January 25, 2023

KDDI Corporation

On January 25, 2023, KDDI invested in foriio, Inc (Headquarters: 3-4-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hirohito Yamada; hereinafter "foriio"), the operator of the "foriio" portfolio service, through KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (operated by Global Brain Corporation; hereinafter "KOIF III"), which aims to invest in promising venture startups.

foriio has developed a portfolio service that enables creators to showcase their achievements and skills, without the need for any coding. Over 80,000 creators have registered to use the service. The company also provides the "foriio Creator Match" service, which creates business opportunities for a wide range of creators, including designers and illustrators, who have built relationships through the portfolio service.

Through this investment, KDDI will support the business growth of foriio through business co-creation that establishes a wide range of partnerships and expands the creator economy.

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
Portfolio platform for creators - foriio (in Japanese only)

(Reference)

• ■Overview of foriio

  • (1)

    Company name: foriio, Inc

  • (2)

    Headquarters: Shinjuku WARP 3F, 3-4-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

  • (3)

    Date founded: December 2017

  • (4)

    Business activities: Provision of the "foriio" portfolio platform for creators

  • (5)

    Representative: Hirohito Yamada

  • (6)

    URL: https://www.company.foriio.com/company/ (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 areas of entertainment, home, IoT, big data, and Fintech with a total operating fund of 20 billion yen.