Grumet AI app Bitee raises ¥24M pre-seed to test Shibuya "thank you" economy
What's the deal? Tokyo-based Bitee has raised 24 million JPY (about $148,080) in a pre-seed round to develop Bitee, an AI restaurant recommendation app. The round was led by Grand Marche and LAF Entertainment, alongside several angel investors, via a third-party share allotment.
What's the endgame? Bitee aims to solve two problems at once: diners overwhelmed by choice and restaurants squeezed by fees. Instead of stars or rankings, its AI learns a user's mood, a venue's atmosphere, and service preferences to suggest a match. The atmosphere-based recommendation feature is patent pending.
How it works: After a meal, users "twist" the app to send an "yell" — a gesture inspired by Japan's ohineri tipping custom — as thanks to a restaurant and its staff. Restaurants that receive one remember the customer, which the company says drives better service and repeat visits. Adoption is free for restaurants, with no charge for listing.
Why now? Restaurant bankruptcies in Japan hit a record 894 in 2024, according to Teikoku DatabankDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, as fixed costs and paid booking and review services eat into margins. Bitee's own survey of 113 people found 94% had struggled to choose where to eat, citing too much information (52.6%) and untrustworthy reviews (47.4%).
What's the money for? Funds are split across PoC system development (35%), verification and UX research (25%), staffing and team building (20%), requirements and planning (15%), and patents (5%).
The company plans a proof-of-concept trial in Tokyo's Shibuya district from late July 2026, testing twist rates, average spend, and repeat-visit rates over three months.
"Rather than draining restaurants with fees, Bitee's design turns customer gratitude directly into a shop's strength," said Grand Marche chief executive officer Hiroo Shimizu, explaining its decision to invest.
Founder and chief executive officer Takayoshi Ishigaki, who previously ran restaurant and apparel businesses, framed the app around a philosophy of connecting restaurant effort with customer thanks: "No one is dropped, no one is made to lose."
The signal: Bitee is a small early bet on reshaping how diners choose restaurants — swapping rankings for mood-based matching and fees for a gratitude loop. The Shibuya trial will show whether that "thank you" economy holds up outside the pitch deck.
Read more: PR TIMES
Image credit: shankar s.
