# SmartNews

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/smartnews

- Industry: Media
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Website: https://about.smartnews.com/ja/
- Total disclosed funding: $354M
- Latest round: Series F (Sep 15, 2021)
- Investors on record: 18

## About

SmartNews, Inc. is a Japan-based news aggregation platform that curates personalized news content using advanced machine learning algorithms, catering to diverse user interests and ensuring timely access to relevant information.Founded in 2012, SmartNews, Inc. specializes in news aggregation services. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It has successfully completed 8 deals, with its most recent funding round taking place on January 9, 2024. In this round, SmartNews raised JPY 10 billion through VENTURE DEBT from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, bringing the total amount raised to JPY 25.1 billion. The founders of SmartNews include Kaisei Hamamoto and Ken Suzuki.SmartNews operates primarily as a news aggregation platform, providing users with tailored news content that aligns with their interests. The platform analyzes vast amounts of news articles from various sources using machine learning algorithms to curate relevant content. Released in 2012, SmartNews enhances user engagement by streamlining access to diverse news topics, ensuring timely updates and in-depth coverage. It serves a wide range of users, including readers, students, and professionals, across multiple markets, including the United States, Japan, and several European countries.SmartNews generates revenue primarily through advertising partnerships, collaborating with brands to promote products and services within the platform. This B2B advertising model utilizes data-driven insights from SmartNews’ user base. The company is also exploring potential subscription models for premium content, although specific pricing plans are not disclosed. This revenue model allows SmartNews to maintain a free service while capitalizing on its extensive reach and user engagement metrics.As of January 2024, SmartNews plans to leverage its recent JPY 10 billion in VENTURE DEBT funding to enhance its marketing services and product features, particularly in the United States. Additionally, Cory Ondrejka has been appointed as the new CTO, indicating a focus on technological advancement. The company is expected to pursue further expansion into new markets, although specific regions and timelines have not been disclosed.

## Funding rounds

- Series F, Sep 15, 2021, $228M — SMBC Venture Capital, Princeville Capital, Woodline Partners, Yamauchi-No.10 Family Office, JIC Venture Growth Investments, Green Co-Invest Investment, Felicity Global Capital
- Series E, Nov 18, 2019, $9.2M — Globis Capital Partners, Dentsu, Digital Advertising Consortium, Japan Post Capital, Felicity Global Capital
- Series E, Aug 4, 2019, $29M — Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment, SMBC Venture Capital, DBJ Capital, Japan Post Capital
- Series D, Jul 8, 2016, $38M — Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment, SMBC Venture Capital, Development Bank of Japan
- Series C, Mar 30, 2015, $10M — Globis Capital Partners, Atomico, GREE Holdings, MIXI, Social Venture Partners Chicago
- Series B, Aug 8, 2014, $35M — Globis Capital Partners, Atomico, GREE Holdings, MIXI
- Series A, Aug 14, 2013, $4.2M — Globis Capital Partners

## Investors

- Globis Capital Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/globis-capital-partners) — Series A, Series B, Series C, Series E
- Atomico (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/atomico) — Series B, Series C
- GREE Holdings — Series B, Series C
- MIXI — Series B, Series C
- Social Venture Partners Chicago — Series C
- Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/sumitomo-mitsui-trust-investment) — Series D, Series E
- SMBC Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/smbc-venture-capital) — Series D, Series E, Series F
- Development Bank of Japan (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/development-bank-of-japan) — Series D
- DBJ Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/dbj-capital) — Series E
- Japan Post Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/japan-post-capital) — Series E
- Dentsu — Series E
- Digital Advertising Consortium — Series E
- Felicity Global Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/felicity-global-capital) — Series E, Series F
- Princeville Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/princeville-capital) — Series F
- Woodline Partners — Series F
- Yamauchi-No.10 Family Office — Series F
- JIC Venture Growth Investments (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/jic-venture-growth-investments) — Series F
- Green Co-Invest Investment — Series F