xID Receives Investment from TOHO GAS CVC, Launches Co-Creation in Energy and Public Sectors

xID Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hikaru Kusaka; hereinafter "the company") announces that it has received investment from the corporate venture capital fund "Shin Infrastructure Fund by TOHO GAS," jointly operated by TOHO Gas Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Satoshi Yamazaki) and Ignition Point Venture Partners Inc. The company has also entered into a business partnership with TOHO Gas to advance the digitization of billing-related operations in the energy sector and co-create new ventures targeting municipalities and private businesses.

Through this partnership, the two companies will combine xID’s digital ID technology and its digital postal service "SmartPOST" with TOHO Gas’s regional business infrastructure and extensive network. They will explore the introduction of digital postal services into billing and collection operations within the energy sector and aim to create new businesses leveraging their respective strengths, with an eye toward service expansion for municipalities and private enterprises.

◾️ Background of the Partnership

Currently, in the energy and public sectors, many billing notifications—such as invoices and payment slips—are delivered primarily via physical mail, SMS, or email. However, rising postal costs have increased operational burdens. Additionally, physical mail often takes time to arrive and is prone to being unopened or overlooked.

While SMS and email are widely used as digital notification methods, phishing scams and impersonation fraud have increased in recent years, making it difficult for organizations to deliver information securely and reliably to users.

In light of these challenges, the two companies will begin exploring the use of xID’s digital postal service "SmartPOST" to digitize billing, collection, and other fee-related operations in the energy sector, aiming to improve user convenience.

Furthermore, by combining xID’s technology and services with TOHO Gas’s business infrastructure and network, the partnership will co-create new services that address challenges faced by municipalities and private businesses while enhancing citizen convenience.

◾️ Executive Comments

Katsuhisa Katahira, Executive Officer and Head of Business Development, TOHO Gas Co., Ltd.

"Through the 'Shin Infrastructure Fund by TOHO GAS,' we aim to create new value by combining our established business infrastructure and customer touchpoints with the innovative technologies and business models of startups. xID’s digital ID technology and digital postal service are already being adopted by municipalities and have the potential to address our group’s operational challenges, which led us to make this investment. Moving forward, we will work with xID to promote the digitization of billing operations in the energy sector and co-create new ventures to solve various challenges faced by municipalities."

Hikaru Kusaka, President and CEO, xID Inc.

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

xID has been advancing the development of digital notification systems based on identity verification, primarily in the municipal sector. Going forward, we will further promote the social implementation of a cross-sector digital postal infrastructure serving both public and private entities."

◾️ About SmartPOST

SmartPOST is a digital postal service that delivers important notifications from municipalities and enterprises directly to individuals, using My Number Card-based identity verification as its foundation.

Senders can create and distribute both paper mail and digital notifications through the same system, enabling a seamless and smooth transition to digital without disrupting existing notification workflows.

Unlike email or SMS, SmartPOST ensures that only notifications from trusted senders are delivered, minimizing the risks of phishing and impersonation, allowing recipients to receive critical information with confidence.

SmartPOST for municipalities and enterprises: https://xid.inc/smartpost/

SmartPOST for users: https://lp.smartpost.jp/

◾️ About xID Inc. (Cross ID)

xID is a GovTech startup offering the digital ID app "xID" based on the My Number Card, and "SmartPOST," which enables citizens to receive government notifications on their smartphones.

By collaborating with municipalities and enterprises, xID supports the digitization of identity verification and administrative procedures, contributing to improved citizen convenience, administrative efficiency, and the realization of a sustainable digital society.

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

Representative: President and CEO Hikaru Kusaka

Founded: May 2012

Business: Providing digital ID solutions specialized for the My Number Card

Corporate website: https://xid.inc/