Embedded Software

3M (SAMSys/Sirit)

SAMSys is a developer of multi-protocol RFID readers. Japan Entry identified 4 OEM and 2 distributor candidates.

Adobe (Glassbook)

Glassbook is a developer of eBook reader software. Japan Entry helped raise $500K in Series B funding from a leading Japanese strategic investor.

Allegro Software

Allegro is a provider of DLNA stacks and embedded software for control of consumer electronics devices. Japan Entry acts as an OEM sales representative. Allegro engaged Japan Entry as its sales consultant for Japan. Allegro has closed a 1M+ volume deal with a STB manufacturer (unannounced).

Aricent (Flextronics Software)

Flextronics (now part of Aricent) is a telecommunications offshore development company. Hired a heavy-hitter sales executive who was the #2 executive at WebMethods. Prior to that he did a turnaround for Retek, building it to $6M with 8 employees. Previously, he launched Tibco Japan from scratch building it to $15M and hired/managed 40 people. He also had lead the Compaq KK turnaround effort to profitability.

Artifex

Artifex develops embedded software for printers. Artifex engaged Japan Entry as its Japan recruiter to hire a former key engineer from Adobe Japan to work in a one-man operation in Japan.

“I am very pleased to say that Masaki is working out very well. I think he has contributed very well already and has become a valuable member of our staff.” - Miles Jones, CEO

Arxan

Arxan provides anti-tampering solutions for applications and embedded code. Hired GM and SEs with a unique combination of domain expertise spanning embedded, entertainment, and IT applications.

Broadsoft

Broadsoft provides unified communications solutions for mobile, fixed-line and cable IP networks.
Recruited the #1 sales executive from NEC’s carrier business, who managed a 1,000-person subsidiary and is considered an industry star.

BSquare

BSquare provides software and engineering services for Windows-based embedded devices. Hired top Microsoft Windows Embedded salesperson to serve as Country Manager.

“I am currently in Japan, and just finished some customer visits with Kiyo. He has been a very good hire for us, and our Japanese business has grown from nothing to over $1M this year.” - Brian Crowley, CEO

CSR (Zoran/Oak Technology/Xionics)

Oak Technology provides integrated scanning technology. Market assessment of licensing opportunities to multi-function copier vendors. Negotiated evaluation license with Kyushu Matsushita

Discretix

Discretix is the industry’s top embedded security and DRM software and chip provider to mobile device OEMs. Japan Entry helped hire a Sales Director who brought an extensive Rolodex of industry contacts and deep experience in direct sales.

DriveFactor

Drive Factor is a pioneer in Usage-Based Insurance, leveraging sensor data to lower insurance rates for safe drivers. Performed market research.

DTS (SRS Labs)

SRS Labs is a provider of audio signal processing for consumer electronics. Recruited senior executive with extensive audio background to serve as Country Manager.

Green Hills Software

Green Hills sells embedded real-time operating systems and IDE solutions. Performed market research on the RTOS market in Japan.  

Hillcrest

Hillcrest Laboratories licenses motion-based pointing technology for use in remote controls for TVs, videogames, and SetTop Boxes. Hillcrest engaged Japan Entry as its sales consultant for Japan. Hillcrest has completed multimillion dollar licensing agreements with Sony, Nintendo, SMK, and sold dozens of evaluation units to leading TV makers.

IBM (i-Logix/Telelogic)

I-Logix, which was acquired by IBM after merging with Telelogic, provides UML tools for embedded systems design and debugging. Japan Entry identified, negotiated, and brought to conclusion partnerships with leading systems houses. Based on this success, Japan Entry also recruited a Country Manager who had been a top earner at Wind River Systems, and recruited a bilingual SE to augment i-Logix’s presence in Japan.

“Several years ago I was convinced that our existing distributor was not the right partner for us. Each year our executive staff that ran and supported Japan insisted that I was wrong. I must say that working with Japan Entry has been an enlightening experience for me. It went beyond you finding some potential resellers for us. What was most effective was the dialogue we had with these potential partners and especially with potential customers.” - Gene Robinson, CEO

InsideSecure

InsideSecure licenses silicon and firmware IP to embedded device and application developers for a wide range of applications including Digital Rights Management, mobile banking, and physical access control. Japan Entry helped recruit a seasoned semiconductor sales professional.

Maxthon

Maxthon is the developer of an industry-leading HTML5 embedded browser. Japan Entry signed a Japanese systems house reseller with extensive customer contacts in the automotive and consumer electronics fields.

Microchip (Ident)

Microchip develops and licenses capacitive sensor technology for proximity sensing and gesture input used in mobile phones, portable consumer electronics devices, and TVs. Ident engaged Japan Entry as its sales consultant for Japan. Japan Entry closed a million euro licensing deal with a top semiconductor manufacturer, performed demand creation with dozens of consumer electronics device OEMs, and introduced a distributor.

“First of all I have to say, that the trip to Japan was worth the money and the jetlag. Everything was perfectly organized, our consultant was also great and she understood our technology very quickly. She really did a great job in every single presentation, especially when the customer got very serious and bombarded her with questions for more than 3 hours. I insist on working with her for the ongoing and future prospects. The meetings went much better than I expected. The people were very much interested, very responsive, shared ideas with us and I strongly believe that we will make business in Japan pretty soon. - Stefan Donat, COO, Sales and Marketing

Mitsubishi Electric (Nextwave Solutions)

Nexwave Solutions was acquired by Mitsubishi Electric. Nexwave Solutions provides software componentization technology to consumer electronics OEM’s. Japan Entry identified and negotiated licensing deals with Hitachi, NEC, and Mitsubishi Electric. In addition, Japan Entry raised several million Euros in venture capital funding, which was difficult for NexWave elsewhere in the world. Japan Entry also facilitated a strategic relationship with the TRON Association, to provide middleware capabilities to Japan’s dominant (60% market share) embedded operating systems.

“Directing the meetings, translating and presenting is difficult for 1/2 a day – I cannot imagine doing it for over 5 intensive days, ranging from DVD’s to routers!! I’m sure we couldn’t have ever closed Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi or Elmic without you. JE was professional, positive, and enjoyable to be around. Customers never stopped complimenting Nexwave on our wise decision to engage Japan Entry.” - Steve Coutts, COO “We would like to thank all of the Japan Entry team – for their impressive help during our Japan trip. It’s so exciting to work on the side of such positive energy.” - Krishna Gopala, EVP “You did a really amazing job all week, with a great sense of timing to bring up topics, steering discussions in the right direction, handling a lot of discussion directly in Japanese by yourself, solving all sorts of problems, giving all sorts of useful advice, and relaying to me when I was getting tired, thank you for all of that. Ken also did superbly to introduce us to a new systems house on short notice, and to successfully resolve concerns that the VC’s had with us.” - Emmanuel Marty, CTO

Monotype Imaging

Monotype provides fonts for consumer electronics and automotive devices that improve legibility. Hired Regional Sales Manager with extensive sales experience in the relevant target markets.

Motorola (Wavemark)

WaveMark (acquired by Motorola in 2000) designs embedded controllers for printers. Validated the market opportunity with multiple customer evaluations. Signed a reseller agreement with Komatsu’s systems design division.

Myriad Group (Esmertec)

Esmertec is an embedded middleware provider. Hired former sales manager at WindRiver who achieved 25% of WindRiver’s sales in the automotive arena. He began his career at Omron in software and prototype hardware R&D.

Myriad Group (Insignia)

Insignia (now part of Esmertec) is a provider of Java Virtual Machine technology. Negotiated agreement with Next Nets Corporation of Japan enabling Next Nets use of Insignia’s Jeode platform to implement its Windows CE-based mobile terminal system. Japan Entry succeeded in creating Insignia’s first ever sale and customer reference, helping to validate the technology. Japan Entry also hired Insignia Japan’s Country Manager, who after four successful years, became the Country Manager of Symbian Japan following Insignia’s acquisition by Esmertec.

“Japan Entry’s knowledge of the market and negotiating capabilities were the keys to establishing our first global relationship for Insignia’s Jeode platform. We are very pleased that this company was able to facilitate such an auspicious beginning for us.”

- Marshall Kwait, Vice President Sales

NAGRA (OpenTV/Spyglass)

NAGRA (OpenTV/Spyglass) developed embedded browsers. Japan Entry recruited the company’s Country Manager.

Nuance (Dragon Systems)

Dragon Systems is a speech recognition technology provider. Japan Entry identified Epson as a strategic OEM customer and negotiated bundling of revolutionary “Talk To” voice activated user interface control technology on Epson sound boards and PC’s.

“Japan Entry helped us generate strategic opportunities in what we had always believed was a key market for us. Hiring outside expertise in the form of Japan Entry to make our entrance into Japan proved to be not only the least expensive solution, but the one that delivered the best results.” - Janet M. Baker, Ph.D. former President, Co-Founder

Nuance (Vlingo)

Vlingo engaged Japan Entry as its market entry consultant for Japan. Japan Entry closed deals with various OEM customers, such as Clarion.

“Jack and Japan Entry are great resources if you are looking to get a foothold into Japan. I hope to work with him again some day.” – Troy Cross, Director of APAC

Nuance (Zicorp)

ZiCorp provides text entry solutions for mobile devices. Negotiated OEM deals with Sony and Nintendo for gaming products. Sold license for Decuma to Hitachi and others.

“I really appreciated your excellent work to organize this show, and everything is great. To my understanding, this is the first marketing program we had so far in Japan. We had four people on the booth duty the whole day, answering all kinds of questions, and made all those people very happy and satisfied with our attitude and answers. It is very useful to increase our branding in Japan. My highest respect to you and all Japan Entry friends who made this event success. During the event, I also found some good prospects. Again, thank you for your contribution to us in Japan.” - Jackie Zhang, Sales Director, Asia

PNI Digital Media (Pixology)

PNI Digital Media (Pixology) develops embedded software for digital cameras.

Hired Country Manager who had been a top sales performer at EFI.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank Japan Entry for an extremely professional service that has been provided from start to finish.” - Simon Jessup, Int’l VP

Realeyes3D

Realeyes3D S.A, based near Paris, France, is the developer of cameraphone image processing technology that enables mobile scanning of drawings and text. Applications for this technology include mobile messaging, gaming, and personal productivity. Hired a leading technical manager who had managed 20 people in Toshiba’s cellphone group as Project Director from a top embedded software vendor.

RedBend Software (Virtual Logix)

Virtual Logix provides Linux on DSPs and multi-core chips. Hired the start-up manager from Lantronix Japan, who built OEM relationships with Fujitsu, IBM, HP. He combines aggressive sales capabilities with strategic skills.

“I am a fan of your company and its people.” - Peter Richards, CEO

Reflection Technology

Miniature display vendor. Established technology licensing agreement with NTT DoCoMo for creation of integrated cellular dataphone prototype, demonstrated at Telecomm 95 Geneva, and marketed extensively to eight Japanese cellular service providers.

Developed OEM licensing agreement with Nintendo for use of technology in Virtual Boy game machine. Generated $5M investment by Nintendo, first ever in a U.S. company.

Raised multimillion dollar seed financing from Mitsui & Co.

Rovi(Macrovision/Mediabolic)

Mediabolic is the developer of a home media gateway reference design. Japan Entry licensed Mediabolic’s technology to Pioneer.

SourceForge (Jaluna)

Jaluna is an embedded software solution that enables DSP or multicore ARM chips to run Linux. Japan Entry helped identify the firm’s first Japanese customer and recruited a Country Manager (including the replacement thereof) and SE.

Smith Micro (Insignia)

Insignia is a leading developer of Firmware Over-the-Air updating solutions for the cellphone industry. Japan Entry assisted with a critical trial with Vodafone Japan.

The MathWorks

The MathWorks is a leading CAE software provider. Japan Entry helped restructure the CyberNet reseller agreement which yields over $30M of revenue annually.

ThinFilm

ThinFilm provides printable rewritable memory circuits. Recruited an industry veteran with extensive experience selling contactless security card systems.

UpdateLogic

Vision Objects

Vision Objects develops handwriting recognition solutions for mobile phones, tablets, forms input software, automobiles, interactive white boards, educational and games applications. Vision Objects engaged Japan Entry as its sales consultant for Japan. Japan Entry helped close a million euro licensing deal with a top mobile handset manufacturer, despite competitive in-house technology, a deal with the #1 iPad word processing vendor and others.

“Thank you very much for the first major deal and I hope it will open a long series. Thank you for having managed and controlled the customer very well and bringing me to them in April just to hear them say ‘your solution does not work (grin).’ And thank you for your advice on how to structure the NRE budget and Licensing proposal that allowed us to capture the extra €.” - Jean-Marc Aïchoun, VP Sales and Marketing ” I am extremely pleased with Japan Entry’s work as an OEM Sales Rep. The team has strong bizdev and account management skills, and together we closed many deals for our handwriting recognition solutions. This included a seven-figure transaction with Key Global account, to replace previously homemade technology, so they presented unique sales challenges. Thanks to Jack Plimpton’s advice we have been able to match customer constraints and organisation and our business model . Vision Objects gained enough traction in Japan that we decided to transition to a sales manager on the ground, again with Japan Entry’s very professional assistance.” - Jean-Marc Aïchoun, VP Sales and Marketing

Wacom (InPlay)

InPlay provides a digital pen input solution for tablet PCs and smartphones. Closed sale and managed delivery to a tier 1 laptop manufacturer.

“Thank you very much for all your time and effort for a very fruitful project. We are extremely happy with your work and progress and doing everything possible to win the business.” - Ramesh Ramchandani, President & COO “Thank you for your help and support. Again, thank you for all you do. Good job.” - Bill Housley, SVP Sales

WindRiver

Wind River Systems is an embedded software provider. Hired former Nihon Sun Microsystems Board Director who was in charge of Japan Global Accounts. Accelerated growth from 14% of worldwide revenues to a target of 18% in one year.

“Japan Entry was able to identify the kind of top-tier candidate we need to spearhead our efforts in one of the most competitive and strategically vital marketplaces for embedded systems in the world.

Thanks to the efforts of Jack Plimpton and Ken Sumitani, we now have the resources to make Japan a focus of our international development effort.” - Peter Richards, Vice President Sales

Wired Pocket

WiredPocket is a developer of Intelligent Contextual Mapping technology (ICM) technology that analyzes, condenses, reformats and delivers web content on-the-fly to cellphones.

Negotiated distribution relationships with Oracle’s #1 distributor, a top eCommerce SI, and NEC. Made first worldwide sale to NTT DoCoMo’s marketing division responsible for corporate web sales promotion and sales.

“Wired Pocket engaged Japan Entry as business development consultancy to identify and negotiate significant partnerships in the Japanese market. We are extremely pleased with Japan Entry’s performance in introducing us to key players in Japan. We would highly recommend Japan Entry as a source of extraordinary experience and expertise for the development of business opportunities in Japan.” - Hassan Alam, President Letter of recommendation from WiredPocket