GATES Inc. announced the appointment Yoshiaki Nagai as the head of GATES FUNDING real estate investment crowdfunding service, to enhance the organizational framework and drive continued growth of the platform and service.

■GATES FUNDING Overview

Launched in July 2021, GATES FUNDING is a real estate investment crowdfunding platform and service that enables users to complete everything from membership registration to contract conclusion online.

GATES Inc. is currently developing new business strategies to drive further growth across the platform and its capabilities. As part of this initiative, Yoshiaki Nagai was appointed as an executive officer in July 2024. During the development of our strategy, we identified the real estate crowdfunding market as a key area of focus due to its continued annual growth and significant potential for expansion.

To elevate GATES FUNDING to the next stage, we have appointed Yoshiaki Nagai as the new head of the business. Under his leadership, GATES Inc. aims to accelerate its business expansion by proactively engaging in new projects that were previously challenging to undertake, while also offering investors more compelling investment opportunities.

■GATES FUNDING Future Outlook

Under the new business structure, we will expand the types of assets managed, moving beyond previous limitation to better meet the diverse needs of investors.

By welcoming Mr. Yoshiaki Nagai to GATES FUNDING, we will actively pursue high-end residential projects and other real estate projects that were previously difficult to undertake. This strategic shift will allow us to offer investors greater returns through projects with high profit potential.

We remain committed to innovating our real estate crowdfunding service, continuously striving to deliver an attractive and highly reliable service for investors. Additionally, GATES FUNDING will pursue further growth by introducing new asset classes, undergoing rebranding, and renewing its platform.

■Yoshiaki Nagai Background

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After graduating from Waseda University with a master’s degree in economics, Yoshiaki Nagai began his career at Lehman Brothers.

He later joined the venture capital firm HTC Inc. where he focused on developing new investment opportunities. After his tenure at HTC Inc., he founded his own consulting firm. In 2003, he formed a strong connection with the executives of his client, Idea R Project Co., and was later appointed to the board of directors. During his tenure, he played a key role in preparing the company for listing and restructuring its management.

In 2019, he was appointed as the CEO of R Investment and Design Inc., successfully revitalizing the rental brokerage division and establishing a stable revenue foundation. In July 2024, he was appointed as an executive officer of GATES Inc.

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Yoshiaki Nagai, Head of GATES FUNDING stated:“I am pleased to be appointed as the new head of GATES FUNDING. Financial institutions are indispensable to the real estate business and real estate investment. As such, the success or failure of real estate businesses and investment is heavily influenced by the lending policies of financial institutions. To succeed in real estate, the key is to‘buy when prices are low and sell when they are high.’However, financial institutions often take the opposite approach, hesitating to lend when prices are low and readily lending when prices are high. I believe that the innovative approach of real estate crowdfudning platform will fundamentally transform the landscape of real estate investment. This new model enables investors and business operators to collaborate more effectively, maximizing business and investment returns independent of traditional lending practices.”

“In addition, a system that allows individual investors to directly evaluate and invest in projects will significantly contribute to regional revitalization and sustainable urban development. Going forward, GATES FUNDING will actively pursue a diverse range of projects, steadily increasing the volume of funds raised, and creating value in real estate investment that could not be achieved through traditional financial institution lending.”