AmidA Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka and owner of "Hankoya.com," the leading Internet-based manufacturer and retailer of Japanese name stamps, announces its decision to invest in and form a business partnership with Plango, Inc., a start-up in San Jose, California, that has developed a free crowdsourcing platform for travel plans that fit every mood and style.

Objective of Business Partnership:

Plango was founded by three Silicon Valley women, each specialized in user experience design, system development and web-based marketing. The founding team is building a cloud-based system that significantly reduces the time and effort needed for travel planning, from choosing a location to making a reservation. The platform allows travelers to browse emotionally oriented itineraries shared by other travelers. It turns vague travel plans into ideal travel destinations and actions, as long as a person feels like going on a trip.

Having been focused on e-commerce as its business pillar, AmidA is committed to developing a second pillar in the inbound travel business and will build on this new partnership to strengthen its service in dispersing information to foreign travelers, especially those visiting Kyoto from overseas.

Corporate Profiles:

AmidA Co., Ltd.

Representative Director: Masaru Fujita

Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Establishment: March 9, 2000

Line of business: Internet-based businesses, e-commerce, digital marketing

Website: http://www.amida.co.jp/

Plango, Inc.

CEO: Jessi Chow Headquarters: San Jose, California, U.S.

Line of business: Internet-based travel services

Website: http://www.plango.us/