# Grooves

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/grooves

- Industry: Software
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Website: www.grooves.com
- Total disclosed funding: $9.8M
- Latest round: Series F (Apr 14, 2021)
- Investors on record: 12

## About

Grooves Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in cloud-based recruitment solutions, enhancing the hiring process for job seekers and employers across the country through innovative tools and platforms.Founded in 2004 and based in Tokyo, Japan, Grooves Inc. operates in the recruitment sector, providing a digital platform for job seekers to connect with employers. The company focuses on expanding its recruitment services while exploring potential international markets. In? November 2025, Grooves Inc. raised an undisclosed amount in venture funding from new investors Aozora Corporate Investment, Shoko Chukin Bank, Japan Finance Corporation and the company's management.The round was part of a larger JPY 770 million venture and debt funding.

Grooves Inc. offers a comprehensive cloud-based recruitment service known as "Crowd Agent," which connects job seekers with a wide array of recruitment agencies and employers across Japan. This service facilitates the hiring process, ensuring effective matches based on various criteria such as skills and experience. Additionally, the company operates the Forkwell platform, a job site dedicated to IT engineers, providing tailored career opportunities and resources.Grooves Inc. generates revenue through service subscriptions and partnerships with recruitment agencies and employers. Companies subscribe to the Crowd Agent platform for access to a vast pool of potential candidates, streamlining their recruitment efforts. The Forkwell platform operates similarly, allowing employers to post job vacancies and engage with IT talent directly, creating a sustainable ecosystem within the recruitment sector.

The company plans to use the November 2025 funding to enhance the consistency and agility of its decision-making processes, thereby increasing corporate value.

## Funding rounds

- Series F, Apr 14, 2021, $5.5M — Nissay Capital, Hiroshima Venture Capital, Venture Labo Investment, JIC Venture Growth Investments
- Series E, Mar 30, 2020, $0.3M — Minato Capital
- Series D, Apr 11, 2019, $2.7M — Inspire Corporation, JTB, Venture Labo Investment, Hitomedia, Inc., Regional Revitalization Solution, OKB Capital
- Series A, Apr 27, 2012, $0.7M — Nippon Venture Capital
- Seed, Nov 30, 2011, $0.5M — CyberAgent Capital

## Investors

- CyberAgent Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/cyberagent-capital) — Seed
- Nippon Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/nippon-venture-capital) — Series A
- Inspire Corporation — Series D
- JTB — Series D
- Venture Labo Investment (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/venture-labo-investment) — Series D, Series F
- Hitomedia, Inc. — Series D
- Regional Revitalization Solution (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/regional-revitalization-solution) — Series D
- OKB Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/okb-capital) — Series D
- Minato Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/minato-capital) — Series E
- Nissay Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/nissay-capital) — Series F
- Hiroshima Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/hiroshima-venture-capital) — Series F
- JIC Venture Growth Investments (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/jic-venture-growth-investments) — Series F