# GRAS Group

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/gras-group

- Industry: Internet
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Website: www.weblio.jp
- Total disclosed funding: $0.7M
- Latest round: Series A (Aug 22, 2007)
- Investors on record: 4

## About

GRAS Group, Inc. delivers comprehensive online linguistic resources, functioning primarily as a digital dictionary and encyclopedia to assist users in language comprehension and translation.Founded in 2005, GRAS Group, Inc. operates primarily in the online dictionary and encyclopedia sector. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The CEO and founder, Naoya Tsujimura, established the firm, which has engaged in two notable deals. In August 2007, the company raised JPY 81 million in Series A funding from investors including GMO Venture Partners, Recruit Holdings, and SMBC Venture Capital, marking a significant step in their investment journey.Weblio is a comprehensive online dictionary and encyclopedia service that offers an extensive range of linguistic resources to its users. The core product offerings include various dictionaries such as Japanese language dictionaries, English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries, as well as Chinese, Korean, French, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese dictionaries. Additionally, Weblio features a synonym and antonym dictionary, a sign language dictionary, and a collection of historical Japanese dictionaries. These resources are designed to assist individuals in understanding and utilizing language effectively across multiple contexts, serving students, professionals, and language enthusiasts alike. Weblio’s services are accessible online, catering primarily to users in Japan, but it also reaches international users who require assistance with language translation and comprehension. The platform emphasizes ease of use, allowing users to perform integrated searches that link related terms and concepts seamlessly.Weblio's revenue model is structured around subscription services and advertising, catering to both individual users and businesses. Users can access various dictionary services either for free or through subscription plans that offer enhanced features and an ad-free experience. These subscriptions are designed for frequent users, such as students and professionals who require regular access to the platform’s expansive resources. Moreover, partnerships with educational institutions and businesses further amplify Weblio’s reach, allowing it to tailor specific linguistic resources that meet the needs of organizational clients. The company also generates revenue through targeted advertising, which aligns with user interests based on their interactions on the platform. Specific pricing details for subscription tiers and additional services are not disclosed.With the Series A funding raised in August 2007, GRAS Group, Inc. aims to enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach. The company plans to introduce new language resources and tools tailored for both educational institutions and businesses, with these products expected to launch within the next two years. Additionally, GRAS Group, Inc. targets expansion into markets in Southeast Asia and North America by 2025, leveraging its unique linguistic platform to cater to diverse user needs.

## Funding rounds

- Series A, Aug 22, 2007, $0.7M — SMBC Venture Capital, GMO VenturePartners, Recruit Holdings
- Seed, Jun 1, 2006 — Incubate Fund

## Investors

- Incubate Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/incubate-fund) — Seed
- SMBC Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/smbc-venture-capital) — Series A
- GMO VenturePartners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/gmo-venturepartners) — Series A
- Recruit Holdings — Series A