In a move to strengthen corporate digital transformation support, Infcurion, the Tokyo-based payments solutiuon provider, has announced funding from and business alliance with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG; TSE: 8316). The announcement on Friday outlines plans to accelerate digital transformation (DX) support for corporate clients by leveraging the strengths of both companies. Nikkei reported that SMFG’s investment in Infcurion is estimated at approximately 10 billion yen (more than $70 million US). This strategic investment will result in Infcurion becoming an equity-method affiliate ..read more

Tokyo-based Dinii, offering cloud-based solutions for restaurants, has secured $48 million US in a Series B round. The latest round was led by U.S.-based Bessemer Venture Partners and Hillhouse Investment Management with participation from Flight Deck Capital and Eclectic Management. This latest round follows Dinii’s Series A round in July of 2021. Notably, this marks the first investment in a Japanese startup for both Bessemer Venture Partners — a prestigious VC firm known for backing companies like Shopify, LinkedIn, Box, and Yelp — and Hillhouse Investment Management. Founded in June of 201 ..read more

Tokyo-based Schoo, the Japanese startup offering online video-based learning services for individuals and businesses, announced on Thursday that its initial listing application on the Tokyo Stock Exchange had been approved. The company will be listed between October 22 and October 28 on the TSE Growth Marke with plans to offer 1 million shares for public subscription and to sell 813,500 shares in over-allotment options for a total of 4,423,600 shares The underwriting will be led by Nomura Securities while Schoo’s ticker code will be 264A. The share price range will be determined between Octobe ..read more

Tokyo-based Alt, the Japanese startup developing AI solutions and Large Language Models (LLMs), announced on Thursday that its initial listing application on the Tokyo Stock Exchange had been approved. The company will be listed on the TSE Growth Market on October 11 with plans to offer 7.5 million shares for public subscription and to sell 1.35 shares in over-allotment options for a total of 1.5 million shares. The underwriting will be led by Daiwa Securities while Alt’s ticker code will be 260A. Its share price range will be released on September 25 while the book-building period will begin ..read more

Taiwan’s financial giant CDIB Capital Group and Japan’s state-backed Cool Japan Fund have jointly established a cross-border fund. The fund is called the CDIB Cross Border Innovation Fund (CCBI) and is expected to range in size from $75-100 million US. The fund has secured $62 million US by its first close. CCBI aims to build a startup ecosystem between Japan and Taiwan, and is the group’s first co-investment with a Japanese partner. The National Development Fund of Taiwan and major Taiwanese companies such as Himax and SYSTEX (TSE: 6214) are also participating in the investment. The fund will ..read more

Secai Marche, a B2B fresh food e-commerce platform headquartered in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, announced on Monday that it has secured additional 300 million yen (about $2.1 million) in its Series A funding round. This follows the company’s initial Series A round in January of 2023. Investors participating in the latest round include Beyond Next Ventures, Spiral Ventures Asia, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Future Food Fund, Tsuneishi Corporation, Fukuoka Sonoriku, and Toru Yamamoto (CEO of Foodison). Both Beyond Next Ventures and Spiral Ventures Asia follow their previous investment. Since ..read more

Quantum Leap Ventures (QXLV) hosted the inaugural demo day for the first batch of its intensive LEAPS program on Thursday, designed for seed-stage startups in Tokyo. The event marked the culmination of a four-month journey for entrepreneurs aiming to address global challenges. The program has collaborated with partners such as Sony Startup Acceleration Program and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to offer comprehensive support, from ideation to crafting logical business pitches in English. The Demo Day featured pitches from entrepreneurs and founders of 10 startups, each showcasing in ..read more

This is the abridged version of our original article in Japanese. NOT A HOTEL, the Japanese innovative hospitality brand startup, unveiled plans for a major expansion on Tuesday, featuring six new locations developed in collaboration with world-renowned creators. The company also announced that it has secured 5.5 billion yen (about $35 million US) in a series B round funding to support this ambitious project, which is expected to generate 100 billion yen (about $638 million US) in sales over the next two years. New Flagship Locations The expansion includes new flagship properties in Japan: NOT ..read more

Taiwanese shared parking service startup USPACE and Japanese peer Nokisaki held a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday, where both companies announced the Taiwanese startup had agreed to acquire a full stake of the Japanese startup. Financial terms have not been disclosed. Nokisaki will retain its brand even after the acquisition. In October of 2022, USPACE secured 260 million New Taiwan dollars (about $8.2 million US) in a Series A round led by mobile giant Taiwan Mobile, with the aim of expanding into the Japanese market. The latest acquisition will give the Taiwanese startup a footh ..read more

Bridge learned that Kenichiro Toyosato, founder of startup hubs in Okinawa like Koza Startup Arcade and Startup Lab Lagoon, is launching a new fund for startups. The news came during his opening remarks at KozaRocks 2024, an annual startup conference and festival in Japan’s southernmost prefecture. on Saturday. Named as Shinryo Fund, it aims to raise 1 billion yen (approximately $6.7 million) eventually. Shinryo means a bridge connecting ports and reflects Okinawa’s historical role as a trade hub between Japan and other Asian countries. Toyosato explained that the fund will invest in startups ..read more