United

Basic Information

Stock Code
2497
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Advertising
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
February 1998
Listing Year
August 2006
Official Website
https://united.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Digital Holdings, KG Information, Shinden Hi-Techs, Omura Paper, Septeni Holdings, CyberAgent, GMO Internet, Fuji Kogyo, GMO Media, Tokyo Jido Kikai Seisakusho, i-mobile, Jimoty, Smile Holdings, House Freedom, Gix, Toridori, Ibis, MicroAd, Glad Cube, DMS

Overview

United is an internet service company founded in 1998, developing core businesses centered on education, talent matching, and investments, and is a growth-oriented enterprise based in Tokyo.

Current Situation

United recorded consolidated net sales of approximately ¥13.1 billion, operating income of about ¥5.8 billion, and net income of about ¥4.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2023, achieving steady growth. In its main education business, it operates the online programming school 'TechAcademy' and focuses on IT talent development. In the talent matching business, it deploys platforms for side gigs and the freelance market, responding to demand for digital talent. In the investment business, it actively pursues seed and early-stage investments in startups, achieving multiple successful exits. The ad tech and content business is also growing as a revenue-expected segment. In 2022, it established its purpose as 'Maximize the power of will and accelerate progress toward social good,' committing to social value creation under this philosophy. The group has multiple subsidiaries and seeks multifaceted business development and synergy creation. Moving forward, it anticipates sustainable growth centered on the integration of education and talent amid digital sector growth trends.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Originally started as Net Age Co., Ltd.
  • Reached current name through multiple name changes and mergers
  • Unique business model fusing programming education and talent matching
  • Early investment track record in famous startups like Mercari and MIXI
  • Headquartered in Shibuya, a hub for IT ventures
  • Diversified revenue sources via diverse subsidiary services
  • Yahoo!-collaborated education programs gaining attention
  • Multifaceted revenue structure including ad agency functions
  • Organized growth strategy separating core and revenue-expected businesses
  • Many portfolio companies achieving IPOs or major exits

Hidden Connections

  • Digital Advertising Consortium holds majority stake, exerting strong influence in ad industry
  • Network strengthening through education project collaboration with Yahoo!
  • Multiple subsidiaries collaborate to provide comprehensive IT talent services
  • Supported growth of numerous famous IT companies via venture investments
  • Leverages Shibuya location as bridge to young IT firms and entrepreneurs
  • Collaborates with ad agencies from other sectors for cross-industry expansion in ad tech
  • Supports new work styles through talent side gig matching
  • Multiple revenue models enabling flexible response to environmental changes

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Surge in digital talent demand and expansion of IT education market
  • Growth in side gig and freelance market
  • Activation of domestic and international startup investment environment
  • Digital shift in ad industry and spread of alternative technologies
  • Market expansion from government DX initiatives
  • Accelerated application of AI and data analytics technologies
  • Strengthened integration of core education and talent matching businesses
  • Efficiency gains through group synergies
  • Customer expansion via improved online service convenience
  • Rising focus on sustainability management

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve top-class domestic share in online education
  • Expand side gig matching users 10-fold
  • Maximize exit numbers and revenue in investment business
  • Develop proprietary tech and become market leader in ad tech
  • Elevate social evaluation through sustainability initiatives
  • Promote diverse work styles and diversity
  • Establish flexible management adaptable to tech innovation
  • Accelerate global expansion and overseas market entry
  • Improve employee satisfaction and corporate brand strength
  • Expand social contributions in digital talent development

Business Segments

Online Education Services

Overview
Provides corporate services specialized in IT and programming education.
Competitiveness
Practical learning environment through real-world collaboration
Customers
  • Individual Learners
  • Educational Institutions
  • IT Companies
  • Local Governments
  • Corporate Training Managers
Products
  • Various TechAcademy Courses
  • Customized Corporate Training
  • Skill Certification Support
  • Career Support Services

Digital Talent Matching

Overview
Handles digital talent hiring and side gig support for growing companies.
Competitiveness
High matching accuracy across diverse job types
Customers
  • IT Companies
  • Startups
  • Major Ad Agencies
  • Staffing Agencies
  • Creative Companies
Products
  • Kasooku Side Gig Matching
  • Jooi Crowdsourcing
  • offerBrain Hiring Support

Investment and Startup Support

Overview
Invests in and provides management support to promising startups.
Competitiveness
Funding and expertise from multiple angles
Customers
  • Venture Companies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Venture Capital Firms
  • Corporate Ventures
Products
  • Seed and Early-Stage Investments
  • Hands-On Nurturing Support
  • Startup Collaborations
  • Exit Strategy Support

Ad Tech and Content Business

Overview
Provides total services for ad delivery and content operations.
Competitiveness
Digital ad optimization technology
Customers
  • Advertisers
  • Media Operators
  • Game Companies
  • Entertainment Companies
Products
  • Ad Delivery Platform
  • Media Analytics Tool
  • Content Production Support
  • Fan Community Management

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Strengthened brand power in online education
  • Diverse digital talent matching businesses
  • Growth promotion through fusion of investment and business support
  • Business diversification via multiple subsidiaries
  • Convenient location with headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo
  • Clear separation of core and revenue-expected businesses
  • Provision of education services directly linked to real work
  • Abundant startup investment track record
  • Collaborations with major domestic and international companies
  • Advanced ad technology development capabilities

Competitive Advantages

  • Pioneer status in the online programming education market
  • Diverse service lineup targeting the rapidly growing side gig and freelance market
  • Diversity in investment portfolio and strategic exit track record
  • Optimal allocation of management resources complemented by group companies
  • Commitment to social value creation based on purpose
  • Technology and know-how provision through partnerships with Yahoo! etc.
  • Strong presence in internet advertising within ad agency operations
  • Flexible service deployment tailored to customer needs
  • Accelerated growth through active subsidiary establishment and acquisitions
  • Revenue maximization via advanced ad analysis and delivery technology

Threats

  • Impact from intensified ad market regulations
  • Impact from cookie usage restrictions due to privacy regulations
  • Intensifying competition in online education
  • Fluctuations in talent mobility in talent matching
  • Business environment instability due to social changes like COVID-19
  • Uncertainty and risks in startup investments
  • Risk of service obsolescence due to rapid technological innovation
  • Intense competition with rivals in talent acquisition
  • Changes in global IT regulations and tax systems
  • Ad spending cuts amid economic downturns

Innovations

2021: Expansion of Subsidiaries via New Spin-offs

Overview
Established United Marketing Technologies and two other companies via spin-offs to expand business.
Impact
Strengthened revenue base through business diversification

2022: Purpose Establishment and Management Philosophy Refresh

Overview
Set 'Maximize the power of will and accelerate progress toward social good' as the purpose.
Impact
Fostering corporate culture and enhancing social credibility

2022: Acquisitions and Establishments of Multiple Subsidiaries

Overview
Subsidiaries including Cocodol, Innop, and Kasooku via acquisitions and new establishments to expand business areas.
Impact
Strengthened service lineup and expanded market share

2023: Enhanced Real-World Collaboration in Education Business

Overview
Promoting real-world experience opportunities for corporate projects via TechAcademy Works.
Impact
Improved graduate employability and customer satisfaction

2023: Increased Successful Exits in Investment Business

Overview
Multiple startups achieved exits to MIXI etc., improving investment recovery rate.
Impact
Enhanced investment brand value and fundraising capability

2024: Development of Cookie-less Ad Tech

Overview
Pursuing ad operation innovation in the post-cookie era through M&A and proprietary alternatives.
Impact
Maintaining ad effectiveness measurement and promoting new customer acquisition

Sustainability

  • Concrete initiatives for social good based on purpose
  • Reduced environmental impact through optimized shared resources among subsidiaries
  • Promoting talent diversity via employee career support
  • CO2 emission reductions through remote and hybrid work promotion
  • Community revitalization through strengthened local collaborations
  • Promoting disabled employment and creating inclusive workplaces
  • Ensuring customer trust through enhanced information security
  • Transparent investment activities and thorough governance
  • Flexible HR systems accommodating diverse work styles
  • Support programs for women and minorities in education business