Coconala

Basic Information

Stock Code
4176
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 2012
Listing Year
March 2021
Official Website
https://coconala.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
LIFULL, ITmedia, Cookpad, Kakaku.com, M3, Ateam Holdings, MarkLines, Ecomott, Sharing Technology, Cocoperi, monoAI, Bengo4.com, Kamakura Shinsho

Overview

Coconala is a skill marketplace operator in the information and communications industry, established in 2012, and is Japan's largest online service platform with 4.23 million members.

Current Situation

Coconala achieved consolidated net sales of 6.588 billion yen and operating profit of 304 million yen in the fiscal year ending August 2024, maintaining solid performance. Its flagship skill marketplace service 'Coconala' boasts 4.23 million members and approximately 800,000 listings, leading the online buying and selling of knowledge and skills. It offers AI business support tools for corporate clients and focuses on technological innovation. In 2022, it launched a venture capital business to strengthen new business development. It promotes partnerships with stakeholders, including business collaborations with Mizuho Bank and others. Pursuing sustainability, it contributes to local communities and supports diverse work styles. In the medium term, it aims to enhance platform usability and expand into new fields as part of its growth strategy. It actively promotes its brand through appearances on TV Tokyo's 'Kambria Palace' and other media exposure.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Achieved listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market just 9 years after founding.
  • Operates Japan's largest skill trading platform.
  • Boosted recognition by featuring popular actress Riho Yoshioka in TV commercials.
  • Founder stepped down from top management to drive management reforms.
  • High user ratings underpin industry trust.
  • Corporate group actively investing in ventures through subsidiaries.
  • Community of individual creators active in various fields.
  • Offers legal consultation services via online platform.
  • Focusing on AI-related product development as a new business.
  • Over 4 million users, at the top level in Japan.

Hidden Connections

  • Business partnership with Mizuho Bank symbolizes the fusion of finance and IT.
  • Venture capital business via subsidiary represents strategic entry into new markets.
  • Media exposure and TV appearances have powerfully built brand image.
  • Expanding member base serves as the foundation supporting diverse service expansions.
  • High likelihood of partnerships and joint projects with multiple competitors.
  • Leveraged customer inflow from discontinued daily life on-demand service in 2020 to pivot to other businesses.
  • Change in founder and management team indicates maturity in the company's growth phase.
  • Corporate AI product rollout is drawing attention as an aggressive strategy for customer base expansion.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of corporate AI business support market
  • Increasing demand for skill sharing due to DX promotion
  • Penetration into diverse occupations and fields
  • Rising demand for online services post-COVID
  • Advanced and diversified platform functions

Strategic Goals

  • Surpass 8 million members and 1.5 million listings
  • Increase AI service revenue ratio to over 30%
  • Global expansion through domestic and international market growth
  • Thorough sustainability-oriented business operations
  • Organizational strengthening through diverse talent recruitment and development

Business Segments

Corporate AI Business Support Tools

Overview
Provides AI-powered business support tools for corporations to promote productivity improvements and cost reductions.
Competitiveness
Addresses diverse business challenges with advanced AI technology and extensive service integrations.
Customers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Large Corporations
  • Startups
  • IT Companies
  • Creator Support Companies
Products
  • AI Text Generation Service
  • Image Generation Tool
  • Business Efficiency Tools
  • API Integration Services
  • Custom AI Solutions

Platform Partner Program

Overview
Expands services through API provision and joint projects for partner companies, strengthening third-party service integrations.
Competitiveness
Robust partner network and provision of development resources.
Customers
  • Financial Institutions
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Sales Agencies
  • Educational Institutions
Products
  • API Provision
  • Custom Development
  • Joint Marketing
  • Dedicated Support

Custom Services for Corporate Clients

Overview
Provides customized services tailored to corporate needs, offering high-value solutions.
Competitiveness
Strong matching in specialized fields and custom response capabilities.
Customers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Creative Companies
  • Law Firms
  • Recruitment Agencies
  • Education-Related Companies
Products
  • Custom Design Production
  • Specialized Legal Consultation Support
  • Content Production
  • Talent Development Programs

Marketing and Advertising Support Services

Overview
Provides support services in digital marketing to assist corporate promotional activities.
Competitiveness
Leverages expertise and track record from online marketplaces.
Customers
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Sole Proprietors
  • EC Operators
Products
  • Advertising Content Production
  • SNS Operation Support
  • Promotion Planning
  • Brand Strategy Support

Education and Training Services

Overview
Offers educational programs and online training to promote skill development and career building.
Competitiveness
Extensive instructor network and digital teaching materials.
Customers
  • Educational Institutions
  • Corporate Training Departments
  • Individual Tutoring Schools
Products
  • Online Skill Training
  • Career Consulting
  • Qualification Acquisition Support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Largest skill marketplace scale in Japan
  • Rich member base and diverse number of listings
  • Diversification through corporate AI tools
  • Solid financial base and growth track record
  • Strong brand recognition and media exposure

Competitive Advantages

  • Matching capabilities across a wide range of skill categories
  • Differentiation through AI-powered business support tools
  • High user satisfaction and community management
  • Venture capital business via consolidated subsidiaries
  • Ecosystem building through partnerships across industries

Threats

  • Customer outflow due to increasing competing platforms
  • Insufficient development resources to keep up with technological advancements
  • Management of privacy and data leakage risks
  • Increased operating costs from stricter regulations
  • Challenges in maintaining service quality and handling user disputes

Innovations

2024: Enhancement of Corporate AI Business Support Tools

Overview
Improved AI tools enabling text and image generation to support diverse business needs.
Impact
Contributes to increased corporate customer usage and revenue diversification

2023: Launch of Venture Capital Business

Overview
Established a wholly-owned subsidiary to begin investments in startups.
Impact
Supports new business creation and subsidiary revenue growth

2022: Expansion of Business Partnerships with Financial Institutions

Overview
Expanded collaborations with Mizuho Bank, including benefit provisions and joint areas.
Impact
Successfully expanded customer base and strengthened service integrations

2021: Complete Overhaul of Smartphone App UI/UX

Overview
Redesigned the platform to improve usability.
Impact
Improved user satisfaction and increased membership

2020: Launch of Video Editing and Live Streaming Services

Overview
Introduced new services to increase video-related listings.
Impact
Successfully tapped into new user segments

Sustainability

  • CO2 reduction through promotion of telework
  • Support for diverse work styles
  • IT education support for local communities
  • Diversity enhancement through women's empowerment
  • Strict management and protection of user data