U Rth
Tokyo, JP · 1 known investors
Urth is a Japanese startup that develops web services and virtual reality/metaverse spaces intended to support diverse ways of living and working across physical, virtual, and space environments. It created a metaverse service (formerly V-air, now metatell) used by large enterprises.
Also known as metatell · Urth · メタテル · 株式会社Urth
Founders & leadership
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Urth (u-rth.com) is a Japanese company that combines information technology with architectural and spatial design skills to build spaces for corporate use, both virtual and physical. Its stated aim is to make spatial design capability broadly accessible, so that spaces can be optimized to a given purpose regardless of whether they are virtual or real, and to create new mechanisms through which architects and spatial designers can apply their skills in more contexts.
The company operates two named services. "Metatell" (メタテル) is a metaverse system designed for business use, offering freely customizable spaces and functions tailored to a client company's business challenges; it emphasizes 3D-data-based representation and metaverse-native communication, positioned particularly for marketing and recruiting activities. "7kake" is a work-management system for architecture and design professionals, supporting the ordering and receipt of work such as VR architectural design, with contracting and payment completed online, 3D data sharing, and presentation of past projects. The company also provides support for architectural design and planning work.
Founding story
According to the company, Urth was founded with support from Waseda University's 2019 Gap Fund Projects, a program organized under Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Business model
Urth provides metaverse spaces and systems to corporate clients, building on a model that draws on architects to design and construct virtual spaces. Its metatell offering is delivered as a customizable metaverse system configured to each client's business requirements, while 7kake acts as a platform through which architecture and design work is commissioned, contracted and paid for online.
Latest developments
In July 2024 Urth began joint research with Pictoria Inc. on new approaches to interaction between VTubers and their fans using the metaverse. In September 2024, CEO Tanaka was scheduled to speak at the startup pitch event "earthkey pitch vol.135". In October 2024 the company noted the republication of a metaverse industry chaos map. Company news continued through December 2025 with year-end business notices.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Urth positions itself as a provider of business-oriented metaverse systems that differentiates by drawing on architectural design expertise; it is listed on a Japanese metaverse industry landscape ("metaverse chaos map").
Technology
The company's offering combines 3D data-based spatial representation with metaverse environments supporting in-space communication. metatell is described as a freely customizable metaverse system, and 7kake supports sharing of 3D data alongside online contracting and payment for VR architectural design work.
Go-to-market
Direct sales to companies via the corporate website's inquiry channel, supported by a partner/client roster, participation in startup pitch events, and joint research collaborations; recruiting is used to add staff across architecture and IT.
Corporate/enterprise clients seeking metaverse spaces, particularly for marketing and recruiting purposes, as well as architects and design professionals who use the 7kake work-management platform.
Geography
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with a Japanese-language website and Japanese corporate clients and partners.
Compiled by commissioned research from 5 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Timeline · 4
launches, deals, and filingsUrth noted the republication of a metaverse industry "chaos map" landscape.
The company announced that Representative Director Tanaka would appear at the startup pitch event "earthkey pitch vol.135".
Urth announced the start of joint research with Pictoria Inc. on new initiatives for interaction between VTubers and fans using the metaverse.
Urth states it was founded with support from the FY2019 Waseda University Gap Fund Projects, a program hosted under Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 5
primary sources listed
- U Rthu-rth.com · web
5 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does U Rth do?
- Urth is a Tokyo-based company combining IT and architectural design to build customizable metaverse spaces for businesses.
- Who founded U Rth?
- U Rth was founded by Hiroki Tanaka, Ueno.
- Who are U Rth's investors?
- U Rth's investors include Colopl Next.
- Where is U Rth headquartered?
- U Rth is headquartered in Tokyo, JP.