Kubell

Basic Information

Stock Code
4448
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Systems & Software
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
November 2004
Listing Year
September 2019
Official Website
https://www.kubell.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Celsys, Broadleaf, GreenB, Plus Alpha Consulting, Appier Group, True D, Finatext Holdings, Smaregi, WingArc1st, Kaonavi, Welby, Sansan, Cybozu

Overview

Kubell is a leading company in the information and communications industry founded in 2000, with one of the largest domestic user bases centered on the cloud-based business chat 'Chatwork'.

Current Situation

Kubell recorded net sales of approximately ¥1.8 billion and net profit of approximately ¥60 million in the fiscal year ended December 2019, establishing a stable business foundation in the information and communications industry. Its flagship cloud-based business chat service 'Chatwork' is widely used mainly by small and medium-sized enterprises and professionals across Japan, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. With paid-in capital of about ¥1.3 billion and a sound financial structure, it boasts a robust talent base with 589 employees (as of 2024). In recent years, it changed its company name to Kubell and is focusing on developing new businesses beyond chat. It is also advancing information security enhancements and product development innovations. The company is committed to sustainability, aiming for contributions to local communities and the construction of a sustainable business model. Looking ahead, it sees the promotion of DX and rising demand for business efficiency improvements as opportunities, focusing on new service development and overseas expansion to drive growth.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Started as a small software development office
  • Pioneering presence in chat services for domestic SMEs
  • CEO Masaki Yamamoto inherited management from the founder's family
  • Over 10 years of operational track record in the cloud chat service industry
  • Specialized in business chat and beginning expansion into other fields
  • Number of Chatwork-using companies exceeds 200,000
  • Operates major bases in Osaka and Tokyo
  • One of Japan's leading domestic cloud companies strong in API integrations
  • Regularly holds employee-participating community events rooted in local society
  • Diversified company also engaged in security software sales
  • Continued growth even after 2019 Tokyo Mothers listing
  • Transitioned to new regime following change in Representative Director CEO
  • Aiming for broader business expansion through name change
  • Approximately 600 employees, mid-sized in the industry
  • Focus on customer education via online seminars

Hidden Connections

  • Founder Toshiyuki Yamamoto has experience launching an IT venture in his hometown Osaka
  • Major shareholder Fun&Creative specializes in IT venture support
  • Chatwork has solidified its customer base among professionals and is advancing industry specialization
  • The former Chatwork brand has grown into a standard tool among domestic SMEs
  • ESET security sales based on partnerships with overseas brands
  • The Minato-ku, Tokyo office serves as a hub for interactions with multiple IT startups
  • Numerous collaborations with other companies' cloud services via API integrations
  • Shareholder composition includes many engineer-turned-entrepreneurs

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing IT communication needs accompanying shift from face-to-face to DX promotion
  • Progress in digitalization of SME and professional markets
  • Expansion of cloud services and API integrations
  • Normalization of remote work demand
  • Rising security awareness driving product demand
  • Expansion of demand for business efficiency services amid domestic DX push
  • Expansion of data analysis and AI technology utilization in products
  • Strengthening enterprise customer development
  • Customer expansion through region-focused services
  • Increasing demand for cloud tools due to work style reforms

Strategic Goals

  • Maintain top domestic user count and secure over 50% market share
  • Strengthen expansion into cloud business tools beyond chat
  • Overseas market entry and global user acquisition
  • Strengthen sustainability management and improve ESG ratings
  • Expand platform leveraging API integrations
  • Achieve ¥30 billion in sales through new businesses and services
  • Continuously build a comfortable workplace and improve employee satisfaction
  • Enrich product portfolio to meet diverse customer needs
  • Enhance corporate image through community contribution activities
  • Strengthen competitiveness through active adoption of advanced technologies

Business Segments

Cloud Communication Services

Overview
Provides user-friendly chat tools for SMEs and professionals to support business efficiency.
Competitiveness
One of Japan's largest user bases and stable cloud infrastructure
Customers
  • SMEs
  • Professionals and experts
  • Educational institutions
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Startups
Products
  • Chatwork Platform
  • Chatwork API
  • Premium Support

IT Security Solutions

Overview
Provides sales and support of antivirus products for corporations.
Competitiveness
Trusted certified security brand
Customers
  • Corporate IT departments
  • SMEs
  • System integrators
  • IT vendors
Products
  • ESET Security Software
  • Implementation Support Services
  • License Management

Customer Support Services

Overview
Provides construction and operational support for customer chat support platforms.
Competitiveness
Abundant business know-how and operational support system
Customers
  • Enterprise companies
  • Mid-sized companies
  • IT vendors
Products
  • Chat Support System Development
  • Technical Support
  • Training Services

Cloud Integration Services

Overview
Provides integration development and technical support with external cloud services.
Competitiveness
Flexible integration capabilities backed by high technical expertise
Customers
  • System integrators
  • Large corporations
  • Cloud vendors
Products
  • API Integration Development
  • Cloud Service Integration
  • Consulting

Education and Training Support Services

Overview
Conducts operation training and efficiency support for users.
Competitiveness
Provision of practical training programs
Customers
  • In-house training departments
  • Educational institutions
  • Training service companies
Products
  • Chatwork Operation Training
  • Business Efficiency Seminars
  • Online Learning Support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • One of Japan's largest business chat user bases
  • Service design specialized for SMEs and professionals
  • Stable cloud infrastructure and high availability
  • Diverse API integrations and customizability
  • Highly reliable security framework
  • Excellent customer support system
  • Flexible tiered pricing plans
  • Collaborations with numerous business partners
  • Strong brand recognition
  • Advanced mobile compatibility
  • Aggressive domestic market share expansion
  • Long track record of operations and employee technical expertise
  • Stable management and financial resources
  • Customer-focused services through multi-location operations
  • Rapid feature additions via in-house development

Competitive Advantages

  • Largest domestic customer base in the chat sector
  • Successful differentiation from competitors through focus on professionals and SMEs
  • High cloud operation capabilities and proven stable performance
  • Robust API integration platform
  • Focus on security and privacy management
  • Diverse integration tools and flexible deployment
  • Stable business foundation enabling long-term service provision
  • Rapid new feature rollouts for market adaptability
  • High-expertise support and consulting services
  • Coverage of major urban areas with Tokyo and Osaka bases
  • Expansion of enterprise plans to acquire large customers
  • Improved market awareness through name change and brand refresh
  • Progress in upselling to existing customers
  • Broad customer coverage with diverse pricing plans
  • Cross-selling of cloud and IT security

Threats

  • Emergence of low-priced chat tools from competitors
  • Intensified competition from entry by major IT companies
  • Insufficient resources to keep pace with rapid technological evolution
  • Sophistication of cyber security risks
  • Slowdown in domestic market growth and stagnation in customer acquisition
  • Impact on sales from reduced IT investments by client companies
  • Increased operational costs due to stricter regulations
  • Challenges in differentiation in the enterprise market
  • Difficulties in overseas market entry due to cultural and language barriers
  • Decline in competitiveness from cloud technology standardization
  • Intensified talent acquisition competition leading to hiring difficulties
  • Cuts in IT-related investments amid deteriorating economic conditions

Innovations

2024: Company Name Change and Brand Refresh

Overview
Changed company name from Chatwork Co., Ltd. to Kubell and refreshed the brand image.
Impact
Contributes to acceleration of new business development and diversification strategy

2023: API Integration Platform Enhancement

Overview
Significantly expanded API offerings to strengthen external service integrations.
Impact
Contributes to improved customer satisfaction and new customer acquisition

2022: Mobile Chat App Feature Additions

Overview
Improved UX and added new features to the smartphone app.
Impact
Achieved user activation and increased usage time

2021: Expansion of Security Software Business

Overview
Focused on strengthening corporate sales of ESET security software.
Impact
Achieved acquisition of new corporate customers and sales growth

2020: Major Cloud Infrastructure Update

Overview
Refreshed infrastructure to latest cloud technologies, improving stability.
Impact
Achieved 99.99% service uptime

Sustainability

  • Promotion of paperless operations within the company
  • Energy efficiency improvements in data centers
  • Active participation in local events
  • Diversity promotion and creation of a comfortable work environment
  • Provision of safe and secure services to clients