# Sozi

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

- Industry: Internet
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Website: www.sozi.co.jp/
- Total disclosed funding: $4.4M
- Latest round: Series C (Jan 12, 2022)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Based in Japan, Sozi Inc. focuses on enhancing creativity through digital platforms that connect creators with their audiences. The company specializes in services that promote artistic engagement and financial support for creators.Sozi Inc. is a Tokyo-based company founded in 2017, specializing in digital services that strengthen the relationship between creators and their fans. The firm has completed 2 deals, with its latest funding round being a Series C in January 2022, where it raised JPY 410 million from investors including GEEK PICTURES and OLM Ventures. The company is independently operated without known subsidiaries or parent companies.Sozi Inc. specializes in developing platforms and tools designed to enhance creativity and facilitate connections between creators and their audiences. The company’s core offerings include 'pib,' a service that enables users to share illustrations with individuals who appreciate them, thereby fostering a deeper engagement with artwork beyond transient trends. Another key service is 'OFUSE,' which allows fans to send personalized messages of gratitude to creators for a nominal fee, thereby creating a direct line of support between the creator and their followers. Additionally, 'POTOFU' aggregates social media and portfolio information to help creators quickly establish public profiles, streamlining their online presence. Sozi’s services primarily target creators and fans in Japan, where they have cultivated a user base exceeding 58,000 for OFUSE, as well as fostering collaborative projects with notable brands and organizations in the creative industry.Sozi Inc. generates revenue primarily through transaction-based models tied to its digital services. For instance, the 'OFUSE' service operates on a pay-per-character pricing structure, allowing users to express their support for creators via paid messages, thus creating a direct revenue stream for both the company and the creators involved. The company may also engage in partnerships and collaborations, which contribute to project funding and brand visibility. Revenue is further supported by the utilization of their platform tools like 'POTOFU', which facilitate promotional opportunities for creators and brands alike. Overall, Sozi's transactional approach emphasizes direct interactions between fans and creators while leveraging their technological solutions to support creative endeavors.In January 2022, Sozi Inc. raised JPY 410 million in Series C funding to enhance its organizational structure and marketing efforts both locally and globally. The funding will support recruitment, improve creator business operations, and expand into new markets. Specific plans include launching new products and increasing marketing activities to attract a broader audience, although no exact release dates or specific regions for expansion have been disclosed.

## Funding rounds

- Series C, Jan 12, 2022, $3.5M — SMBC Venture Capital, Samurai Incubate, Headline [DUP], giftee, Inc., OLM Ventures, GEEK PICTURES
- Series B, Sep 30, 2020, $0.9M — Genesia Ventures, Akatsuki Ventures, GREE Ventures

## Investors

- Genesia Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/genesia-ventures) — Series B
- Akatsuki Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/akatsuki-ventures) — Series B
- GREE Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/gree-ventures) — Series B
- SMBC Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/smbc-venture-capital) — Series C
- Samurai Incubate (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/samurai-incubate) — Series C
- Headline [DUP] — Series C
- giftee, Inc. — Series C
- OLM Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/olm-ventures) — Series C
- GEEK PICTURES — Series C