sells the shock-absorbing floor under the name "Cloud Stage". The company has also expanded into the United States, with its first installation in a senior living facility in California in partnership with MBK Senior Living. In addition to flooring, the company is developing IoT-enabled monitoring and business support services to complement its main product.

Since its founding, Magic Shields has achieved several milestones. It has raised approximately $4.1 million in funding from investors including Carbide Ventures and DEEPCORE. The company has been recognized with a Good Design Award and is part of the J-Startup and Microsoft for Startups programs. A study conducted in 11 hospitals in Hiroshima found that over a 16-month period, there were zero fractures from 193 falls on Magic Shields flooring.