Swivel

Swivel Inc., founded in January 2021 by Hitoshi Oshiro, is a technology startup headquartered in Itoman, Okinawa, dedicated to the digital transformation of the recreational fishing industry. The company's mission is to create the world's leading fishing brand by providing specialized digital tools for both anglers and fishing boat operators.

Swivel offers a suite of integrated services designed to streamline operations and enhance the fishing experience. For boat captains and owners, the company provides "BOAT FINDER FOR CAPTAIN," a comprehensive application for managing customer attraction, reservations, and even website creation and updates. This includes the "Digital Captain's Logbook" (デジタル船長手帳), a reservation management system that functions as an advanced version of Google Calendar, enabling 24/7 online bookings and payments, thereby reducing the need for captains to handle phone calls while at sea. To comply with legal requirements, Swivel also developed the "Tsurimaru Safety Check" app, which simplifies the process of recording and storing mandatory pre-departure checks, crew status, and operational logs.

For the public, Swivel operates "BOAT FINDER," a free-to-use database and booking platform for finding and reviewing recreational fishing boats across Japan. The platform allows users to find available boats that match specific criteria, from family-friendly charters to vessels for experienced anglers. The company has also acquired the trademark for "Tsurimaru," a well-known fishing magazine, and plans to leverage its brand recognition to create new digital content and expand its media presence.

The company's business model is centered on its SaaS offerings for boat owners and its booking platform. Swivel has secured funding from investors including Jin Uehara, founder of Mynet Inc., and Tomoya Nakano, CEO of i-plug Inc., as well as financing from Ryukyu Bank and the Okinawa Development Finance Corporation, to enhance its existing platforms and develop new services.

Keywords: recreational fishing, fishing boat booking, marine technology, SaaS, reservation management system, digital logbook, angler services, boat charter database, online payment, Japanese fishing industry, BOAT FINDER, Digital Captain's Logbook, Hitoshi Oshiro, Okinawa startup, Tsurimaru, fishing media, marine leisure