Company Profile LeapMind Inc. / Careers-short(EN)

Company Profile LeapMind Inc.

Official Page
https://leapmind.io/

Careers
https://leapmind.io/careers/

Wantedly
https://www.wantedly.com/companies/leapmind

Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/company/leapmind-inc/

AtCoder
https://jobs.atcoder.jp/offers/list?f.CompanyScreenName=leapmind

Twitter
https://twitter.com/leapmind_inc

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/leapmind.io/

Transcript

1. 1 Company Introduction 2022.07
2. To create innovative devices with machine learning and make them available everywhere MISSION 2 Mission/Vision To provide key technologies to bring next-generation information devices into reality VISION
3. Confidential: Internal 3 Since its inception, we are providing services and products that are unique to the practical application of machine learning. From LeapMind's Inception to the Present Practical applications of machine learning technology Joint Development Operation Extremely low bit quantization Commercial IP OSS 2012 inception 2018 2019 2020 Embedded DL development web service 1. Business&Technology
4. Confidential: Internal 4 Features of LeapMind • Focus on low-power edge deep learning • Technology using quantization technology and embedded in products with dedicated circuitry. AI Machine Learning Neural Network Deep Learning Edge Deep Learning
5. Confidential: Internal 5 Issues of DL Environment and Features of Edge Devices Issues with Cloud Computing Issues with GPU Embedding FPGA・ASIC Constant internet connection is not required Cheap device unit price Fast response Low power consumption High device unit price High power consumption Requires the internet Slow response High usage fee
6. Confidential: Internal Advantages and Issues of Edge Deep Learning • Independent from bandwidth, latency and reliability of Internet connection • Reduces security risks as no external transmission is required • Reduces costs of uploading data and using cloud 6 Advantages Issues • Computational resources such as processing capability and power available on the device are limited. • With limited computational resources, there is a trade-off between the amount of computation and the processing speed of inference.
7. Confidential: Internal 7 Strengths and Core Technologies of LeapMind Ultra low power AI inference accelerator IP Efficiera Knowledge gained from many projects & support system We are developing our business with our original weight reduction technology for deep learning models, the dedicated circuit design and leveraging the knowledge gained from collaboration with more than 150 companies. Quantization technology in deep learning
8. 8 The Core Technology of LM [Extremely Low Bit Quantization] One of the methods of weight reduction for deep learning models, "quantization" that has been pushed to the limit. It leads to solutions for edge deep learning issues such as computational complexity. • Extreme quantization reduces logic and memory usage. • Channel doubling technique can recover accuracy.
9. 9 LeapMind's deep insight about deep learning Since the beginning of edge AI era, we have focused our hardware and software research efforts into model weight reduction, dedicated circuit design, and building the knowledge needed to deliver full-package solutions. Efficiera offers excellent power efficiency and space efficiency, which contributes to power saving and cost reduction of AI-equipped products. Features of Efficiera and Examples of Business Development Energy Efficient High Performance Small Footprint Scalable By minimizing the volume of data transmitted and the number of bits, the power required for convolution operations is reduced. By reducing the arithmetic logic complexity, the number of operation cycles is reduced and the arithmetic capacity per area/clock rate is improved. By minimizing the number of operated bits, the circuit area and SRAM size per arithmetic logic unit are minimized. Since the computing performance can be fine-tuned by adjusting the circuit configuration, it is possible to optimize the configuration and maximize the performance of Efficiera according to the task being performed.
10. FPGA Benefits Efficiera Brings ASIC/ASSP It contributes to reducing the BoM cost of products with AI functions by integrating Efficiera on the same SoC FPGA device as the CPU and image input circuit Contributing to the reduction of device development costs by achieving practical arithmetic capacity without using advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes such as 5nm and 7nm The most suitable for adding AI capabilities to existing image processing FPGA designs It is able to build AI solutions by training custom data sets based on Efficiera-optimized pre-trained models Since RTL can be implemented using only standard cell libraries and memory, it can be used for many device designs. 10 Achieved 27.7 TOP/W of computing power in 12nm process *Measurement in development prototype
11. 11 1–2 TOP/s 4–8 TOP/s 8–12 TOP/s 40–50 TOP/s By adjusting computing efficiency and CPU occupancy rate by selecting circuit configurations, it can cover not only image recognition tasks, such as object detection, but also the real-time processing of resolution improvement tasks that require a much higher performance range, such as super resolution. Efficiera Performance Scalability Proximity Hazard Detection Human detection Dashcam detection Improvement of image quality of photographed images Anomaly detection Improvement of image quality of recorded images + Detection >100 TOP/s Efficiera 1 Processing complexity Efficiera 2
12. Confidential: Internal Recent Initiatives • 03/25/2022　LeapMind Collaborates on Project to Accelerate Development of AI Chips through Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration • 02/22/2022　【Press Release】LeapMind announces license agreement for AI accelerator “Efficiera” with Maxell Frontier • 01/31/2022　【Press release】LeapMind Announces AI Image processing model which operates on edge devices • 11/30/2021　LeapMind Announces Efficiera v2 Ultra-Low Power AI Inference Accelerator IP 12 Current Initiatives and Future Plans 2. Issues and Solutions We released Efficiera 1.0 in October 2020, 2.0 in 2021, and are currently working on Efficiera 3.0 and developing models to meet the needs of our customers. We still have many more things we would like to accomplish to solve social issues in the future. We are looking for talented people who are willing to take on challenges with us!
13. Confidential: Internal 13 Engine er Resear cher Busines s develop ment Back office • 60% of members are engineers Engineer Business development Back office • Flex system and flexible work style • Close relationship between board member and employees. 1 3 • Members come from 7 countries • English and Japanese is used interchangeably, and meetings are often in English • Female employees play active roles at every layer and the positions of the organization including managers and engineers. Tech venture Diversity Flexibility Office Japan England Malaysia Taiwan Thailand Vietnam China 3. Culture, System&compensation Culture at LeapMind Engineer Business development Back office
14. 14 Job Type Breakdown ・Accelerator engineer ・Compiler engineer ・Verification engineer ・Embedded engineer ・Software engineer ・Quality Assurance ・Project Manager ・Machine learning engineer ・Sales ・Biz dev ・PR/Marketing ・Corporate planning ・Intellectual property ・People operations We have experts in each field, from software to hardware
15. Confidential: Internal 15 Office Remote work • We have an in-house server room and a hardware work area for working with the infrastructure. • The communication area has a refrigerator, microwave, and free coffee and water servers. Beverages from vending machines are available for purchase at company prices. • The office area is free-address with different equipments depending on the seating. • Dual displays, USB-C monitors, and 30-inch displays • Baron chairs • High desks and elevating desks • Remote work from within Japan is available. Currently, more than 80% of our members work from home. • We use Google Meet and Slack for business communication and meetings. • Full flexible work hours with no core hours. • A monthly remote work allowance of ¥5,000 allows you to set up your working environment at home. • Some office equipment, such as displays, can be rented. • Meetings, 1on1, and company-wide meetings are also held online. Work Style and Environment • Our technology of Extremely low bit quantization and optimization to the edge device is an advantage that no other company has. • There are only a few AI start-ups in Japan that have experts in all fields of SW, model building, HW, and embedded systems. • An environment where each expert in their field can learn from each other and grow together.
16. Confidential: Internal HackDays The biggest event at LeapMind is HackDays, where we stop our regular work for a long time and hold HackDays. This is an event where we use our knowledge and everything in the company to hack various things, such as developing stuff we like, challenging things we have wanted to try, and working as a team with people from different teams. Some of the products from this event have been commercialized, making it an event where people take their projects seriously and have fun. More information about HackDays can be found on our blog. Office Hour Employee-sponsored study sessions where they can learn about deep learning and other various topics with in-house experts Tech Blog Technical blog updated by LeapMind's engineers on a rotating basis. 16 エンジニアの環境
17. 17 Basic Policy for Human Resources Career Growth To appropriately evaluate the members' abilities and competencies in accordance with LeapMind's standards, and lead to their career growth (≒ organization / company growth) 3-2, System&compensation
18. Confidential: Internal 18 About Evaluation ・Evaluation is conducted twice a year. Salary is revised and bonuses are paid twice a year (bonuses are based on performance and results). ・Weekly 1on1 is highly encouraged. Receive feedback from managers. Set a goal Scope involve members who work with you while building trusted relations Communi cation with expertise skills Skill by forwarding project Autonomy Leadership give results Impact Five items are evaluated according to the three job types. LeapMind Expectations
19. Confidential: Internal 19 Job Level and Compensation The job level is determined according to each job type's skill level (skills and competencies). Salary bands are established for each job type, and monthly salaries and bonuses are determined based on the results of evaluations. Annual income range L2 Individual Contributor (IC) L3) Individual Contributor (IC Professional Management L1 Individual Contributor (IC) L5 Manager L6 Manager L5 Professional L6 Professional L4 Manager L4 Professional Job Lebel skill add on
20. 20 Corporate Profile 4. About LeapMind Company Established Capital Main Investors Employees LeapMind Inc. 2012.12.25 2,587 million yen (Including capital reserver) (As of March 31 2020) Itochu Technology Ventures, Intel Capital, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, SBI 40 As a Series C About 3.5 billion JPY of funds raised 2019.10 2020.4 Keynote speaker at COOL Chips23 Ultra low power AI inference accelerator IP official launch「Efficiera®」for commerce 10 2012.12 Established LeapMind Corporation (formerly AddQuality Corporation) DeLTA-Lite released, "DeLTA-Project" announced 2018.4 Launch of the Efficiera FPGA Partner Program Blueoil, a software stack for quantization neural networks, released as open source software 12
21. Confidential: Internal 21 Board Member CEO Soichi Matsuda In 2011, he launched a matching service for engineers and clients based on engineering skill visualization, which was expanded to Singapore, and got his business acquired. He founded LeapMind to create a platform of "compact and simple" deep learning technologies that is easily accessible to anyone, thereby contributing to our society and advancing the world. CTO Hiroyuki Tokunaga He completed his master's program at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering in 2007. Prior to becoming a Director and the CTO of LeapMind in 2018, he worked for Yahoo Japan Corporation, Preferred Infrastructure, Inc., and Smart News, Inc.
22. Confidential: Internal 22 Cumulative total of funds raised: approx. 5 billion yen As a Series B Oct.2017 As a Series A Aug.2016 As a Series C Oct.2019 ITOCHU Technology Ventures, Inc. Visionnaire Ventures Fund Archetype Ventures Intel Capital GMO VenturePartners, Inc. NTT DATA Corporation Innovative Venture Fund Investment Limited Partnership ITOCHU Technology Ventures, Inc. Visionnaire Ventures Fund Archetype Ventures Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd. SBI Investment Co., Ltd. Toyota Motor Corporation MITSUI & CO., LTD. 3.5 billion JPY LeapMind has raised a total of approximately 5 billion yen in funding to date. About 1.15 billion JPY About 340 million JPY About
23. Confidential: Internal 23 More than 150 AI co-development projects and more LeapMind has a track record of more than 150 AI co-development projects using edge machine learning technologies.
24. Confidential: Internal From time to time, we consider introducing a new system depending on phases! 1 on 1 We conduct individual meetings to encourage open communication and to support employee growth 24 At LeapMind, we are working on creating a system to support employees’ various work-styles Work Style Flexible work-styles such as flex system, remote work, and "refresh" leave Free Drinks Mineral water and coffee on the house Development Environment Support to improve the development environment, such as the supply of 4K monitors, laptops and high-back chairs Education Support Support for necessary expenses to improve skills, such as for taking Coursera courses and purchasing books Office Event Social gatherings and barbecues to share information and invigorate communication among all employees Benefits and System Welcome Japan Package We provide a Welcome Japan Package to improve the employee experience to support those who are coming from abroad to join LeapMind Holiday and Vacation System of two days off a week (Sat・Sun), National Holidays, Dates determined by company（New Year's holidays, etc）, Paid vacation（5 days granted after 3 months of employment, 5 more days after 6 months of employment）, Special holidays（Congratulation or condolence leave：Marriage, Spouse’s birth, condolence leave), Refreshment leave, etc.
25. Confidential: Internal We have created an environment where everyone can work equally regardless of age, gender, nationality, or race. We, at LeapMind, want to work with someone who wants to make the most of their abilities and skills and also who can respect diversity. Our backgrounds aside, we all share a common goal. To create innovative devices with machine learning and make them available everywhere We are doing the most exciting things right now at LeapMind. Would you like to join us in achieving LeapMind’s vision? 25
26. Confidential: Internal 26 Engineer Selection Process Document Screening Coding Interview & Hiring manager interview （1~2times） 1 Executive interviews Hiring Committee Job offer Coding test All interviews are conducted online. (Office tours are available upon request) We may request reference checks before making an offer. The number of selection sessions is subject to change. Case studies may be conducted depending on the position. Interviews are generally conducted only online. We have a relocation support plan (Welcome Japan Package) for international personnel and welcome new employees from overseas. The timing of joining the company will be flexibly adjusted according to the status of COVID-19 measures in each country.
27. Confidential: Internal 27 We provide a Welcome Japan Package to improve the employee experience to support those who are coming from abroad to join LeapMind Partial support in obtaining a work visa in Japan Partial expense covered for those moving from abroad Online interviews for those who live far away English support channel for personal inquiries Internal materials are written in both English and Japanese Full expenses covered for Japanese Language Proficiency Test JLPT (N1, 2) Aあ Welcome Japan Package
28. Confidential: Internal WE’RE HIRING https://leapmind.io/ https://leapmind.io/careers/ https://techblog.leapmind.io/ https://www.wantedly.com/companies/leapmind https://www.linkedin.com/company/leapmind-inc/ https://jobs.atcoder.jp/offers/list?f.CompanyScreenName=leapmind Official Page Careers Tech Blog Wantedly Linkedin AtCoder @leapmind_inc https://www.facebook.com/leapmind.io/ 28