Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc. (TOM) is a Delaware incorporated company that has launched crowdfunding in Japan. So why incorporate in the US? TOM is designed to be a global rewards-based or presale crowdfundin
g platform. Just launched today, TOM will be supporting, funding and allowing purchasing of unique creations and products from Japan.
In 2011, Tokyo Otaku Mode began sharing Japanese pop culture on its Facebook page. The company says that within 22 months, the Facebook page garnered 10 million likes. As of October 2016, it has reached 19 million likes and is said to be among the top 50 world-leading brands on Facebook.
In 2013, the TOM e-commerce site, the TOM Shop, launched to serve its fans worldwide. TOM works directly with manufacturers to guarantee authentic products and supports independent artists through product collaborations. To date, orders have been delivered to customers in over 120 countries/regions worldwide.
In September 2014, TOM secured funding through the third-party allocation of shares led by Cool Japan Fund Inc. and continues to work to advance their mission of “bringing happiness to the world with otaku culture.”
So leveraging their intrinsic fan base to launch a crowdfunding platform makes sense for the Japanese company.
The first three projects to open on Tokyo Mirai Mode includes:
- MESH, a DIY IoT toolkit born from Sony Corporation’s Seed Acceleration Program for new businesses;
- Key-Quest, a convenient key-shaped 6-in-1 multi-tool by Tsukada Co., Ltd. that can fit easily inside pockets; and
- LEVI SOUND, a wireless, levitating Bluetooth speaker by KEN LLC.
Tokyo Mirai Mode is also cooperating with Hatsuhiko, a test marketing platform designed for markets outside Japan and tailored for internal startups nurtured within Sony Corporation’s Seed Acceleration Program. Hatsuhiko will provide opportunities to ascertain the needs of overseas markets, as well as the chance to develop and improve products through direct communication with overseas consumers, through the Tokyo Mirai Mode platform.
TOM describes its new platform as a place where users can discover new products from Japan that are not yet available on the global market. Through TOM, project owners looking to expand into the global market can propose products to users worldwide and utilize test marketing as the first step to selling existing products in new countries and regions. TOM offers fundraising and sales in three currencies—US dollars, Euros, and Yen—and offers backers the ability to make payments in 130 different currencies.
Tokyo Mirai Mode says it isn’t like other crowdfunding platforms; it offers full support operations for expanding overseas, including translation services and customer support from our courteous native staff, as well as one-stop solutions for worldwide delivery.