What is no code?
A no-code platform is a development platform that uses a visual development environment to allow layman users to create apps, through methods such as drag-and-drop, adding application components to create a complete application. With no-code, users don’t need prior coding knowledge to create apps.
No code or low code?
Low-code software is software that can be fully customized with a minimal amount of programming. No-code software, on the other hand, takes the low-code concept to another level, allowing literally anyone to tailor an application to their needs without any programming knowledge whatsoever.
Right now, both types of software are often grouped together into the “low-code” category, but no-code software may arise as its own market category and force in the coming years, since no-code software allows anyone–even those with zero technical knowledge–to customize their business processes, dashboards, etc.
Status of no-code startups in silicon valley
FAMOUS START-UPS AND FUNDING
Doctor On Demand Inc., San Francisco, $75 million: General Atlantic led the Series D funding of this virtual care provider.
Nine Square Therapeutics Inc., San Francisco, $50 million: Apple Tree Partners led the Series A funding of this biotech that’s focused on movement disorders.
Natron Energy Inc., Santa Clara, $35 million: ABB Technology Ventures, NanoDimension Capital and Volta Energy Technologies co-led the Series D funding of this developer of sodium-ion batteries. They were joined by Chevron, Khosla Ventures and Prelude Ventures.
Postmeds Inc. (dba Truepill), San Mateo, $25 million: Series B investors in this API-based healthcare infrastructure company include TI Platform Fund, Optum Ventures, Initialized Capital and Sound Ventures.
Second Front Systems Public Benefit Corp., San Francisco, $6 million: Artis Ventures led the seed round of this developer of national security software. It was joined by Kleiner Perkins, 8VC, Gula Tech Adventures and Abstract Ventures
Athlane, San Francisco, $3.3 million: Investors in this developer of a platform for brands to find esports streamers include Y Combinator, Jonathan Kraft (New England Patriots), Michael Gordon (President of Fenway Sports Group), Global Founders Capital, Romulus Capital and Seabed VC.
MonkeyLearn LLC, San Francisco, $2.2 million: Funding in this developer of a no-code AI text analysis service was co-led by Uncork Capital and Bling Capital.
ACTIVE VCs/ INVESTORS
Menlo Park-based Sequoia Capital has raised more than $7 billion in funds to invest, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sequoia Capital India raised a $525 million venture fund and a $825 million growth fund for Southeast Asian investments. Sequoia raised $3.7 billion across three funds to invest in China and $2.15 billion for U.S.-focused venture and growth funds.
Menlo Park-based venture firm DCM raised $880 million for its ninth fund.
Santa Clara-based Intel Capital pledged $125 million to invest over the next five years in start-ups led by women and underrepresented minorities.
Famous no-code startups in Japan
METROWORKS
MetroWorks is a software technology company that creates open platform applications to help publishers, website operators, and corporations serving content to the public to increase traffic and monetize their websites. Currently it is building a network of partnerships across Asia.
YAPPLI
Yappli is a Tokyo-based B2B SaaS software company that provides an online platform to easily build, manage, and analyze enterprise-grade native mobile applications without the need for coding skills. The company is on a T2D3 growth path with notable clients such as The North Face, GYAO, Azul by Moussy, and Cartoon Network.
Yappli is changing the app development industry through its innovative and creative solutions. The online platform allows users to construct a UI from scratch and maintain full control over the way the app looks and feels. Along with giving the user full control, Yappli has numerous API relations and external services to further reinforce the app experience. Yappli is a neutral platform for app development and management, so the users will have full ownership in terms of the account and app management. These features along with a dedicated support team can help companies effortlessly design the perfect app, all without coding knowledge.
(source: Crunchbase)
Is no-code possible in Japan?
Japanese institutional investors tend to me much more risk averse in Japan. As a result, most of the money is deployed for strategic reasons rather than financial. No-code is still a growing innovation, with a few competitors at a global level. Japanese startups are innovative but historically have lacked in marketing. So, as long as the no-code platform is practical and marketed well, why should VCs stop?
Investocracy, which is focused on connecting emerging market startups with Japanese investors, produced this article.
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