ASTRO GATE Inc. (Head Office: Tokyo; President andFounder: Daisuke Ode; hereinafter “ASTRO GATE”) is pleased to announce that we have received an investment from the “TOHO Next Stage Fund” as of August 7, 2025.
The “TOHO Next Stage Fund” is a jointly managed fund established by TOHO Bank, Ltd. (President: Minoru Sato), TOHO Lease Co., Ltd. (President: Satoshi Aoki), and Sparkle Inc. (President: Hideki Fukutome), with the aim of supporting further corporate growth.
This investment marks the first execution since the fund’s launch on November 21, 2024.
TOHO Bank will continue to utilize the fund to support the challenges of startups that will lead the future of Fukushima, contributing to regional economic revitalization and local development.
1. Fund Overview
| Name | TOHO Next Stage Fund (TOHO Next Stage Fund Investment Limited Partnership) |
| Purpose | To support regional startups with long-term, stable capital funding toward establishing “Fukushima as a cradle of innovation.” |
| Establishment Date | November 21, 2024 |
| Total Commitment | JPY 505 million |
| Limited Partner | TOHO Bank, Ltd. (JPY 500 million) |
| General Partners | TOHO Lease Co., Ltd. (JPY 2.5 million) Sparkle Inc. (JPY 2.5 million) |
| Investment Instruments | Bonds, preferred shares, etc. |
| Operation Period | 10 years |
2. Foud Scheme
Comment from Daisuke Ode, Founder & President, ASTRO GATE Inc.
“We are deeply honored to receive this investment from the TOHO Next Stage Fund and to embark on this partnership together. ASTRO GATE aims to establish a spaceport in Fukushima, leading to the accumulation of space industries in the region. Our vision is to create a future where Fukushima is connected to the world in under an hour via rocket transportation, advancing alongside all local industries.
With this opportunity, we will further accelerate collaborations with existing regional companies and seize the tremendous global opportunities emerging in the space sector, right here in Fukushima.”
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For Inquiries Regarding This Announcement:
Yuki Harada, CEO, ASTRO GATE Inc.
Email: info@astrogate.jp
Tel: +81-90-5199-7966
