D-POPS GROUP is a community of companies that integrates businesses and technology, a concept that we call “Real World x Technology x Synergy.” Our goal is to realize a “Venture Ecosystem” that is indispensable to society, and we are striving to create a growth platform for startup companies.
We have two major strategic concepts. The first is to create an entrepreneurs’ “conglomerate premium” focused on information and communications technology; in other words, to develop a group management structure that relies on synergy between entrepreneurs in the ICT field. The second is to be an incubation platform for startup ventures by supplying the fertile soil where startups can grow and flourish.
Within the gigantic market of ICT, we are boldly venturing into the Internet of Things, 5G, artificial intelligence and other fields while maintaining a recurring revenue stream at our core. We provide startups with a wide range of support in areas like fundraising, setting and revising business models and reorganization.
D-POPS GROUP is led by a group of top-tier advisors, including two figures who have reached the pinnacle of Japanese business and diplomacy, respectively: KDDI cofounder Sachio Semmoto, and former U.S. Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki. With such powerful backing, the company provides not only business know-how, but also opportunities for individual growth, supporting the entire group’s development.
The group also includes many professionals who are experts in creating group synergy, leading management in their fields at top companies around Japan and the world, with annual revenues ranging from hundreds of billions to trillions of yen. They form a unit that offers hands-on, practical guidance for the companies in our group.
D-POPS GROUP aims to be more than just a conglomerate; we strive to form a Venture Ecosystem, nurturing the startups that will carry Japan’s future and bring about social change. Our vision is to create a system that will remain in society even 100 years from now.
Portfolio 1: M&A Cloud
For many years, corporate giants have represented Japan’s economy, but now a new wave of startups is beginning to surge. Japan’s startup ecosystem is currently considered an unprecedented opportunity for foreign investors, thanks to the weak yen and the support of the Japanese government.
The Japanese startup market is right in the middle of a significant transition. Companies that used to be focused on going public are shifting gears, and the notion that mergers and acquisitions are crucial strategic tools for accelerating growth and innovation is starting to take root. Numerous businesses are proactively adopting outside technologies and ideas, and the number of M&A deals in the first half of fiscal 2025 reached a record high of 2,509.
At the very heart of this transformation is M&A Cloud Co. Ltd. Our proprietary technology is tackling two serious challenges unique to Japan: a lack of business successors and a lag in open innovation. M&A Cloud operates an online platform that directly connects potential buyers with business owners interested in selling their companies.
Sellers are able to use the service for free and, compared to the traditional intermediary system, our platform is a dramatic improvement in transparency, speed and efficiency.
40% of the enterprises on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market use M&A Cloud’s services, and it has become an invaluable tool for companies aiming for rapid growth.
As such, M&A Cloud is not only a marketplace, it’s a platform that moves Japan’s matured economy forward and opens the door for foreign investors to discover promising Japanese companies that were previously difficult to see. Now is the perfect opportunity to take part in this transformation that will shape Japan’s future.
Portfolio 2: Payke
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been increasing every year and the inbound consumer market is expected to reach ¥8 trillion soon. In addition, the Japanese government is aiming to expand this market to ¥15 trillion — the same level as Japan’s current automotive industry — by the year 2030.
However, the language barrier still presents major obstacles, and can make foreign tourists give up on purchasing something due to a lack of accessible information. Payke Inc. is a startup company that solves that inconvenience lying hidden within this huge market and is revolutionizing the consumer experience.
Our smartphone application, Payke, enables users to scan barcodes printed on items in stores and find ingredients, usage instructions and product reviews in various languages. Travelers can shop with peace of mind, and businesses can accurately convey the appeal of their own products. In addition, by anonymizing and utilizing users’ location data and scanning history, Payke effectively digitizes the purchasing behavior of foreign customers in Japan for the first time. Our ability to visualize inbound tourists’ buying patterns, which were previously difficult to grasp, is a major strength.
Payke’s service has already gained 5.5million users(including API partners) achieved the No.1 ranking in overseas app stores and continues to spread rapidly via word-of-mouth. An AI agent feature currently in the works will specialize in product descriptions and shopping guides, becoming an assistant that supports shopping for international visitors and provides a new resources for companies aimed at sales promotion and market analysis.
In recent years, Japan’s startup ecosystem has evolved significantly, driven by the expansion of tourist demand and the advancement of digitalization. Even in a market once seen as dominated by large corporations, startups like Payke — born out of the desire to solve societal issues — are steadily growing and aiming for international expansion. Japan is now transforming into an attractive market for investors, led by inbound consumption, where technological innovation thrives.
Portfolio 3: Adora
We believe that Japanese startup companies are now more attractive to foreign investors than ever before. The number of entrepreneurs in Japan is still small. Although the founder of Adora attended a famous Japanese university, few of his acquaintances were set on starting a company.
However, many social issues and their corresponding needs are now becoming apparent in Japan’s growing market. This creates a favorable environment where leaders can both test and scale their businesses. As a result, we feel that a great number of successful startups will emerge in the future.
Adora aims to be one such example. We have created an app for parents and children called Kodomamo, which promotes safe smartphone usage by using a natural language processing model to detect dangerous chats on children’s social media and by using Edge AI to identify inappropriate selfies and prevent excessive smartphone use. In the two years since its release, the app has gained about 150,000 users.
We have also confirmed that there is overseas demand, and expanded into South Korea last year and Taiwan this September.
We launched our business in collaboration with universities and the public sector, and with the support of our shareholder, D-POPS GROUP, we have advanced our partnership with major Japanese telecommunications carriers. We aim to continue achieving results and become a good example of a positive cycle within the ecosystem, involving universities, governments, investors and large corporations.
What is a Venture Ecosystem?
We define the Venture Ecosystem that D-POPS GROUP is aiming for as a platform that enhances the growth and sustainability of a community of companies that share a common philosophy and address social challenges with innovative business.
The survival rate of startups 20 years after their founding is said to be only 0.3%. In other words, the harsh reality is that most startups fail. To address the challenges of managing a startup, we have created a system that supports capable leaders and entrepreneurs in their efforts. This system enables the realization of a risk portfolio that can withstand various headwinds and makes strategic risk hedging possible.
A Venture Ecosystem is: 1) A group of companies with an indomitable, entrepreneurial spirit. 2) Its members learn from and help each other. 3) Their personnel are united under the same ideology and culture. 4) Through the development and renewal of each individual company, the group as a whole perpetually thrives. 5) This leads to the birth of new startups from within and the acquisition of other startups outside of the group. 6) The entire community stands together in solidarity to face changes in the environment. 7) The Venture Ecosystem itself exists to support the livelihood of its members.
In short, a Venture Ecosystem is a platform that enhances the growth and sustainability of a group of companies.
The continual positive cycle of human resources, knowledge and experience is the driving force behind the sustained growth of each individual company and the group in its entirety. We walk together with participating companies to ensure that this platform becomes an indispensable presence in society. Please keep an eye out for our future activities to realize our Venture Ecosystem.
Address: 32F Shibuya Hikarie Building
2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-8510
Board Members:
CEO & Founder: Kazuhiro Goto
Chairman and Co-President: Sachio Semmoto
Corporate Advisor: Ichiro Fujisaki
Non-executive Director: Shinichiro Naito
Advisor: Fujiyo Ishiguro
