Rice Capital invests in Sotas to develop chemical marketplace
The Japanese software company will expand Sotas ChemMart, linking chemical-product search, comparison, sample requests and purchasing.
Sotas has raised equity from Rice Capital through a third-party share allotment, the company announced on August 31, 2026. The amount was not disclosed. Rice Capital is led by Taro Fukuyama.
How the funding will be used
The financing will accelerate development of Sotas ChemMart, a chemical marketplace designed to connect product discovery with purchasing. The company wants buyers to move from searching and comparing chemicals to obtaining samples and placing orders within a connected experience.
Chemical procurement requires buyers to work with extensive information, including composition, hazards, physical properties, regulatory requirements and safety data sheets. Sotas is organizing that information alongside product availability so manufacturers and customers can establish new commercial relationships.
The company links the investment to a broader shift toward higher-value functional chemicals. Its marketplace is intended to help manufacturers develop products in response to customer needs as well as provide a route for existing materials to reach new markets.
Use of funds
Develop Sotas ChemMart chemical marketplace