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Rakuten buys Voyagin, Japan’s curated marketplace of travel activities

Takeshi Hirano 2015.07.02

See the original story in Japanese.

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten (TSE:4755) announced today that it has taken a major stake in Voyagin, the company behind an online curated marketplace of tours and excursion activities, for an undisclosed sum.

Previously known as Entertainment Kick, Voyagin was founded in December of 2012. The company has been offering a C2C (consumer-to-consumer) online marketplace connecting local guides (hosts) and travelers so that travelers can find and buy tour plans arranged by local guides. Available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and French, the marketplace is listing about 1,800 tour plans from 50 countries, mainly in Asia. What makes the startup unique from other similar websites is they interview local guides face-to-face or over Skype to assure service quality before approving them as hosts. In 2013, the company graduated from the sixth batch of Open Network Lab, a Tokyo-based startup accelerator.

Upon the acquisition by Rakuten, Voyagin CEO Masashi Takahashi said his team will expand business targeting tourist coming to Japan:

I think that a peak of the inbound tourism industry will come up in 2020 because of the Tokyo Olympics games. To make the best platform as soon as possible towards the opportunity, we decided to partner with Rakuten, which would be the best choice for us.

We are currently more focused on offering tours in Japan and Bali (Indonesia), creating successful models of typical different tour plans for city visitors and vacation goers.

Rakuten has a travel-booking site called Rakuten Travel, listing about 30,000 hotels in Japan. Combined with the stock of these hotel room availabilities, Voyagin will be able to create a variety of tour plan products for foreign visitors to Japan. According to Takhashi, their revenue grew tenfold on a year-on-year basis and transacted bookings for 30,000 users last year.

Known as a C2C business model connecting individuals, the marketplace also has an aspect of giving marketing channels for small tour planning companies, and these professional businesses have contributed to Voyagin in making revenue.

The Voyagin team consists of about 20 people including part-time workers, and half of them are foreign staffers. Based in Bali and Singapore, as well as Tokyo, they have been operating business leveraging teleconferences using Skype. Most users visit the marketplace from outside Japan, which gives the impression that Voyagin is a Japanese startup succeeding in the global market.

In this space, we’ve seen Japanese leisure booking site Asoview secured a partnership with travel giant JTB Group in April, aiming to expand the business in the inbound tourism industry. It will be interesting to see how the JTB-Asoview alliance will compete with the Rakuten-Voyagin partnership.

Translated by Masaru Ikeda
Edted by Kurt Hanson

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Japan’s Creww, startup community platform operator, fundraises $2.2 million

Creww

Masaru Ikeda 2015.07.01

See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Creww, the Japanese startup that operates a startup community platform for startups, announced today that it has fundraised 270 million yen ($2.2 million) from Japanese financial company Orix (TSE:8591) and Mistletoe, an investment company by Japanese notable angel investor Taizo Son. This is the first startup investment for Orix. Creww plans to use the funds to strengthen “open innovation” activities leveraging their startup community, as well as launching a new financial service for the startup community in partnership with Orix. Details for the new service have not yet been disclosed but it seems similar to a crowdfunding site for startups that aims to help them fundraise and accelerate their business, according to unnamed sources. Founded in August of 2012, Creww secured an undisclosed sum in a seed funding round from Incubate Fund, followed by fundraising $1.2 million (at the exchange rate at that time) from Tokyo-based private broadcaster Nippon TV in September of 2013. The startup has been offering services for startups such as Collabo (encouraging startups and enterprise to collaboratively work together), Marketplace (offering discounts for buying products and services, specifically for startups), and Knots (offering lecture programs on open innovation for…

creww-all-team-members — The Creww crew.

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Creww, the Japanese startup that operates a startup community platform for startups, announced today that it has fundraised 270 million yen ($2.2 million) from Japanese financial company Orix (TSE:8591) and Mistletoe, an investment company by Japanese notable angel investor Taizo Son. This is the first startup investment for Orix.

Creww plans to use the funds to strengthen “open innovation” activities leveraging their startup community, as well as launching a new financial service for the startup community in partnership with Orix. Details for the new service have not yet been disclosed but it seems similar to a crowdfunding site for startups that aims to help them fundraise and accelerate their business, according to unnamed sources.

Founded in August of 2012, Creww secured an undisclosed sum in a seed funding round from Incubate Fund, followed by fundraising $1.2 million (at the exchange rate at that time) from Tokyo-based private broadcaster Nippon TV in September of 2013. The startup has been offering services for startups such as Collabo (encouraging startups and enterprise to collaboratively work together), Marketplace (offering discounts for buying products and services, specifically for startups), and Knots (offering lecture programs on open innovation for enterprises).

Creww has a staff of 17 people, but going forward the company aims to strengthen their team by hiring engineers, designers, business development managers, as well as a person to manage business expansion to the Asian markets.

Edited by Kurt Hanson

news

Japan’s Appliv, app discovery platform for mobile users, preparing for global expansion

Junya Mori 2015.06.29

See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Volare, the Japanese startup behind mobile app discovery platform Appliv, announced today that it has set up a subsidiary in the Philippines for global expansion, planning to launch the US version in late September. The platform lists about 70,000 articles regarding mobile apps, to allow users in finding apps that look to better match their situation than conventional app stores or other platforms. While more than 6 million desktop users visit the website every month, the platform’s mobile app has marked over 1 million downloads ( iOS / Android ) in total. The company is launching a subsidiary in the Philippines where local writers are readying articles about mobile apps focused on the English-language markets. When the first several thousand articles are ready to publish, they will launch the English version of the AppLiv platform. Their global expansion effort will start with the English-language markets which have a large mobile user base, considered reaching beyond to other markets in the future. We’ve seen several app analytics services for businesses like AppAnnie, but none for those focused on introducing apps for mobile users. With the launch of the English version, the Appliv platform could gain a presence globally as well. The company will apparently announce more updates by this year-end. It…

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Volare, the Japanese startup behind mobile app discovery platform Appliv, announced today that it has set up a subsidiary in the Philippines for global expansion, planning to launch the US version in late September.

The platform lists about 70,000 articles regarding mobile apps, to allow users in finding apps that look to better match their situation than conventional app stores or other platforms. While more than 6 million desktop users visit the website every month, the platform’s mobile app has marked over 1 million downloads ( iOS / Android ) in total.

The company is launching a subsidiary in the Philippines where local writers are readying articles about mobile apps focused on the English-language markets. When the first several thousand articles are ready to publish, they will launch the English version of the AppLiv platform. Their global expansion effort will start with the English-language markets which have a large mobile user base, considered reaching beyond to other markets in the future.

We’ve seen several app analytics services for businesses like AppAnnie, but none for those focused on introducing apps for mobile users. With the launch of the English version, the Appliv platform could gain a presence globally as well.

The company will apparently announce more updates by this year-end. It will be interesting to see how far they can get from here.

Translated by Masaru Ikeda
Edited by “Tex” Pomeroy

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Japan’s heatmap analytics solution Ptengine surpasses 20,000 subscribers worldwide

Ptmind

Yukari Mitsuhashi 2015.06.28

See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Ptmind, the startup that operates heatmap access analytics solution Ptengine (previously known as Ptmind in Japan and Miapex outside Japan), recently announced that it has acquired over 20,000 user accounts. The analytics tool was launched back in July of 2013. As indicated by winning the Good Design Award, a design promotion initiative of the Japanese government, the company has delivered a universally easy-to-use interface and a fun-to-use experience. The tool’s heatmap function shows users how their visitors viewed or clicked on their websites, thus contributing to individual and corporate website owners acquisitions. See also: Japan’s heatmap analytics solution Pt engine launches Android SDK in closed beta Tokyo’s Ptmind to set up shop in Silicon Valley, provide analytics solutions globally In late 2014, they integrated with US-based A/B testing tool Optimisely and started a full-scale service operation in the English-language markets. The partnership with the top global company in testing tools has helped Ptengine gain confidence from users. Ptmind CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) Ryotaro Ohara explained: We have noticed a good result as expected from the integration with Optimisely but our analysis shows that the massive growth in our subscribers are mainly due to our marketing efforts. We enlarged our marketing team targeting the English-language markets,…

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Ptmind, the startup that operates heatmap access analytics solution Ptengine (previously known as Ptmind in Japan and Miapex outside Japan), recently announced that it has acquired over 20,000 user accounts.

The analytics tool was launched back in July of 2013. As indicated by winning the Good Design Award, a design promotion initiative of the Japanese government, the company has delivered a universally easy-to-use interface and a fun-to-use experience. The tool’s heatmap function shows users how their visitors viewed or clicked on their websites, thus contributing to individual and corporate website owners acquisitions.

ptengine-user-growth — The user growth of Ptengine since its launch back in July 2013.

See also:

In late 2014, they integrated with US-based A/B testing tool Optimisely and started a full-scale service operation in the English-language markets. The partnership with the top global company in testing tools has helped Ptengine gain confidence from users.

Ptmind CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) Ryotaro Ohara explained:

We have noticed a good result as expected from the integration with Optimisely but our analysis shows that the massive growth in our subscribers are mainly due to our marketing efforts. We enlarged our marketing team targeting the English-language markets, going through many trials and errors for various measures.

The company understands that the number of users as well as the level of recognition for Ptengine in both Japan and the English-language markets are yet still low. Beyond expending more efforts into marketing activities, focus upon visualizing data metrics on the platform will be enhanced so that companies can more likely make an appropriate business decision based on it.

As their user base grows steadily and globally, it will be interesting to see how Ptmind will strengthen the platform’s functionality while integrating with other service platforms to better serve users.

Translated by Conyac crowdsourced translation service
Edited by Masaru Ikeda
Proofread by “Tex” Pomeroy

news

Japan’s noBackend development platform Milkcocoa now eases IoT and M2M integration

Masaru Ikeda 2015.06.28

See the original story in Japanese. Some of our readers may recall that we introduced the Milkcocoa platform developed by Fukuoka-based startup Technical Rockstars. It enables automation of managing servers through single-line script tag insertion into the HTML source, which means support for front-end engineers in managing the back-end environment from its front-end side. So the platform is an ideal solution for startups or system integrators with their hands full developing front-end apps and cannot afford to manage the back-end environment. Technical Rockstars recently announced platform upgrade roll-outs platform with added support for three new functions: JSON Web Token (JWT), MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, and Node.js SDK (software development kit). With the platform’s support for JWT, developers will not need to code from scratch for Facebook/Twitter login or enterprise systems’ login functions using authentication services like Auth0 and AuthRocket, allowing them to take these functions outside to the Milkcocoa platform easily and securely. Often applied to M2M (machine-to-machine) network and the IoT (internet of things) field, MQTT Protocol enables accepting many sessions with low-energy consumption because the protocol is lightweight and lessens the loads on CPUs, communication modules as well as connected networks; conventional versions of Milkcocoa required HTTP and WebSocket connections. Furthermore, support for Node.js SDK simplifies the connection procedure for Milkcocoa interactions with IoT frameworks (e.g., Raspberry PI or Edison) yet increases their reliability. Milkcocoa was developed based…

See the original story in Japanese.

Some of our readers may recall that we introduced the Milkcocoa platform developed by Fukuoka-based startup Technical Rockstars. It enables automation of managing servers through single-line script tag insertion into the HTML source, which means support for front-end engineers in managing the back-end environment from its front-end side. So the platform is an ideal solution for startups or system integrators with their hands full developing front-end apps and cannot afford to manage the back-end environment.

Technical Rockstars recently announced platform upgrade roll-outs platform with added support for three new functions: JSON Web Token (JWT), MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, and Node.js SDK (software development kit).

With the platform’s support for JWT, developers will not need to code from scratch for Facebook/Twitter login or enterprise systems’ login functions using authentication services like Auth0 and AuthRocket, allowing them to take these functions outside to the Milkcocoa platform easily and securely.

Often applied to M2M (machine-to-machine) network and the IoT (internet of things) field, MQTT Protocol enables accepting many sessions with low-energy consumption because the protocol is lightweight and lessens the loads on CPUs, communication modules as well as connected networks; conventional versions of Milkcocoa required HTTP and WebSocket connections. Furthermore, support for Node.js SDK simplifies the connection procedure for Milkcocoa interactions with IoT frameworks (e.g., Raspberry PI or Edison) yet increases their reliability.

Milkcocoa was developed based on the NoBackend approach, aiming to allow front-end engineers to develop web apps without considering back-end operations. With the current upgrade, the platform will even allow hardware engineers and IoT-focused software engineers to devote themselves to their jobs without considering the cloud and back-end environment.

Technical Rockstars CEO Shuhei Hiya, who in 2010 was designated a “supercreator” by IPA, the government-backed IT promotion authority, provided the following comment:

We want even novice engineers to eagerly develop a variety of services — regardless of web services, IoT or whatever — without worrying about drudgery around developing authentication process or configuring servers.

The Technical Rockstars members started writing a series column on Japanese online IT publication Gihyo.jp, introducing Milkcocoa utilization cases since March. Even the freemium version of the platform will work enough to try functionalities except the limit of the maximum concurrent connections so those who are interested in using the platform are highly recommended to give it a try.

Looking forward, Technical Rockstars will introduce the Milkcocoa premium edition soon, followed by SDK for Android and iOS apps, then an online dashboard allowing developers to see the data being streamed into their apps.

Translated by Taijiro Takeda
Edited by Masaru Ikeda
Proofread by “Tex” Pomeroy

news

Up-and-coming investor hosts startup event in Tokyo, encourages global entrepreneurship

Masaru Ikeda 2015.06.22

This is part of our coverage of Skyland Ventures Festa Tokyo 2015. See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Skyland Ventures was founded by young but promising investor “Max” Yoshihiko Kinoshita back in August of 2012. Prior to it, he started his career as an investor at Japanese investment firm JAFCO, followed by working for Incubated Fund as an associate. Skyland Ventures organized its first startup showcase event called Skyland Ventures Fest Tokyo at Microsoft Japan headquarters on Sunday. Inspired by the tagline of “GLOBAL Startups meet GLOBAL Talents”, over hundreds of people, such as entrepreneurs, investors, and other members of startup communities around the world, have attended this event. The event was kicked off with a morning interview session with Akira Morikawa, who recently stepped down as CEO of LINE and has launched his own startup called C-Channel. The session was moderated by Skyland Ventures founding partner “Max” Yoshihiko Kinoshita. Morikawa explained why he launched C-Channel: I’ve been interested in education, healthcare, and energy businesses, but I have no background in these sectors. Since my first career started at a TV broadcaster almost 20 years ago, I have many friends in the broadcasting industry while I’m more familiar with…

This is part of our coverage of Skyland Ventures Festa Tokyo 2015.

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Skyland Ventures was founded by young but promising investor “Max” Yoshihiko Kinoshita back in August of 2012. Prior to it, he started his career as an investor at Japanese investment firm JAFCO, followed by working for Incubated Fund as an associate.

Skyland Ventures organized its first startup showcase event called Skyland Ventures Fest Tokyo at Microsoft Japan headquarters on Sunday. Inspired by the tagline of “GLOBAL Startups meet GLOBAL Talents”, over hundreds of people, such as entrepreneurs, investors, and other members of startup communities around the world, have attended this event.

The event was kicked off with a morning interview session with Akira Morikawa, who recently stepped down as CEO of LINE and has launched his own startup called C-Channel. The session was moderated by Skyland Ventures founding partner “Max” Yoshihiko Kinoshita.

Morikawa explained why he launched C-Channel:

I’ve been interested in education, healthcare, and energy businesses, but I have no background in these sectors. Since my first career started at a TV broadcaster almost 20 years ago, I have many friends in the broadcasting industry while I’m more familiar with it than other sectors. That’s why I started a media business. […]

Due to the smartphone shift in browsing websites, people’s intention for e-commerce sites has changed from finding the cheapest prices to discovering unique items. So I thought that the smartphone shift would also impact how people enjoy online videos. LINE also plans an online video business in a different way, but we decided to focus on fashion.

In the session, Morikawa emphasized that Japanese startups typically add too many features to their apps, which makes them a challenge to be understood by the global user base, and also tend to spend long hours to think but rather have to act quickly.

svft2015-morikawa-kinoshita — C Channel founder and CEO Akira Morikawa (right) interviewed by “Max” Yoshihiko Kinoshita.

Morikawa’s interview was followed by a number of keynote sessions by top people in the global startup community, including Oscar Yasser Noriega (Pocket Supernova), Antti Sonninen (Slush Asia), Tim Gong (SIG Asia Investments), Jaeuk Park (VCNC, Korea), Anton Soeharyo (Touchten, Indonesia), Jia Shen (Powercore, China), and Hiro Maeda (angel investors). These presenters shared their insights in their local startup scene and why startups need to work globally.