MicroAd
MicroAd (株式会社マイクロアド, TSE Growth: 9553) is a Japan-based digital advertising technology company operating the UNIVERSE first-party data platform alongside DSP (BLADE), SSP (COMPASS), and advertising platform (UNIVERSE Ads) to serve enterprise B2B clients, local governments, and cross-border marketers across Japan and Asia.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MicroAd does
MicroAd, Inc. (株式会社マイクロアド) is a Tokyo-based digital advertising technology company founded in 2007 as a 100% subsidiary of CyberAgent and now operating as an independent public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (ticker: 9553.T) since 2022. The company operates an integrated platform-plus-modules architecture anchored on the UNIVERSE first-party data platform, which aggregates online and offline consumer behavioral data from 400 million unique browser profiles across Japan. Layered on top of UNIVERSE are MicroAd BLADE (a demand-side platform for advertisers, launched 2011), MicroAd COMPASS (a supply-side platform for publishers with real-time bidding, launched 2014), and UNIVERSE Ads (a demand-side advertising platform launched 2021). Vertical-specific products include Shiraler (B2B), IGNITION (automotive), Pantry (food/beverage), Vesta (cosmetics), IASO (healthcare), and Circus (entertainment), alongside add-on modules for brand lift measurement (LinX), digital signage (MONOLITHS, 外テレ), and publisher trading desk services through subsidiary Enhance.
The company's revenue model combines subscription/recurring fees for data platform services (UNIVERSE), usage-based programmatic advertising fees through DSP/SSP transactions (BLADE, COMPASS, UNIVERSE Ads), and transaction-fee-based digital marketing services for cross-border and inbound tourism campaigns. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales to large B2B clients and Japanese local governments, partner agency/reseller distribution, self-serve programmatic access for SMBs, and strategic platform partnerships including TikTok (IZULCA joint venture for live commerce), ANA (Japaholic inbound tourism platform), and Taiwanese and Korean tourism organizations.
MicroAd serves enterprise clients and local government municipalities across Japan, with international expansion into Taiwan (2009 onward), China (via MicroAd Hong Kong Holdings and Shanghai operations since 2008), Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, and a network of regional offices across Japan including Tokyo headquarters, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Sendai, and Kyoto. The group has expanded into adjacent verticals via inorganic moves — acquiring CDP operator UNCOVER TRUTH (2024) for PostCookie data capabilities, launching IP mixer for IP-based product sales (2025), creating IZULCA and UNIVERSE PULSE for TikTok Shop and live commerce (2025), and establishing MaBullz for global influencer agency services (2026).
MicroAd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MicroAd
- Legal name
- 株式会社マイクロアド
- Website
- https://microad.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MicroAd (株式会社マイクロアド, TSE Growth: 9553) is a Japan-based digital advertising technology company operating the UNIVERSE first-party data platform alongside DSP (BLADE), SSP (COMPASS), and advertising platform (UNIVERSE Ads) to serve enterprise B2B clients, local governments, and cross-border marketers across Japan and Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MicroAd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Advertising Technology
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- API Development, Integration & Microservices Modernization (BPAEAFAD)
Keywords
Where MicroAd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices11 records
Markets served
MicroAd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Data Platform Services: First-party data platform services enabling audience targeting and marketing analytics for enterprise clients
- Advertising Platform Services (DSP/SSP): Programmatic advertising platform fees through UNIVERSE Ads, MicroAd BLADE DSP, and MicroAd COMPASS SSP
- Digital Marketing Services: Additional advertising services and marketing solutions for cross-border and inbound tourism campaigns
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
MicroAd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MicroAd provides data-driven digital advertising technology solutions for advertisers and media companies, anchored by the UNIVERSE first-party data platform (built on 400 million unique browser profiles in Japan) and an integrated ad tech stack including the MicroAd BLADE DSP, MicroAd COMPASS SSP, and UNIVERSE Ads platform. The company enables automated programmatic ad buying, precise audience targeting, brand-safe ad delivery, and cross-border Japan-Taiwan and inbound tourism marketing solutions for enterprise clients, local government bodies, and publishers.
Product overview
MicroAd operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its data platform UNIVERSE, which aggregates online/offline consumer behavioral data for marketing applications. The core advertising technology stack includes UNIVERSE Ads (demand-side advertising platform), MicroAd BLADE (DSP for advertisers), and MicroAd COMPASS (SSP for publishers). Industry-specific marketing products include Shiraler (B2B), IGNITION (automotive), Pantry (food/beverage), Vesta (cosmetics), IASO (healthcare), and Circus (entertainment). Recent expansions include TikTok Shop support through IZULCA and UNIVERSE PULSE, IP product sales via IP mixer, and local government marketing through Machiage. Additional services cover brand lift measurement (LinX), digital signage management (MONOLITHS, 外テレ), and media monetization consulting (Enhance). The company serves enterprises across Japan and Asia with both domestic and cross-border marketing solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- シラレル (Shirareru): B2B marketing data platform for targeting advertising
- SPcollect
- UNIVERSE
- LinX
- MONOLITHS
- 外テレ
Products and services
- UNIVERSE Data platform that aggregates and analyzes consumer behavioral data (both online and offline) to help companies maximize customer lifetime value through integrated marketing solutions; covers approximately 400 million unique browsers in Japan.
- UNIVERSE Ads Unified advertising platform for demand-side services enabling optimized ad delivery using MicroAd's UNIVERSE first-party data assets for targeted digital advertising campaigns.
- MicroAd BLADE Demand-Side Platform (DSP) service for advertisers to manage and optimize programmatic advertising campaigns across multiple ad exchanges.
- MicroAd COMPASS Supply-Side Platform (SSP) service for media publishers to maximize advertising revenue through real-time bid optimization and full-flat auction functionality. Includes real-time domain spoofing attack detection and automatic ad delivery suspension.
- Shiraler (シラレル) B2B marketing data platform offering targeted advertising using IP addresses, business card app data, and business media targeting with over 10 million data points, designed for B2B enterprise marketing campaigns.
- IP mixer Subsidiary offering IP-based product planning and sales services, including VTuber and international IP collaborations such as SPcollect.
- IZULCA (イヅルカ) Joint venture with Pinspace Group providing comprehensive TikTok Shop operations support and live commerce services for brands in Japan.
- UNIVERSE PULSE Specialized subsidiary providing comprehensive TikTok Shop support services in Japan, including seller operations, creator matching, and promotional support.
- Enhance Publisher Trading Desk Media monetization service enabling publishers to segment targeting users based on their data and deliver targeted advertising; provided by MicroAd subsidiary Enhance.
- Enhance Media Monetization Consulting Comprehensive media monetization consulting combining content and technology to maximize media value, delivered by MicroAd subsidiary Enhance.
- MicroAd COMPASS for Apps SSP SDK functionality built specifically for app developers, providing RTB-focused integration designed to maximize ad revenue per impression in mobile applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 400 million unique browser data points available for audience targeting
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MicroAd
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MicroAd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration55 records
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
MicroAd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- WAKEI (和慧株式会社)coreCapital and business alliance for Japan-Taiwan digital marketing initiatives, combining MicroAd's data platform with WAKEI's regional expertise for cross-border marketing expansion
- FLYING JAPANmajorPartnership for Korean tourist promotion, supporting inbound tourism marketing initiatives to attract Korean visitors to Japan
- MISS LIN CONSULTINGminorPR partnership in Taiwan for public relations and communications support in the Taiwanese market
- Pinspace GroupcoreJoint venture partner for IZULCA, TikTok live commerce solution enabling brands to conduct live streaming e-commerce on TikTok platform
- ビーウェル (Bwell)majorKorean marketing partnership for cross-border promotional activities between Japan and Korea
- 1SECmajorPartnership for PEEPS platform, integrating social commerce and influencer marketing capabilities into MicroAd's marketing ecosystem
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)majorPartnership for Japaholic coupon site, providing digital marketing support for ANA's inbound tourism platform featuring discount coupons for international visitors
- CCCMK HoldingscoreStrategic partnership for V Point data integration, enabling first-party data enhancement through loyalty point program data
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves18 records
Expansion highlights7 records
MicroAd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MicroAd social profiles
Digital presenceMicroAd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
MicroAd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MicroAd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
MicroAd subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
MicroAd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MicroAd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MicroAd
What does MicroAd do?
MicroAd provides data-driven digital advertising technology solutions for advertisers and media companies, anchored by the UNIVERSE first-party data platform (built on 400 million unique browser profiles in Japan) and an integrated ad tech stack including the MicroAd BLADE DSP, MicroAd COMPASS SSP, and UNIVERSE Ads platform. The company enables automated programmatic ad buying, precise audience targeting, brand-safe ad delivery, and cross-border Japan-Taiwan and inbound tourism marketing solutions for enterprise clients, local government bodies, and publishers.
Is MicroAd a public or private company?
MicroAd is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was MicroAd founded?
MicroAd was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MicroAd based?
MicroAd is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does MicroAd make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Data Platform Services are the primary driver. The others are advertising Platform Services (DSP/SSP) and digital Marketing Services.
Does MicroAd have an API?
No public API is recorded for MicroAd.
What industry is MicroAd in?
MicroAd's product category is Digital Advertising Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAFAD, API Development, Integration & Microservices Modernization. Its NAICS code is 516210.