#Japan #Tokyo #Community Empowerment #Urban Development #PIAZZA

PIAZZA Secures 260 Million Yen in Funding to Establish a Community-Centric Urban Management Model

In its mission to create a city where people support one another, PIAZZA Corporation, led by CEO Kohei Yano, has successfully raised a total of 260 million yen through third-party allocation of new shares. This funding round saw participation from both existing and new investors, including Seibu Holdings’ subsidiary Blue Incubation, Seibu Shinkin Capital, Shinkin Capital, and Hakuhodo.

The total funds raised by PIAZZA now reach 1.03 billion yen, and this investment marks the closure of its Series B funding round. Given the rising construction costs and labor shortages that are limiting traditional ‘hard’ urban development approaches, PIAZZA is changing its focus from advertising to maximizing area value through community-driven ‘soft’ urban management initiatives.

PIAZZA is involved in over ten redevelopment projects mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and starting April 2026, it will manage three public cultural facilities in Nakano Ward, including Nakano ZERO. Building on its experience with community app development, the firm is creating a unique structure to visualize the connections among local residents. This effort is geared towards transforming the individuality and activities of each community member into valuable urban assets, ultimately aiming to establish a foundation for community-centric urban development that supports city value in both digital and real-world contexts.

As a pioneer in promoting community co-creation and empowerment, PIAZZA is committed to partnering with local governments and developers to set new standards for urban management. The approved management of cultural facilities in Nakano Ward underscores this commitment, as it prepares to begin operations in 2026.

Allocation of Raised Funds

The funds will primarily be used for:

• - Enhancing the data infrastructure of the community-based urban development platform and renewing products.
• - Expanding the area empowerment model to metropolitan and local cities.
• - Strengthening the recruitment of urban production talent to lead next-generation development.

Funding Overview

• - Amount Raised: 260 million yen
• - Method: Third-party allocation of new shares
• - Investors:

- Existing: Blue Incubation and Seibu Shinkin Capital
- New: Shinkin Capital and Hakuhodo

Core Business Areas of PIAZZA

PIAZZA focuses on three main areas of urban development, emphasizing the empowerment of areas by visualizing local individuality and fostering new collaborations that enhance community value. The aim is to unlock the potential of diverse local characteristics to benefit the community.

Investor Comments

Takeo Harada, CEO of Blue Incubation:
"PIAZZA's mission to create a city where people support each other embodies the essential values needed in today’s society. The long-term vision of establishing an urban management model through community co-creation aligns with our beliefs, and we are excited to support their unique concept of area empowerment. This platform, which visualizes connections among residents and encourages the sharing of diverse individuality, holds significant potential for sustainable urban development."

Takayasu Tsuzuki, Senior Manager at Seibu Shinkin Capital:
"Our experience running the community app ‘PIAZZA’ positioned us well to broaden our involvement in area management and municipal facility management, leading to our participation in this funding round. Originating from Nakano Ward, we are keen to contribute to regional revitalization through our collaboration with PIAZZA."

Shinkin Capital Investment and Development Team:
"Given the anticipated social challenges of declining population and weakening community ties, PIAZZA's projects—ranging from managing community spaces to enhancing local communication via SNS—are poised to address these issues. We believe these activities will greatly contribute to regional revitalization and economic value enhancement, which aligns well with our mission as a regional finance entity."

Hakuhodo Representative:
"At Hakuhodo, we prioritize the emerging 'lifestyle interface market', where technology connects various elements. By partnering with PIAZZA, we aim to harness this potential and enhance consumer experiences through creativity alongside our mutual commitment to community engagement."

CEO Kohei Yano's Statement

"Through our developments in community formation, we have encountered a business model that harmonizes area management with sustainable urban development. By integrating our expertise in digital platform development, real facility management, and financing strategies, PIAZZA has evolved into a full-fledged company focused on urban development. The complexity of contemporary urban development requires a shift away from merely constructing buildings to a model that combines both digital and real elements, ensuring the sustainability of urban value and community involvement.

As we move into 'Phase 2' of our journey, I am enthusiastic about forming new partnerships and creating sustainable cities that support our mission of fostering neighborhood collaboration. This is essential to realizing a prosperous future for the next generation and our stakeholders."

Recruitment Drive

In light of this recent funding, PIAZZA is actively recruiting multiple positions to expand its operations, particularly in area management, digital and real platform integration, and urban production.

About PIAZZA Corporation

• - Website: PIAZZA Corporation
• - Location: 5th Floor, Green Hill Bldg, 1-10-8 Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - CEO: Kohei Yano
• - Founded: May 2015
• - Mission: Create a supportive community-driven city
• - Business: Development and management of urban development platforms and area management services