Lean Mobility Raises JPY 800 Million in Pre-A Extension Round.
2026年06月22日
Accelerating the Commercial Launch of Urban EV “Lean3” and Expanding into Autonomous Driving and MaaS Mobility Services
Built upon its proprietary vehicle dynamics control technology and the LeanX mobility data platform, Lean Mobility is developing a “Mobility Lifetime Value” business model designed to generate value beyond one-time vehicle sales. The round was led by a new investment from Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), a public-private fund under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, with follow-on investment from lead investor Tech Sphere Investments (TSI).
Lean Mobility Japan Inc. today announced the completion of its Pre-A Extension Financing Round. The company received a new investment from Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), a public-private investment fund under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, along with follow-on participation from existing lead investor Tech Sphere Investments (TSI). Total capital raised to date has reached JPY 800 million.
The proceeds will be used to establish mass-production capabilities for Lean3, the company’s urban micro electric vehicle (EV), and to accelerate business expansion in global markets.
Lean3 is a purpose-built urban EV measuring 2,470 mm in length and 970 mm in width—approximately one-third the size of a conventional passenger car. Equipped with air conditioning as standard and Lean Mobility’s proprietary body-leaning vehicle control technology, Lean3 delivers both stability and driving enjoyment. The vehicle is currently available for pre-order in Taiwan, and the production version made its public debut at the Autobacs booth during Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.
Lean Mobility stated that its advanced vehicle dynamics and body-control technology will, over the medium to long term, provide an ideal platform for autonomous driving applications. Combined with “LeanX,” the company’s mobility data platform, Lean Mobility aims to develop next-generation mobility services that extend far beyond traditional vehicle sales.
This financing represents an extension of the Pre-A round first announced in October 2025. With JICN’s new investment and TSI’s follow-on participation, cumulative funding has now reached JPY 800 million.
The proceeds will be used to establish mass-production capabilities for Lean3, the company’s urban micro electric vehicle (EV), and to accelerate business expansion in global markets.
Lean3 is a purpose-built urban EV measuring 2,470 mm in length and 970 mm in width—approximately one-third the size of a conventional passenger car. Equipped with air conditioning as standard and Lean Mobility’s proprietary body-leaning vehicle control technology, Lean3 delivers both stability and driving enjoyment. The vehicle is currently available for pre-order in Taiwan, and the production version made its public debut at the Autobacs booth during Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.
Lean Mobility stated that its advanced vehicle dynamics and body-control technology will, over the medium to long term, provide an ideal platform for autonomous driving applications. Combined with “LeanX,” the company’s mobility data platform, Lean Mobility aims to develop next-generation mobility services that extend far beyond traditional vehicle sales.
This financing represents an extension of the Pre-A round first announced in October 2025. With JICN’s new investment and TSI’s follow-on participation, cumulative funding has now reached JPY 800 million.
Recognition from Japan’s Official Green Investment Fund
Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN) is a public-private investment fund overseen by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, with approximately JPY 65 billion in capital dedicated to supporting decarbonization and carbon-neutral initiatives.
Lean Mobility’s business model has been recognized for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the deployment of Lean3, improve transportation efficiency across industries, and optimize the utilization of urban parking infrastructure.
As a fully electric vehicle, Lean3 produces zero tailpipe emissions. Compared with conventional internal-combustion vehicles, it significantly reduces transportation-related carbon emissions. For short-distance and last-mile mobility needs, Lean3 provides a practical and cost-efficient electric mobility solution tailored to real-world usage scenarios.
Lean Mobility’s business model has been recognized for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the deployment of Lean3, improve transportation efficiency across industries, and optimize the utilization of urban parking infrastructure.
As a fully electric vehicle, Lean3 produces zero tailpipe emissions. Compared with conventional internal-combustion vehicles, it significantly reduces transportation-related carbon emissions. For short-distance and last-mile mobility needs, Lean3 provides a practical and cost-efficient electric mobility solution tailored to real-world usage scenarios.
Use of Proceeds
• Accelerate mass-production readiness, including the establishment of a production line in Tainan, Taiwan
• Strengthen sales and after-sales service networks in Japan and Taiwan
• Expand into new markets
• Accelerate R&D initiatives and talent acquisition
• Strengthen sales and after-sales service networks in Japan and Taiwan
• Expand into new markets
• Accelerate R&D initiatives and talent acquisition
Commentary
Akihiro Yanaka, Founder and CEO, Lean Mobility
“We are honored to receive support from JICN, a public-private fund under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, as well as investors led by TSI. We believe this investment validates our vision of creating a better quality of life through efficient mobility solutions designed around real-world needs. We will continue advancing our mass-production capabilities, accelerating the commercial launch of Lean3, and investing in future autonomous-driving technologies and the LeanX mobility data platform.”
Ryan Yang, Chairman, Tech Sphere Investments
“Lean Mobility and Mr. Yanaka have accumulated nearly two decades of technical expertise and core intellectual property in vehicle attitude and dynamic control systems. Lean3 is not only an urban mobility vehicle but also a future platform for MaaS and robotaxi applications. We are pleased to invest alongside JICN and support Lean Mobility’s mass-production and market expansion efforts.”
Yoshinori Ueda, Executive Managing Director & CIO, JICN
“Lean3 has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation while leveraging the strengths of Japan’s manufacturing industry to create new industrial opportunities. We look forward to supporting Lean Mobility’s continued advancement in vehicle control technologies and future autonomous-driving applications, contributing to decarbonization and sustainable urban transportation.”
“We are honored to receive support from JICN, a public-private fund under Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, as well as investors led by TSI. We believe this investment validates our vision of creating a better quality of life through efficient mobility solutions designed around real-world needs. We will continue advancing our mass-production capabilities, accelerating the commercial launch of Lean3, and investing in future autonomous-driving technologies and the LeanX mobility data platform.”
Ryan Yang, Chairman, Tech Sphere Investments
“Lean Mobility and Mr. Yanaka have accumulated nearly two decades of technical expertise and core intellectual property in vehicle attitude and dynamic control systems. Lean3 is not only an urban mobility vehicle but also a future platform for MaaS and robotaxi applications. We are pleased to invest alongside JICN and support Lean Mobility’s mass-production and market expansion efforts.”
Yoshinori Ueda, Executive Managing Director & CIO, JICN
“Lean3 has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation while leveraging the strengths of Japan’s manufacturing industry to create new industrial opportunities. We look forward to supporting Lean Mobility’s continued advancement in vehicle control technologies and future autonomous-driving applications, contributing to decarbonization and sustainable urban transportation.”
About Lean3
Lean3 is an urban micro EV developed by Akihiro Yanaka, who previously led the development of Toyota’s i-ROAD and C+pod programs.
The vehicle features a dual-front-wheel steering and single-rear-wheel drive architecture, combined with the proprietary Active Lean System that maintains optimal vehicle posture through corners and uneven road surfaces.
The vehicle has a top speed of 80 km/h and a driving range of approximately 100 kilometers under the WLTC testing cycle. It comes standard with air conditioning and can be charged using a standard household power outlet. Under Japanese regulations, Lean3 is classified as a minicar and can be driven with a standard automobile driver’s license without requiring periodic vehicle inspections. Regulatory classification and operational requirements in Taiwan remain subject to future announcements by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
The company is currently establishing its mass-production facility in Tainan while preparing for commercialization in Japan. Vehicle operation data will be integrated into the LeanX platform, enabling future services such as charging solutions, OTA software updates, parking-sharing services, and used-vehicle transactions.
The vehicle features a dual-front-wheel steering and single-rear-wheel drive architecture, combined with the proprietary Active Lean System that maintains optimal vehicle posture through corners and uneven road surfaces.
The vehicle has a top speed of 80 km/h and a driving range of approximately 100 kilometers under the WLTC testing cycle. It comes standard with air conditioning and can be charged using a standard household power outlet. Under Japanese regulations, Lean3 is classified as a minicar and can be driven with a standard automobile driver’s license without requiring periodic vehicle inspections. Regulatory classification and operational requirements in Taiwan remain subject to future announcements by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
The company is currently establishing its mass-production facility in Tainan while preparing for commercialization in Japan. Vehicle operation data will be integrated into the LeanX platform, enabling future services such as charging solutions, OTA software updates, parking-sharing services, and used-vehicle transactions.
Future Growth Strategy
Lean Mobility’s core competitive advantage lies in its software-defined vehicle posture control technology, which the company believes will become a key enabling technology for future autonomous vehicles. Over time, Lean3 will evolve into an intelligent mobility platform optimized for autonomous-driving applications.
The company is also developing LeanX, a mobility data platform designed to leverage vehicle operation data to enhance user experiences, optimize pricing models, enable OTA feature upgrades, and increase vehicle lifetime value. Through this strategy, Lean Mobility aims to establish a “Mobility Lifetime Value” business model and expand into future MaaS and robotaxi markets.
The company is also developing LeanX, a mobility data platform designed to leverage vehicle operation data to enhance user experiences, optimize pricing models, enable OTA feature upgrades, and increase vehicle lifetime value. Through this strategy, Lean Mobility aims to establish a “Mobility Lifetime Value” business model and expand into future MaaS and robotaxi markets.
