stand.fm
stand.fm is a Japan-based, mobile-first audio distribution platform that enables individual creators and enterprise brands to record, edit, publish, and monetize voice content via recorded broadcasts, live streams, and multi-person collaborative sessions, with a dedicated Shibuya recording studio and full podcast syndication.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSarugaku, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What stand.fm does
stand.fm, Inc. is a Japan-based, mobile-first audio distribution platform founded in 2020 and headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, that enables individuals and brands to record, edit, publish, and monetize voice and audio content through dedicated iOS and Android applications. The platform supports both pre-recorded broadcasts and real-time live streams, with collaborative sessions allowing up to four participants in recorded mode and up to ten in live mode, plus an in-app audio editor, a 150-track BGM library with automatic volume adjustment, eight voice-effect presets, and podcast syndication to Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Amazon. Listeners can engage broadcasters via real-time comments, gift points, letter submissions, and a text-based community feed; the platform intentionally hides follower counts and engagement metrics to reduce public status competition among creators.
The business model is freemium for both listeners and broadcasters, with revenue accruing to stand.fm through take-rates on a multi-module monetization stack: an approval-based Partner Program that pays creators based on listening time, Gift Points purchased with coins by listeners and redeemable for cash by broadcasters, broadcaster-set monthly Membership subscriptions for exclusive content, and one-time Paid Content sales for individual broadcasts. The product surface has been extended offline via stand.fm Studio, a soundproof recording facility in Shibuya reserved for approved broadcasters. Core distribution runs through app stores with podcast-platform syndication, and the GTM motion is product-led growth targeting individual creators, influencers, celebrities, and select brands, supported by interview content marketing (mic stand interviews) and curated pickup categories.
The customer base spans a long tail of individual creators (e.g., Watanabe Couple, Chanmei, mami dot., MR.MONDO, Iwama Megumi, mirai, elly, Reiwa Roman no Goyou, Nagisa) alongside high-profile Japanese personalities and enterprise brands including BEAMS, Shiseido S/PARK, Elle Japan, and Shiseido-affiliated channels. Backed by YJ Capital (approximately $4.7M disclosed in 2020) and operated by co-CEOs Ayataro Nakagawa and Shingo Kawai, stand.fm targets the Japanese creator economy with a vertically integrated audio platform plus service model.
stand.fm firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- stand.fm
- Legal name
- stand.fm, Inc.
- Website
- https://stand.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- stand.fm is a Japan-based, mobile-first audio distribution platform that enables individual creators and enterprise brands to record, edit, publish, and monetize voice content via recorded broadcasts, live streams, and multi-person collaborative sessions, with a dedicated Shibuya recording studio and full podcast syndication.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
stand.fm industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio Distribution Platform
- NAICS
- Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Audio & Social Audio Platforms (MPAIADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)
Keywords
Where stand.fm is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sarugaku
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
stand.fm business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- stand.fm Partner Program: Broadcasters earn revenue based on listening time of their recorded broadcasts. Participation is approval-based.
- Gift Points: Listeners send gifts (using coins) to broadcasters during live streams or with letters. Points accumulate and can be redeemed for cash.
- Membership Function: Any broadcaster can set up a paid monthly membership. Members receive exclusive recorded/live content and early access to broadcasts. Pricing is set by the broadcaster.
- Paid Content: Individual recorded broadcasts can be sold as paid content. Price is set by the broadcaster and can be combined with membership.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free tier for all users |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
stand.fm product offering
Product offeringCore offering
stand.fm is a mobile-first audio distribution platform that enables anyone to record, edit, and publish voice content directly from a smartphone, and to run real-time live broadcasts. It supports collaborative broadcasting for up to 4 participants in recorded mode and up to 10 in live mode, and includes integrated monetization (Partner Program, Gift Points, Membership, Paid Content) plus syndication to major podcast platforms.
Product overview
stand.fm is a voice/audio distribution platform offering a unified product with multiple integrated features. The core platform enables creators to distribute audio content through two main formats: recorded broadcasts (収録) for pre-edited content and live broadcasts (ライブ) for real-time engagement. Collaborative features allow multi-person participation (コラボ収録ライブ). The platform provides monetization through four integrated modules: the Partner Program for playback-based revenue, Gift Points for listener-to-creator gifting, Membership for monthly subscription content, and Paid Content for per-broadcast sales. Additional engagement tools include a Letter function for listener communication, Community for text-based interaction, and a BGM Library with 150+ tracks for content enhancement. A physical recording studio (stand.fm Studio) in Shibuya provides professional facilities for creators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- stand.fm Audio Distribution Platform A voice and audio distribution mobile platform that lets any individual or brand record, edit, live-stream, and publish audio content directly from a smartphone, with built-in monetization tools (Partner Program, Gift Points, Membership, Paid Content) and podcast syndication to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon. Targeted at individual creators, influencers, celebrities, musicians, and brands primarily in Japan.
- stand.fm Partner Program An approval-based monetization program that lets stand.fm broadcasters earn revenue proportional to the playback time of their recorded audio broadcasts, operated as a standalone module accessible to approved creators.
- stand.fm Studio (Shibuya) A physical recording facility located in Shibuya, Tokyo, with soundproof booths and professional recording equipment, available exclusively to approved stand.fm broadcasters through an application and review process.
Companies that use stand.fm
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
stand.fm technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature8 records
stand.fm partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- JASRAC (日本音楽著作権協会)coreJASRAC is a Japanese music copyright association that grants licenses for using copyrighted music. stand.fm holds license number 9024598002Y31016, enabling broadcasters to use BGM and music content legally.
- NexTonecoreNexTone provides music licensing for rights not covered by JASRAC. stand.fm holds license number 000006134, expanding legal music usage options for broadcasters.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
stand.fm competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Voicy: Japan's leading domestic voice/audio platform offering recorded and live broadcasting, monetization via subscriptions, and a similar creator-led model. Voicy is stand.fm's most direct Japan-market competitor with overlapping features and audience.
- Radiotalk: Japanese live audio broadcasting app allowing anyone to start a radio-style stream via smartphone. Competes with stand.fm for the same casual broadcaster and influencer audience in Japan.
- Clubhouse: Pioneer of the social audio room format. Although globally focused and text-light compared to stand.fm, Clubhouse targets the same creator-and-live-audio use case and represents the canonical category leader.
- Spoon: Korean-origin live audio social app popular across East Asia. Competes for live audio broadcasters and listeners, particularly in the broader Asian market stand.fm also serves.
Broad incumbents
- Spotify: Global audio streaming giant that has aggressively pushed into podcasts and live audio. While not Japan-voice-first, Spotify absorbs creator supply and listener demand that stand.fm also targets.
- Apple Podcasts: Default podcast distribution platform on iOS and a syndication destination for stand.fm's creators. Functions as both a competitor and a distribution channel for the stand.fm ecosystem.
- Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters): Spotify-owned free podcast creation and distribution platform. Competes for the same hobbyist/prosumer creator who wants an all-in-one tool to record, edit, and publish audio.
Regional players
- Castbox: Podcast listening platform with built-in recording and live features; serves the East Asian market and overlaps with stand.fm on the creator-and-listener audio funnel.
Emerging players
- Pinterest Podcast / Note Podcasts (emerging audio social tools): Large consumer platforms (e.g., Pinterest, Twitter/X) launching audio and live audio features represent emerging supply of audio social tooling and audience attention that compete for creator hours.
Others
- JASRAC (music rights collective): Japanese music rights organization that licenses stand.fm and its peers. Not a competitor, but a critical infrastructure enabler for any platform offering BGM and music-backed broadcasting in Japan.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
stand.fm social profiles
Digital presencestand.fm compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
stand.fm financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
stand.fm leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
stand.fm funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
stand.fm 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 stand.fm
What does stand.fm do?
stand.fm is a mobile-first audio distribution platform that enables anyone to record, edit, and publish voice content directly from a smartphone, and to run real-time live broadcasts. It supports collaborative broadcasting for up to 4 participants in recorded mode and up to 10 in live mode, and includes integrated monetization (Partner Program, Gift Points, Membership, Paid Content) plus syndication to major podcast platforms.
Is stand.fm a public or private company?
stand.fm is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was stand.fm founded?
stand.fm was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is stand.fm based?
stand.fm is headquartered in Sarugaku, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does stand.fm make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. stand.fm Partner Program is the primary driver. The others are gift Points, membership Function and paid Content.
Who are stand.fm's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Voicy, Radiotalk, Clubhouse and Spoon. Broad incumbents are Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters). Castbox is listed as a regional player. Pinterest Podcast / Note Podcasts (emerging audio social tools) is listed as an emerging player. JASRAC (music rights collective) is listed as an others.
Does stand.fm have an API?
No public API is recorded for stand.fm.
What industry is stand.fm in?
stand.fm's product category is Audio Distribution Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAD, Live Audio & Social Audio Platforms, with a secondary code of MPAIADAJ, Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516 and its SIC code is 4832.