Hardolass raises ¥2.5B Series B led by Hillhouse to commercialise its glass coating
What's the deal? Tokyo-based Hardolass has raised ¥2.5 billion (about $15.5 million) in a Series B round led by Hillhouse Investment ManagementDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
The startup develops Hardolass, a proprietary ultra-thin glass coating, and will use the funds to shift from research into full commercialisation.
Why now? Hardolass says it is moving from basic research into development and commercial rollout, prompting a "selection and concentration" strategy.
It plans to focus on mobility — automotive and rail — as its top-priority markets, targeting early industry standardisation.
The company will lean on its existing sales network to roll out Eco-H, its next-generation self-cleaning coating.
What could go wrong? Concentrating resources on automotive and rail leaves Hardolass exposed if those sectors are slow to adopt its coatings.
Standardisation across two demanding industries — rail needs durability, cars need finish and ease of application — is a tall order for a startup still scaling.
The signal: Founded in 2000, Hardolass is an early-stage company whose antifouling, anti-scratch, and anti-corrosion nanomaterial coatings have taken decades to move from research toward commercialisation. Backing from a corporate investor like Hillhouse gives it both the capital and the global network to attempt that leap into mobility markets.
Read more: PR Times
Image credit: Hardolass
