Creator Economy Startups

Castee operates a platform for creators that includes influencer collaboration video marketing for brands (Castee Challenge) and a music-based monetization service (Castee Music) that pays creators based on view counts for videos posted on TikTok and Instagram. The Tokyo-based company also runs a music promotion service for record labels and has expanded into commerce via TikTok Shop through an Indonesian subsidiary.

1 investor

D'Arts develops and operates "Hatchpot VR," a service that provides an environment for creators and companies to produce and distribute VR content, aiming to lower the barrier to entry into the VR industry. The company focuses on VR entertainment experiences for individual users.

1 investor

Japanese entertainment company operating a VTuber business and studio rental service, aiming to produce content for global audiences in the metaverse era. Based in Japan and founded in 2016.

1 investor

Minto is a Japanese entertainment IP production company that creates and grows characters, Webtoons, and short dramas, then monetizes them through advertising (FANDOM AGENT), domestic and international licensing, and system development. It works with IP owners and brands to expand revenue and fan bases across markets including Japan and other Asian regions.

1 investor

Nagisa builds consumer platforms including a service that lets anyone easily create fan clubs and subscription offerings, and an app for watching live streams from stage actors and voice actors on smartphones. The company operates in the digital media and entertainment space.

1 investor

YOUPACE is a Japanese talent agency for live-streamers ("livers") that supports individuals in starting, continuing, and growing their careers on live-streaming apps such as Pococha and TikTok. It provides income-growth know-how and manages over 8,000 affiliated streamers in Japan.

1 investor

AXELENTERMEDIA operates artist fan clubs for mobile and PC, along with related e-commerce, live events, and artist game apps, and also provides IT infrastructure services such as data-center housing/hosting, managed server and network monitoring (MSP), and cloud integration. The Japanese company also runs brand/corporate sites, app development, HR staffing/RPO, and DX consulting.

1 investor

A producer company that partners with creators to develop and produce content, aiming to build sustainable systems for ongoing creative work and to expand Japanese content internationally. It focuses on Japan's content business, supporting creators across both the creative and business sides.

1 investor

Asuka Net develops photobooks through on-demand printing for individual customers, operates a virtual talent agency (Razz Production), and creates aerial display technology using mid-air imaging. The company serves photography enthusiasts, funeral services, and regional communities through digital content and extended reality experiences.

1 investor

Weekday is a Japanese media company and creative studio focused on fashion, operating across media, creative production, digital marketing, and TV production. It runs the fashion and culture outlets Droptokyo and The Fashion Post, and produces content and marketing solutions for luxury, fashion, beauty, jewelry, and lifestyle brands.

1 investor

Audiostock operates a licensing marketplace for music tracks and sound effects created by Japanese music creators, selling BGM and sound effects to video producers, production companies, ad agencies, and YouTubers. It supports creators' monetization and also runs an overseas version targeting customers mainly in North America.

1 investor

C&R Group is a creative services and staffing company with 85,000 professionals serving clients across entertainment, gaming, web production, and related creative industries in Japan. The company operates through multiple divisions providing game development, video production, web services, consulting, and emerging technology solutions.

1 investor

Konnichi Hello provides AI-powered video translation that preserves the original speaker's voice and facial movements across 37 languages, complemented by human translators to ensure translation accuracy. The service is designed for creators, businesses, and content producers who need to reach global audiences without language barriers.

1 investor

Shikumi Design is a Japanese creative studio that designs interactive "fun experiences" combining technology and design for corporate branding, promotion, and education, drawing on more than 1,500 projects. It also develops Springin', a creative app, and Springin' Classroom, a visual programming teaching material used in schools from kindergarten to junior high.

1 investor

Toon Cracker produces vertical-scroll and horizontal digital comics, offering in-house creation, contract production, and production/producing services. The company is based in Japan.

1 investor

Letter Fan is a Japanese platform that lets fans request personalized video messages ("video letters") from athletes, celebrities, and entertainers for individual recipients. It supports use cases such as gifts, encouragement, and charity campaigns tied to sports teams and public figures.

1 investor

Wacom makes digital pens, tablets, and creative software for designers, artists, and content creators. The company serves the creative industry and digital art market globally.

1 investor

Lizhi is a web-based audio content platform that provides recording technology services, information storage space services, and internet live streaming for audio creators and listeners in China.

1 investor

5X Media is a media company that manages, partners with, and produces content for creative talent across scripted, unscripted, and digital verticals, using emerging technologies and global markets. It operates as a combined studio and talent management/agency business serving actors, producers, and creator-economy influencers.

0 investors

Advanced AI Applications, Inc. builds a streaming platform and creator tools that let people use AI to produce, distribute, and monetize short-form vertical video series. It aggregates multiple AI video generation models into a single interface for creators.

0 investors

Asset Entities provides social media marketing, content, and professional services centered on Discord, TikTok, and other platforms, including community management, TikTok Shop education, and lead generation for brands and creators. It also offers Ternary, a Discord CRM platform that connects websites, payment processors, and Discord to manage and monetize digital communities.

0 investors

Caltex Music, home to Caltex Records, is a Persian music company operating across recorded music, music publishing, streaming, television, and artist services. Founded in Los Angeles in 1980, it works with established and emerging Persian artists to distribute their music to global audiences.

0 investors

Campside Media is a podcast production company that creates narrative and investigative audio storytelling, with a division focused on film and TV. It employs producers, hosts, writers, and audio engineers to develop original programming.

0 investors

Dardo Studios is an art production studio for game development, offering art direction, concept art, character and environment art, animation, VFX, and technical art/shaders (including Unreal Engine work). It also provides consulting services such as art team staffing, fractional art management, recruiting strategy, and production outsourcing.

0 investors