#Japan #Tokyo #Bashow #Albacross #TPR

Bashow Secures Pre-A Funding for In-Car App Innovations

On June 11, 2025, Bashow Inc., based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, announced that it has successfully raised a total of 180 million JPY in a pre-A funding round. This funding was facilitated through J-KISS type stock acquisition rights and was led by TPR Inc. and Albacross Inc., both also located in Tokyo. The CEO, Masafumi Hotezuka, expressed his gratitude to the investors for their support.

Bashow aims to establish a robust system for the in-car app market, which is projected to reach a staggering 20 trillion JPY by the 2030s. Initially, they are launching a groundbreaking service that functions as a smartphone app. This service is designed to provide users with short voice-guided insights about topics surrounding their immediate location while they are on the move. The goal is to heighten awareness of the local area’s attractions, thereby broadening the cultural and entertainment options available to users. By leveraging digital content, Bashow seeks to transform the travel experience into something rich in value and enjoyment.

With the new funding, Bashow plans to enhance the quality of its topic-guiding service and increase its user base. This will involve creating a diverse range of topics in collaboration with various partners, as well as refining the timing of notifications to users. Furthermore, they aim to expand their operational areas beyond the current limitations, which include locations like Saitama City and parts of Kanagawa Prefecture, notably Yokohama City. Bashow is committed to increasing their service reach to encompass Japan's major urban centers, including the greater Tokyo area. This will necessitate building their internal team, starting with the recruitment of initial members.

Currently, operations are limited to select regions where they have begun to receive public support from local authorities in 2024, an effort for which they extend their heartfelt thanks to all involved stakeholders. Bashow’s intention is to broaden the scope of their service to reach a greater audience across a wider geographic area in the near future.

Investor Comments

Masaki Ayuzawa, Executive Director at TPR Inc.

Ayuzawa stated that this latest investment marks TPR's second contribution to Bashow, following a prior investment in May 2024. He underlined how important software has become in the automotive sector, emphasizing the ongoing need for the evolution of services and user experiences. He expressed optimism for Bashow's potential to bring novel value to this sphere.

Ryota Suzuki, CEO of Albacross Inc.

In a statement, Suzuki conveyed his enthusiasm for Albacross's new investment in Bashow. He highlighted the exceptional management team's deep knowledge of the automotive industry and project management experience, coalescing around the innovative idea of a 'topic-guiding service.' He commended Bashow's ability to rapidly develop prototypes and initiate collaborations with several local governments and railway companies. With the anticipated rise of autonomous driving, he sees Bashow’s initiatives as crucial for enhancing the value of in-car spaces and looks forward to supporting Bashow’s growth strategy in shaping the future of travel experiences.

Bashow's Vision and Future Directions

CEO Masafumi Hotezuka remarked on the honor of receiving further investment from TPR and the collaboration with Albacross. He emphasized that, with their backing, Bashow will accelerate business development. The focus will be on utilizing the newly acquired funds to expand current services while working towards realizing the unexplored realm of the in-car app market.

Company Overview:

• - Name: Bashow Inc.
• - CEO: Masafumi Hotezuka
• - Established: April 2, 2024
• - Address: 7F, Nihonbashi Mizuno Building, 1-11-12 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - Website: bashow.co.jp
• - Contact Email: info@bashow.co.jp

With an ambitious vision and strong financial backing, Bashow is set to enhance the landscape of in-car applications, redefining how we interact with our surroundings on the go.