Kayac

Basic Information

Stock Code
3904
Industry
Information and Communications Industry
Category Detail
Systems & Software
Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
Establishment Year
January 2005
Listing Year
December 2014
Official Website
https://www.kayac.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Infomart, Softcreate Holdings, Technomasema, Raks, Double Standard, S Inove, E-Store, J Stream, BASE, IC, Branista, Goodpatch, Brech

Overview

Kayac is an innovative internet company in the information and communications industry, established in 2005. It develops local capitalism and diverse digital content while possessing a unique corporate culture.

Current Situation

As of the end of December 2023, Kayac has 572 group employees. In the fiscal year ended December 2020, it recorded consolidated net sales of 8.749 billion yen and operating profit of 744 million yen. Centered on Japanese-style fun content business, it engages in multifaceted operations including Web production and planning, game development, event planning, restaurant operations, and regional community revitalization. It features a unique employee culture and a salary system using dice (dice salary), and is highly regarded for its innovative work styles. Guided by the philosophy of local capitalism, it operates the local currency 'Machi no Coin' and the matching service 'SMOUT' to address regional challenges. In 2024, it brought media-related companies such as Eiji Publishing and Asura Film under its umbrella as subsidiaries, expanding its business domains. Paid-in capital is 873 million yen, with the three founders holding approximately 70% as major shareholders, supporting stable management. Moving forward, it aims for growth by integrating digital content with regional collaboration and promoting DX.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Company name combines initials from three founders' surnames
  • Adopts unique system determining employee salaries with dice
  • Self-proclaimed 'Fun Corporation' with distinctive corporate vibe
  • Advocates unique management philosophy of local capitalism
  • Actively promotes regional revitalization initiatives from Kamakura base
  • Extensive track record in smartphone game planning and development
  • Incorporates eSports-related company in group and focusing efforts
  • New developments in publishing business via Eiji Publishing subsidiary
  • Distributes cartoon business cards featuring employee caricatures
  • Operates multiple regional crowdfunding platforms
  • Develops and operates digital local currency 'Machi no Coin'
  • Capital participation from CyberAgent, ZOZO, and other IT giants
  • Unique culture frequently featured on NHK and other TV programs
  • Acquired anime production company Asura Film to strengthen video business
  • Collaborates with local Kamakura restaurants to operate Machi no Shokudo

Hidden Connections

  • Company name formed from founders' surnames Ka (Kaibata), Ya (Yanagisawa), C (Kuba)
  • Major shareholders include IT majors like CyberAgent and ZOZO
  • Unique corporate culture occasionally studied by media and universities
  • Collaborates with numerous local governments through local capitalism activities
  • Holds Eiji Publishing under umbrella, enabling media mix対応
  • Group company includes GLOE Co., Ltd. for eSports
  • Multiple smartphone game titles have collaborations with famous anime and manga
  • Continuously contributes to digitalization of local industries from Kamakura base

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Advancement of digital content production technologies
  • Increasing demand for regional revitalization based on local capitalism
  • Expansion and diversification of eSports market
  • Sustainable growth in smartphone games
  • Promotion of digital integration in publishing and video fields
  • Increasing IT adoption by local companies through DX promotion
  • Synergy effects from diverse group companies
  • Expansion of local currencies and community platforms
  • Improved talent acquisition through unique corporate culture
  • Growing business opportunities linked to national local creation policies
  • Rapid adoption and adaptation to emerging technologies
  • Preparation for global expansion with multilingual and multicultural対応

Strategic Goals

  • Expand recognition domestically and internationally as model case of local capitalism
  • Double sales in digital content business
  • Achieve top domestic share in eSports-related business
  • Strengthen fusion of publishing and video content business
  • Implement over 100 collaboration projects with local governments
  • Establish sustainable growth base through diversified business
  • Expand number of regions adopting local currency 'Machi no Coin'
  • Deepen and disseminate employee-participatory management model
  • Expand DX support business and develop new markets
  • Build foundation and initiate overseas business expansion

Business Segments

Web Site Production and Planning

Overview
Provides planning, design, and development of Web sites for companies and local governments.
Competitiveness
Creative content planning and technical expertise
Customers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Large Corporations
  • Local Governments
  • Educational Institutions
  • Advertising Agencies
Products
  • Web Planning and Production
  • CMS Implementation Support
  • UI/UX Design
  • SEO Measures
  • System Development

Game Development and Distribution

Overview
Handles planning, production, and marketing of games centered on smartphones.
Competitiveness
Stable delivery and user acquisition through high technical capabilities
Customers
  • Smartphone Game Companies
  • Platform Operators
  • Advertisers
Products
  • Game Planning
  • Game Development
  • Game Operations
  • Advertising Campaign Planning

Regional Revitalization Support Services

Overview
Provides digital tools and planning for regional revitalization.
Competitiveness
Planning closely tied to regions and IT utilization
Customers
  • Local Governments
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Regional Companies
Products
  • Local Currency Systems
  • Relocation Promotion Platforms
  • Regional Event Planning

Digital Content Production

Overview
Supports planning and production of diverse digital content.
Competitiveness
Creative production capabilities and utilization of latest technologies
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Video Production Companies
Products
  • Electronic Book Planning and Production
  • Video Editing
  • Promotional Video Creation

New Business Development Support

Overview
Provides comprehensive support for launching new businesses.
Competitiveness
Experienced planning team and execution support
Customers
  • Startups
  • Corporate Internal Ventures
Products
  • New Business Planning
  • UI/UX Design
  • Market Research
  • Prototype Production

Event Planning and Operations

Overview
Develops event planning and operations across diverse themes.
Competitiveness
Unique planning capabilities and operational experience
Customers
  • Companies
  • Local Governments
  • NPOs
  • Educational Institutions
Products
  • Event Planning
  • Promotions
  • Customer Acquisition Support
  • Operations Management

Restaurant Operation Support

Overview
Services for directly operated and supported restaurant operations by Kayac.
Competitiveness
Operation know-how closely tied to the region
Customers
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Local Companies
Products
  • Store Operations
  • Menu Development
  • Store Promotions

DX and IT Solutions

Overview
Digital transformation support for local companies.
Competitiveness
Regionally collaborative IT implementation support
Customers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Local Governments
Products
  • Business Efficiency Tools
  • Cloud Service Implementation
  • System Customization

eSports-Related Business

Overview
Provides comprehensive eSports services as a trading company.
Competitiveness
Multifaceted eSports support system
Customers
  • eSports Teams
  • Event Companies
  • Sponsors
Products
  • Tournament Operations
  • Content Distribution
  • Marketing

Creator Support Platform

Overview
Provides various platforms to support creator activities.
Competitiveness
Community operation capabilities and technical infrastructure
Customers
  • Individual Creators
  • Production Companies
Products
  • Work Announcement Support
  • Community Building
  • Monetization Support

Crowdfunding Support

Overview
Fundraising support services for regions and individuals.
Competitiveness
Planning leveraging regional collaboration
Customers
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Regional Groups
  • Creators
Products
  • Crowdfunding Planning and Operations
  • PR Support

Advertising Production and Promotion Support

Overview
Supports creative production across diverse media.
Competitiveness
Strength in internet advertising
Customers
  • Corporate Advertising Departments
  • Planning Companies
Products
  • Advertising Planning
  • Video Production
  • SNS Operations

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High technological and development capabilities
  • Unique corporate culture and work styles
  • Diversified business portfolio
  • Regional community revitalization capabilities
  • Strong creative planning abilities
  • Stable financial base
  • Credibility as a listed company
  • Diverse digital content production capabilities
  • Active group company expansion
  • Experience operating digital local currencies
  • Entry into eSports business
  • Abundant smartphone app lineup
  • Long-term promotion of local capitalism
  • External collaboration through capital and business alliances
  • Employee-participatory management

Competitive Advantages

  • Creative business model centered on local capitalism
  • High creativity fostered by culture pursuing fun
  • Broad business spanning smartphone apps to regional revitalization
  • Expansion into media and video domains leveraging group companies
  • High expertise in online game planning and operations
  • Pioneering development and operation of local currencies and matching services
  • Management stability from high founder shareholder ratio
  • Unique employee salary system like dice salary
  • PR effects from collaborations with local communities
  • New market development through multifaceted eSports initiatives
  • Public project acquisition strength through strengthened local government ties
  • High visibility and buzz from unique event planning
  • Enriched content solutions in publishing and anime production
  • Stable service provision from high engineer ratio
  • Competitiveness in extensive B2B services

Threats

  • Accelerated technological innovation by competitors
  • Intense competition in smartphone game market
  • Policy fluctuation risks in regional revitalization business
  • Concerns over technological decline due to talent outflow
  • Decrease in advertising investment due to economic fluctuations
  • Impact of legal regulation changes on business models
  • Changes in digital advertising revenue models
  • Intensified market competition from new entrants
  • Changes in management policy of highly dependent major shareholders
  • Strengthened data privacy regulations
  • Business infrastructure impact from natural disasters
  • Chain effects from group company performance fluctuations

Innovations

2024: Complete Subsidiary of Eiji Publishing

Overview
Acquired publisher as subsidiary to expand content business.
Impact
Strengthens publishing business and enables new domain expansion.

2024: Acquisition of Asura Film and Lazo

Overview
Acquired anime production company to bolster video content.
Impact
Enables broad solutions in digital entertainment.

2023: Capital and Business Alliance with Agriculture DX 'Reposaku'

Overview
Collaborated with agriculture DX company to develop new markets.
Impact
Advances IT services for agriculture.

2022: Capital and Business Alliance with Kanez

Overview
Allied with major home center to expand lifestyle-related business.
Impact
Strengthens sales network and customer base.

2022: Support for eSports Trading Company's Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Listing

Overview
Listed group eSports company to secure growth funding.
Impact
Expands eSports business and increases visibility.

2020: Promotion of Local Currency 'Machi no Coin' Operations

Overview
Expanded point system for regional economic revitalization.
Impact
Introduced in multiple regions, contributing to interaction promotion.

2021: Introduction of Unique Employee-Participatory Salary System (Dice Salary)

Overview
Implemented playful salary determination system as unique work style.
Impact
Boosted employee motivation and increased visibility.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of regional collaboration based on local capitalism philosophy
  • Promoting regional economic circulation through community currencies
  • Support for local revitalization through relocation promotion
  • Advancing regional child care and education support
  • Business development for regional environmental conservation and sustainability improvement
  • Workplace culture formation for diversity promotion
  • Support for healthy youth development through eSports
  • Business efficiency and environmental load reduction using IT technologies
  • Event planning aimed at supporting local industries
  • Measures like dice salary system to enhance employee psychological safety