SANU raises a total of 6.45 billion yen in Series B! Arranged 1.95 billion yen for startup’s largest sustainability loan
SANU Press release: May 12, 2025 SANU raises a total of 6.45 billion yen in Series B! Arranged 1.95 billion yen as the largest sustainability loan for a startup Becoming a tech company in the “living” field that connects people and nature through dual-pronged development of architecture and software Sanu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and CEO: Gen Fukushima, hereinafter referred to as “SANU”), which provides Japan’s largest shared villa service “SANU 2nd Home,” has raised a total of 6.45 billion yen in Series B round. In this round, in addition to 3.5 billion yen in equity, we have arranged a sustainability loan of 1.95 billion yen and a social loan of 1 billion yen, one of the largest for a startup company. Furthermore, we have achieved multi-layered financing, with the number of financial institutions we do business with for general loans reaching 24 nationwide. With this procurement as a starting point, we will expand our business to 100 locations nationwide, update our wooden module architecture, establish a mass production system, and develop an operating system that utilizes software technology, thereby further expanding new ways of living where cities and nature connect and support each other.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60549/95/60549-95-9ce5bcb406c69dc0c59fdbef3d631df5-3000×2000.png 1)Procurement overview The details of the funding in this round are as follows. Category Amount Main participating institutions Equity 3.5 billion yen Globis Capital Partners Japan Post Co. Spiral Regional Innovation Fund/ National Guaranteed Innovation Fund/JAFCO and other existing investors Sustainability loan*1 (Syndicated loan) 1.95 billion yen Mizuho Bank Resona Bank/Ashikaga Bank/Keiyo Bank/ Japan Finance Corporation/Yamanashi Chuo Bank Social loan *2 1 billion yen Mizuho Bank General financing (loan by financial institution)*3 Mizuho Bank, Resona Bank, Ashikaga Bank, Kagoshima Bank, Kiraboshi Bank, Gunma Bank, Keiyo Bank, Shizuoka Bank, Shoko Chukin Bank, Daishi Hokuetsu Bank, Chiba Bank, Tokyo Star Bank, Towa Bank, Tochigi Bank, Japan Finance Corporation, East Japan Bank, Hokuriku Bank, Yamanashi Chuo Bank, Other financial institutions, 24 banks nationwide Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60549/95/60549-95-45db226779cc1d4b8db6b9b1d43cd282-3840×2560.png This funding includes a 1 billion yen social loan from Mizuho Bank, bringing the total Series B to 6.45 billion yen. 1: Sustainability loan is a loan name that is a combination of green loan (*4) and social loan. *2: Social loan is a financing method that targets projects that contribute to solving social issues and projects that produce positive social effects (regional revitalization and regional revitalization) (social projects). *3: Excerpt from financial institutions that have a track record of financing transactions with SANU and its consolidated subsidiaries *4: Green loan is a financing method for businesses and projects that contribute to reducing environmental impact (green projects) The sustainability loan combines elements of a green loan*4 and a social loan, and has been given the highest rating of “SU1 (F)” by JCR (Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.). 2. Main uses of proceeds The proceeds will be allocated to the following areas to simultaneously promote business growth and improve experience value. 1. Business expansion to 100 locations nationwide Expand from the current 31 locations to 100 locations by 2028. It will strengthen its function as a new lifestyle infrastructure that facilitates movement between city dwellers and the local area. 2. Strengthening the rollout of co-ownership service “SANU 2nd Home Co-Owners In line with the development of new locations, we are expanding the number of properties for sale under the joint ownership model. Responding to the needs of users who regularly “go to nature” while living in the city. 3. Update of wooden modular architecture and establishment of mass production system We will proceed with innovative updates in all aspects, including design, functionality, and environmental performance, to wooden buildings with a common design. At the same time, we will realize a mass production system at SANU FACTORY, which will digitalize the process from design to manufacturing and perform factory production. 4. Developing operating systems using software technology In addition to providing a seamless user experience (UX) based on a unified software platform, the company aims to improve operational efficiency and digitize maintenance management through software control of hardware devices such as architecture and IoT. *Details of the above measures will be announced at “SANU Future day 2025″ scheduled to be held on Monday, May 19th. 3. Market background and SANU’s position Until now, living in harmony with nature has been limited to options such as owning an entire vacation home or moving to a rural area. However, as work styles become more flexible, our research has revealed that approximately one in three city residents* (estimated at 7 million people) are interested in living in a way that allows them to continue connecting with nature while living in a city. Therefore, SANU has been proposing a new lifestyle of “living in harmony with nature” through flexible models such as subscription and joint ownership.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/60549/95/60549-95-04bf81ce254414eb659de2b39ddf0de3-1466×968.png Going forward, the company will utilize the funds raised to promote the development of architectural technology with less environmental impact and the advancement of experiential design. We are working to further expand our services as a “new lifestyle infrastructure” that allows people to go back and forth between the city and nature on a daily basis. As SANU’s bases and systems expand, we will continue to promote initiatives that contribute to the transition to a
regenerative society, with the aim of contributing to the preservation of the natural environment and the revitalization of the local economy. *Approximately 30% of the metropolitan area (Reference link: ) 4.Comments From major investors/financial institutions GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS Representative Partner Mr. Jo Konno We are very pleased to have participated as a lead investor in SANU’s Series B round. I have been in touch with Mr. Fukushima, the company’s representative, for several years now, and during that time I was very impressed by his strong belief in coexistence with nature, his meticulous yet meticulous business development capabilities, and his bold and agile drive, which led to this relationship. As the age of AI arrives after the coronavirus pandemic, people’s values and outlook on life will change, and we hope that the social infrastructure developed by SANU will establish its significance as a recipient of these changes. We will do our best to support SANU, led by Mr. Fukushima, in order to provide peace of mind to people, coexist with the local community and nature, and gain the support of many customers and partner companies as a leading company in an ethical era. Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Executive Officer, Deputy Head of Retail and Corporate Division, Masato Kaneda Based on its corporate philosophy of “Live with Nature,” SANU aims to appropriately utilize, circulate, and regenerate natural capital through original architecture that coexists with the environment, such as the use of domestic materials in building products, the planting of trees in areas where felled trees, the use of waste materials, foundation piling methods with low environmental impact, designs that allow for relocation after demolition, and the use of renewable energy. In addition, in collaboration with local governments and surrounding residents, it is expected that the development of “two-region residential” bases that will contribute to an increase in the local population and
revitalization of the region will contribute to the sustainability of the region in the face of population decline. Mizuho Bank highly evaluates SANU’s business model, and in order to support SANU’s further growth, we have provided a syndicated sustainability loan and a social loan with Mizuho Bank as a single bank. In its current medium-term management plan, Mizuho Bank has set “strengthening the competitiveness of Japanese companies” and “sustainability and innovation” as its focus business themes. We will take on the challenge of solving environmental and social issues together with SANU and realize a “sustainable society and economy.” Ms. Atsuko Kajiwara, Managing Executive Officer and Head of Sustainable Finance Evaluation Division, Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. This time, JCR has evaluated the “Sustainability Loan Framework” developed by SANU for its compliance with various international principles and guidelines, and has given it the highest rating of “SU1 (F)” based on JCR’s “Sustainability Finance Evaluation Methodology.” In this evaluation, we focused on the fact that SANU goes beyond efforts to reduce the burden that human activities have on the environment, and positions the concept of “Regenerative” at the core of its management, confronting environmental and social issues through its business and creating a positive impact by regenerating nature’s inherent generative capacity. Based on this, SANU’s business management direction was determined based on this policy, and the details and criteria for each use of funds specified in the framework, including “Circular Architecture,” were appropriately designed, and other aspects were evaluated as excellent initiatives. As SANU’s initiatives expand, I believe that the positive impact on the environment and society will further increase, and I hope that the results will be measured and visualized in a visible manner and communicated to all stakeholders. From SANU SANU CEO Gen Fukushima It’s been three and a half years since I started SANU 2nd Home, and the biggest
accomplishment is definitely my friends. SANU is a company that exists because of the involvement of many people, including employees who believed in SANU’s future and joined the company, as well as people from related companies who walk together through sometimes serious and tough discussions, and people from the local community. When it comes to fundraising, we at SANU place great importance on who we work with. I even declared at the beginning of my presentation, “I want to work with you.” As a result, I am very happy to have been able to connect with such wonderful people. This funding has another meaning. This is our will to “connect nature to the future.” We will give form to regenerative activities that go beyond sustainability within the framework of finance. If the flow of money changes, the future will also change. Although this is only the first step, I will continue to work hard to become a role model for future companies. We face the global theme of “coexistence of humans and nature” while conducting tenacious and robust management. I am once again reaffirming my determination. Thank you for your continued support of SANU. 5. Recruitment information Due to business expansion, SANU is actively recruiting for the following positions. We are looking for people who sympathize with the concept of “Live with nature.” and want to create new standards for society together. If you are interested, please see the recruitment information below. ▼Main job types currently recruiting ■ Real estate sales manager (Co-Owners)
https://hrmos.co/pages/sanu/jobs/L01 ■ Architect Senior Manager https://hrmos.co/pages/sanu/jobs/C04 ■ UI/UX Designer (Senior Product Designer) https://hrmos.co/pages/sanu/jobs/D05 ■ Software Engineer https://hrmos.co/pages/sanu/jobs/D04 Click here for recruitment information 6. Information for media SANU has decided to provide an opportunity to present its medium-term business strategy to the media and related parties. Detailed information on the “updating wooden modular architecture and establishing a mass production system” and “developing an operating system using software technology,” which are being promoted using this funding as an opportunity, will be officially announced at “SANU Future Day 2025” on Monday, May 19, 2025. Please note that detailed information will be sent separately to media members interested in this announcement. We would appreciate it if you could write “About the strategy presentation” in the subject line and contact us at the address below. pr@sa-nu.com (Person in charge: Shibata)
Sanu Co., Ltd. SANU> is a lifestyle brand that aims to realize a society where people and nature coexist. By proposing new lifestyles, we will communicate to people what they need to live happily and healthily on this earth in harmony with nature. Think seriously about your future lifestyle. Bright and changing our lifestyle. Company name: Sanu Co., Ltd. Representative: Gen Fukushima Address: 3-23-16 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0061 Company page https://corp.sa-nu.com/ SANU 2nd Home Co-Owners official website: https://www.sa-nu.com/ Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanuofficial/ Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanu_2ndhome/ Official LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sanuofficial/ Official X:
https://x.com/sanu2ndhome SANU 2nd Home This is a service that provides a shared villa uniquely built in the beautiful nature of Japan in a form that best suits each individual’s lifestyle – “another home in nature.” ▼You can choose how to live in nature to suit your lifestyle. 1) Guest accommodation Guest accommodation where you can experience life in nature from just one night
2)Subscription|For individuals A subscription plan that allows you to easily start living in nature 3)Subscription | For corporations Corporate contract plan for companies aiming to improve the well-being of their employees by introducing it as a welfare benefit 4) Joint ownership type second home service | For individuals and corporations Joint ownership plan where you own only the amount you need to live in nature 5) One-building ownership and operation type second home service | For individuals and corporations Management type villa plan that balances living in nature and asset management In addition, it is characterized by environmentally friendly development, construction, and operation, and currently operates 31 locations and 189 rooms (as of May 2025) while fostering a regenerative system that enriches Japan’s forests as the number of locations expands. By 2028, this will expand to more than 100 locations in Japan and overseas.
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