Arm IoT spin-out Kigen raises fresh millions from Japan's SBI Group
It is understood that the latest injection of capital brings SBI Group into a holy trinity of backers, which also includes Arm and its biggest shareholder SoftBank's Vision Fund 2. The cash pile further boosts Kigen’s mission to make cellular technology more accessible for device makers and secure for all users.
Kigen has spearheaded the industry’s move to GSMA’s new eSIM standard, now working with over 70 customers and trusted by all IoT module vendors. Its technology allows manufacturers to provision secure connectivity in just two minutes using state-of-the-art factory provisioning on any SIM form factor, shaving off months of complexity in product development.
The new money will accelerate Kigen’s global growth, notably in industrial IoT, where demand for secure, scalable connectivity in critical infrastructure, manufacturing and smart electronics is on the rise.
Kigen CEO Vincent Korstane said: “We are thrilled to welcome SBI Group as a strategic investor. Its support reinforces our belief that secure, scalable connectivity is no longer optional — it’s foundational to the next era of innovation.
“As AI increasingly interacts with the physical world, security and trust become essential. Kigen is helping drive this shift at a critical time for industries like energy, logistics, and smart manufacturing.”
Korstanie was previously a Vice President and General Manager at Arm Holdings.
The adoption of eSIM technology, which enables cellular connectivity through secure components soldered or integrated into the device, is accelerating rapidly - especially in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, logistics, and connected devices. The industries are under pressure to reduce complexity, scale globally and increase security, all while enabling AI at the edge and transforming operations.
Kigen’s technology simplifies how connected devices are deployed across regions, with single-SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) models that support global connectivity out of the box. Its solutions are designed with security-first principles, helping customers meet strict regulatory requirements and supporting the rise of Physical AI—where artificial intelligence interacts seamlessly with the physical world.
Since foundation, Kigen has helped define the GSMA standards that underpin modern eSIM adoption. It currently partners with leading device makers, manufacturers, mobile operators, and module vendors to bring eSIM-enabled products to market faster. Its platform supports the lifecycle of eSIM — from provisioning to remote management — helping customers scale efficiently.
The support of SBI Group brings significant regional and strategic value, Kigen says. As one of Japan’s most active technology investors in FinTech and digital transformation, the SBI Group provides a strong foundation for expanding Kigen’s presence in Asia, - notably with Japanese manufacturers and innovators looking to scale their IoT offerings.
Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO of SBI Holdings, says: “We believe Kigen’s technology and leadership in eSIM represent a critical enabler for the future of connected devices.
“As industries evolve toward more intelligent and autonomous systems, secure identity and global connectivity will become even more essential.”
Kigen says that with the fresh funding allied to important strategic support it will continue to invest in product development, expand partnerships, and grow its customer base across manufacturing, smart energy, and industrial automation. The company is also deepening its focus on enabling security and intelligence at the edge, which is central to unlocking new use cases in AI, robotics, and connected infrastructure.
Besides its Cambridge UK headquarters, Kigen has offices in Belfast, India and Copenhagen. In its Series A and B rounds the company raised around $57 million.
Ahead of MWC Shanghai (June 18-20), Kigen has launched in-factory profile provisioning (iFPP) trials in Asia – solving the challenge of secure eSIM provisioning even in offline/private factory lines.
