Oct 5, 2022

<English> FutureQuest, a company aiming to become a maritime communications provider, held a pre-seed round fundraising with DRONE FUND as the investment underwriter. FutureQuest Inc. (Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Representative Tomoki Takimoto), which aims to realize "One Ocean" by promoting maritime DX, has raised funds (pre-seed round) with DRONE FUND Series 3 Investment Limited Partnership (Management Company: DRONE FUND, Co., Ltd.) as the capital underwriter. With this funding, the company will improve the organizational structure for businesses of different scales through the maritime communication platform "CoastalLink", conduct joint research with universities and engage more proactively in activities aimed at system reforms to promote maritime digital communication. ■ Purpose and Context      FutureQuest, as a maritime digital communications provider, which aims to envision One Ocean by connecting all ships and ports together. Currently, countries worldwide are actively promoting the adoption of VDES (*2), a new maritime communication standard known as the next-generation AIS (*1). In Japan, companies and organizations involved in marine transportation, shipbuilding, communications, logistics, and other fields will also begin demonstration testing and commercialization. In this time of rapid change in international situations, even from an economic security standpoint, it is increasingly likely that such a trend will accelerate on a global scale. ■ Initiatives and Outlook      Since our establishment in 2021, our company has been aiming to contribute toward the prevention of maritime accidents by planning and developing "CoastalLink (CoastalLink: pending trademark registration)", a maritime communication platform that enables centralized digital communication for all ships and port facilities. This summer, we completed a prototype system of "CoastalLink", and we are currently conducting demonstration tests to verify issues promoting system reforms. To use VDES to build a maritime communication infrastructure centered on coastal areas, our company is scheduling to launch the "CoastalLink" service on the timing of the VDES phased implementation starting in 2024. Facilitating the provision of content by third parties with the spread of maritime data communications will enable rich information support for ships and ports. As part of this, we will continue developing formats that realize mutual communications between ships, drones, and individuals, and we will work in partnership with the most appropriate telecommunications carriers. We aim to achieve over 90% coverage in Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), including satellite links by 2027, 5 years from now. ■ The importance of Drone Technology      We believe that the cooperation between the sea (ships), the land (ports), and the air (drones) will play a significant role in realizing communications over the vast ocean in the future. There is no doubt that drones are beneficial as a means for ships sailing the sea to monitor their surroundings in real-time. However, for maritime vessels and drones to work together, they must share a common means of communication and guidance. "CoastalLink" is a VDES-based maritime communication platform that supports ships and drones intending to contribute to the promotion and cooperation of maritime mobility. ■ The use of the fund raised this round： Strengthen organizational structure Strengthen efforts relating to system reform for the spread of maritime digital communications *1: Abbreviation for Automatic Identification System: A system that automatically transmits and receives information on a vessel's identification code, type, position, course, speed, navigation status, and other safety information via VHF radio waves which exchange information between vessel stations and between the vessel and navigation assistance facilities of coastal stations. *2: Abbreviation for VHF Data Exchange System, a new maritime communication standard introduced by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Known as the next generation AIS or the AIS 2.0, VDES relay communication satellites with additional messaging and data exchange functionality are being developed in many countries. A dedicated satellite constellation is scheduled for launch in 2023. ■ Comment from an investor ＜Comment by DRONE FUND Principal Wahei Yomogita＞      This time, we have invested in Future Quest, a company developing a maritime communication platform under the lead of Mr. Takimoto. DRONE FUND has been promoting the vast ocean as one of the fields where autonomous robots and mobility can play an active role. In the course of our activities, we believe that there are significant problems in maritime communications and there will be a market for these drones Under the circumstances, we think that the platform layer that can centrally connect different communication standards is a startup from Japan, a maritime nation, and among them, we believe in Mr. Takimoto’s capability to compete globally as he is someone who has chosen the career in the oceanology since a very young age and has continued to take on challenges.