PoC for “MEETSCUL,” a Hand-Raise style matching engine connecting groups and local communities, to launch in Nagano in April 2025 

PerkUP Inc., which operates co-workation.com, a one-stop booking platform for corporate groups, has completed a 50-million-yen seed round. The funding includes a J-KISS-type convertible equity investment from the Shinshu SS No.2 Fund, jointly established by Nagano Prefecture and regional financial institutions. 

With this round, the company’s total funding has reached 100 million yen since its founding.

Driven by the vision of “Journeys that shape the future,” PerkUP has built platforms that connect corporate groups with local communities. Building upon its experience operating co-workation.com, the company is now developing a new digital solution, MEETSCUL, directly connecting corporate group travelers with local tourism suppliers.

MEETSCUL is a “hand-raise style” matching engine in which local travel suppliers respond to group requests by proactively raising their hands with tailored proposals. This reverses the traditional flow of matchmaking, enabling travelers to discover unexpected destinations and experiences while allowing local suppliers to access new B2B customer segments they have struggled to reach.

The platform also digitises post-match logistics, reducing inefficiencies in traditional analog workflows and minimising risks in communicating important information such as dietary or specific group needs.

The newly raised capital will be used to invest in the following areas:

1. Proof of Concept (PoC) for PMF
   Launching in selected areas of Nagano Prefecture in April 2025

2. Feature Expansion of MEETSCUL:
   Adding payment processing, multilingual support, allergy and dietary considerations, and other customization options

3. Digital Enablement of Local Travel Suppliers:
   Building an easy-to-use support system to allow local suppliers to onboard and manage group bookings smoothly

4. Business Development and Marketing Expansion:
   Scaling partnerships, strengthening internal operations, and growing awareness among domestic and international group travelers

“Having worked in the hospitality sector for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how analog and outdated the group booking process still is. In an age where group travel demands are becoming more diverse—whether for team building, cultural immersion, or dietary needs—the current system doesn’t scale. If we want to unlock regional tourism’s true potential and reduce missed opportunities between hosts and guests. MEETSCUL is our answer. It’s a tool designed to optimize logistics and foster meaningful connections. We aim to co-create a future where every journey begins with a moment of authentic human encounter,” commented Aya Aso, CEO (Co-founder).

“Through my previous work launching an EC platform that promoted regional products, I discovered countless untold stories and experiences across Japan that had never reached the right audience. Every time I visited a rural area and spoke with local people, I encountered treasures not found in any guidebook. Unfortunately, many of these experiences remain uncovered due to ineffective discovery tools. That’s why we’re building MEETSCUL — to use the power of technology to bring those hidden gems directly to the travelers who will appreciate them most,” said Haruhisa Saito, COO (Co-founder).

PerkUP is also strengthening its operational structure in line with this funding round. With a team of 15 professionals active in six cities across Japan, the company invests in talent across product development, customer success, and local engagement.

A newly formed Local Partner Relations Team will work with travel suppliers to ensure long-term collaboration and support their digital transformation journey. In addition, the product development team — composed of PMs and engineers familiar with tourism industry workflows — is building a feedback-responsive development cycle to ensure that MEETSCUL continues to evolve with its users.