Brave group completed its Series E financing through a third-party allotment to 16 investors and debt financing from three banks. The round brings the total fundraising of the Series E to over ¥8 billion, with cumulative capital raised since its founding in October 2017 reaching over ¥14 billion.
Background and Objectives
In recent years, Japanese entertainment IPs, including anime, manga, and video games, have gained a passionate global fanbase, while the VTuber market has also experienced rapid cross-border growth.
Use of Proceeds
・Accelerating global expansion: Strengthening IP localization capabilities in overseas markets and increasing marketing investment
・Diversifying IP businesses: Investing in new business initiatives to maximize the value of existing IP
・Investing in technology: Upgrading studio facilities, including R&D in streaming and XR technologies
・Strategic M&A and alliances: Strengthening partnerships with leading domestic and international IP holders and companies in adjacent sectors
Series E Investors and Financing Partners
REALITY, Inc. / Cool Japan Fund Inc. / Mizuho Bank, Ltd. / THIRDWAVE CORP. / Tokyo University of Science Innovation Capital Co., Ltd. (TUSIC) / SPRIX Inc. / Kakao Investment Co., Ltd. / NHN JAPAN Corp. / SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. / Wing Capital Partners, Ltd. / The Shizuoka Bank, Ltd. / Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Co., Ltd. *1 / Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd. / HIRAC FUND / Kirin Holdings Company, Limited *2 / Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. / The Hokkoku Bank, Ltd. / IMM Investment Corp. / BSP Group
*1. Investment made through SuMi TRUST Innovation No. 2 Fund, a corporate venture capital fund managed by Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment Co., Ltd.
*2. Investment made through KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND, a corporate venture capital fund of Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, managed by Global Brain CorporationMessage from the representatives
Yoshikazu Tanaka, Founder of GREE, Chairman and CEO of, GREE Holdings, Inc.
The GREE Group has closely followed Brave group’s journey since its inception. CEO Noguchi’s execution capabilities in building the company from the ground up stand out as truly remarkable, as does the overall strength of the group’s business momentum.
By becoming the largest shareholder through REALITY, Inc., a member of the GREE Group, we have established a strategic framework to deepen our collaboration and actively support Brave group’s continued expansion.
The GREE Group remains fully committed to this partnership as we work together to ensure Japanese-born content captivates the global stage.
Kenichi Kawasaki, President, CEO and COO, Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Brave group operates a diverse range of businesses centered on VTuber management, including events and merchandise sales, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to global expansion. We decided to invest because we highly value its ability to increase international recognition of, and demand for, Japan’s entertainment and content industry.
By leveraging our extensive network and the expertise we have built with domestic and international partners, we aim to accelerate Brave group’s continued growth and contribute to initiatives that further develop the broader Japanese entertainment content sector.
Through our collaboration with Brave group, we look forward to promoting the appeal of Japan to an even wider global audience.
Eiki Uchida, Head of Aoyama Corporate Banking Branch, Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Brave group is a next-generation entertainment conglomerate that manages many popular VTubers, including VSPO!. The company is pursuing a roll-up growth model that enables non-linear expansion through M&A and business alliances, alongside the creation of its own original IP. In addition to IP management, it has also developed vertically integrated capabilities across 3D CG animation production and merchandise sales platforms, enabling a multimedia content strategy while actively expanding overseas.
Mizuho Bank has established credit facilities and executed M&A financing to support Brave group’s further IP creation and global expansion. We expect this financing to serve as a catalyst for the company’s continued growth and further advancement.
The Mizuho Group will continue to stand united in supporting Brave group as it continues to captivate its audiences around the world.
Keito Noguchi, CEO, Brave group
We are deeply honored to have the participation of leading domestic and international investors and financial institutions in this round.
Since our founding, we have been driven by our unwavering commitment to change the world through entertainment. We see this Series E financing of over ¥8 billion, bringing our cumulative total to over ¥14 billion, as a powerful vote of confidence from our investors in our Purpose:
“Japanese Adventure, Worldwide Romance.”
We believe that Japanese entertainment and IP have the potential to captivate the world. By collaborating with our new partners, we will strengthen our management foundation and further accelerate the cross-border expansion of our IP, as we strive to become a global leader representing Japan.
About Brave group
Under its Purpose “Japanese Adventure, Worldwide Romance” and its Mission to ”Strike wonder in 8 billion hearts”, Brave group is a next-generation entertainment conglomerate.
The company operates a diverse portfolio across four main business segments centered on its VTuber business: IP Production, IP Platform, IP Solution and Incubation. By integrating IP with cutting-edge technology, Brave group is dedicated to creating entertainment that moves audiences worldwide through both in-house and partner IPs.
https://youtu.be/R3ehfNaG6G4
About Brave global capital
Brave global capital (BGC) is an investment initiative led by Brave group, aimed at building a global ecosystem that maximizes the potential and profitability of its IP. Through strategic mergers, capital participation, and business alliances, BGC provides specialized support to portfolio companies across the following four core areas: Content, Global Expansion, Finance, and Technology.
Official Website: https://bravegroup.co.jp/bgc/
About Brave Marketing
Brave Marketing is a marketing solution that enables direct reach and communication with global target audiences, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha. By integrating cutting-edge IP and technology such as VTubers, Roblox, XR, and the metaverse, with Brave group’s proprietary PLAY Model™ framework, Brave Marketing provides a system for building and nurturing highly engaged fan communities. By becoming a core component of brand marketing strategies, the solution goes beyond one-off campaigns to drive long-term, sustainable brand value and customer base expansion.
Official Website: https://marketing.bravegroup.co.jp/
