The Venture Codex

Led · Seed · Jul 2026

Smooth develops and operates Smooth Pay, a mobility payments platform that combines license-plate recognition from IP cameras with a mobile app and IoT devices to enable unmanned, automatic payments at parking and other mobility-related sites. Its lightweight system is designed to operate without large gates or payment machines, enabling operators to convert existing parking lots to automated, remotely managed sites with lower initial costs. In May 2026 Smooth deployed a fully automated Smooth Pay coin-parking location in Itabashi, Tokyo. The company has launched an initial promotion including an initial-fee-free campaign for new adopters while expanding installation support. Smooth raised cumulative funds of ¥60 million (including pre-seed) in an all-equity seed round to accelerate promotion and add features. The company is led by CEO Fusanosuke Izumi and is headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2016

AirCloset operates a subscription-based fashion rental service for women, launched in February 2015. The service has grown to more than 70,000 users, up from 65,000 in October 2015. AirCloset partners with logistics and laundry companies to handle receiving, storage, management, and shipping of items. The company plans to use new funding to strengthen its financial base and maximize synergies with warehouse management and laundry-service partners. It has an existing partnership and earlier funding relationship with Terrada Warehouse; AirCloset secured funds from Terrada in April 2015. In partnership with Nakazono Holdings' nationwide laundry network, AirCloset aims to improve and scale its service operations.