Aww
Aww Inc. is a Tokyo-based virtual human x AI company that builds photorealistic 3DCG virtual humans with real-time conversational AI for global fashion and luxury brands, financial institutions, and enterprise customer-service deployments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Aww does
Aww Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered virtual human x AI company founded in 2019 that operates as Asia's first dedicated virtual human studio. It develops photorealistic 3DCG virtual humans integrated with conversational AI (ASR, character-specific LLMs with RAG, TTS, and NVIDIA Audio2Face-driven real-time facial animation), running on Unreal Engine rendering and cloud infrastructure from Microsoft Azure. The company's technical backbone is MasterModel®, a proprietary methodology built over more than a decade of R&D that reportedly reduces CGI character creation time by approximately 70% versus traditional pipelines.
Aww operates three revenue-generating business lines: (1) IP Production, monetizing owned virtual human characters such as imma (Asia's #1 virtual influencer with 1.5M+ global followers), MIRAI (autonomous AI agent, co-developed with HoloWorld), Ria, plusticboy, and Asu through brand collaborations, advertising, licensing, and social media; (2) Planning & Development, creating bespoke virtual humans for enterprise clients including Coach, IKEA, Disney, Porsche, BMW, SK-II, Amazon Japan, KDDI, Omron, Dai-ichi Life, and Keikyu on a project-fee basis; and (3) AI Solutions, software products including HITO (a self-serve conversational AI virtual human agent launched June 2026, supporting 15 languages) and ConvoHuman On-premises (an on-premises enterprise edition distributed by SB C&S Corporation).
The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales for custom IP and brand collaborations, channel distribution through SB C&S in Japan, self-serve SaaS via HITO for mid-market customers, and a partnership-led ecosystem anchored by NVIDIA (ACE, Tokkio, Omniverse, Enterprise AI Factory case study) and Microsoft Japan. Disclosed funding totals approximately ¥960M (~$6M USD) across a 2022 pre-Series A and a July 2024 $6M seed round led by Kindred Ventures. Web3-native economics are explored via the MIRAI token issued with Hologram Labs. Aww has no parent company or subsidiaries and operates as an independent private company.
Aww firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aww
- Legal name
- 株式会社Aww
- Website
- https://aww.tokyo
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aww Inc. is a Tokyo-based virtual human x AI company that builds photorealistic 3DCG virtual humans with real-time conversational AI for global fashion and luxury brands, financial institutions, and enterprise customer-service deployments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aww industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Human AI Platform
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management) (HDAEANAA), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)
Keywords
Where Aww is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aww business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- IP Production Business: Operates company-owned virtual human IPs (imma, MIRAI, plusticboy, Ria) across social media, advertising, licensing, fashion collaborations, and brand partnerships. Generates revenue through brand collaboration fees, licensing royalties, social media monetization, and fan community engagement.
- Planning and Development Business: Creates custom virtual humans for enterprise clients and brands. Provides full-service development including brand strategy, character design, 3D modeling, motion capture, AI dialogue systems, and distribution infrastructure. Revenue from project-based development fees.
- AI Solutions Business: Provides AI-powered interactive virtual humans for customer service, sales support, education, and tourism applications. Offers cloud and on-premises deployment options. Revenue from software licensing (ConvoHuman On-premises), subscription services (HITO), and professional services for customization.
- Web3/IP Extensions (MIRAI): Joint initiative with Hologram Labs exploring Web3 integration through MIRAI token ($MIRAI), expanding the IP into blockchain-based ecosystem. Token issuance managed by Hologram Labs; Aww contributes character design, narrative world-building, and AI integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Monthly | Three character plans with varying customization levels |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aww product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aww creates photorealistic virtual humans powered by AI and operates them as a commercial IP portfolio for global brand collaborations, licensing, and AI-driven campaigns. The company also develops and sells AI conversational software products (HITO for cloud customer service and ConvoHuman On-premises for secure enterprise environments) and provides custom virtual human development services for enterprise clients across fashion, automotive, financial services, retail, telecommunications, and tourism sectors.
Product overview
Aww Inc. operates as a virtual human x AI company with a portfolio of three interconnected product lines. The core platform is MasterModel®, a proprietary 3DCG + AI development system for creating photorealistic virtual humans with real-time motion and conversational capabilities. Built on this platform, Aww manages a roster of owned virtual human IPs — including imma (Japan's first virtual model, debut 2018), MIRAI (autonomous AI-driven virtual human co-developed with HoloWorld, 2025), plusticboy, Ria, and Asu — which serve as brand ambassadors, AI influencers, and entertainment properties. Separately, Aww commercializes two SaaS products: HITO, a real-time voice AI conversational agent launched June 2026 providing facility guidance, multilingual customer service, and FAQ support via photorealistic virtual human avatars; and ConvoHuman On-premises, an enterprise on-premises version of the same technology for security-sensitive environments. The company also offers custom virtual human development services to enterprise clients (e.g., Ayayi for China, Katie for Thailand, Ella for Disney, Belle from Hosoda film, coh with KDDI) under the planning and development business unit.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HITO: Conversational AI virtual human agent for facility guidance, customer service, FAQ support, and multilingual assistance through natural voice conversation.
- MASTER MODEL®
- ConvoHuman On-premises
- imma AI
Products and services
- HITO A real-time voice AI conversational agent featuring photorealistic virtual human avatars that provide facility guidance, multilingual customer service, FAQ support, and reception services. Supports 15 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese + 12 more) with automatic language detection, responding in as little as 0.85 seconds. Targets mid-market and enterprise customers seeking self-serve or subscription-based AI customer engagement.
- ConvoHuman On-premises An on-premises interactive AI virtual human software delivering end-to-end customer engagement (speech input, response generation, facial animation) entirely on-premises for security-sensitive enterprises. Supports Japanese and English, customizable characters, camera-based recognition, and flexible LLM integration. Distributed by SB C&S Corporation. Targets tourism, finance, healthcare, and public services sectors.
- MasterModel Aww's proprietary virtual human development platform combining 3DCG and AI technology for creating photorealistic virtual humans. Covers character design, facial modeling, hair, body, costume, expression, makeup, space, props, and LoRA customization. Includes IP strategy, world-building, storytelling, goods, graphic/film production, and social media planning for IP branding. Reduces CGI character creation time by approximately 70%.
- imma AI An AI service combining Aww's virtual human 'imma' with a character-specific large language model (LLM) for interactive AI-powered conversations. The first product in Aww's initiative to create fully automated virtual humans with natural facial expressions, movement, and voice using voice and video models. Supports Japanese and English.
- Custom Virtual Human Development Services End-to-end Planning & Development business that creates custom virtual humans for enterprise clients and brands. Provides full-service development including brand strategy, character design, 3D modeling, motion capture, AI dialogue systems, and distribution infrastructure. Notable delivered projects include Ayayi for China's Ranmai Technology, Katie for Thailand, ella for Disney, Belle from Mamoru Hosoda's film, and coh for KDDI Corporation.
- MIRAI (Virtual Human IP) A next-generation autonomous virtual human co-developed with HoloWorld, powered by AI and built with cutting-edge technologies including Unreal Engine. Capable of real-time conversation, autonomous livestreaming, and interaction without continuous human operation. Features Web3 integration via $MIRAI token. Licensed for brand collaborations including Amazon Japan's first AI influencer autonomous livestream campaign (April 2026).
- imma (Virtual Human IP) Japan's first virtual model, identifiable by her signature pink bob hair. A photorealistic virtual human with over 1.5M global social media followers across 60+ countries. Appears in fashion campaigns, TV commercials, and serves as an AI stylist at Coach and IKEA activations. Licensed for major brand campaigns (Porsche Taycan, BMW i4 M50, SK-II global campaign, IKEA Harajuku, Nomura Holdings 100th anniversary).
- ANOME Vhuman Streamer Project A Vhuman Streamer Project launched by Aww Inc. to create and produce virtual human superstars with the theme 'Another Me.' Enables real-time communication through live streaming using advanced 3DCG technology. First virtual human 'Bikinina Nikibi' debuted June 18, 2023, and incorporates AI technology in audio, video, and content production. Includes auditions for new virtual human talent.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% reduction in CGI character creation time
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aww
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aww technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability10 records
Feature6 records
Aww partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and pilot.
- Microsoft JapancoreTechnical collaboration using Microsoft Azure cloud platform for AI-powered virtual human development. Azure's AI processing infrastructure and technical support from Microsoft Japan aims to improve precision of real-time conversation and expressive control using generative AI.
- SB C&S CorporationmajorDistributor agreement for ConvoHuman On-premises interactive AI virtual human software. SB C&S provides nationwide sales and support network to drive enterprise adoption across Japan.
- Hologram Labs (Holoworld)coreJoint development of MIRAI, an AI agent-based virtual human with Web3 integration. Aww handles character design, narrative world-building, and AI integration. Hologram Labs manages Web3 aspects including presale execution, tokenomics, and infrastructure. MIRAI token ($MIRAI) issued by Holoworld. Project raised 76,831 SOL ($13.1M) in presale within 36 hours.
- NVIDIAcoreStrategic collaboration for AI-powered virtual humans using NVIDIA's latest AI and accelerated computing technologies. Includes NVIDIA ACE AI agent technology and Tokkio framework. NVIDIA featured imma as enterprise AI case study. Joint events and technology demonstrations at NVIDIA AI Summit Japan and COMPUTEX. Aww participates in NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory program.
- KDDI CorporationcoreCo-development of virtual human 'coh' as interface to bridge technology and humans. Coh aims to deliver new technological advancements and experiential value to users. Multiple brand collaborations through KDDI partnerships.
- Ranmai TechnologycorePartnership with China's leading digital human operating company for virtual human project AYAYI. AYAYI debuted on RED (小红书) platform with first post surpassing 30 million views.
- Stability AIstrategicBusiness alliance for joint development exploring new possibilities for virtual humans using AI technology. Combines Aww's original IP-based virtual humans with Stability AI's Stable Diffusion capabilities.
- SpaceDatastrategicStrategic partnership announced March 2025 for virtual recreation projects including International Space Station (ISS) environment featuring imma and MIRAI on CGWORLD October 2025 cover.
- Omron CorporationstrategicRia serves as AI avatar for Omron's CT-type X-ray automated inspection system VT-X series. Powered by NVIDIA Omniverse, system processes inspection data efficiently with Ria delivering results through voice interaction.
- Ryohei Electo (菱洋エレクトロ)strategicBusiness partnership for introduction and support of virtual human deployment using NVIDIA Omniverse ACE technology.
- HoloWorldcoreJoint development partner for MIRAI virtual human. HoloWorld is Web3-native AI project. $MIRAI token issued by HoloWorld integrates Web3 mechanisms into project ecosystem.
- CorgearstrategicStrategic collaboration announced at RAMEN TECH 2025 to build new business model combining digitalization of real assets with stablecoin infrastructure for next-generation asset distribution and value exchange.
- Dai-ichi Life InsurancepilotProof of Business (PoB) implementing virtual human avatar as 'digital buddy' for Life Design Planners. Testing effectiveness of digital avatars in supporting sales activities and facilitating smoother consultations.
- Mitani SangyostrategicCo-development of virtual human 'Hokuto Taizan' combining Eastern philosophical intelligence with Aww's conversational AI system. Positioned as AI External Board Director candidate at Mitani Sangyo.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aww competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Soul Machines: Soul Machines builds autonomous digital humans for enterprise customer service and brand engagement. Directly competes with Aww's HITO/ConvoHuman offering, serving global enterprise customers with AI-powered virtual human agents.
- Uneeq: Uneeq creates digital human twins for enterprise customer experience across industries including financial services and retail. Competes directly with Aww's enterprise AI solutions business using photorealistic avatars with conversational AI.
- Synthesia: Synthesia provides AI-generated video avatars for enterprise communications and content. Overlaps with Aww's planning and development business for custom branded virtual humans, though focuses more on video production than real-time interaction.
- D-ID: D-ID creates AI-powered digital humans and video generation technology for enterprise marketing and customer engagement. Competes with Aww in the AI virtual human space with similar photorealistic avatar capabilities.
- HeyGen: HeyGen offers AI avatar video generation for enterprise marketing, sales, and training. Overlaps with Aww's custom virtual human services, particularly in creating branded AI spokespeople and personalized video content.
- Brud (Lil Miquela): Brud created Lil Miquela, one of the first mainstream virtual influencers. Directly comparable to Aww's imma franchise in the virtual influencer space, both targeting fashion and brand collaborations with CGI-based characters.
- ObEN: ObEN builds personalized AI avatars for enterprise and consumer applications. Competes with Aww in AI-powered virtual human creation, though focuses more on consumer personalization than brand ambassador use cases.
Emerging players
- Ready Player Me: Ready Player Me provides cross-platform avatar creation infrastructure for metaverse and gaming applications. Adjacent to Aww's MasterModel platform for virtual human creation, though focuses on user-generated avatars rather than branded characters.
- Character.AI: Character.AI enables users to create and interact with AI characters. Partial overlap with Aww's character-based LLMs and virtual human agents, though focuses on text-based conversational characters rather than photorealistic avatars.
Broad incumbents
- Naver Z (ZEPETO): Naver Z operates ZEPETO, a major metaverse platform with virtual avatars and social experiences. Competes in the broader virtual human/avatar space, though focuses on user-generated social metaverse rather than branded virtual influencers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aww social profiles
Digital presenceAww financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aww leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Aww funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aww M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aww
What does Aww do?
Aww creates photorealistic virtual humans powered by AI and operates them as a commercial IP portfolio for global brand collaborations, licensing, and AI-driven campaigns. The company also develops and sells AI conversational software products (HITO for cloud customer service and ConvoHuman On-premises for secure enterprise environments) and provides custom virtual human development services for enterprise clients across fashion, automotive, financial services, retail, telecommunications, and tourism sectors.
Is Aww a public or private company?
Aww is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Aww founded?
Aww was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aww based?
Aww is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Aww make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. IP Production Business are the primary driver. The others are planning and Development Business, AI Solutions Business and web3/IP Extensions (MIRAI).
Who are Aww's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Soul Machines, Uneeq, Synthesia, D-ID, HeyGen, Brud (Lil Miquela) and ObEN. Emerging players are Ready Player Me and Character.AI. Naver Z (ZEPETO) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Aww have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aww.
What industry is Aww in?
Aww's product category is Virtual Human AI Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAKAF, Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds, with a secondary code of HDAEANAA, End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7373.