Cluster has developed and operated a VR application “cluster” that allows anyone to hold events such as live music and conferences in a virtual environment. At the same time, thousands of people can be connected, which enables large-scale virtual music live events to be held, providing an enthusiastic experience in the virtual space. With this funding, Cluster, Inc. aims to further expand their business by strengthening product development and marketing.
Elephantech Inc., founded in January 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, focuses on innovating the manufacturing of electronic circuits. The company seeks to revolutionize this field by employing inkjet printing technology, which allows for the precise application of metal only where needed, in contrast to traditional photolithography methods that waste materials and increase costs. This novel approach not only reduces the quantity of materials used but also minimizes the number of manufacturing processes, resulting in a significant cost reduction of up to 80% for prototype production. Elephantech's technology is particularly advantageous for on-demand manufacturing, making it an appealing option for small-batch production without the need for substantial initial investment. With a commitment to enhancing global manufacturing capabilities, Elephantech aims to lead the industry with its advanced techniques for producing printed wiring boards.
PATRA is a marketplace that sells multiple corporate brand products produced by influencers in addition to brands originating in-house. PATRA provides a trend media for women who sends the latest in girl trends, watched by more than one million women in the middle of Instagram.
iCARE Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2011 that specializes in health management systems. It operates a cloud-based platform designed to manage and store health information for employees. iCARE is recognized as the leading health and labor cloud service in Japan, catering to the needs of both small and medium-sized enterprises experiencing workforce challenges, as well as large corporations seeking to expand globally. The company's focus on health consulting and the development of effective health management solutions positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of employee health services.
ASOVIEW Inc. develops and operates an online leisure booking website. The company provides booking services for weekend leisure activities like skydiving and rafting. The company was formerly known as catarizm Co.,Ltd. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.
Rentio Inc. is an online platform based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in the leasing and rental of cameras and home appliances. Founded in 2015, the company offers a subscription-based service that allows customers to access a wide range of products without the need for outright purchases. Users can rent various items, including cameras and strollers, through monthly subscription packages, which also include options for unlimited exchanges. This model enables customers to try products before committing to a purchase, reducing the risk of buying items that may not meet their needs. Rentio aims to provide an affordable and flexible consumption system, making it easier for individuals to access high-quality equipment and appliances.
BitStar Inc. specializes in influencer marketing and support services, catering to a diverse range of industries including travel, gaming, cosmetics, and consumer goods. The company offers a variety of promotional services, including analytics through an in-house developed tool, event management for pop-up stores, and merchandising solutions. Additionally, BitStar provides specialized support services such as VTuber and music production, along with fan club services through its platform called Costa. The company also facilitates media exposure for influencers, including appearances on television and in magazines, while enabling overseas casting opportunities. Founded in 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, BitStar aims to empower individuals, particularly content creators on platforms like YouTube, to showcase their creativity and flourish in a supportive environment.
iCARE Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based company established in 2011 that specializes in health management systems. It operates a cloud-based platform designed to manage and store health information for employees. iCARE is recognized as the leading health and labor cloud service in Japan, catering to the needs of both small and medium-sized enterprises experiencing workforce challenges, as well as large corporations seeking to expand globally. The company's focus on health consulting and the development of effective health management solutions positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of employee health services.
Photosynth Inc., founded on September 1, 2014, is based in Tokyo, Japan, and specializes in developing smart locks for residential properties. In addition to its focus on smart home security, the company offers a suite of tools designed for capturing and viewing environments in three dimensions, enhancing the user experience in spatial visualization. Through its innovative technologies, Photosynth aims to integrate security solutions with advanced imaging capabilities, providing consumers with both safety and immersive interactive experiences.
CAMPFIRE, Inc. is a leading provider of cloud funding platforms in Japan, offering a range of services designed to support diverse projects and initiatives. Its flagship platform, CAMPFIRE, enables users to confidently launch projects, while additional specialized services include GoodMorning for socially beneficial projects, CLOSS for fashion-related ventures, and FAAVO for regional initiatives. The company also operates polka, a crowdfunding application that facilitates fundraising among friends for personal events, and CAMPFIRE Bank, which focuses on financial services and loans. Gojo, another of its offerings, is a community wallet application that allows users to share funds with family and community members. Catering to individuals, creators, corporations, non-profit organizations, universities, and local governments, CAMPFIRE has successfully facilitated approximately 15,000 projects, raising around $70 million from over 700,000 contributors since its inception in 2011 in Tokyo, Japan.
Crowdcredit, Inc. is a cross-border marketplace lending platform that connects investors from financially stable countries with individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in countries facing financial deficits. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company has expanded its operations globally, with subsidiaries in Lima, Peru; Tallinn, Estonia; and Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. Through its crowdfunding platform, Crowdcredit provides debt capital to various entities, including peer-to-peer platforms, balance sheet lenders, microfinance institutions, and development projects. The platform enables Japanese investors to lend to individuals and SMEs in several countries, including Peru, Cameroon, Estonia, Finland, Spain, and Italy. Looking ahead, Crowdcredit aims to broaden its lending operations to include additional Asian markets outside of Japan.
Hosty Inc. is a company based in Fukuoka, Japan, that owns and operates a chain of unmanned hotels under the brand name Mizuka. Founded in 2015, Hosty focuses on providing affordable accommodation for travelers through its share-front compact hotels. The hotels are designed to offer fully equipped rooms and free Wi-Fi, allowing guests to easily secure a low-cost stay without the need for traditional front desk services.
WealthNavi Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2015 that specializes in online asset management and risk management services. Through its cloud-based platform, WealthNavi offers robo-advisory services designed to help users find diversified investment opportunities on an international scale. The platform provides comprehensive asset management solutions, including the automatic construction of optimal portfolios, automatic ordering, reserve management, rebalancing, and tax optimization. By leveraging advanced risk management algorithms, WealthNavi aims to assist users in making informed investment decisions while managing their assets effectively.
Crowdcredit, Inc. is a cross-border marketplace lending platform that connects investors from financially stable countries with individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in countries facing financial deficits. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company has expanded its operations globally, with subsidiaries in Lima, Peru; Tallinn, Estonia; and Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. Through its crowdfunding platform, Crowdcredit provides debt capital to various entities, including peer-to-peer platforms, balance sheet lenders, microfinance institutions, and development projects. The platform enables Japanese investors to lend to individuals and SMEs in several countries, including Peru, Cameroon, Estonia, Finland, Spain, and Italy. Looking ahead, Crowdcredit aims to broaden its lending operations to include additional Asian markets outside of Japan.
Raksul Inc. provides printing services in Japan. It prints newspaper folding products, station stage posters, business cards, cards, business materials, greeting cards, signs/displays, designing on PC online, posts, flyers, posters, tickets, fans, slips, eating/store tools, direct mails, print brochures/catalogs, postcards, files and folders, flags, desktop POPs, novelties/goods, TV commercials, fold brochures, envelopes, seals and stickers, curtains/goodwill products, calendars, and new year's cards. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Wonderplanet Inc. designs and develops native language applications and games for smart phones and tablets. It provides 2D and 3D games for iOS and android. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Nagoya, Japan.
Mercari, Inc. is a leading marketplace application founded in 2013 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company operates in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, providing a platform for individuals to buy and sell new and used items, including electronics, clothing, jewelry, books, and more. The Mercari app simplifies the resale process by allowing users to easily list items by uploading photos and adding details, with integrated features for printing shipping labels and mailing packages. The platform has seen significant user engagement, with over 100 million downloads in Japan and the U.S. and over 22 million monthly active users in Japan alone. Mercari holds a dominant position in the Japanese C2C marketplace, capturing over 70% market share, and its domestic operations account for a substantial majority of its gross merchandise value. By promoting a community-driven approach to buying and selling, Mercari aims to create a more sustainable marketplace.
NBT Partners (엔비티파트너스) is a Korean company that provides mobile and online platform development services. Its product portfolio includes Cache Slides, a slide unlock screen application used to verify information for shopping activities, and Baobab Class, an online platform that provides personalized educational content. NBT Partners was established in 2012 in Seoul, Korea.
Edmodo, Inc. operates an online platform that serves as a global education network, enabling educators to connect and collaborate with students, parents, and fellow teachers. Founded in 2008 and based in San Mateo, California, Edmodo has grown to encompass over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. The platform focuses on enhancing communication and collaboration while protecting the privacy of its users. It offers tools for school leaders to utilize analytics, deliver professional development, and improve learning outcomes through frequent formative assessments. Edmodo allows educators to share resources, post classroom materials, and access important school information, thereby fostering a dynamic learning community. In May 2018, Edmodo became a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited, further expanding its reach and capabilities in the educational sector.
Edmodo, Inc. operates an online platform that serves as a global education network, enabling educators to connect and collaborate with students, parents, and fellow teachers. Founded in 2008 and based in San Mateo, California, Edmodo has grown to encompass over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. The platform focuses on enhancing communication and collaboration while protecting the privacy of its users. It offers tools for school leaders to utilize analytics, deliver professional development, and improve learning outcomes through frequent formative assessments. Edmodo allows educators to share resources, post classroom materials, and access important school information, thereby fostering a dynamic learning community. In May 2018, Edmodo became a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited, further expanding its reach and capabilities in the educational sector.