Japanese startup Aroma Bit, the developer of an aroma sensor device, has recently hired East Ventures co-founder Batara Eto as its advisor and JTOWER CEO Atsushi Tanaka as its mentor.
Eto is also the ex-CTO of Mixi, a popular Japanese gaming company while Tanaka used to be the CFO of Emobile, the mobile company acquired by Softbank last year.
According to a report by The Bridge, Eto's East Ventures bought an undisclosed amount of shares in Aroma Bit.
In the official press release from Aroma Bit, hiring the two influential names is in line with the allocation of new shares to third parties, East Ventures, and individual investors this year.
This move is to enhance the management system for future growth of the business. Eto has a long and impressive track record on handling startup companies in Japan and abroad.
Earlier in November, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government officially certified the Aroma Bit's Management Innovation Plan, which is valid from January 2015 to December 2019.
The company will continue "to commit in the planning, development, production and sales of compact odor sensor and innovative products and services using the sensor."
The business plan aims to improve the management quality among different enterprises by promoting new business activities.
Aroma Bit was launched in February 2014. Since then it has been specializing on developing sensor technology that visualizes the aroma and fragrance features.
According to Venture Beat, the company's small sensor device is called Quartz Crystal Modular and gives the visual expression of various aromas. Through this, users can "see" the differences between scents.
This new technology can help companies that rely on the sense of smell for their quality check. Aroma Bit CEO Shunichiro Kuroki said the startup has been approached by consumer electronics, automobile, environmental business, and companies from the food industry regarding their new aroma sensor technology.
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