![](https://i0.wp.com/thebridge.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/uspace-nokisaki-team.jpg?resize=620%2C390&ssl=1)
Image credit: Masaru Ikeda
Taiwanese shared parking service startup USPACE and Japanese peer Nokisaki held a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday, where both companies announced the Taiwanese startup had agreed to acquire a full stake of the Japanese startup. Financial terms have not been disclosed. Nokisaki will retain its brand even after the acquisition.
In October of 2022, USPACE secured 260 million New Taiwan dollars (about $8.2 million US) in a Series A round led by mobile giant Taiwan Mobile, with the aim of expanding into the Japanese market. The latest acquisition will give the Taiwanese startup a foothold in the space-sharing business in Japan, encouraging continuing its aggressive regional expansion.
![](https://i0.wp.com/thebridge.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/uspace_screenshots.jpg?resize=620%2C390&ssl=1)
Founded in April of 2008, Nokisaki has been in the space-sharing business since April of 2009, focused on offering idle spaces from individuals and companies to others in need. The company has 33,000 parking spaces for cars and 690,000 members. So far, it has received an unknown sum of investments from TKP (TSE: 4379), Apaman (TSE: 8889), Gaiax, Nippon Parking Development (TSE: 2353), and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital.
Song says,
This is not just a partnership between two companies, but an important contribution to technological and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan. For the Japanese market, we will work with Nokisaki to build the largest smart parking service platform in Japan. […]
Like marriage, both companies will face many challenges and may have differences of opinion. However, I believe that if we work toward the same goal, we will surely become the strongest company in Japan.
![](https://i0.wp.com/thebridge.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/nokisaki-parking_screenshot.jpg?resize=620%2C390&ssl=1)
Image credit: Nokisaki
Song said USPACE will build a complete, cross-border transportation platform. This will include a wide range of services associated with mobility, such as airport pick-up and drop-off services, car washes, and more. After the acquisition, Nishiura will continue to serve as CEO of Nokisaki.
In addition to the parking-sharing platform, USPACE provides parking services at famous commercial buildings and hotels such as Hongtai World Building, Exchange Square Xinyi, Illume Taipei (formerly known as Sunworld Dynasty Hotel). The company also offers UDRIVE, a Tesla car rental service in Taiwan.
![](https://i0.wp.com/thebridge.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/uspace-nokisaki-partnership-allen-song-akiko-nishiura.jpg?resize=620%2C390&ssl=1)
Image credit: Masaru Ikeda