SmartNews, Inc. is established (originally named Gocro, Inc.)
SmartNews app is launched.
SmartNews wins both the "Google Play Best of 2013" and "App Store Best of 2013 — Best of the Year" awards.
of 2013 — Best of the Year"
2013" App of the Year 2013
SmartNews International Inc., our U.S. subsidiary, is established.
The US version SmartNews is officially launched.
"SmartNews Ads" advertising business is launched.
The "Coupon Channel" is launched to deliver daily discount opportunities to users.
"SmartNews Media Research Institute," our dedicated think tank exploring the future of news and media landscape, is launched.
A new subsidiary, "SlowNews, Inc.," is launched to support investigative journalism.
Co-founders Kaisei Hamamoto and Ken Suzuki are selected for the top position in Forbes JAPAN's 2020 "Japan's Entrepreneur Ranking."
"Japan's Entrepreneur Ranking 2020"
"Rain Cloud Radar" is introduced, further enhancing our platform.
SmartNews wins the "Google Play Best of 2020" award.
2020" Best App 2020, Grand
Prize for Best Everyday
Essentials App
SmartNews wins the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Global Award) at the Japan Startup Awards 2022.
of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
(Global Award) Winner.
SmartNews achieves its highest honor to date, winning the Prime Minister's Award (Japan Startup Award), at the 2023 "Japan Startup Awards."
Prime Minister's Award Winner
SmartNews forms an alliance with NTT Docomo to collaborate on news app offerings and advertising initiatives.
"SmartNews＋," our subscription service offering curated content from premium media partners, is launched.
"SmartNews for docomo," a version of the app optimized for Docomo's Android devices, is launched.
