FundraiseAug 4, 2026, 02:50 UTC

X Mile raises US$24.4M Series C to build vertical AI for Japan's non-desk industries

What's the deal? Tokyo-based X Mile has raised US$24.4M in a Series C round led by Vertex Growth. The financing brings the startup's total funding to date to US$53.5M.

Who else joined? New and existing backers took part, including ALPHA, SMBC Nikko Securities, SOMPO Growth Partners, University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners, SMBC Venture Capital, Minerva Growth Partners, Japan Post Capital, and JPS Growth Investment.

What's the endgame? Founded in 2019, X Mile runs a management platform for non-desk industries such as logistics, construction, and manufacturing. Its business spans HR matching, digital transformation, and management support, including mergers and acquisitions.

By the numbers: The HR platform has passed 1.2 million registered job seekers and 30,000 client sites. Annual recurring revenue in the DX and AI business is growing more than 90% year on year, and roughly 70% of large transport firms with fleets of over 1,000 vehicles use its products.

Where the money goes. X Mile plans to hire engineers and expand sales teams, invest in vertical AI and fintech, and pursue acquisitions. It said it will combine equity with bank debt to fund M&A.

Why now? Japan's logistics, construction, and manufacturing sectors face acute labour shortages, ageing workforces, and succession challenges. "X Mile is building critical infrastructure for Japan's non-desk industries," said Vertex Growth general partner Tam Hock Chuan.

The signal: The round lands in the top half of comparable deals by size, a modest but notable marker. It reflects investor appetite for industry-specific AI aimed at labour-heavy sectors that software has been slow to reach.

Read more: PR TIMES

Image credit: X Mile