A Conversation with Tomu CEO, Chris Osaka, on the Company’s Origins and What’s Next

At Tomu, we’re building more than just modular hospitality units—we’re creating a new way for people to experience travel. Recently, Chris Osaka, CEO of Tomu, sat down to answer some of the most common questions about the company, its origins, and where we’re headed next.

Watch the full interview here.

What Does Tomu Mean?

One of the first questions Chris was asked was about the meaning behind the name Tomu.

“Tomu is not an acronym. Tomu is just the word Tomu. It also kind of translates in Japanese to the word ‘abundance,’ but frankly, it’s just my grandfather’s name. My grandfather lived to be 101 and worked his ass off every single day. He was a tank—so hardworking, so detail-oriented—and I just thought he represented so much of what I admire. That’s how we landed on the name.”

Chris’s grandfather’s legacy of resilience and determination is reflected in Tomu’s approach to innovation and quality.

Why Start Tomu During COVID?

Another big question: Why launch a hospitality company at the height of the pandemic?

“Probably the worst time to start a company, right? Just a glutton for punishment, especially in travel and hospitality. But that was my background—hospitality and retail before that. And while COVID was challenging, it was also an exciting time because so much was changing so quickly. We had to parse through what was just a trend versus what were actual broader shifts in how people wanted to travel.”

Chris explained that COVID gave Tomu the buffer space to ideate, design, and engineer everything so that when travel demand picked back up, Tomu was ready.

Why Build Tomu on the East Coast?

Chris is originally from Portland, so why choose the East Coast for such an innovative project?

“I don’t want to say the East Coast is behind the West Coast, but the West Coast does have more of a pioneering spirit. We embrace new ideas quickly, we implement things fast. The East Coast, on the other hand, presented a blank canvas. What we do wasn’t common here yet, so it was a great opportunity to introduce something new.”

Another factor? The hospitality industry is centered around the Washington, DC area, where major players like Hilton, Marriott, and Choice Hotels are headquartered. Being near decision-makers and industry leaders was a strategic advantage for Tomu.

What Does "Modular" Really Mean?

For many on the East Coast, modular is still associated with trailer parks or low-cost housing. But modular construction has evolved.

“Technically speaking, there are two different ways of building in our world of prefab—there’s modular and kind of what we consider non-permanent park models. I think perceptively, there are actually three different things we’re almost dealing with:

Prefab / modular 1.0—older prefab and manufactured housing.Non-permanent structures—glamping, tiny homes, Airstreams.The kind of modular Tomu does—modern prefab that is assembled on-site but built to the same high standards as permanent hospitality structures.”

Tomu is part of a new wave of high-end modular construction that is changing how people think about prefabrication.

Where Does Tomu Fit in Hospitality?

Chris broke down where Tomu sits in the hospitality landscape:

“You’ve got the large-scale modular builders doing economy hotels—Courtyard by Marriott, Motel 6, three to six stories. On the other end, you have the non-permanent structures—glamping, tiny homes, brands like Autocamp and Getaway. But what’s exciting is that the middle is starting to fill in. People want boutique experiences that still feel like a hotel. That’s where we fit in.”

Tomu offers permanent, boutique hospitality spaces—designed for immersive guest experiences while still being scalable and efficient.

Challenges of Remote Hospitality Development

One of the biggest hurdles in hospitality construction? Building in remote locations.

“Once you get outside of a city, it’s harder to get trades, harder to get any sort of consistency or visibility into the timelines and costing.”

Tomu’s modular approach makes remote hospitality development more viable by reducing on-site labor needs and streamlining construction timelines.

Advice for First-Time Hospitality Developers

One of the most exciting things about Tomu is the sheer variety of people who reach out with ideas for new hospitality projects.

“The most exciting thing I encounter on a daily basis is hearing from people all over the country—and the world—who have unique ideas for hospitality projects. No two concepts are identical. Some are wellness-focused with spas, some are centered around agro-tourism, others are high-end retreats. The variety is incredible.”

But taking a concept and turning it into a fully realized development is no small task.

“We get a lot of clients on both ends of the spectrum—experienced hoteliers who have done development before, and then those who have done hospitality but more in the short-term rental space. The key is honing in on your vision. What is it that you can do well?”

Chris pointed out that first-time developers may need to bring in experienced partners to ensure success.

“Some people have land but no capital. Some have capital and a vision but no land. Some have land and capital but no real concept yet. So there’s always a bit of matchmaking to do—helping people connect with the right partners so they don’t have to compromise too much on their end vision.”

What Makes Tomu Different?

With more modular builders entering the market, what sets Tomu apart?

“We designed our whole building system around hospitality. The way you use an apartment or a primary residence is drastically different from how you use a hotel room or a suite. The layouts, the amenities, and the guest experience are all considered in our designs.”

From a technical standpoint, Tomu’s units are built to the highest structural standards, making them financeable, insurable, and permanently affixed to land—unlike many prefab options on the market.

The Future of Tomu

So where is Tomu headed in the next five years?

“We would love to see more Tomu properties out in the wild—whether branded as Tomu or in partnership with other operators and brands.”

With growing demand for design-forward, prefabricated hospitality, Tomu is expanding its reach by collaborating with hoteliers, developers, and emerging hospitality brands looking for faster, more efficient ways to build.

“Our system is designed to be adaptable. We have our Signature Collection, but we also work with commercial partners to customize layouts, amenities, and aesthetics to fit their vision.”

Tomu’s vision extends beyond just building units; it’s about expanding access to modular hospitality solutions and making innovative lodging more widely available.

Why We’re Raising Capital on StartEngine

Tomu is at an exciting stage of growth, and to fuel our continued expansion, we’ve launched a public investment roundon StartEngine, allowing investors to be part of the next phase of modular hospitality.

“We started the company back in 2021 and completed our first capital raise in 2023. That funding allowed us to move from a small prototyping space—where we designed and engineered the original concept—to a full-scale production facility. It also helped us secure pre-orders and build a strong waitlist, primarily from residential buyers.”

Since then, demand has grown, and our focus has expanded to larger commercial hospitality projects.

“Now, we’re seeing increasing interest from developers placing orders for 20+ units at a time. As we take on larger projects, we’re investing in new talent, equipment, and facility enhancements to optimize production and efficiency.”

This investment round provides an opportunity for investors to be part of Tomu’s expansion as we scale up to meet demand in the rapidly growing modular hospitality sector.

Through March 18th, early investors can receive up to 30% bonus shares as part of the offering.

“StartEngine is just the platform—it’s the mechanism that allows the public to buy shares in Tomu, Inc. The offering is open, and people can see all the details on our page. This is a pivotal moment as we expand our capabilities to serve a broader market and capitalize on the momentum in modular hospitality.”

Join Us on the Journey

Tomu is redefining modular hospitality, and this is just the beginning. Whether you’re an investor, a developer, or someone passionate about the future of travel, we’d love for you to be part of our journey.

👉 Learn more about investing in Tomu on StartEngine here.