Smooth, operator of mobility payment platform "Smooth Pay," raises cumulative ¥60 million in seed funding

株式会社Smooth (Smooth Inc.), which operates the mobility payment platform "Smooth Pay (スムーズペイ)", announced today that it has raised a cumulative ¥60 million in seed funding through a third-party allotment of shares. This round was led by TeamMake Capital Inc. and Warehouse TERRADA Inc.

The funds raised will be used to strengthen service promotion and develop additional features, accelerating the realization of the vision "To move all locations without human intervention."

Funding Overview

Funding Round: Seed Round

Total Amount Raised: Cumulative ¥60 million from pre-seed round (all equity / third-party allotment of shares)

Lead Investors: TeamMake Capital Inc., Warehouse TERRADA Inc.

Use of Funds: Strengthening service promotion, development of additional features

About "Smooth Pay"

Smooth Pay is a mobility payment platform that utilizes license plate recognition and IoT devices. With a lightweight system combining vehicle recognition via IP cameras and a mobile app, it eliminates the need for large gates or payment machines, enabling unmanned and automated payments at the minimum cost for all payment scenes involving mobility, including existing parking lots.

After initial registration, users can complete the entire process from entry/exit to payment automatically without any human intervention. Operators can achieve remote management without relying on staff, paper, or gates. The actual usage flow can be confirmed here.

In May 2026, a coin parking lot equipped with the fully automated payment system "Smooth Pay" began operation in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo.

For details about the service, please see the press release below.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000006.000164045.html

Smooth aims to realize an efficient urban mobility infrastructure that does not rely on human labor by connecting more locations through data.

Comments from Investors

*The order of appearance is based on the investment amount (in Japanese syllabary order for equal amounts).

Kazuaki Matsunaga, Partner, TeamMake Capital Inc.

One of the key criteria for our fund's investment decisions is "ability to involve others." I felt that Smooth's representative, Mr. Izumi, possesses this outstanding ability, which led us to invest. I believe that a young and breakthrough-oriented leader like him is necessary to open up the hidden, enormous market of parking lot DX. I expect that he will leverage his strengths to build a business that is meticulously built step-by-step while involving many stakeholders.

Masanori Tsukimori, Executive Officer, Head of Future Creation Office, Warehouse TERRADA Inc.

Warehouse TERRADA supports startups with the theme of making Tennozu a place for more creativity and challenges. We have invested in Smooth because we resonate with their initiative to create new value in the city by combining existing infrastructure with technology. We have great expectations that Smooth's challenge will create richer experiences and expand the possibilities of towns and cities.

Koshirou Kawamoto, Representative Director and President, Kasumigaseki Capital Co., Ltd.

We see potential in Smooth that goes beyond simple parking lot DX. Seamlessly connecting parking lots scattered across the country and redesigning the movement of people and cars is a challenge to update the city itself.

We have strong confidence in this rare team that can realize this grand vision and will fully support the creation of new social infrastructure that the company pioneers.

Minoru Moriya, New Business Entrepreneur

Until now, cars were driven by people. Therefore, parking lots were also based on the premise that people were driving. So, what happens to parking lots when autonomous driving becomes a reality? Autonomous vehicles and automated payment parking lots. Machine to machine. We have expectations for 株式会社Smooth (Smooth Inc.), which has given shape to "low-value M2M payments." We hope they become the payment gateway for all unmanned robots.

Toshihito Kobayashi, Representative Director, Hanposaki Inc.

I am surprised and very happy that our connection from co-presenting at the AICHI NEXT UNICORN LEAGUE has borne such unexpected fruit. I believe Smooth's business is highly promising, as it fundamentally streamlines operations in an area with significant liabilities. Let's both do our best!

Ikumi Akatsuka, CEO, TITAN INTELLIGENCE Inc.

As EVs and autonomous driving are introduced into the automotive industry, entering the market from the perspective of parking payment is interesting. I believe Smooth has the potential to become a mobility hub and financial infrastructure in the near future, and even utilize its data. We expect them to make the world a better place from Japan.

Akinori Harada, General Partner, Coalis

We believe that the IoT and software transformation of real-world equipment is the foundation supporting the AX (Asset Transformation) of real industries. We have high expectations for Smooth, which is transforming urban mobility itself, starting with parking, a familiar and enormous infrastructure.

Keep up the good work.

Chikako Morimoto, Representative Director, All Rounder Agent, morich Inc.

I strongly empathize with Mr. Izumi's bold ideas, meticulous execution, and above all, his sincere and persistent pursuit of challenges, given his unique background as a 16th-term SoftBank Academia student and a former Noh actor of the Kanze school. Smooth is realizing new infrastructure that can instantly turn vacant lots into parking spaces. I am excited about the great potential to solve Japan's chronic parking shortage. I sincerely look forward to the future of Mr. Izumi and Smooth!

Representative's Comment

Fusanosuke Izumi, Representative Director and President, Smooth Inc.

Many urban locations, including parking lots, are still supported by human labor, paper, and dedicated equipment. We are transforming urban locations into "fully automated and unmanned" states, ready for autonomous driving, using license plate recognition and IoT. Smooth will be the entity that "initiates the third mobility payment revolution," updating mobility payments following IC cards and ETC.

We are greatly encouraged that TeamMake Capital Inc., Warehouse TERRADA Inc., and others who deeply understand the real estate industry, as well as senior entrepreneurs active in various fields, have participated this time. The funds received will be invested in promotion to deliver a smoother experience to more sites and in the development of various features that respond to on-site challenges, accelerating the update of urban mobility payment infrastructure.

To Parking Lot Operators: Unman your existing parking lots as they are

With this funding, Smooth will strengthen its implementation support system and assist parking lot operators in reducing labor and adopting cashless payments.

No large construction required: No need for installation work for large gates or payment machines. IP cameras and an app allow you to unman existing parking lots as they are.

Low initial cost for implementation: The lightweight system configuration allows you to transition to a smart parking lot at minimal cost. Reduced operational effort: Automatic license plate recognition automates everything from entry/exit to payment. Reduces the burden of on-site operations and cash management.

Visualize and manage remotely: Visualize the operational status of all locations with data and manage them remotely.

For operators facing challenges such as "wanting to reduce on-site operational costs," "wanting to reduce payment machine costs," or "wanting to eliminate cash management," please contact us via the inquiry link below. We will provide individual guidance on case studies, other Smooth services, and detailed conditions such as free initial costs.

Free Initial Cost Campaign Underway

To commemorate this funding, Smooth Pay can currently be implemented with no initial cost. As there is a limit to the number of locations that can be implemented, we encourage interested operators to contact us as soon as possible. *Some screening applies to the free initial cost campaign. Please be aware of this in advance.

▼ Inquiries for Parking Lot Operators

Inquiry link here

Company Profile

Company Name: 株式会社Smooth (Smooth Inc.)

Location: Hayama Heights 3F, Room 303, 2-13-13 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Fusanosuke Izumi

Business Activities: Development and operation of the mobility payment platform "Smooth Pay." All other business activities incidental and related thereto.

Affiliated Organizations: Japan Parking Association, All Japan Parking Association, Tokyo Parking Association

Corporate Website: https://smooth.city

Recruitment Site: https://smooth.city/careers

Smooth Inc.

Inquiry Link: inquiry link

*For inquiries from members of the press, please contact us at the above.