# Steve Satoru Naito

> Steve Satoru Naito is the Co-founder and CEO of Anyplace, the San Francisco-based platform redefining long-term rentals for remote workers and digital nomads. Armed with a one-way ticket from Tokyo and $5,000, he arrived in Silicon Valley in 2015 speaking minimal English, turned a failed first startup into a learning opportunity, and built Anyplace into a $35M+ funded company offering fully-equipped, work-ready furnished apartments across major US cities and Tokyo. Named to Forbes Japan's 30 Under 30 in 2018, Naito is on a mission to give professionals the freedom to live and work anywhere without sacrificing productivity.

- **Role:** Co-founder & CEO at Anyplace
- **Organizations:** Anyplace, InstaBed, TechCrunch Japan, East Ventures, Tonchidot Corporation, LAUNCH Accelerator
- **From:** Japan
- **Nationality:** Japanese
- **Education:** Bachelor of Economics, Rikkyo University
- **Known for:** Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 (2018), Built Anyplace to $35M+ total funding from zero, Secured investment from Jason Calacanis (early Uber investor) via three-sentence email

## Career timeline

- **2009-2014** — Studied economics at Rikkyo University in Tokyo; inspired to pursue Silicon Valley entrepreneurship after watching 'The Social Network'
- **2014-2015** — Worked as tech reporter for TechCrunch Japan; also had stints at East Ventures and Tonchidot Corporation
- **2015** — Moved to San Francisco with $5,000, minimal English, and no local network; spent a year interviewing 100+ tech leaders and documenting them on a blog
- **2015-2017** — Founded InstaBed, a last-minute vacation rental deals platform; raised $320K from Japanese investors but shut down after two years due to supply-side challenges
- **2017** — Co-founded Anyplace with Kouichi Tanaka; secured seed investment after pitching Jason Calacanis with a three-sentence email; accepted into LAUNCH Accelerator
- **2018** — Selected for Forbes Japan's '30 Under 30'
- **2022** — Raised $5.3M Series A led by GA Technologies; launched Anyplace Select premium product in SF, NYC, LA, and San Diego; hit $1M run rate within 7 months
- **2023** — Raised $10.27M Series B (LAUNCH Fund led); valuation nearly doubled; expanded to 100+ units across four US cities with 80-85% annual occupancy
- **2025-2026** — Expanded Anyplace internationally, launching first Tokyo location at Ebisu Garden Place in partnership with Sapporo Real Estate Development

## Achievements

- Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 (2018)
- Built Anyplace to $35M+ total funding from zero
- Secured investment from Jason Calacanis (early Uber investor) via three-sentence email
- Grew Anyplace to 530 employees and operations in major US cities plus Tokyo
- Acquired premium domain Anyplace.com for $25,000
- Achieved 80-85% annual occupancy rate across 100+ managed units
- Hit $1M run rate within 7 months of launching Anyplace Select
- Led first international expansion to Tokyo (2026)
- Raised $5.3M Series A (2022) and $10.27M Series B (2023)
- Featured in TechCrunch, Japan Times, and major startup media

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Launched Anyplace's first Tokyo location at Ebisu Garden Place in partnership with Sapporo Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
- **2025-06** — Secured additional funding round of $4.5M, bringing total funding to over $35M
- **2023-10** — Closed $10.27M Series B round led by LAUNCH Fund; valuation nearly doubled since Series A
- **2023-10** — Featured in TechCrunch covering digital nomad housing market expansion
- **2022-01** — Raised $5.3M Series A; launched Anyplace Select premium product line across four US cities

## Links

- Website: https://anyplace.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-satoru-naito-19723932
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/satoruitter
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satorunaito/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anyplacecom/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-naito
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-22