Linough, which provides “Smart Package Drop” services to real estate management companies, announced on the 14th that it has raised funding from Japan Transition Finance Corporation, NVenture Capital (a subsidiary of NEC Capital Solutions), Hirogin Capital Partners, and Zenrin Future Partners. Details such as the amount raised, share price, and payment date have not been disclosed.
The Smart Package Drop service provided by Linough allows authenticated delivery personnel to unlock automatic doors and deliver packages by simply installing a palm-sized dedicated device at the entrance of apartment buildings with automatic locks. Residents of the apartment can choose package drop-off as a delivery method when purchasing products on EC sites, enabling delivery personnel from partner delivery services to enter the building and deliver packages to their doorstep.
In addition to requiring authentication for delivery to destinations, the entry records to the building are also recorded, which has a crime deterrent effect. Apartment owners and management companies can introduce Smart Package Drop without bearing any costs.
The service contributes to reducing redelivery of packages, which has become a social issue. This improves the working environment for delivery companies while also enhancing convenience for residents. According to the release, since the service launched in 2021, it has been adopted at a pace of 4,000 buildings annually, and Smart Package Drop is now introduced in approximately 700 companies and 15,000 buildings with automatic locks nationwide.
Linough also offers other services to support corporate real estate management operations, including manufacturing and selling the “NinjaLock” series of smart locks, and developing and operating real estate management solutions “Linough Smart Service.”
In March of this year, Coop Mirai, a consumer cooperative, began using Smart Package Drop. The cooperative delivers packages by hand or by drop-off at specified days and time slots, but in apartments with automatic locks, they couldn’t deliver packages when members were absent.
This resulted in route reconfiguration and redelivery, leading to increased delivery costs. Currently, the service has started in the Koto and Minato wards in Tokyo, with plans to expand the target areas in the Kanto region during the 2025 fiscal year.
Linough will use the funds raised for investment in the business growth of Smart Package Drop. They will increase device production, strengthen system development, and advance recruitment.
via PR TIMES
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