MUSE Selected for Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Global Acceleration Program
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
- Selected to receive up to JPY 200 million in support for U.S. expansion and local manufacturing -
Tokyo, Japan — MUSE Inc. (“MUSE”), a developer of robotics solutions for retail stores, today announced that it has been selected for the first cohort of the SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program, an initiative led by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to support high-growth startups with global ambitions.
Through the program, MUSE will receive access to financial support of up to JPY 200 million (approximately USD 1.3 million) along with strategic guidance from industry experts. The company will leverage these resources to accelerate the development of products tailored to the U.S. market and establish local manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
MUSE will also showcase its retail robotics platform, Armo, along with its latest robotics units, at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, Asia’s largest global innovation conference, scheduled for April 2026.
■ Driving Global Growth for Japanese Retail Robotics
Labor shortages and rising operational costs continue to challenge retailers across developed markets, including Japan and the United States.
Since its founding, MUSE has focused on building robotics solutions that work in real-world retail environments, accumulating extensive operational know-how through deployments and pilot programs in stores throughout Japan.
In 2025, MUSE’s technology and business model gained international recognition when the company won the Shark Reef Startup Pitch Competition at Groceryshop 2025, one of the largest retail industry conferences in North America.
Selection for the SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program represents a significant milestone as MUSE expands its presence in the U.S. market and scales its business globally.
■ Introducing “Vertical Robotics” for Retail
Traditional retail robots have typically been designed to automate a single task, such as floor cleaning or inventory checking. While useful in isolation, these point solutions often struggle to integrate into broader store operations, limiting their economic viability.
To address this challenge, MUSE has developed a new approach called Vertical Robotics—a fully integrated model that combines hardware design, AI software, and retail operational workflows into a unified platform.
Multi-Use Operations Designed for Continuous Utilization
Rather than performing a single task, MUSE robots are designed to support multiple store operations, from shelf replenishment assistance to inventory management. By maximizing utilization throughout the day, the platform improves operational efficiency and enhances return on investment for retailers.
Building a Retail Data Infrastructure
As robots navigate stores, they continuously collect and analyze operational data, including shelf conditions and other in-store information. This creates a real-time data infrastructure that supports retailers’ digital transformation initiatives and enables more data-driven decision-making.
Through this approach, MUSE aims to build the next generation of retail infrastructure powered by robotics and AI.
■ Next Phase: U.S. Manufacturing and Global Expansion
With support from the SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program, MUSE will focus on two key initiatives:
Product Localization for the U.S. Market
The company will further optimize its products to meet the operational requirements, retail environments, and regulatory standards of the United States.
Establishment of U.S.-Based Manufacturing
MUSE plans to build local production capabilities in the United States to reduce supply lead times, improve responsiveness to customers, and optimize manufacturing costs.
As part of its global growth strategy, MUSE will also exhibit at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, taking place April 27–29, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight, where it will introduce the latest versions of Armo and its robotics platform to startup leaders, investors, and industry stakeholders from around the world.
■ About the SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program
The SusHi Tech Global Growth Acceleration Program is a selective initiative established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to support startups with strong growth potential and global expansion ambitions. In addition to financial support of up to JPY 200 million, participating companies receive strategic guidance on international expansion, business development, and organizational growth.
For more information, visit:
■About MUSE
MUSE Inc. was founded with the mission of "Inspiring people around the world through robotics." We focus on the people who use robots, aiming to inspire the innate human qualities of creativity, insight, kindness, and communication. We strive to create products that offer additional value, beyond merely reducing labor or cutting costs, which has traditionally been the primary purpose of robot implementation.
【Company Overview】
Company Name: MUSE Inc.
Headquarters: MC Hatchobori Building, 2-11-7 Hatchobori,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0032, Japan
Founder/CEO: Yasutaka Kasagi
Business: Development and sales of robots for retail stores
Foundation: April 2022
Website: https://www.muse-gr.com/en
Product video: https://youtu.be/PffXiMDTzl0
Click here for the press release (in Japanese)
