June 1, 2022

KDDI Corporation

On May 13, 2022, KDDI invested in Gaudiy Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuya Ishikawa; hereinafter: "Gaudiy"), a provider of fan platform services in the Web3 era, through 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.

With their mission of "advancing the times with fans," Gaudiy provides Gaudiy Fanlink, a fan platform for the Web3 era that maximizes fan enthusiasm by utilizing blockchain technologies such as NFT and DID (decentralized ID), and has introduced Gaudiy Fanlink to entertainment companies that possess IP. In addition, a key characteristic of the community services provided by Gaudiy is that they provide opportunities for fans to safely and actively engage with officially recognized IP. Gaudiy utilizes blockchain technology to record and accumulate cross-sectional fan activity data linked to IP, and is building an ecosystem in which fan enthusiasm is correctly evaluated and rewarded.

Through this investment, KDDI will work with Gaudiy to create a new Internet standard by supporting their business growth and global expansion.

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
"https://mugenlabo-magazine.kddi.com/list/2022-gaudiy/" (in Japanese only)

(Reference)

• ■Overview of Gaudiy

  • (1)

    Company name: Gaudiy Inc.

  • (2)

    Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

  • (3)

    Date founded: May 2, 2018

  • (4)

    Business activities: Token economy business utilizing blockchain technology

  • (5)

    CEO: Yuya Ishikawa
    URL: https://hp.gaudiy.com/ (in Japanese only)

• ■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.