April 21, 2022

KDDI Corporation

KDDI invested in UNBEREAL Inc. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yukiyoshi Maehara; hereinafter: "UNBEREAL"), the developer and operator of the "topia" virtual karaoke distribution app, through the KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (operated by Global Brain Corporation; hereinafter "KOIF III"), which aims to incubate new business co-creations with promising venture startups.

"topia" is a virtual karaoke distribution app that allows users to freely create an avatar to enjoy karaoke and communication. It supports the distribution of avatars which do not reveal the user's face and the karaoke distribution of 15,000 songs from JOYSOUND. "topia" enables users who lack confidence in their conversational abilities or who have never performed live streaming before to easily stream video. Moreover, the app has an extremely high ratio of streamers compared to apps from other companies and is distinguished by the strong connections between users.

Through this investment, KDDI will support the creation of new forms of experience value within "topia" for its members and the creator economy, etc. Furthermore, KDDI will provide various assets which it possesses to support the expansion of topia's customer base and business growth.

As "the company that customers feel closest to," KDDI will continue to promote business co-creation through investment in promising startup companies, and create new business models together with customers and partners.

MUGENLABO Magazine
"Virtual Karaoke SNS that Realizes a World of Greater Connection and Brilliance - UNBEREAL" (in Japanese only)

(Reference)

• ■Overview of UNBEREAL

  • (1)

    Company name: UNBEREAL Inc.

  • (2)

    Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo

  • (3)

    Date founded: May 2012

  • (4)

    Business activities: Development and operation of the "topia" virtual karaoke distribution app

  • (5)

    Representative: Yukiyoshi Maehara
    URL: https://unbereal.co.jp/ (in Japanese only)

• ■About KDDI Open Innovation Fund

  KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture fund that supports a broad range of venture companies. The currently active KDDI Open Innovation Fund III focuses on the areas of AI, IoT, data marketing, fintech, B2B SaaS, and entertainment with a total operating fund of 20 billion yen.