THE RICH

What THE RICH does

THE RICH Co., Ltd. (株式会社THE RICH) is a Tokyo-based BeautyTech startup founded in August 2022 that operates the SILK THE RICH premium hair care brand. The company's core product technology is a proprietary nano-scaled silk processing method that breaks silk proteins to nano size for deep penetration into hair cuticles, paired with formulations combining multiple silk ingredients (golden silk, silk polymer) with six beauty ingredients (oil keratin, argan oil, chia seed oil, meadowfoam oil, y-docosalactone, jojoba oil). The technology is patent-pending and was developed through more than two years of R&D and 500+ verifications, with explicit engineering for both soft and hard water compatibility to support global distribution.

The product portfolio includes three shampoo and treatment series — Moist & Repair (golden pair & freesia), Scalp & Repair (mood night musk, with charcoal), and High Moist & Repair (envelope rose bouquet, for high damage and frizz) — alongside two hair oil SKUs (GPF and MNM), refill pouches, and newly launched Hair Milk and Body Wash products. Pricing is premium-tier: ¥2,200 per single bottle (post-April 2026 pricing), ¥3,680 for a subscription set, and ¥220 per refill pouch. Revenue is generated through a hybrid D2C-and-retail model: direct sales via silktherich.com and major Japanese e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, Qoo10, ZOZOTOWN), plus physical retail through drugstores (Welcia), discount chains (Don Quijote), variety stores (Hands), and salon channels via Japan's largest beauty distributors (MASS Holdings, Kikuya Biseido). Distribution has scaled to 10,000+ retail doors across 189 countries, with a US subsidiary (SILK THE RICH USA Inc.) established in September 2024 and sales starting in California in February 2025.

THE RICH has raised approximately ¥3 billion cumulatively across multiple rounds since November 2023, including a March 2026 ¥1.8B round combining ¥800M equity from Theta Times Ventures and ¥1B Mizuho Bank debt. The shareholder base includes individual investors (Mirai Asakura, Kunihisa Miyamoto), venture capital (Saison Ventures, Theta Times Ventures), corporate investors (HIU Investment led by Horie), and the Katakura family — historic Japanese silk industry figures connected to the UNESCO World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill. The company employs 65 people as of April 2026 and has aggressively invested in brand-building event sponsorships (BLACKPINK World Tour, New York Fashion Week, Johnny Depp immersive art exhibition, BreakingDown MMA, Golden Disc Awards), alongside a December 2025 M&A of Lifunext Inc. to bring in-house digital marketing capability.

Name

THE RICH

Legal name

株式会社THE RICH（ザ・リッチ）

Website

https://about.silktherich.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

THE RICH is a Tokyo-based BeautyTech startup operating the SILK THE RICH premium hair care brand, built on proprietary nano-scaled silk protein technology. It serves global consumers across 189 countries through D2C e-commerce, 10,000+ retail doors, and a subscription/refill model, with three shampoo-treatment series plus hair oils and adjacent personal care products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Hair Care

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (45612)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling, Treatments) (CRADANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conditioners & Hair Masks (CRABABAB), Shampoo & Scalp Cleansers (CRABABAA)

Keywords

• Silk hair care
• Premium shampoo
• Hair treatment products
• Hair oil care
• Silk protein haircare

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. D2C Online Sales (Official Website + EC Platforms): The company generates primary revenue through direct-to-consumer sales via its official online store (silktherich.com) and major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, Qoo10, and ZOZOTOWN. Subscription/recurring orders are a key component through regular auto-delivery programs.
2. Retail / Physical Storefront Distribution: Revenue from physical retail distribution including drugstores (Welcia), discount stores (Don Quijote), variety stores (Hands), and salon/beauty retailers. The company sells through major Japanese beauty distributors MASS Holdings and Kikuya Biseido.
3. Refill/Repeat Purchase Revenue: Post-initial purchase revenue from refills and repeat purchases including refill pouches (1DAY pouches at ¥220 per unit) and regular subscription replenishment orders, creating recurring revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

THE RICH manufactures and sells premium silk-based hair care products under the SILK THE RICH brand, using proprietary nano-sized liquid silk technology. The product portfolio includes three shampoo and treatment series (Moist & Repair, Scalp & Repair, High Moist & Repair), two hair oils (GPF and MNM), Hair Milk, Body Wash, and refill pouches, sold both directly to consumers through online stores and marketplaces and through physical retail partners across Japan and 189 countries globally.

Product overview

THE RICH operates SILK THE RICH as a unified premium silk-based hair care brand with a multi-product portfolio centered on silk protein technology. The core offering consists of three shampoo and treatment series targeting different hair concerns: Moist & Repair (standard damage repair with golden pair and freesia fragrance), Scalp & Repair (scalp care with silk and charcoal, mood night musk fragrance), and High Moist & Repair (high damage/frizz care with envelope rose bouquet fragrance). The brand has expanded into hair oils (GPF and MNM variants), with new products including Hair Milk and Body Wash with nano-silk technology. Products are sold as both bottles and refill pouches through D2C online channels and retail partners, spanning 189 countries globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• モイスト＆リペア (Moist & Repair): Premium silk beauty shampoo series with golden pair & freesia fragrance, focused on repair and hydration for salon-quality glossy hair at home.
• スカルプ＆リペア (Scalp & Repair)
• ハイモイスト＆リペア (High Moist & Repair)
• ザ・リッチ ヘアオイル (THE RICH Hair Oil)
• SILK THE RICH ヘアミルク (Hair Milk)
• SILK THE RICH ボディウォッシュ (Body Wash)

Products and services

• SILK THE RICH Moist & Repair Shampoo Repair-focused premium silk beauty shampoo series with golden pair and freesia fragrance, designed for at-home salon-quality glossy hair.
• SILK THE RICH Moist & Repair Treatment Repair-focused premium silk beauty treatment series with golden pair and freesia fragrance, complementing the Moist & Repair shampoo for complete hair care.
• SILK THE RICH Scalp & Repair Shampoo Scalp environment-focused shampoo series combining silk with charcoal, featuring mood night musk fragrance for those concerned about odor or residue.
• SILK THE RICH Scalp & Repair Treatment Scalp environment-focused treatment series combining silk with charcoal to support healthy scalp conditions.
• SILK THE RICH High Moist & Repair Shampoo High damage care-focused shampoo series with envelope rose bouquet fragrance, targeting frizz and damage concerns.
• SILK THE RICH High Moist & Repair Treatment High damage care-focused treatment series with envelope rose bouquet fragrance for frizz and damage repair.
• THE RICH Hair Oil GPF (ザ・リッチ ヘアオイルGPF) First out-bath (post-wash) hair oil product featuring nano-sized silk solution for internal repair, with golden pair and freesia fragrance.
• THE RICH Hair Oil MNM (ザ・リッチ ヘアオイルMNM) Hair oil product with mood night musk fragrance, featuring nano-sized silk solution for internal repair and external coating.
• SILK THE RICH Hair Milk (ヘアミルク) Hair milk product with world-first high-penetration nano-silk formulation for hair care finishing.
• SILK THE RICH Body Wash (ボディウォッシュ) Body wash product with world-first high-penetration nano-silk formulation extending the SILK THE RICH technology beyond hair.
• SILK THE RICH Refill Pouches (1DAY) Refill pouch versions of the Moist & Repair, Scalp & Repair, and High Moist & Repair shampoo and treatment products, available as 1DAY refill units at ¥220 per pouch (from April 2026).

Quantifiable outcome

• 2+ million products distributed in first year across 189 countries and 10,000 retail doors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• New York Fashion Week (NYFW)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 February 2026SILK THE RICH debuted at New York Fashion Week presenting the 'Silk as Modern Glow' concept through a monochrome runway show with models wearing silk-inspired garments with products integrated into designs, marking the beginning of broader cultural expansion connecting fashion, beauty, and modern Japanese aesthetics globally.
• Lifunext Inc. (M&A)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2025THE RICH completed M&A acquisition of Lifunext Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary in December 2025. Lifunext founder Tamura Kazumasa (best-selling author, former AdRoll/Google Asia top performer) joined THE RICH's board as director. Lifunext brings digital marketing expertise to support THE RICH's global growth.
• BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR IN TOKYOmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 December 2025SILK THE RICH was an official sponsor of BLACKPINK's world tour stop in Tokyo, the globally popular K-pop girl group, leveraging significant youth and beauty audience engagement.
• Yagi Tomoaki (八木智昭)coreOthers · 12 November 2025CFO of Timely (Tae Inc., IPO 2024) joined as financial advisor in November 2025, bringing extensive IPO experience and capital markets expertise from leading the IPO global offering and multiple large financing rounds.
• Johnny Depp 'A Bunch of Stuff – Tokyo' ExhibitionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025SILK THE RICH served as main sponsor of Johnny Depp's first overseas immersive art exhibition in Tokyo (November 2025 to May 2026), featuring 60+ artworks and rare personal items at NEWoMan Takanawa. Exhibition attracted significant media attention and luxury brand cachet.
• Morikawa Akira (森川亮)coreOthers · 1 August 2025Former LINE Corporation President (founding president) joined as a business advisor in August 2025, bringing deep technology company leadership and growth expertise.
• 39th Golden Disc Awards (Korea)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 January 2025SILK THE RICH was a sponsor of Korea's largest music awards (Golden Disc Awards), supporting brand visibility in the Korean market where the brand launched sales in 2025.
• BreakingDown Events (MMA)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025SILK THE RICH was main sponsor of BreakingDown MMA events for 5 consecutive events (BreakingDown12 through BreakingDown15), as well as events 12, 13, and 14 specifically, demonstrating sustained commitment to this high-engagement platform reaching young male audiences.
• REAL VALUE (TV Program)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025SILK THE RICH served as platinum sponsor of 'REAL VALUE,' a business entertainment television program.
• RILISIST Corporation (KARADA BESTA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Business partnership with RILISIST Corporation, operator of 'KARADA BESTA' platform, for strategic collaboration.
• MASS Holdings / Kikuya BiseidocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 August 2023Japan's largest beauty distributor MASS Holdings and Kikuya Biseido entered distribution partnership agreements in August 2023 for domestic sales of SILK THE RICH products through their beauty retail networks.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Tsubaki (Shiseido): Shiseido's flagship premium Japanese haircare brand targeting women seeking salon-quality results. Directly comparable as a domestic premium haircare brand with strong Japanese heritage positioning, though operating at far larger scale and distribution.
• Aesop: Premium beauty brand known for ingredient-led positioning, distinctive retail experience, and global expansion. Comparable as a premium brand scaling from regional roots to global presence with sustainability and craftsmanship narratives.
• Shu Uemura (L'Oréal): Japanese-origin premium haircare brand (now L'Oréal-owned) known for artful branding and luxury positioning. Comparable as a Japanese-rooted premium haircare brand leveraging cultural heritage to command global premium positioning.
• Kérastase (L'Oréal): Global premium professional haircare leader owned by L'Oréal. Comparable as a premium, science-led haircare brand selling at premium price points through both salon and retail channels with strong international distribution.
• Decorté (Kose): Japanese premium beauty brand under Kose with strong skincare and haircare positioning. Comparable as a Japan-based premium beauty house with cultural sophistication narrative and global expansion ambitions.

Direct peers

• Olaplex: Premium bond-building haircare brand that scaled globally through proprietary chemistry and salon channel. Comparable as a science-led premium haircare brand with patent-protected formulation targeting damage repair.
• Macchia Lab: Japanese premium haircare brand focused on salon-quality treatment products sold D2C and through retail. Comparable as a Japan-originated premium treatment brand with proprietary formulation and similar price architecture.
• Oribe: Premium haircare brand positioned at the luxury tier with celebrity stylist heritage. Comparable as a premium-priced, brand-driven haircare line that combines proprietary formulation with cultural/lifestyle marketing.
• Botanist: Japanese-born premium haircare brand that scaled rapidly from D2C origins to mass retail distribution globally. Most directly comparable peer given similar Japan D2C origin, plant-based/ingredient-led positioning, and aggressive retail door expansion playbook.
• F Organics: Japanese premium organic haircare brand selling through D2C and select retail. Comparable as a Japan-based premium haircare brand with ingredient-driven positioning at similar price tiers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@silktherich
• Instagraminstagram.com/silk_the_rich
• Facebookfacebook.com/SILKTHERICH
• TikToktiktok.com/@silk_the_rich
• Xx.com/silk_therich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 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 THE RICH