April 19, 2023

KDDI Corporation

KDDI invested in stu inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takayasu Kuroda; hereinafter: "stu"), the planner and developer of entertainment businesses that fuses reality and virtual reality with their creative prowess and use of advanced technologies, 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.

stu inc. creates a new era of entertainment by combining edge tech development within 5G, XR, and metaverse fields, and content development businesses that have incorporated world standard video production workflows. Since 2001, stu has been engaged in entertainment DX through measures such as establishing wireless video capturing systems within concert spaces by applying local 5G networks in collaboration with KDDI. Additionally, applying their creative prowess and advanced technologies, stu is engaged in planning and developing experience-based content such as "Negai Tsunagu Sakura" and "Totonou Space Lounge" at the concept shop "GINZA 456 Created by KDDI" as well as the creation and server development for the αU live content "Boom Boom Back PLAYGROUND remix" within the high-definition digital twin version of Shibuya which is a digital space that is indistinguishable from actual Shibuya.

Through this investment, KDDI supports the business growth of stu, a developer with a mission to "re-invent entertainment." Additionally, in collaboration with stu, KDDI will promote the commercialization of digital performances utilizing digital twin mainly within the entertainment field.

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
"Innovation" and "Reinvention" of entertainment content that stu strives for - stu (in Japanese only)

(Reference)

• ■Overview of stu

  

  • (1)

    Company name: stu inc.

  • (2)

    Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

  • (3)

    Date founded: April 5, 2017

  • (4)

    Business activities: Edge tech development, video production, and content development

  • (5)

    CEO: Takayasu Kuroda

  • (6)

    • URL:

      https://stu.inc/en/

• ■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.