Total amount raised
$410.3 Million
Latest funding date
09/01/2021
Location
SmartNews has successfully raised funds through six different funding rounds, with the latest being a Series F round. The platform is a news aggregation service that curates articles from over 3000 media sources, offering users a diverse range of news beyond the filter bubble.
With 21 investors backing its growth, including notable names like Asian Capital Alliance and JIC Venture Growth Investments, SmartNews continues to expand its reach and capabilities. Keep reading to explore the intricacies of SmartNews's fundraising journey and the investors supporting this innovative platform.
What Is SmartNews?
SmartNews, founded in 2012, is a news aggregation service based in Tokyo, Japan. The company operates a news app that curates articles from over 3000 media sources, helping users find quality news beyond the filter bubble.
With a workforce of 501-1000 employees, SmartNews is involved in various industries including apps, artificial intelligence, journalism, media and entertainment, mobile, and news. The platform offers features like AI-curated news summaries, earning points, coupons, and detailed weather information.
How Much Funding Has SmartNews Raised?
- Series A
- Amount Raised: JPY 420,000,000
- Date: August 2013
- Lead Investors: Globis Capital Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To establish a strong foundation and accelerate initial growth.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: USD 36,000,000
- Date: August 2014
- Lead Investors: Atomico, Gree
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand the user base and enhance the platform's features.
- Series C
- Amount Raised: USD 10,000,000
- Date: March 2015
- Lead Investors: Gree
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To further develop the technology and expand market reach.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: USD 38,000,000
- Date: July 2016
- Lead Investors: Development Bank of Japan
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale operations and enter new markets.
- Series E
- Amount Raised: USD 92,000,000
- Date: November 2019
- Lead Investors: Asian Capital Alliance, Japan Post Capital
- Valuation at Round: USD 1.1 billion
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance product offerings and expand the U.S. market presence.
- Series F
- Amount Raised: USD 230,000,000
- Date: September 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: USD 2 billion
- Motivation Behind the Round: To accelerate growth and innovation, particularly in the U.S. market.
Total Amount Raised: USD 406,000,000
Current Valuation: USD 2 billion
Key Investors
- Asian Capital Alliance
- Details: Asian Capital Alliance is a prominent investment firm based in Japan. They have been involved in multiple funding rounds for SmartNews, showcasing their commitment to the platform's growth.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, media, and telecommunications.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
- JIC Venture Growth Investments
- Details: JIC Venture Growth Investments is a Japanese investment firm focused on supporting high-growth ventures. They have participated in several funding rounds for SmartNews, including the Series F round.
- Investment Focus Areas: Venture growth, technology, and innovation.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
- Princeville Capital
- Details: Princeville Capital is a U.S.-based growth-stage investment firm. They joined the Series F funding round for SmartNews, contributing to the $230 million raised.
- Investment Focus Areas: Growth-stage investments, technology, and media.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
- Woodline Partners
- Details: Woodline Partners is an investment management firm based in the U.S. They were one of the new investors in the Series F round for SmartNews.
- Investment Focus Areas: Investment management, technology, and media.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
- Yamauchi-No.10 Family Office
- Details: Yamauchi-No.10 Family Office is a Japanese family office. They participated in the Series F funding round for SmartNews, supporting its expansion plans.
- Investment Focus Areas: Family office investments, technology, and media.
- Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
What's Next for SmartNews?
SmartNews is poised for significant growth, particularly in the U.S. market. With $230 million raised in Series F funding, the company plans to double its headcount and invest in new product features, including health and safety information services. This expansion presents a substantial opportunity to enhance user engagement and broaden its market presence.
Future fundraising opportunities appear promising, given the company's $2 billion valuation and strong investor interest. SmartNews may attract additional investments to support further innovation and market expansion. However, the company will need to navigate challenges such as competition from other news aggregators and maintaining user engagement amidst evolving preferences.
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