This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology.

Image credit: Fuller
Fuller, a Japanese startup focused on the smartphone apps field which provides user research (pace, Survey Monkey) like App Ape Analytics and other services, has gained a total of 420 million yen in funding. Investors, in addition to Voyage Ventures and Global Catalyst Partners Japan not to mention Sega Games – all based in Tokyo – and Asahi Shimbun headquartered in Osaka (Global Catalyst and Asahi being existing investors), include local government-related entities like those from Ibaraki and Niigata prefectures.
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The currently Chiba-based venture, started in November of 2011 in Tsukuba, had just commenced comprehensive global marketing of its new product called Joren. Now, with added funding Fuller can avail more products abroad under its “Fuller 2.0” push, entailing not only expanding overseas and finding new partners with which to create novel app markets but also revitalizing the regions it is involved in, beginning with Chiba, Ibaraki and the like.

(Earlier this month at Orange Fab Asia in Tokyo) Image credit: “Tex” Pomeroy
Joren (pronounced “Jou-Ren” which refers to friendly and repeat customers in Japan) is a software tool that can create apps with just an input of a website URL input. This item was unveiled Fuller’s booth laden with the Japanese Noren (roughly meaning the flag-like “standard” bearing the establishment’s mark, which is pronounced as is) this spring at SXSW (south by south west) in Texas. Fuller strategically has its eyes on the world including the US but will begin this journey from its “home turf” in Asia.
Shibuya – who was also able to make an impromptu pitch at the Austin event where the firm’s booth was decorated to play up the Chiba background with the staff wearing traditional Japanese festival garbs such as “Happi“… which was found to be an effective approach upon leaving an impression on visitors – stressed the affordability of Fuller offerings.

Image credit: Mobidays