News
Oct 7, 2024
Release
ANA Holdings has raised a total of 1.2 billion yen from new shareholders and financial institutions, including Global Brain.
■ What is the overseas eSIM app "Trifa"?
The overseas eSIM (*1) app "Trifa" is an overseas eSIM app that allows you to easily access the internet in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. It eliminates the hassle of reserving, receiving, and returning rental Wi-Fi, as well as purchasing and switching local SIM cards, enabling smooth overseas communication with just one app.
Currently, Trifa boasts the highest number of downloads as an eSIM app in Japan (*2) and ranks at the top in the domestic travel category as well.
■ Communication methods for overseas travel
Traditionally, to use communication services during overseas travel, one had to rely on rental Wi-Fi, local SIMs, or carrier roaming.
Additionally, overseas travelers using rental Wi-Fi face inconveniences such as the hassle of reservation, receipt, and return, as well as the discomfort of carrying the rental Wi-Fi device throughout their trip, along with the risks of losing accessories or the rental device itself.
With Trifa, you can arrange eSIMs at reasonable prices in local rates and have communication available in as little as 3 minutes. This way, there is no stress of carrying extra luggage to your destination.
■ Market environment and Trifa's growth potential
The global eSIM market size is expected to reach 6.29 billion USD by 2032, with an annual growth rate exceeding 20%, making it a vast market where the share of eSIMs is projected to expand in the future. (*3)
Trifa began its service during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and has been developing products that address the concerns of international travelers through robust support systems, improved communication quality, and user-friendly app experiences.
The app store satisfaction rating is currently at 4.6, with approximately 1,500 reviews (*4), receiving high evaluations. User numbers are rapidly increasing, achieving an average growth of over 160% in user metrics each quarter.
■ Announcement of the name change
Additionally, in conjunction with this funding round, we have changed our company name from ERAKE Inc. to Trifa Inc. (English name: trifa Inc.). This will unify our company name and brand, aiming to further enhance our recognition and strengthen our presence.
■ Background and purpose of fundraising
Expanding service users
We will strengthen online and offline campaigns and expand marketing measures suited to user benefits, thus further enhancing brand recognition. Moreover, on the product front, we will continue to improve functions and develop new features, promoting the provision of more personalized experiences based on customer behavior analysis. As a result, we aim to provide the best travel experience and accelerate overall business growth.
Strengthening hiring and organization
We will strengthen investment in recruitment and human resource development, accelerating the hiring of professionals. Furthermore, we will focus on organizational development and talent cultivation, sustainably promoting the growth of the organization by enhancing the skills and capabilities of the entire team.
Expansion to inbound and overseas markets
We will focus not only on the outbound Japanese customers we primarily serve but also on providing services to the expanding inbound customers. At the same time, we will accelerate global expansion while approaching customers in Asia, such as Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
■ Comments from each investor (titles omitted)
※ Comments from new and existing investors in this funding round
Mr. Yoshiaki Tsuda, Executive Officer, ANA Holdings
Trifa allows travelers to purchase communication data worldwide with just one app, without relying on physical mobile Wi-Fi or SIM cards, making it an attractive service for borderless travelers. In the future, we aim to leverage the characteristics of airlines with true customer touchpoints just hours before entering a country, based on the evolution of in-flight Wi-Fi environments, to embed Trifa's service further into customer experiences. The ANA Group's management philosophy is "Connecting the World with Wings of the Heart to Contribute to a Future Full of Dreams." I am excited about the challenge to strive together with Trifa to become the most connected airline in the world.
Mr. Yasuhiko Yurimoto, Representative Director, Global Brain
Global Brain has participated as a lead investor this time. We appreciate Trifa's excellent management team and the vision the company advocates, and we feel strong business growth potential in further expanding eSIM adoption domestically and offering services to the increasing inbound travelers.
As Global Brain, we will fully support Trifa's remarkable growth. We look forward to seeing Trifa, as a startup from Japan, thrive in the global market and aim for the next stage.
Mr. Yuki Ito, Investment Group Director, Global Brain
Securing communication means is one of the most important aspects during overseas stays, and Trifa provides a solution in the form of eSIMs. Intuitive and user-friendly apps along with strong customer support are also strengths of the company. Moreover, in addition to personal use, there are great expectations for entering corporate and inbound traveler markets. We will do our utmost to support the aim of more users utilizing Trifa's services in the future.
Mr. Ken Honda, CEO, Sideways | Freakout Holdings
Trifa's eSIM solution has the potential to eliminate the tedious procedures for travelers and create a new standard that seamlessly connects people worldwide. I look forward to seeing how Mr. Kana’s leadership and the team's technical prowess will transform the industry and create new value.
Mr. Taiki Hirozawa, General Partner, THE SEED
We have participated in every round of investment since the founding investment.
Initially, I was captivated by Mr. Kana’s personality and vision, which led to my investment decision. This time, motivated by further expectations for the market expansion of eSIM business and organizational strengthening at Trifa, I decided to make an additional investment.
I have been having regular meetings bi-weekly with Mr. Kana since the founding investment, and I look forward to every update from this promising company.
Mr. Tatsuya Suzuki, Representative Director, Gifty
Since investing in Trifa, I have been consistently amazed by Mr. Kana's astonishing learning ability and execution power. His sharp insights and swift actions provide significant motivation for us investors, always keeping us looking forward to the next move. Under Mr. Kana's leadership, I believe Trifa's business will provide new value to travelers and guide the world towards being a better place.
Mr. Ryuhei Sadojima, CEO, Safeey
As a user of Trifa, I have been using the service during overseas travel. The UX is very easy to use and the product is made with a user perspective in mind. As the number of outbound and inbound travelers increases, the timing is just right for entry, creating an organization that can scale.
Mr. Kana speaks of a grand vision as a manager and takes the advice of supporters seriously, making him an effective leader.
Let’s work hard together to grow!
■ Comments from CEO Kana
In the summer of 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided and overseas travel began to return, we released Trifa with the desire to provide a new way of traveling that would allow for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Since then, we have been fortunate to have many users, and we have grown to a service that can be said to be number one in user numbers among domestic players.
In this funding round, we welcomed ANA Holdings and Global Brain as new shareholders, representing Japan’s leading VC and airline, and along with our strong existing shareholders, we feel Trifa is growing significantly both organizationally and in business daily.
In the future, Trifa will expand not only into the domestic market but also into the overseas market, embodying the notion of "Global from Japan."
■ Recruitment Information
Our company is still in the startup phase, and we are strengthening the recruitment of professionals who will lead the business and organization as stakeholders. If this press release has sparked any interest in Trifa, please feel free to apply for an interview through the recruitment website below.
◯ Head of Finance and Accounting
■ Company Overview
Company Name: Trifa Inc./trifa Inc.
Representative: CEO Masatoshi Kana
Email: contact@trifa.co.jp
Established: November 17, 2020
Location: 6th floor, 7-23-1 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Capital: 100 million yen
*1 eSIM: A virtual SIM integrated into a smartphone (a chip that enables the use of communication lines)
*2 Number of downloads in the domestic "travel eSIM app" (Combined value for iOS and Android in January-February 2024, as per data.ai) where the "travel" or "eSIM" appears in the app name or description extracted by the company.
*3 Fortune Business Insights, "eSIM market size, share and industry analysis, application by type (smartphones, laptops/tablets, connected cars, wearable devices, smart home appliances, vehicle tracking, etc.), by industry (retail, consumer electronics, manufacturing, automotive, transportation & logistics), energy and public utilities, others), and regional forecasts, 2024 - 2032"
*4 As of October 7, 2024
