Global Brain has invested in SmartBank, Inc. (SmartBank), a fintech company providing prepaid VISA cards and accompanying app “B/43” for expense management, through SMBC-GB Growth Fund jointly managed with SMBC Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd. as the lead investor. This round of funding was also joined by FUKOKU -THE MUTUAL for Next 100 Fund L.P. (TMN100) and Meiji Yasuda Future Innovation Fund L.P. (Meiji Yasuda FIF). Global Brain previously invested in the company through its GB-VII Growth Fund Investment Limited Partnership in 2021 and GB-VI & GB-VII Follow-on Growth Fund Investment Limited Partnership in 2022.
https://globalbrains.com/en/posts/invested-in-smartbank https://globalbrains.com/en/posts/follow-on-invested-in-smartbank SmartBank has set its mission as creating a future where everyone can naturally spend, save, and grow their money. The company offers “B/43,” which allows users to easily manage their spending through an app and a prepaid card. Since launching the service in April 2021, the app has achieved over one million downloads, and the monthly transaction volume has grown to several billion yen. In the future, SmartBank aims to develop and provide services to improve household finances that go beyond streamlining household expense management in order to fulfill its mission. Starting next spring, SmartBank plans to introduce an AI assistant service that utilizes generative AI to help users improve their household finances tailored to their goals and daily spending habits. Global Brain has decided to invest in SmartBank, highly recognizing its exceptional growth potential that has exceeded expectations since its initial round of funding, impressive product development capabilities, and robust team. We remain committed to supporting SmartBank as it continues to advance as a leading FinTech company in Japan.

About SmartBank

Location: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Shota Horii
Founded: April 2019
URL: https://smartbank.co.jp/en

About SMBC-GB Growth Fund

Name: SMBC-GB Growth I Investment Limited Partnership
General Partners: SMBC Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd. and Global Brain Corporation
Limited Partner: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
Fund Size: JPY 30 billion

About TMN100

Name: FUKOKU -THE MUTUAL for Next 100 Fund L.P.
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation

About Meiji Yasuda FIF

Name: Meiji Yasuda Future Innovation Fund L.P.
General Partner: Global Brain Corporation
Fund Size: JPY 5 billion
Fund Term: 10 years

About Global Brain

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Yasuhiko Yurimoto
Founded: January 1998
URL: https://globalbrains.com

Global Brain has invested in SmartBank Inc., a startup providing prepaid VISA cards and accompanying app for expense management, as the lead investor