Lean Mobility Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi, Japan; CEO: Akihiro Yanaka) announced that it has completed JPY 450 million in Pre-A round funding to strengthen the production and sales infrastructure for its urban micro electric vehicle, Lean3. The round was led by Tech Sphere Investments, with participation from Japanese and Taiwanese companies.
Headquarters Established in Japan
In June 2025, Lean Mobility officially established its headquarters in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. The Japanese headquarters will serve as the central hub for global strategy, accelerating capital raising and international expansion through partnerships with financial institutions and strategic partners. The Taiwan subsidiary will leverage local supply chain advantages for production, while the R&D center in Toyota City will focus on product and technology development, forming a three-base operational system.
About Lean Mobility
Founded in 2022 by former Toyota Chief Engineer Akihiro Yanaka, Lean Mobility is a Japan-Taiwan collaborative startup. Addressing the current “over-equipment” situation, where vehicles designed for 4–8 passengers carry an average of only 1.3 people, the company operates under the philosophy “Drive Lean, Live Life”, believing that efficient, zero-waste mobility can enrich everyday life. Lean Mobility is committed to optimizing urban transportation and promoting low-carbon mobility solutions.
Pre-A Round Funding Overview
The total amount raised in this Pre-A round is JPY 450 million, which will be primarily allocated to:
• Accelerating the 2026 production plan
• Strengthening sales and service systems
• Expanding R&D and talent acquisition
Ryan Yang, Chairman of Tech Sphere Investments, stated:
“Lean Mobility possesses unique dynamic control technology. We expect it to become a core player in next-generation MaaS and Robotaxi services.”
About Lean3
Lean3 features a front dual-wheel steering and rear single-wheel drive three-wheel configuration, measuring just 2,470 mm long × 970 mm wide, making it one of the smallest urban EVs. Its proprietary Active Lean System automatically adjusts the vehicle’s tilt on corners or uneven roads, ensuring stability. With a 100 km range and standard air conditioning, Lean3 significantly improves on conventional micro EVs.
Current Progress and Market Plans
Since August 2025, Lean Mobility has launched corporate pre-orders in Taiwan, exceeding 500 units on the first day, demonstrating strong market demand.
For individual consumers, surveys of over 2,000 respondents show high demand for short-distance mobility, including commuting, family use, and senior mobility, highlighting diverse potential use cases.
Future Plans- Starting in August 2026, deliveries in Japan and Taiwan will begin concurrently, followed by entry into key European markets the following year.
Growth Strategy
Lean Mobility’s growth strategy centers on collecting driving data from vehicles into the integrated management platform, LeanX, which supports dynamic pricing, preventive maintenance, and OTA updates, creating a circular business model.
This approach goes beyond traditional vehicle sales, evolving into a Car Lifetime Value (CLV) model centered on usage-based value creation, with a long-term vision encompassing urban Mobility as a Service (MaaS), enabling autonomous driving and future robotaxi operations.
Investor Commentary
Ryan Yang, Chairman of Tech Sphere Investments and Silicon Valley entrepreneur, stated:
“Lean Mobility and Mr. Yanaka leverage nearly 20 years of technical expertise and core patents, establishing a leading advantage in software algorithms and dynamic control. Its highly optimized suspension geometry, actuators with high-precision HarmonicDrive® reducers, and gyro sensors are unmatched. Lean3 is not just an urban mobility vehicle; it is a core platform for future MaaS and Robotaxi services. For investors, this represents a rare opportunity to participate in next-generation mobility innovation and global market growth. We are excited to help Lean Mobility accelerate its commercialization and look forward to positive news from Europe next year.”
CEO Commentary
Akihiro Yanaka, Founder and CEO of Lean Mobility, stated:
“Through Lean3, we aim to provide entirely new mobility options for cities. It’s not just about making the vehicle smaller; our proprietary Active Lean Technology ensures small vehicles deliver a comfortable, stable, and exhilarating experience. By leveraging data, we will expand new mobility services and drive urban transportation toward greater efficiency and sustainability.”
Learn more about Lean3