What Core Co., Ltd. does

Core Co., Ltd. (株式会社Core) is a privately held Japanese IT services firm founded on July 1, 2009 by CEO Otsuka Hiroaki (大塚 裕章) and headquartered in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, with a secondary office relocated in August 2025 to Chiyoda-ku. The company specializes in Vietnam offshore software development combined with agile/Scrum methodology, operating a cross-border delivery model in which Japanese engineers handle upstream engineering (requirements definition, design, project management), Vietnamese developers at partner GEM (Global Enterprise Mobility, Hanoi) execute coding and testing, and Japanese-speaking bridge engineers (BrSE) at the GEM JPN joint venture translate and quality-control between the two sites. Core's service portfolio spans five lines: Vietnam offshore development, agile Scrum consulting for cross-border teams, AI solutions (image recognition, NLP, recommendation, data mining) delivered through a co-established AI lab with Vietnam National University, Salesforce development in partnership with Miraetech Vietnam, and agile/DevOps training with ITpreneurs.

Underlying technology architecture draws on multi-site agile Scrum coordination tools, AWS serverless components (Lambda, API Gateway, Step Functions) for projects like the AI-powered Pallet Finder, and integrated on-device inference for logistics applications. Core supplements its own delivery with proprietary products including the legacy SecureSynchroService (S-Cube) smart-device sync platform and the historical EatSpot iPhone restaurant-search app, both originally developed products and now used as supporting infrastructure. The company's stated cost position is approximately one-third to one-half of equivalent domestic Japanese development cost.

Core's business model is professional-services-based with custom quote-based, project-and-multi-year-contract pricing; there is no self-serve channel, consumer product, or marketplace. Customer acquisition is direct enterprise field sales combined with referrals from the GEM/GEM JPN partner network and dedicated Tokyo Techies channel. Revenue comes from per-project and ongoing development fees across enterprise engagements. The customer base consists of named Japanese enterprises spanning diverse verticals: education (Aoba-BBT), utilities (Tokyo Gas i-Net), document solutions (TOPPAN Edge, DocLAN-Cloud), DX platforms (Tribeck/Hirameki 7), healthcare/biotech (Prevent Science PCR system, SRA Healthplayer), logistics (UPR Pallet Finder with on-device AI object detection), HR/payroll (Human Technologies year-end tax adjustment using AI-OCR), and IT consulting (Tokyo Techies). The company has been operating continuously for over 16 years without external institutional or PE/VC funding, growing registered capital organically from 22 million JPY to 41 million JPY by April 2020.

Name

Core Co., Ltd.

Legal name

株式会社Core

Website

https://core-corp.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Core Co., Ltd. is a Japanese IT services firm that delivers Vietnam offshore software development combined with agile/Scrum methodology, serving Japanese enterprises seeking digital transformation across healthcare, logistics, utilities, fintech, and biotech verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Consulting and Offshore Software Development Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Software Engineering & Application Modernization (BPAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Captive/Global In-House Center (GIC) Setup & Managed Services (BPAEAMAK)

Keywords

• Offshore software development
• Agile scrum consulting
• AI software solutions
• Digital transformation services
• Enterprise system development

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagasaki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vietnam Offshore Software Development: Core provides end-to-end software development services combining Japanese upstream engineering (PM, requirements, design) with Vietnamese offshore development and testing. Revenue is generated through professional services fees based on project-based or ongoing development contracts.
2. Agile Consulting & Education: Core offers agile/scrum development consulting and education services in partnership with ITpreneurs, helping Japanese enterprises adopt agile methodologies for DX.
3. Salesforce Development & Maintenance: Through partnership with Miraetech (Vietnam), Core provides Salesforce development, customization, maintenance, data migration, and configuration services to Japanese enterprises.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Core Co., Ltd. is a Japanese IT services firm that provides enterprise software development by combining Japanese upstream engineering (project management, requirements definition, design) with Vietnam-based offshore development through its strategic partner Global Enterprise Mobility (GEM). It delivers agile Scrum development adapted for cross-border Japan-Vietnam teams, AI solutions in image recognition, NLP, recommendation, and data mining via a joint lab with Vietnam National University, and Salesforce customization through partnership with Miraetech. Services span custom enterprise applications, mobile apps, cloud/microservices architectures, and AI integrations for Japanese enterprises pursuing digital transformation.

Product overview

Core Co., Ltd. is a Japanese IT services company specializing in Vietnam offshore development combined with agile Scrum methodology. The company operates as a unified platform delivering enterprise software development across four core service areas: Vietnam offshore development leveraging GEM partnership, agile Scrum development adapted for cross-border Japan-Vietnam teams, AI solutions in image recognition/NLP/recommendation/data mining through VNU academic collaboration, and Salesforce development via Miraetech partnership. The service portfolio includes proprietary products (SecureSynchroService/S-Cube, EatSpot) and extensive client project work including DocLAN for TOPPAN Edge, SRA-HEALTHPLAYER for digital health, PCR test management systems, TGiNet meter reading iOS apps, Hirameki 7 DX platform, AI-powered Pallet Finder, and sleep analysis systems—delivered across healthcare, insurance, logistics, retail, telecommunications, and fintech sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vietnam Offshore Development End-to-end offshore software development service combining Japanese upstream engineering (project management, requirements definition, design) with Vietnamese engineering talent via strategic partner GEM, including bridge engineer (BrSE) coordination and quality control; targets Japanese enterprises seeking high-quality software at offshore costs (approximately 1/3–1/2 of domestic Japan rates).
• Agile Scrum Development Agile Scrum-based software development adapted for cross-border Japan-Vietnam multi-site teams, providing rapid and flexible iteration with cloud-based project management tooling, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and aligned business-speed delivery for Japanese enterprise clients.
• AI Solutions AI engineering services covering image recognition (including proprietary OCR), natural language processing (including bio/pharma/medical NLP), recommendation systems, and data mining analysis, delivered via a joint AI laboratory with Vietnam National University; targets Japanese enterprises requiring AI capabilities without in-house data science teams.
• Salesforce Development Services Salesforce development, customization, maintenance, data migration, configuration, and testing services delivered in partnership with Miraetech in Ho Chi Minh City; targets Japanese enterprises and SMBs needing affordable Salesforce implementation and ongoing support.
• Agile Education Agile/Scrum methodology training, workshops, and certification courses delivered in partnership with ITpreneurs to help Japanese enterprises adopt agile practices for digital transformation.
• SecureSynchroService (S-Cube) Proprietary smart device information synchronization, sharing, and security infrastructure platform developed and sold by Core; serves as a security data platform, originally highlighted by Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun in 2013.
• EatSpot Proprietary iPhone application for restaurant search and map display developed and released by Core; received front-page Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun coverage upon launch.

Quantifiable outcome

• Offshore development costs reduced to approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of domestic Japan development costs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability17 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GEM JPN Co., Ltd.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 November 2019GEM JPN (also called GEM Japan) is a joint venture between Core and GEM established in November 2019. It serves as the Japan-facing window for GEM's offshore services and employs Japanese-speaking bridge engineers (BrSE) who facilitate communication between Japanese clients and Vietnamese development teams.
• Global Enterprise Mobility (GEM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018GEM is Core's primary Vietnam offshore development partner, based in Hanoi, Vietnam. GEM provides high-skill, cost-efficient Vietnamese engineering talent for software development and testing. The partnership was formalized through a comprehensive business alliance agreement in April 2018.
• Tokyo Techies Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTokyo Techies is a Japanese ICT venture company that collaborates with Core on multiple Japanese enterprise system development projects. Core provides PM and project management support for Tokyo Techies' clients in areas including sales systems, sleep analysis apps, and ERP implementations.
• Vietnam National University (VNU), HanoicoreTechnology or IntegrationVNU (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) is partnered with GEM through a joint AI laboratory established within GEM. This partnership provides access to cutting-edge AI research and specialized AI engineering teams including bio/pharma/medical NLP experts, enabling advanced AI solutions for Japanese clients at offshore costs.
• ITpreneurs Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITpreneurs is a Japanese IT management training specialist and leading provider of agile/DevOps education. Core partners with ITpreneurs to offer agile training programs to Japanese enterprises seeking to adopt agile methodologies for DX.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SUN Asterisk (SUN*): Japan-headquartered digital product studio with large Vietnam delivery centers, offering agile development and DX services to Japanese enterprises. Operates a directly comparable Japan-Vietnam dual-shore model and competes for the same enterprise DX budget.
• MONOLITH Inc. Japan-based IT services firm with offshore development operations (notably Vietnam) and a strong agile engineering focus, serving Japanese enterprise DX needs. Closely comparable in scale, methodology, and target customer base.
• Odd-e Japan: Japan-based agile coaching, Scrum training, and software craftsmanship firm. Directly comparable on the agile/Scrum consulting and education line of business that Core offers through ITpreneurs partnership.
• TerraSky: Japan-based Salesforce consulting and development firm. Directly comparable to Core's Salesforce development and customization line, which Core delivers through the Miraetech partnership.

Broad incumbents

• FPT Software Japan: The Japan arm of Vietnam's largest IT services group, providing offshore software development and DX services to Japanese enterprises. Comparable business model (Vietnam-Japan delivery) but with vastly greater scale and a much broader service portfolio.
• CMC Japan: Japanese subsidiary of Vietnamese IT conglomerate CMC Corporation, offering offshore development and BPO services to Japanese enterprises. Competes directly with Core in the Japan-Vietnam offshore segment but with a much larger parent group.
• Future Corporation: Major Japanese IT consulting and SI firm with strong DX and independent IT consulting practices. Competes with Core for enterprise DX and digital transformation engagements, though at a much larger scale and broader service scope.
• BIPROGY (formerly Nihon Unisys): Large Japanese systems integrator serving enterprises across banking, insurance, retail, and government. Competes with Core for enterprise application development and modernization engagements at the larger end of the market.
• NRI (Nomura Research Institute): One of Japan's largest consulting and IT solutions providers, with deep enterprise relationships and a strong DX practice. Competes for the same enterprise DX budgets that Core targets, but with vastly greater resources and brand recognition.

Emerging players

• X-tech Innovation: Japan-Vietnam hybrid IT services and staffing firm providing Japanese enterprise clients with Vietnamese engineering resources. Competes with Core in the Japanese market for Vietnam-sourced engineering talent, with comparable scale and a similar dual-shore approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Core Co., Ltd.