What Will NOT A HOTEL Do With Its ¥16.5 Billion Series D?

Japanese hospitality technology company NOT A HOTEL announced on August 6 that it completed a Series D round worth ¥16.5 billion in total, comprising a ¥10 billion third-party allotment and ¥6.5 billion in secondary share transfers from existing shareholders. Participating investors include Toyota Invention Partners, SBI Holdings, SBI Investment, Sequoia and TT Lion Partners of the G-Lion Group.

What is NOT A HOTEL?

NOT A HOTEL operates a service that lets people own architect-designed, one-of-a-kind buildings as private villas, while the property can be operated as a hotel during periods when the owner is not using it. Bookings and check-in are handled entirely through the company’s mobile application.

The model sits between traditional vacation-home ownership and hotel stays, giving owners access to a portfolio of distinctive properties while the unused time generates rental income.

How is the Series D structured?

The round is not purely new capital. Of the ¥16.5 billion total, ¥10 billion comes from a third-party allotment of new shares, while ¥6.5 billion is a secondary transfer, meaning existing shareholders sold part of their holdings to the new investors. The investor group spans Toyota Invention Partners, SBI Holdings, SBI Investment, Sequoia and TT Lion Partners of the G-Lion Group.

What is NOT A GARAGE?

The company is pushing forward a mobility business called NOT A GARAGE, which allows shared ownership of helicopters, cruisers and private jets. Users select and book the vehicles they hold through the app, combining land, sea and air travel with the accommodation experience.

Through the funding round, the company plans to advance NOT A GARAGE using the capital ties with the Toyota Group via Toyota Invention Partners and the G-Lion Group, and to consider offering purchase-linked financing loans for buyers in cooperation with the SBI Group.

What does the company say about the plan?

According to NOT A HOTEL, the objective is to build a seamless owner experience connecting mobility and stays, accelerate growth of the existing business, and expand into new areas through partnerships.

FAQ

What does the secondary transfer mean for the company?

Secondary transfers are transactions where existing shareholders sell their shares to new investors, so the proceeds do not go to the company itself. The fresh capital for NOT A HOTEL comes from the ¥10 billion third-party allotment.

Who led the Series D round?

The company did not name a single lead investor. The participants are Toyota Invention Partners, SBI Holdings, SBI Investment, Sequoia and TT Lion Partners of the G-Lion Group.

How does the NOT A GARAGE service work?

It enables shared ownership of helicopters, cruisers and private jets, with selection and booking handled through the app, according to the company’s announcement.

Where is NOT A HOTEL based?

The company operates villa and hotel properties in Japan, and the announcement was published by the Japanese startup media The Bridge via PR TIMES.

Source: The Bridge