Tokyo, June 29, 2018 – Rakuten LIFULL STAY Inc., the Rakuten Group’s vacation rental service provider, and SAMURAI&J PARTNERS Co., Ltd., a financing and investment company, today reached an agreement to form a business collaboration focused on developing and supplying properties through financing, such as crowdfunding.
The aim of the agreement is to develop accommodation properties for Rakuten STAY, the branding and operational support service for vacation rentals and shared accommodation provided by primarily Rakuten LIFULL STAY. Based on the collaboration, SAMURAI Securities Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SAMURAI&J PARTNERS, will provide support with financing through services such as its “SAMURAI” crowdfunding service, to raise funding required for acquiring and renovating properties.
Rakuten LIFULL STAY will carry out property selection, supervise design and manage the properties. Properties in Japan are eligible and properties developed under this agreement will be branded with one of several Rakuten STAY sub-brands, depending on the property type.
The “SAMURAI” crowdfunding service was originally launched as “Smart Equity” in 2015 by AIP Securities Co., Ltd. The service was renamed in December 2017 when the company was acquired by SAMURAI&J PARTNERS and renamed to SAMURAI Securities Co., Ltd. Its corporate website also underwent a significant redesign to reflect this change. SAMURAI&J PARTNERS had been searching for partners with potential to contribute in areas such as investment products and investor recruitment for “SAMURAI”.
Rakuten LIFULL STAY launched “Rakuten STAY” in November 2017, and has been involved in opening and providing operational support for the first “Rakuten STAY HOUSE” in May and “Rakuten STAY HOSTEL” in June this year. Going forward, the company plans to develop a variety of accommodation facilities in collaboration with various partner companies.
In the future, both companies will use a variety of financing methods, including crowdfunding, to promote the utilization of vacant houses and idle assets, contribute to regional revitalization and the further expansion of the accommodation market.
Crowdfunding service “SAMURAI”
“SAMURAI” is a new platform that links private investors with investment opportunities. It offers investors the chance to invest in a small number of carefully selected investment opportunities which previously have not been accessible for private investment, including overseas investment and investment into social contribution opportunities. Additionally, since member registration is free and investments from as little as 10,000 yen are possible, individuals are able to allocate funds that are tailored to their own preferences, via investment through a variety of funds.
About Rakuten STAY
Rakuten STAY is a full-service operational support provider in which Rakuten loans the Rakuten STAY brand to prospective businesses and individuals who wish to operate vacation rentals and shared accommodation. Rakuten LIFULL STAY oversees operations from initial consultations, to construction and cleaning in cooperation with contracting companies. Users staying at Rakuten STAY facilities are able to use facilities and amenities, and receive extra services based on a uniform concept wherever they stay. Rakuten STAY aims to expand the accommodation and vacation rental market by creating an environment where customers who have never used vacation rentals can use them and shared accommodations with peace of mind.
About SAMURAI&J PARTNERS Co., Ltd.
Address: Toranomon First Garden 10F, 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO Kiyoshi Ando
Business contents: Investment banking, fintech, information services
Details of business: February 1996
Website: https://www.sajp.co.jp/
About SAMURAI Securities Co., Ltd. (Subsidiary of SAMURAI&J PARTNERS Co., Ltd.)
Address: Uchisaiwaicho Kikaku Building 5F, 1-15-6 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: CEO Kiyoharu Sawada
Details of business: Investment banking, crowdfunding
Date of establishment: February 2002
Website: https://samurai-crowd.com/
About Rakuten LIFULL STAY Inc.
Address: Otemachi Financial City Grand Cube 3F, 1-9-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Representative Director Munekatsu Ota
Details of business: Providing services related to vacation rental platform, etc.
Date of establishment: March 2017
Website: https://www.rakuten-lifull-stay.co.jp/