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Bashow Aims for In-Vehicle App for the SDV Era, Begins Verification Test to Expand Topic Volume Using NTT Townpage's Extensive Database ― Utilizing Over 8 Million Pieces of Information to Enhance the Value of the Moving Experience ―

Bashow Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masashi Hodotsuka), which aims to develop an in-vehicle app for the **SDV** (Software Defined Vehicle) era, announced on November 19 the start of a verification test focused on improving service quality by utilizing the **'i-Townpage Database'** from NTT Townpage Co., Ltd., which holds one of the largest databases of business information in Japan.

The goal of this verification test is to improve the service quality of the smartphone app **"Bashow,"** which guides people on the move (e.g., in a car) with short audio snippets about nearby topics, and to accelerate the construction of the foundational system for the in-vehicle app market, a medium-to-long-term goal.

■ Content Expansion through Cross-Industry Collaboration

As the automotive and mobility industries transition to **SDV**, it is becoming crucial for automakers to collaborate across different industries to enhance the added value of vehicles.

This verification test will utilize the abundant data of approximately **8 million records** in the **'i-Townpage Database'** to generate local topics. Topics refer to information about shops and local areas, such as, "The XX shop there is popular for XX," or "The XX shrine nearby has a history of..."

■ Verifying Evolution into the SDV Era through the Test

Bashow will guide app users with audio announcements of the created local topics to verify the improvement of its service quality.

The company states that it will investigate the potential for evolution into an in-vehicle app in the **infotainment** (information and entertainment) sector during the SDV era. The Bashow app is currently operating as a smartphone app primarily in the central Tokyo area and aims to become an in-vehicle app in the near future.

■ ICT Startup League
This support program started in 2023, following the "Startup Creation Type Embryonic R\&D Support Project" by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
① R\&D Costs / Hands-on Support
A subsidy of up to **20 million yen** is provided for R\&D costs. For hands-on support, the Selection and Evaluation Committee members who participated in selecting the league members continue to support and promote their growth even after the selection process. For companies that the Committee members evaluated as those they "absolutely want to adopt," the Committee members themselves provide continuous support—such as advice on the business plan and provision of growth opportunities—a support system akin to a "personal fan club" or **"Oshi-katsu"** (supporting a favorite).
② Discovery and Incubation
The League provides learning and networking opportunities that accelerate the business growth of its members. It also seeks to discover people who aim to start a business, thereby expanding the base.
③ Competition & Co-creation
It serves as a positive competitive arena, much like a sports league, where startups learn together and engage in friendly rivalry to secure the necessary funding (**up to 20 million yen**). It also offers opportunities for **co-creation**, where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through various events, including sessions with the Selection and Evaluation Committee members.
④ Dissemination
The League shares the initiatives of its members in collaboration with the media! By making their businesses known to a wider audience, the League aims to expand the field for new matchmaking and opportunities.

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Bashow Aims for In-Vehicle App for the SDV Era, Begins Verification Test to Expand Topic Volume Using NTT Townpage's Extensive Database ― Utilizing Over 8 Million Pieces of Information to Enhance the Value of the Moving Experience ―

■ Content Expansion through Cross-Industry Collaboration

■ Verifying Evolution into the SDV Era through the Test

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