GMO VenturePartners

GMO Venture Partners is an early and growth stage investment subsidiary of GMO Internet Group, one of the most comprehensive providers of industry-leading Internet services in Japan. The firm has a strong presence in supporting startups from EC, payment, ad-tech and enterprise SAAS sectors in regions such as Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and the US. GMO VenturePartners Inc has invested in over 50 startups in over the past years and eight companies went public.

Ryu Muramatsu

Founding Partner

Kazuyasu Sugiyama

Representative Director

Yuta Yamamoto

Analyst & Overseas Investment

Past deals in Japan

Habitto

Seed Round in 2023
SJ Mobile Labs designs, develops and launches innovative, mobile-first business models in Singapore and Japan.

Molcure

Series C in 2021
MOLCURE, Inc. develops systems and technologies that enable pharmaceutical companies (developing antibody drugs) to identify antibody candidates. It offers Abtracer, an antibody sequence screening system to detect antibodies; and SmartLabModule, an IoT platform for science. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Sorabito

Venture Round in 2021
SORABITO Co., Ltd. operates ALLSTOCKER, an online marketplace for used construction equipment and machinery. It sells excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, rollers, graders, finishers, cranes, forklifts, generators, welders, compressors, attachments, parts, trucks, tractors, other farm machinery, and others. The company also provides IT solutions for construction equipment rental companies. SORABITO Co., Ltd. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Moneytree

Series C in 2021
Moneytree is a fintech data platform, with a mission to bring people and institutions closer together, help them find balance and discover new opportunities to grow personal wealth. Moneytree's first product, a personal finance app for iOS released in 2013, won the App Store’s “Best of” award for iPhone in Japan after only 8 months in market. It went on to win Best of 2014 for iPad, was one of 10 Apple Watch apps featured pre-launch and a featured iMessage app on the launch of iOS 10. Moneytree has over 1,300,000 users on iOS, Android and web. Our proprietary data aggregation platform, Moneytree LINK, has almost twenty enterprise clients, including Japan’s two largest accounting software vendors, an industry first inbound API with Mizuho Bank, an SDK integration SMBC (Mitsui Sumitomo) and multiple regional banks in Japan.

Crowd Credit

Venture Round in 2021
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.

chikaku

Venture Round in 2021
Chikaku Inc. manufactures setup boxes for grandparents to watch their grandkids. Its solution allows watching videos and photos on screen by plugging the device. Chikaku Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Gojo & Company

Series D in 2020
Gojo & Company Inc. is a holding company based in Tokyo, Japan, that operates through its subsidiaries, including Microfinance Delta International and Sejaya Micro Credit, to provide microfinance services. Founded in 2014, the company aims to enhance financial inclusion by focusing on developing countries. Gojo supports the formalization and growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with the long-term objective of delivering high-quality, affordable financial services to over 100 million unserved and underserved individuals across more than 50 countries by 2030. As of now, Gojo has established a presence in Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India, employing over 3,400 individuals and serving more than 570,000 women, many of whom are mothers.

CO-NECT

Venture Round in 2020
CO-NECT Co., Ltd. develops and markets alcoholic drinks ordering application. It also offers order management platform for food and beverage stores. It was previously known as HIDEOUT CLUB, Inc. The company was founded in June 12, 2015 and is based in Shibuya-ku, Japan.

Co-nect

Seed Round in 2020
Co-nect is a Body maintenance is a Body maintenance service platform.

SenSprout

Venture Round in 2020
SenSprout Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in developing and selling agricultural sensors. Founded in 2015, the company’s products are designed to measure soil moisture, surface temperature, and electrical conductivity, providing farmers with critical insights for optimizing irrigation systems. By utilizing printed electronic sensors that employ wireless power feeding techniques and ink-jet printing technology, SenSprout produces cost-effective sensors that can be mass-produced and require minimal maintenance, avoiding the complications associated with battery replacement. These sensors not only enhance irrigation efficiency for large farms and high-value crops but also offer functionalities to predict natural disasters like landslides and cliff collapses. Through its internet service, SenSprout enables the collection and analysis of farming data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and improve their yields while conserving water resources.

NOT A HOTEL

Venture Round in 2020
Not A Hotel Inc. is engage in development and operation of own hotel brand, it also support for direct to consumer conversion of hotels and inns. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Knowledge Merchants Works

Series B in 2020
Knowledge Merchants Works Inc. provides human resources (HR) consulting and solutions to the store service industry in Japan. It offers management training programs for managerial, leadership, and organizational change based on organization theory; and diagnoses employee's day-to-day feelings and store/workplace evaluation, and provides solutions for revitalizing stores and workplaces. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

chikaku

Series B in 2019
Chikaku Inc. manufactures setup boxes for grandparents to watch their grandkids. Its solution allows watching videos and photos on screen by plugging the device. Chikaku Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Agatha

Series B in 2019
Agatha is a provider of strategic software solutions to the health care and life sciences industry. It is dedicated to helping hospitals, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, contract research organizations, and medical device firms optimize the management of their quality and clinical documentation and processes.

CO-NECT

Venture Round in 2019
CO-NECT Co., Ltd. develops and markets alcoholic drinks ordering application. It also offers order management platform for food and beverage stores. It was previously known as HIDEOUT CLUB, Inc. The company was founded in June 12, 2015 and is based in Shibuya-ku, Japan.

Co-nect

Seed Round in 2019
Co-nect is a Body maintenance is a Body maintenance service platform.

Aperza

Series B in 2019
Aperza Inc. is a Japanese company that develops and operates various online platforms for the manufacturing industry, aimed at enhancing information access, transactions, and communication. Established in 2016 and based in Yokohama, Aperza offers a range of services including an industrial portal, catalog download sites, and an e-commerce marketplace. The company also provides curation media and focused publications related to factory automation and IoT. Aperza is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector's evolution by helping companies engage with global markets and fostering startups that embrace new trends like Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. Through its initiatives, Aperza aims to stimulate growth in the manufacturing industry, addressing key barriers that hinder progress.

Balus

Series A in 2019
Balus provides motion capture, Unity systems, and AR live permanent venues. The company provides character content infrastructure using real-time animation, we also support the production of original content. Balus provides the necessary technology for event planning, casting, VR events, recording and creation of production images, real-time motion capture during live events, real-time transmission, event management, and systems that allow users to participate in the production.

Spready

Venture Round in 2018
Spready Inc., founded in May 2018 and based in Japan, focuses on creating innovative internet services that foster connections between individuals and organizations. The company has developed a networking platform designed to facilitate interactions between users and businesses, enabling them to explore new opportunities and solve challenges across various industries. By leveraging technology, Spready's platform helps users discover suitable companies and allows businesses to engage with the right individuals, enhancing networking possibilities in an online social environment.

Molcure

Venture Round in 2018
MOLCURE, Inc. develops systems and technologies that enable pharmaceutical companies (developing antibody drugs) to identify antibody candidates. It offers Abtracer, an antibody sequence screening system to detect antibodies; and SmartLabModule, an IoT platform for science. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

TradFit

Venture Round in 2018
TradFit Co., Ltd. develops and operates voice data platform utilizing cloud artificial intelligence (AI). The company offers Software as a service (SaaS) based voice data platform for hotels and restaurants. The company was founded in August 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

SenSprout

Venture Round in 2018
SenSprout Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in developing and selling agricultural sensors. Founded in 2015, the company’s products are designed to measure soil moisture, surface temperature, and electrical conductivity, providing farmers with critical insights for optimizing irrigation systems. By utilizing printed electronic sensors that employ wireless power feeding techniques and ink-jet printing technology, SenSprout produces cost-effective sensors that can be mass-produced and require minimal maintenance, avoiding the complications associated with battery replacement. These sensors not only enhance irrigation efficiency for large farms and high-value crops but also offer functionalities to predict natural disasters like landslides and cliff collapses. Through its internet service, SenSprout enables the collection and analysis of farming data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and improve their yields while conserving water resources.

Knowledge Merchants Works

Series A in 2018
Knowledge Merchants Works Inc. provides human resources (HR) consulting and solutions to the store service industry in Japan. It offers management training programs for managerial, leadership, and organizational change based on organization theory; and diagnoses employee's day-to-day feelings and store/workplace evaluation, and provides solutions for revitalizing stores and workplaces. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

TradFit

Seed Round in 2018
TradFit Co., Ltd. develops and operates voice data platform utilizing cloud artificial intelligence (AI). The company offers Software as a service (SaaS) based voice data platform for hotels and restaurants. The company was founded in August 2017 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Every

Series C in 2017
Movie Media Business ,Talent Management Business ,Advertisement Business.

SenSprout

Seed Round in 2017
SenSprout Inc. is a technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in developing and selling agricultural sensors. Founded in 2015, the company’s products are designed to measure soil moisture, surface temperature, and electrical conductivity, providing farmers with critical insights for optimizing irrigation systems. By utilizing printed electronic sensors that employ wireless power feeding techniques and ink-jet printing technology, SenSprout produces cost-effective sensors that can be mass-produced and require minimal maintenance, avoiding the complications associated with battery replacement. These sensors not only enhance irrigation efficiency for large farms and high-value crops but also offer functionalities to predict natural disasters like landslides and cliff collapses. Through its internet service, SenSprout enables the collection and analysis of farming data, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and improve their yields while conserving water resources.

BrainCat

Seed Round in 2017
BrainCat is a Japanese company that specializes in developing FinTech platforms. It has developed a social fund service “Gojo”. BrainCat was established on June 29, 2016.

LeapMind

Series B in 2017
LeapMind Inc., founded in 2012 and based in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in developing hardware architecture and software platforms that facilitate deep learning applications. The company focuses on making deep learning more compact and accessible, which it refers to as the "Deep Learning of Things" (DoT). LeapMind's innovative approach includes designing algorithms that enhance the accuracy of neural network models while reducing their computational complexity, enabling their use in small computing environments. Additionally, the company conducts research on original chip architectures that efficiently implement deep neural networks on circuits with low power consumption and limited memory.

Truss

Venture Round in 2017
Truss Inc., founded in 2014 and based in Tokyo, Japan, operates an online platform that offers comprehensive information on building materials. This platform enables users, including building designers and manufacturers, to search and compare materials based on various criteria such as manufacturer details, approvals, and thermal insulation performance. By utilizing its proprietary database, Truss facilitates the selection and management of materials for construction projects, streamlining the process for all parties involved. The service enhances accessibility to essential product information, supporting informed decision-making in the building industry.

Aperza

Series A in 2017
Aperza Inc. is a Japanese company that develops and operates various online platforms for the manufacturing industry, aimed at enhancing information access, transactions, and communication. Established in 2016 and based in Yokohama, Aperza offers a range of services including an industrial portal, catalog download sites, and an e-commerce marketplace. The company also provides curation media and focused publications related to factory automation and IoT. Aperza is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector's evolution by helping companies engage with global markets and fostering startups that embrace new trends like Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. Through its initiatives, Aperza aims to stimulate growth in the manufacturing industry, addressing key barriers that hinder progress.

Aperza

Venture Round in 2016
Aperza Inc. is a Japanese company that develops and operates various online platforms for the manufacturing industry, aimed at enhancing information access, transactions, and communication. Established in 2016 and based in Yokohama, Aperza offers a range of services including an industrial portal, catalog download sites, and an e-commerce marketplace. The company also provides curation media and focused publications related to factory automation and IoT. Aperza is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector's evolution by helping companies engage with global markets and fostering startups that embrace new trends like Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. Through its initiatives, Aperza aims to stimulate growth in the manufacturing industry, addressing key barriers that hinder progress.

Raksul

Series D in 2016
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.

Sorabito

Venture Round in 2016
SORABITO Co., Ltd. operates ALLSTOCKER, an online marketplace for used construction equipment and machinery. It sells excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, rollers, graders, finishers, cranes, forklifts, generators, welders, compressors, attachments, parts, trucks, tractors, other farm machinery, and others. The company also provides IT solutions for construction equipment rental companies. SORABITO Co., Ltd. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

C Channel

Venture Round in 2016
C Channel Corporation is a Tokyo-based company that operates an online lifestyle video platform aimed primarily at women aged 20 to 34. Founded in 2015, C Channel provides a variety of content related to fashion, food, hairstyling, makeup, and travel. The platform focuses on delivering engaging video content that informs and inspires its audience, making it a go-to resource for lifestyle-related topics.

Kaizen Ad

Series B in 2016
Kaizen Platform, Inc. is a digital marketing company that provides an integrated online platform for brands, agencies, and freelancers to create, test, and optimize customer experiences across various digital channels. The company offers a suite of solutions, including Kaizen Ad, a video creative platform that delivers high-quality video ads efficiently through a global network of skilled designers. This platform allows users to collaborate on digital marketing strategies, access analytics, and leverage audience targeting to enhance performance. Additionally, Kaizen provides services in UI/UX design, video production, and cloud-based sales support, facilitating digital transformation for remote sales teams. Established in 2013, Kaizen Platform is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan, and serves multiple sectors, including retail, healthcare, and technology.

ChatBook

Venture Round in 2016
ChatBook is a SaaS platform for marketers who work in B2B area to automate acquiring leads and evaluate leads in your absence.We remove the trouble of spending lots of money on online marketing and make better conversions. If you are using ChatBook, users don’t have to visit the website, it comes to you on your social media advertisements. ChatBook delivers more solid targeting based on social media activity and profiles.

Chatwork

Series B in 2016
Chatwork is a group chat app designed to help global teams communicate, collaborate and increase productivity. The platform includes secure messaging, video chat, task management and file sharing functionality. Chatwork, available in five languages, is used by more than 200,000 companies from a diverse range of industries. Founded in 2011, Chatwork is Asia’s No. 1 business chat app with headquarters in Osaka, Japan and has 89 employees based in Tokyo, Osaka and Taipei.

Hitokuse

Venture Round in 2015
Hitokuse Inc. is a technology driven company who challenges various business fields. They command HTML5 or big data analytics to provide forefront products. Their members have the impressive skills and overwhelming abilities necessary for the development into new fields.

MONEY DESIGN

Venture Round in 2015
MONEY DESIGN Co., Ltd. offers asset management and investment advice services. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Money Design

Seed Round in 2015
Money Design provides Financial planning business Real estate leasing, brokerage of real estate, management business Life insurance and fire insurance soliciting agency business Financial product sales agency business Other related business related to the above

Sorabito

Seed Round in 2015
SORABITO Co., Ltd. operates ALLSTOCKER, an online marketplace for used construction equipment and machinery. It sells excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, rollers, graders, finishers, cranes, forklifts, generators, welders, compressors, attachments, parts, trucks, tractors, other farm machinery, and others. The company also provides IT solutions for construction equipment rental companies. SORABITO Co., Ltd. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Pinkoi

Venture Round in 2015
Pinkoi is a social e-commerce platform that enables designers and artists to sell their unique products, including clothing, shoes, fashion accessories, stationery, electronics, and home goods. Founded by Peter Yen, Mike Lee, and Maibelle Y. Lin in 2009, Pinkoi officially launched in 2010 and is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. The platform is designed to cater to the Asian market and is also available as a mobile application for handheld devices, facilitating a convenient shopping experience for users.

Chatwork

Series A in 2015
Chatwork is a group chat app designed to help global teams communicate, collaborate and increase productivity. The platform includes secure messaging, video chat, task management and file sharing functionality. Chatwork, available in five languages, is used by more than 200,000 companies from a diverse range of industries. Founded in 2011, Chatwork is Asia’s No. 1 business chat app with headquarters in Osaka, Japan and has 89 employees based in Tokyo, Osaka and Taipei.

Kaizen Ad

Series A in 2015
Kaizen Platform, Inc. is a digital marketing company that provides an integrated online platform for brands, agencies, and freelancers to create, test, and optimize customer experiences across various digital channels. The company offers a suite of solutions, including Kaizen Ad, a video creative platform that delivers high-quality video ads efficiently through a global network of skilled designers. This platform allows users to collaborate on digital marketing strategies, access analytics, and leverage audience targeting to enhance performance. Additionally, Kaizen provides services in UI/UX design, video production, and cloud-based sales support, facilitating digital transformation for remote sales teams. Established in 2013, Kaizen Platform is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan, and serves multiple sectors, including retail, healthcare, and technology.

C Channel

Seed Round in 2015
C Channel Corporation is a Tokyo-based company that operates an online lifestyle video platform aimed primarily at women aged 20 to 34. Founded in 2015, C Channel provides a variety of content related to fashion, food, hairstyling, makeup, and travel. The platform focuses on delivering engaging video content that informs and inspires its audience, making it a go-to resource for lifestyle-related topics.

Uzabase

Venture Round in 2015
UZABASE is home to Japan's largest industry and corporate database, backed by an in-house team of specialised analysts. Their flagship service, SPEEDA organizes company and industry information and intelligence allowing for more efficient management in the workplace. NewsPicks is a product that uses content provides insight into the discussions and decisions vital to business in Asia.

ChatBook

Seed Round in 2015
ChatBook is a SaaS platform for marketers who work in B2B area to automate acquiring leads and evaluate leads in your absence.We remove the trouble of spending lots of money on online marketing and make better conversions. If you are using ChatBook, users don’t have to visit the website, it comes to you on your social media advertisements. ChatBook delivers more solid targeting based on social media activity and profiles.

Raksul

Series C in 2015
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.

bitFlyer

Series B in 2015
bitFlyer, Inc. is a virtual currency exchange based in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in Bitcoin transactions and blockchain development services. Founded in 2014, the platform enables customers to buy, sell, and spend bitcoins, alongside a variety of altcoins such as Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. bitFlyer offers a comprehensive suite of services, including trading platforms for both casual and professional users, an Application Programming Interface for account management, and e-commerce payment solutions for businesses. Additionally, the company operates fundFlyer, a crowdfunding site that facilitates fundraising efforts using Bitcoin. With a focus on security, bitFlyer aims to provide a secure and user-friendly environment for digital currency transactions.

Renoveru

Venture Round in 2014
Renoveru is a Japanese real estate startup that helps consumers to choose and buy existing homes or a second-hand flats while proposing renovation plans both online and offline. In addition to these services, Renoveru also offers an online tool that allows homebuilders to easily share renovation plans and pictures with carpenters, construction supervisors, and architects. The company also offers a distribution service of construction materials and equipment through its subsidiary. The company was established in 2010 and is headquartered in Tokyo.

Money Forward

Series B in 2014
Money Forward is a financial technology company that offers a range of services for individuals and corporations. It provides online personal accounting solutions that enable users to manage daily expenses by integrating data from bank accounts and credit cards. The platform is accessible on both desktop and mobile devices, including iOS and Android. In addition to personal financial management tools, Money Forward has developed a suite of cloud-based services tailored for businesses, which includes accounting software, tax return preparation, invoice management, payroll processing, and payment reconciliation. The company also engages users through economic media and an automatic savings app, as well as offering a communication channel where customers can interact with financial planners to address their financial concerns.

lancers

Venture Round in 2014
LANCERS Inc. provides crowdsourcing services. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Kamakura, Japan.

Mercari

Series C in 2014
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.

Uzabase

Series C in 2014
UZABASE is home to Japan's largest industry and corporate database, backed by an in-house team of specialised analysts. Their flagship service, SPEEDA organizes company and industry information and intelligence allowing for more efficient management in the workplace. NewsPicks is a product that uses content provides insight into the discussions and decisions vital to business in Asia.

Sansan

Series B in 2014
Since its founding in 2007, Sansan has focused on delivering its cloud based contact management service to customers in Japan and beyond. Sansan is setting the standard in Japan for cloud-based contact management, with annually doubling numbers of users from over 7,000 premium corporate users including the Japanese Government (METI). Sansan Inc. is based in Tokyo, Japan and has its subsidiary Sansan global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore since October 2015. The company began offering its business card app Eight in 2012. It has over 1.5 million registered users as a new business network that incorporates a social media framework to transform business cards into business connections. Founded: June 11, 2007 URL: https://www.corp-sansan.com/ Address: Aoyama Oval Building, 13F, 5-52-2, Jingu-mae Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001 Business scope: Planning, development, and sales of cloud-based business card management services Sansan for business users: https://www.sansan.com Eight for individual users: https://8card.net

FreakOut Holdings

Series A in 2014
FreakOut Holdings, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a marketing technology company that provides a range of advertising solutions both domestically and internationally. The company develops and sells demand-side platforms (DSPs) and data management platforms (DMPs) designed for real-time ad inventory transactions and data analysis. Additionally, it engages in data mining and the sale of advertising applications, as well as planning and executing advertising campaigns. FreakOut Holdings also operates in various sectors, including IoT-based digital signage, global app marketing, public relations, and media. Its services extend to programmatic ad operations, cross-device tracking, and targeted advertising using advanced recognition technology. Founded in 2010, the company was previously known as FreakOut, Inc. before rebranding in January 2017.

Mercari

Series B in 2014
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.

Raksul

Series B in 2014
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.

Aratana

Venture Round in 2013
Aratana is an e-commerce specialized services provider in Japan. Founded in 2007, it has provided services to more than 4,000 partners. By further expanding its e-commerce know-how, technology, and support capabilities, the company aims to make shopping in the world more convenient and fun.

Kaizen Ad

Seed Round in 2013
Kaizen Platform, Inc. is a digital marketing company that provides an integrated online platform for brands, agencies, and freelancers to create, test, and optimize customer experiences across various digital channels. The company offers a suite of solutions, including Kaizen Ad, a video creative platform that delivers high-quality video ads efficiently through a global network of skilled designers. This platform allows users to collaborate on digital marketing strategies, access analytics, and leverage audience targeting to enhance performance. Additionally, Kaizen provides services in UI/UX design, video production, and cloud-based sales support, facilitating digital transformation for remote sales teams. Established in 2013, Kaizen Platform is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Tokyo, Japan, and serves multiple sectors, including retail, healthcare, and technology.

lancers

Seed Round in 2013
LANCERS Inc. provides crowdsourcing services. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Kamakura, Japan.

Sansan

Series A in 2013
Since its founding in 2007, Sansan has focused on delivering its cloud based contact management service to customers in Japan and beyond. Sansan is setting the standard in Japan for cloud-based contact management, with annually doubling numbers of users from over 7,000 premium corporate users including the Japanese Government (METI). Sansan Inc. is based in Tokyo, Japan and has its subsidiary Sansan global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore since October 2015. The company began offering its business card app Eight in 2012. It has over 1.5 million registered users as a new business network that incorporates a social media framework to transform business cards into business connections. Founded: June 11, 2007 URL: https://www.corp-sansan.com/ Address: Aoyama Oval Building, 13F, 5-52-2, Jingu-mae Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001 Business scope: Planning, development, and sales of cloud-based business card management services Sansan for business users: https://www.sansan.com Eight for individual users: https://8card.net

Best Teacher

Venture Round in 2013
Best Teacher, Inc. provides english conversation lesson service on the Web. It offers a stage for Japanese students to create their unique online text books with the help of teachers; and students can improve their pronunciation using voice recorders online. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

VASILY, Inc.

Venture Round in 2013
VASILY, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2008 that operates an online fashion coordination community known as iQON. This platform allows users to create collages of clothing and accessories, enabling them to coordinate complete outfits digitally. By providing a space for fashion enthusiasts to express their creativity and share their style, VASILY, Inc. fosters a vibrant online community centered around fashion coordination.

FreakOut Holdings

Venture Round in 2012
FreakOut Holdings, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a marketing technology company that provides a range of advertising solutions both domestically and internationally. The company develops and sells demand-side platforms (DSPs) and data management platforms (DMPs) designed for real-time ad inventory transactions and data analysis. Additionally, it engages in data mining and the sale of advertising applications, as well as planning and executing advertising campaigns. FreakOut Holdings also operates in various sectors, including IoT-based digital signage, global app marketing, public relations, and media. Its services extend to programmatic ad operations, cross-device tracking, and targeted advertising using advanced recognition technology. Founded in 2010, the company was previously known as FreakOut, Inc. before rebranding in January 2017.

Oceans

Series A in 2011
Oceans Inc. is an Internet service company based in Tokyo, Japan, founded in 2010. It specializes in local graph implementation services and operates Eyeland, a location-based mobile communication platform that features a map-based interface. This platform allows users to access and interact with activities associated with various geographic locations worldwide. The company's expertise encompasses user interface, user experience, creative design, programming, and monetization, aiming to enhance the utility and immediacy of Internet services. Through Eyeland, Oceans Inc. seeks to create a more localized and engaging online experience for its users.

VASILY, Inc.

Venture Round in 2011
VASILY, Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2008 that operates an online fashion coordination community known as iQON. This platform allows users to create collages of clothing and accessories, enabling them to coordinate complete outfits digitally. By providing a space for fashion enthusiasts to express their creativity and share their style, VASILY, Inc. fosters a vibrant online community centered around fashion coordination.

Kauli

Seed Round in 2011
Kauli, Inc. is an advertisement network platform based in Tokyo, Japan, that specializes in delivering targeted advertisements to selected websites based on their content and audience. The company operates an Online Ad Network Management System that supports Real Time Bidding, enabling advertisers to place bids for their ads based on user characteristics in real time. By continuously evaluating various ad networks, Kauli ensures that the ad network selected provides the highest expected revenue, optimizing the performance of each ad frame. As of April 30, 2015, Kauli operates as a subsidiary of VOYAGE GROUP, Inc.

popIn

Venture Round in 2011
popIn Inc. provides online advertising services. It also provides tools to measure the estimated time to read an online advertisement and compare it with the time user remained on the website to evaluate the effectiveness of the advertisement. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Tokyo, Japan. As of May 2015, popIn Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Baidu Japan, Inc.

Istpika

Seed Round in 2010
Istpika produces social games for Facebook and the iPhone, but is also working on something a little bigger. Istpika spun off from another company and began operations in Jan 2009. Istpika is a global venture company with offices in Tokyo, Osaka and overseas. By focussing on R&D and viral technology. Istpika aims to develop social applications that catalyse communication between people.

Sansan

Angel Round in 2009
Since its founding in 2007, Sansan has focused on delivering its cloud based contact management service to customers in Japan and beyond. Sansan is setting the standard in Japan for cloud-based contact management, with annually doubling numbers of users from over 7,000 premium corporate users including the Japanese Government (METI). Sansan Inc. is based in Tokyo, Japan and has its subsidiary Sansan global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore since October 2015. The company began offering its business card app Eight in 2012. It has over 1.5 million registered users as a new business network that incorporates a social media framework to transform business cards into business connections. Founded: June 11, 2007 URL: https://www.corp-sansan.com/ Address: Aoyama Oval Building, 13F, 5-52-2, Jingu-mae Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001 Business scope: Planning, development, and sales of cloud-based business card management services Sansan for business users: https://www.sansan.com Eight for individual users: https://8card.net

Maneo

Venture Round in 2008
Maneo Inc. is an online lending marketplace based in Japan that facilitates borrowing and lending through an auction system. Founded in 2007, it operates as a pioneering social lending platform in the country. Maneo market Inc., a subsidiary of maneo Inc., offers crowdfunding services through its web portal. Initially independent, maneo market became a subsidiary of NLHD Co., Ltd. in September 2020. The platform connects individuals looking to borrow money with those willing to lend, creating a unique financial service that fosters peer-to-peer lending in Japan.

LOCKON

Series A in 2008
Lockon is a Japanese software designing company.

YRGLM

Venture Round in 2008
YRGLM Inc. provides marketing platform. The Company offers advertising platform "AD EBiS", automated advertising report creation tool "AdRepo", commercial distribution platform "EC-CUBE", and more. YRGLM serves clients in Asia and America.

Weblio

Venture Round in 2007
Weblio, Inc. operates as an online dictionary and encyclopedia that allows users to search from multiple sources. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Real World

Venture Round in 2007
REAL WORLD provides crowd-sourced services and solutions.

Weblio

Series A in 2007
Weblio, Inc. operates as an online dictionary and encyclopedia that allows users to search from multiple sources. The company is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Lifull

Post in 2006
LIFULL Co., Ltd. is the most extensive housing and real estate information listing service. LIFULL Co., Ltd. provides LIFULL Move that provides reviews and rankings of the moving companies; LIFULL Storage, a storage space searching Web service; LIFULL Interior, a furniture and interior decoration EC site; and LIFULL Nursing Care, a special care facility searching Web service.

Full Speed

Venture Round in 2006
Full Speed Inc. provides Internet marketing support services in Japan. It offers search engine optimization (SEO), listing and affiliate advertising, display advertisement, and social media advertising services. The company also provides SEO consulting services; social media operations consulting and advertisement services; Web architecture services; and Website creation/operation, LP banner production/management, and application development services. In addition, it offers services in the areas of advertisement effect measurement, ad technology, and healthcare marketing. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Full Speed Inc. is a subsidiary of FreeBit Co., Ltd.

Lifull

Venture Round in 2006
LIFULL Co., Ltd. is the most extensive housing and real estate information listing service. LIFULL Co., Ltd. provides LIFULL Move that provides reviews and rankings of the moving companies; LIFULL Storage, a storage space searching Web service; LIFULL Interior, a furniture and interior decoration EC site; and LIFULL Nursing Care, a special care facility searching Web service.

Vector

Venture Round in 2006
Vector Inc. is a Japan-based firm established in 1993 that specializes in public relations and related services. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including PR planning and implementation, consulting, branding, investor relations support, and risk management. It also engages in digital marketing, media distribution, and human resources solutions, operating a cloud service that aids companies in employee evaluation systems. Additionally, Vector distributes press releases through its PR TIMES platform and other channels, while also providing video release distribution services in the advertising and marketing sectors. The company operates both domestically and internationally, serving a diverse client base across various industries.

Axel Mark

Venture Round in 2006
Axel Mark Inc. engages in the planning and development of games in Japan. It develops console games and related content; and provides advertising services. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.