Kakao VX

What Kakao VX does

Kakao VX Corp. (주식회사 카카오 VX) is a South Korean sports digital transformation company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Seongnam (Pangyo), South Korea, operating as a subsidiary of Kakao Games within the Kakao corporate group. The company has built an end-to-end golf services ecosystem spanning the full value chain — from tee-time booking (Kakao Golf Reservation, which surpassed 1 trillion KRW in annual transaction value as of January 2025) to indoor screen-golf simulation (Friends Screen and the Friends Screen Quantum (Q) franchise platform with 300+ domestic locations), to smart golf course technology (self check-in/out, swing recognition tags), to B2B golf course management contracts (including Easy Sky CC and Seraggio GC). Underlying technology combines high-definition course graphics, computer-vision-based AI swing analysis, voice recognition, and IoT-enabled smart course systems; supporting brands include Friends Academy (practice range franchise), Smart Home Training (AI fitness), Kakao Friends Golf (apparel and equipment), and BirdieSquad (NFT-based golf community).

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: franchise fees, equipment sales and revenue share from Friends Screen and Friends Academy locations; subscription membership fees and transaction-based commissions on Kakao Golf Reservation; managed services contracts for golf course operations; in-app and in-game advertising; and merchandise sales through Kakao Friends Golf channels. Go-to-market is hybrid: self-serve consumer app distribution via Google Play and App Store, franchise-based domestic physical expansion with dedicated domestic sales teams, and channel-partner-led international expansion into the United States, Japan, Vietnam, and China through subsidiaries and regional partners. The company maintains ISMS-P certification (valid 2023-11-01 through 2026-10-31) across all online services and ranked #1 in screen golf consumer satisfaction by the Korean Consumer Agency in February 2025.

The company's competitive positioning rests on the Kakao brand and Kakao Friends character IP, its diversified multi-product golf ecosystem, and a large domestic franchise footprint. Customer segments span individual golfers (booking and screen-golf players), franchise entrepreneurs, golf course operators, advertisers, and fitness users. Recent strategic activity has emphasized product expansion (Quantum platform, Good Shot GMS), geographic internationalization (US direct store February 2025, US Quantum platform April 2026, Japan Rakuten Golf partnership December 2023), and ecosystem buildout (NFT community, AI fitness), supported by approximately $112M USD in cumulative funding across 2018, 2019, and 2021 rounds.

Name

Kakao VX

Legal name

(주) 카카오 VX

Website

https://kakaovx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kakao VX is a South Korean sports digital transformation company operating an end-to-end golf services ecosystem — including tee-time booking (Kakao Golf Reservation), screen-golf franchises (Friends Screen), smart golf course technology, and B2B course management — serving individual golfers, franchisees, and golf course operators under the Kakao Games parent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Technology & Golf Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Mini Golf & Attractions Centers (Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag Complexes) (THAJAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD), Golf Equipment, Apparel & Pro Shop Retail (CRAMABAG)

Keywords

• Screen golf services
• Golf reservation platform
• Golf course management
• Indoor golf simulators
• Sports digital transformation

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Screen Golf Operations: Revenue from Friends Screen franchise operations including equipment sales, membership fees, and gameplay revenue share with franchise owners
2. Golf Reservation Platform: Kakao Golf Reservation platform revenue through tee time booking fees and membership subscription services. Recorded 1 trillion won in annual transaction value in January 2025.
3. Golf Course Management: Golf course operational management contracts including branding, system integration, and facility management fees from golf courses like Seraggio GC, Easy Sky CC, and others
4. Advertising Revenue: In-app and in-game advertising products for Kakao Golf Reservation and Friends Screen users including banner, message, and partnership ad formats
5. Membership Subscription: Kakao Golf Reservation membership service providing benefits including green fee discounts, hole-in-one congratulation money (3 million won), and real-time join features
6. Golf Equipment Sales: Kakao Friends Golf branded apparel and merchandise through online store and physical outlets

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kakao VX operates an integrated golf services ecosystem combining screen golf (indoor simulator venues under the Friends Screen brand), a tee-time reservation platform (Kakao Golf Reservation), smart golf course technology (self check-in/out and swing recognition), and B2B golf course operational management contracts. The company also franchises its indoor golf practice ranges under the Friends Academy brand and sells Kakao Friends Golf branded apparel and equipment.

Product overview

Kakao VX is a sports digital transformation company offering a multi-product ecosystem centered on golf services. The core offerings include: Friends Screen (screen golf simulation), Kakao Golf Booking (reservation platform), Smart Golf Course (smart course management), and Golf Course Management services. The company also operates supporting brands including Friends Academy (franchise), Smart Home Training (AI fitness), Kakao Friends Golf (apparel), and BirdieSquad (NFT community). Products are available through apps on Google Play and App Store, serving both individual consumers and business partners (franchisees, golf courses).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friends Screen (프렌즈 스크린): Screen golf brand offering indoor golf simulator experience with high-definition course graphics and integrated gameplay
• Friends Academy (프렌즈 아카데미)
• Friends Screen R (프렌즈 스크린 R)
• Kakao Golf Reservation (카카오골프예약)
• Smart Golf Course (스마트 골프장)
• Golf Course Operation (골프장 운영대행)
• Kakao Friends Golf (카카오프렌즈 골프)
• Smart Home Training (스마트홈트)
• BuddySquad (버디스쿼드)
• Friends Golf Holdings
• GOLF VX Corp

Products and services

• Friends Screen (프렌즈 스크린) Screen golf service providing realistic golf simulation with precise camera technology, accurate physics, multi-user gameplay, and smart record management. Available at 300+ franchise locations across South Korea and internationally.
• Kakao Golf Reservation (카카오골프예약) Tee-time booking platform for individual golfers covering reservations, lottery bookings, companion invitations, round schedule notifications, score cards, and subscription membership services.
• Smart Golf Course (스마트 골프장) Smart golf course management solution enabling self check-in, smart monitoring, swing recognition tags, self check-out, and green fee payment through the Kakao Golf Booking Plus premium service.
• Golf Course Management (골프장 운영대행) B2B operational management service for golf courses providing branding, system integration, premium golf course implementation, and digital innovation through smart golf course technology.
• Friends Academy (프렌즈 아카데미) Screen golf practice range franchise offering precise swing analysis through golf simulators with startup consulting, franchise membership recruitment, and store operation management support for franchisees.
• Friends Screen Quantum (Q) (프렌즈 스크린 퀀텀) Advanced screen golf system featuring perfect field terrain implementation, ultra-high-definition course graphics, AI-driven swing analysis, and fully integrated gameplay for indoor golf simulation.
• Kakao Friends Golf (카카오프렌즈 골프) Golf apparel and equipment brand featuring Kakao Friends character IP, including golf balls (R), apparel lineup, and accessories available through online store and physical outlets.
• Smart Home Training (스마트홈트) AI-powered home fitness training service with exercise videos that use AI to recognize and analyze user posture in real-time, providing coaching feedback on correct form during workouts.
• BirdieSquad (버디스쿼드) NFT-based golf fan community platform enabling engagement between golf enthusiasts through blockchain technology.
• Good Shot (굿샷) Golf Course Management System Integrated management system (GMS) for golf course operations providing comprehensive course management functionality launched in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 franchise locations reached within 7 months for Friends Screen Quantum (Q)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Golf VX CorpmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Golf VX partnership for US Quantum simulator platform launch. Golf VX developed the platform in partnership with Kakao VX featuring ultra-high-definition course graphics and AI-driven swing analysis.
• Gangwon Tourism Foundation (강원관광재단)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Partnership to activate tourism in closed mining areas through golf services, signed September 2025
• Beautiful Store & Seoul Golf Association (아름다운가게&서울특별시골프협회)minorOthers · 1 January 2025Donated golf equipment and winter sports items to Beautiful Store and Seoul Special City Golf Association in January-February 2025
• Rakuten Golf Japan (라쿠텐 고라)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Partnership with Rakuten Golf Japan to launch real-time golf course reservation service in Japan, expanding Kakao Golf Reservation service to Japanese market
• Kakao Games (카카오게임즈)coreOthers · 1 January 2021Kakao VX is a subsidiary of Kakao Games, focused on golf-related services and technology integration including AI, VR, AR, and new golf brands. Previously raised capital in 2018 and 2019.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Golfzon: Golfzon is the dominant Korean screen golf and golf entertainment operator with thousands of simulator installations domestically and internationally. It is the most directly comparable peer to Kakao VX's Friends Screen franchise business, operating a similar indoor simulator-based golf entertainment model with proprietary technology.
• Five Iron Golf: Five Iron Golf operates a growing chain of indoor golf simulators, leagues, and food/beverage hospitality venues primarily in the US. It is a direct comparable to Kakao VX's Friends Screen model with a similar multi-location indoor golf entertainment franchise approach.
• Drive Shack: Drive Shack owns and operates the Puttery and Drive Shack venue brands featuring indoor/outdoor tech-enabled golf entertainment with food and beverage. It is a direct peer in the golf entertainment venue space that Kakao VX operates through its Friends Screen franchise.
• BigShots Golf: BigShots Golf is a tech-enabled indoor/outdoor golf entertainment venue operator offering simulator bays, food, and beverage across US locations. It is comparable to Kakao VX's Friends Screen franchise model in combining indoor golf simulation with hospitality and social entertainment.
• KT Sports: KT Sports is a Korean screen golf operator and subsidiary of KT Corporation, operating indoor golf simulator venues similar to Kakao VX's Friends Screen. It is a direct domestic competitor in the Korean screen golf franchise market.

Broad incumbents

• Topgolf Callaway Brands: Topgolf is the global leader in golf entertainment venues, combining technology-enabled golf gameplay with hospitality. While much larger and operating in a different geography, Topgolf's tech-enabled indoor golf entertainment model is conceptually analogous to Kakao VX's Friends Screen franchise network.
• Acushnet Holdings (Titleist): Acushnet owns Titleist, FootJoy, and other major golf equipment brands. While not directly competing in screen golf entertainment, it represents a broad incumbent in the Korean and global golf ecosystem where Kakao VX sells Kakao Friends Golf branded equipment and apparel.

Emerging players

• Swingers (by All Star Lanes): Swingers operates indoor crazy golf and golf entertainment venues in London and New York, blending golf entertainment with bars and hospitality. It represents a niche but comparable indoor golf entertainment operator expanding internationally in a similar manner to Kakao VX.

Others

• Kakao Games: Kakao Games is the publicly traded parent company of Kakao VX, focused on mobile and online game publishing with sports content investments. While not a direct competitor, it is the strategic parent and enabler of Kakao VX's distribution and capital access.

Regional players

• Rakuten Golf Japan: Rakuten Golf operates a major golf reservation and content platform in Japan and is also a partner of Kakao VX. It is comparable as a regional golf platform/booking service operating in a different geography than Kakao VX's core Korean market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kakaovx

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kakao VX