Shin-Infrastructure Fund by TOHO GAS Invests in xID Inc., a Digital ID Platform Provider

Ignition Point Venture Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuki Tashiro; hereinafter "IGPVP") has invested in xID Inc. (hereinafter "xID") through the Shin-Infrastructure Fund by TOHO GAS (hereinafter "the Fund"), which it jointly operates with TOHO GAS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi; President and CEO: Satoshi Yamazaki; hereinafter "TOHO GAS").

xID provides the digital ID application "xID (Cross ID)" and the digital postal platform "SmartPOST" based on a common ID※1 linked to My Number Cards.

"xID" is an app that enables easy identity verification, authentication, and electronic signatures by linking to My Number Cards, and is increasingly being integrated into various public and private services such as online government procedures and bank account openings. "SmartPOST" is a service that enables secure digital notifications as an alternative to physical mail using My Number Cards, and is being adopted by local governments for official notifications.

The Fund has decided on this investment, recognizing the potential to combine xID’s technologies and services with TOHO GAS’s business infrastructure to promote digitalization of billing operations in the energy sector and to create new businesses aimed at solving various challenges faced by local governments.

※1 An ID generated during the initial registration of "xID" by reading the digital signature certificate of the My Number Card via NFC (Near Field Communication) on a smartphone, thereby verifying the user’s identity.

※2 A digital postal service that addresses challenges such as mailing costs and notification workloads for local governments and enterprises. It allows organizations to digitize notification processes and manage paper and digital deliveries without significantly altering existing workflows.

Comment from Mr. Hikaru Kusaka, President and CEO of xID

Through this capital alliance, we aim to evolve the way notifications, billing, and payments are handled in the public utility sector into a safer and more convenient experience.

To date, xID has advanced the development of digital notification systems based on identity verification, primarily within local governments. Moving forward, we will further promote the social implementation of a cross-sector digital postal infrastructure spanning public and private domains.

About xID Inc.

Company Name: xID Inc. (Cross ID)

Headquarters: 2-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Hibiya Park Front 19F

Representative: President and CEO Hikaru Kusaka

Founded: May 2012

URL: https://xid.inc/

About the Shin-Infrastructure Fund by TOHO GAS

Fund Name: TOHO GAS Shin-Infrastructure Investment Business Limited Partnership

Established: December 2024

Operating Period: 10 years

Fund Size: 5 billion JPY

Manager: Ignition Point Venture Partners Co., Ltd.

Fund URL: https://shin-infrafund.tohogas.co.jp/

Investment Inquiries: shin-infrafund@tohogas.co.jp

About TOHO GAS

The TOHO GAS Group has been a regional energy provider rooted in the Tokai region since its founding in 1922, growing and developing alongside local communities through the supply of city gas, LPG, and electricity.

The name "Shin-Infrastructure" reflects the vision of co-creating goods and services essential for future lifestyles, just as gas and electricity are indispensable today. Through the operation of this fund, TOHO GAS will strengthen collaboration with domestic startups and co-create "Shin-Infrastructure" products and services to continue contributing to regional development.

Company Name: TOHO GAS Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 19-18 Sakurada-cho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya

Representative: President and CEO Satoshi Yamazaki

URL: https://www.tohogas.co.jp/

About IGPVP

Established in 2021 as the investment arm of the Ignition Point Group.

Guided by the brand statement "CENTER OF SYNERGY," we aim to be at the heart of all future innovations. We are building a community with LP investors and startups to co-create next-generation societies, promoting the integration of existing and emerging industries and N-to-N co-creation through our fund operations.

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Company Name: Ignition Point Venture Partners Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shibuya Property Tower 8F, 1-32-12 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative: President Yuki Tashiro

URL: https://www.vp.ignitionpoint-inc.com/