Logistics Startup souco Raises Funds from Sumitomo Corporation's CVC 'Sumisho Venture Partners'
Logistics startup souco has raised funds through a Series C extension round of third-party allotment, with Sumitomo Corporation's CVC 'Sumisho Venture Partners' as the underwriter. Through collaboration with the Sumitomo Corporation Group, souco aims to accelerate the expansion of its logistics hub network and the development of logistics as social infrastructure, targeting the realization of the 'Physical Internet.'
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- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 26, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 26, 2026 at 11:41 (10 min after Collected)
souco, a logistics startup providing hub solutions for supply chains (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kuneto Nakahara), has announced the completion of a Series C extension round of funding through third-party allotment, with Sumisho Venture Partners (CEO: Takahiro Yamaki; Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), the CVC arm of Sumitomo Corporation, as the lead investor.
Leveraging this funding, souco will utilize the extensive business network and expertise developed by the Sumitomo Corporation Group across various global industries to focus on building logistics as essential social infrastructure, with an eye toward the future realization of the 'Physical Internet.'
■ Background
The logistics industry faces structural challenges, including driver shortages, uneven operational distribution, and tightening constraints on long-distance transportation. Since its founding in 2016, souco has gone beyond basic information matching between those wanting to rent warehouses and those offering them, providing logistics hub solutions that address the entire supply chain. The company is actively optimizing transportation bases by expanding its network of small and medium-sized warehouses across Japan and promoting the adoption of hub-and-spoke logistics and mid-distance transport transfers.
■ Significance of this Funding
Sumisho Venture Partners participated in this round, resonating with the social significance and growth potential of souco's business and its mission: 'Supporting optimal allocation of logistics resources through technology.'
Through this funding, the company will advance the following initiatives:
1. Addressing logistics challenges by leveraging the Sumitomo Corporation Group's network and expertise.
2. Further expanding the nationwide logistics warehouse network, focusing on small and medium-sized facilities.
3. Deepening alliances with diverse stakeholders, including shippers, logistics operators, and facility developers.
4. Promoting business co-creation toward establishing logistics as social infrastructure and realizing the 'Physical Internet.'
■ Comment from Kuneto Nakahara, CEO of souco
'Logistics is now essential social infrastructure that supports industry and daily life. By leveraging the expertise of the Sumitomo Corporation Group, we will implement a new form of logistics into society.'
Leveraging this funding, souco will utilize the extensive business network and expertise developed by the Sumitomo Corporation Group across various global industries to focus on building logistics as essential social infrastructure, with an eye toward the future realization of the 'Physical Internet.'
■ Background
The logistics industry faces structural challenges, including driver shortages, uneven operational distribution, and tightening constraints on long-distance transportation. Since its founding in 2016, souco has gone beyond basic information matching between those wanting to rent warehouses and those offering them, providing logistics hub solutions that address the entire supply chain. The company is actively optimizing transportation bases by expanding its network of small and medium-sized warehouses across Japan and promoting the adoption of hub-and-spoke logistics and mid-distance transport transfers.
■ Significance of this Funding
Sumisho Venture Partners participated in this round, resonating with the social significance and growth potential of souco's business and its mission: 'Supporting optimal allocation of logistics resources through technology.'
Through this funding, the company will advance the following initiatives:
1. Addressing logistics challenges by leveraging the Sumitomo Corporation Group's network and expertise.
2. Further expanding the nationwide logistics warehouse network, focusing on small and medium-sized facilities.
3. Deepening alliances with diverse stakeholders, including shippers, logistics operators, and facility developers.
4. Promoting business co-creation toward establishing logistics as social infrastructure and realizing the 'Physical Internet.'
■ Comment from Kuneto Nakahara, CEO of souco
'Logistics is now essential social infrastructure that supports industry and daily life. By leveraging the expertise of the Sumitomo Corporation Group, we will implement a new form of logistics into society.'
FAQ
株式会社soucoが実施した資金調達のラウンドは？
シリーズCエクステンションラウンドです。
今回の資金調達の引受先は？
住友商事株式会社のコーポレートベンチャーキャピタルである、住商ベンチャー・パートナーズ株式会社です。
株式会社soucoの主な事業内容は？
サプライチェーン及びロジスティクスにおける物流拠点ソリューションの提供です。「倉庫を借りたい人」と「倉庫を貸したい人」をつなぐマッチング等を行っています。
今回の資金調達を通じて推進する取り組みは？
住友商事グループのネットワーク活用、物流倉庫ネットワークの拡大、多様なステークホルダーとのアライアンス深化、物流社会インフラ化およびフィジカルインターネットの実現です。
株式会社soucoの代表者は誰ですか？
代表取締役の中原久根人氏です。