nao
nao Inc. is a Tokyo-based entertainment services company offering influencer marketing (500+ talent network) and video production (commercials, PVs, live streaming, events), primarily serving Japanese gaming and entertainment clients including MIXI, Taito, and Bushiroad Games.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersShibuya, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What nao does
nao Inc. (ナオ株式会社) is a Tokyo-based, privately-held entertainment services company that operates two integrated business divisions: a Promotion business (influencer marketing with a network of 500+ talents spanning comedians, idols, cosplayers, and voice actors, serving 600+ enterprise clients) and a Video Production business (commercials, promotional videos, game advertising, live streaming, and event production). Founded in 2013 as GameMarket and rebranded to "nao" in February 2019 to signal a broader entertainment orientation beyond gaming, the company is a consolidated subsidiary of Five Gate Co., Ltd. (ファイブゲート株式会社) and is led by Representative Director Toshio Nishio.
The company's service technology stack centers on professional video production, multi-platform simultaneous live streaming (e.g., YouTube and Twitch in parallel), and metaverse/virtual-reality space streaming delivered via specialized equipment. It also operates a consumer-facing game point service, GMcoin, which has accumulated 500 billion yen in cumulative circulation and 1 million+ members (2018 data), and self-operated YouTube channels including goo☆ジャス動画 (400K+ subscribers) and たっちアカデミー (130K+ subscribers), collectively exceeding 500K subscribers and serving as both content distribution assets and inbound marketing funnels.
Revenue is generated across multiple streams: professional service fees for video production and influencer casting campaigns, YouTube advertising revenue, transaction-based fees from the GMcoin point platform, and merchandise sales. The customer base is concentrated in Japanese gaming and entertainment, with disclosed enterprise clients including MIXI (共闘ことばRPG コトダマン), Taito (Groove Coaster Future Performers), and Bushiroad Games (DUSK INDEX: GION). The company previously attempted a North American expansion via a GMcoin US launch in October 2017.
nao firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- nao
- Legal name
- ナオ株式会社
- Website
- https://naoco.tv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- nao Inc. is a Tokyo-based entertainment services company offering influencer marketing (500+ talent network) and video production (commercials, PVs, live streaming, events), primarily serving Japanese gaming and entertainment clients including MIXI, Taito, and Bushiroad Games.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
nao industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Entertainment Marketing and Video Production Services
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Representatives (541840), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising (7310), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) & Creator Management (Agencies, Talent Networks) (MPAFAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Subscriber Identity, Entitlements & Access (SSO, IAM, Paywall) (MPAHAJAB), OTT Platform CMS & Content Operations (Catalog, Scheduling, Workflows) (MPAHAJAA)
Keywords
Where nao is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shibuya
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
nao business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Influencer Marketing Services: Casting and deployment of 500+ influencers including comedians, idols, cosplayers, and voice actors for client promotional campaigns. Services provided to 600+ enterprise clients.
- Video Production Services: Professional video production including CM filming, PV production, game advertising materials, with full-service from planning to delivery
- GMcoin Point Service: Game point service where users earn coins through app purchases and item payments. Service has 1 million+ members and 500 billion yen cumulative circulation (as of 2018)
- YouTube Channel Advertising Revenue: Revenue from operating multiple YouTube channels including ゴー☆ジャス動画 (400K+ subscribers), たっちアカデミー (130K+ subscribers), generating advertising income from video content
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of official merchandise including calendars featuring channel talent, limited edition goods
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Influencer Marketing Services - Customized based on influencer tier and campaign scope |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
nao product offering
Product offeringCore offering
nao (ナオ株式会社) is a Japan-based entertainment company providing Promotion Services and Video Production Services to enterprise clients across gaming and entertainment. Through its promotion network it casts 500+ professional entertainers (comedians, idols, cosplayers, voice actors) for client marketing campaigns and operates a portfolio of YouTube game-streaming channels reaching 500K+ subscribers. It produces CM commercials, promotional videos, music videos, and game advertising films, delivers live streaming with multi-platform and metaverse/VR broadcasting, and runs end-to-end event production. The company also operates the GMcoin loyalty point service for mobile game players, with cumulative circulation of 500 billion yen and over 1 million members.
Product overview
ナオ株式会社 (nao) is an entertainment company offering two main service divisions: Promotion Services (promotional事业) and Video Production (動画制作事业). The Promotion division provides influencer marketing with a network of over 500 influencers and 600 client companies, along with operating YouTube game streaming channels including ゴー☆ジャス動画 and たっちアカデミー. The Video Production division delivers professional video content including commercials, promotional videos, game advertisements, live streaming services capable of metaverse delivery, and event production and operations. The company operates under the unified service brand 'nao' and serves entertainment and gaming industry clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GameMarket（ゲームマーケット）: ゲーム好きに贈るエンタメサービス。ポイントサービスGMcoinの運営とゲーム実況チャンネルの運営プラットフォーム。
- GMcoin（GMコイン）
- nao（ナオ）アプリ
Products and services
- Promotion Services (Influencer Marketing) Casting and deployment of 500+ influencers including comedians, idols, cosplayers, and voice actors for client promotional campaigns, delivered to 600+ enterprise clients across gaming, entertainment, and consumer-brand sectors via the naonavi promotion network.
- Video Production Services Professional video production services covering commercial (CM) filming, promotional videos (PV), game-advertising materials, and music videos, from planning through delivery using the latest equipment and CG technology.
- Live Streaming Services Live streaming operations using specialized equipment supporting both indoor and outdoor venues, with proprietary ability to stream to two or more platforms simultaneously (e.g., YouTube and Twitch) and to broadcast inside metaverse/Virtual Reality spaces.
- Event Production and Operations One-stop event planning from concept through execution, including schedule management, performer coordination, troubleshooting, and venue decoration; experienced via Tokyo Game Show exhibitions, fan meetings, anniversary celebrations, and esports tournaments.
- Gorgeous Video Channel (ゴー☆ジャス動画) Self-operated YouTube channel (400K+ subscribers as of October 2019; 200M+ cumulative views as of August 2017) hosted by comedian Gorgeous and assistants playing mobile and video games, publishing game-introduction and gameplay videos.
- Touch Academy Channel (たっちアカデミー) Self-operated YouTube channel (130K+ subscribers as of February 2025) hosted by twin comedians The Touch, focused on mobile game introductions and gameplay variety content.
- GMcoin Point Service Game point service where mobile users earn coins through app purchases and in-app item payments, redeemable for gift cards and game-related rewards; cumulative circulation reached 500 billion yen with over 1 million members as of 2018.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2億回以上 video views achieved by flagship channel
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use nao
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
nao technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
nao partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Moka GamesminorBusiness partnership for game-related content collaboration and service expansion
- Applift GmbHcoreStrategic partnership for targeted advertising delivery to smartphone app users who engage in item purchasing. Utilized Applift's DataLift 360 DSP service to connect with various SSPs including mopub and DoubleClick for enhanced ad targeting capabilities.
- KLab株式会社coreCollaboration partner for voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' - participated as co-organizer and judge. Also collaborated for Tokyo Game Show 2017 KLabGames booth live streaming.
- 株式会社賢プロダクションcoreCo-organizer and judge for voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' for talent development and voice acting career opportunities
- 株式会社ピークエンタテインメントminorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
- 株式会社バンク・オブ・オブ・ザInnovationminorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
- 株式会社ピークエンタテインメントminorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
- Happy Elements株式会社minorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
- 株式会社ネクソンminorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
- 株式会社ピークエンタテインメントminorPartner in voice actor audition 'こえプレ!' organizing committee
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
nao competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UUUM: Japan's largest MCN, managing a roster of top YouTubers and providing influencer marketing and video production services. Direct competitor to nao's influencer casting and channel operations, with substantially greater scale.
- BitStar: Japanese MCN and influencer marketing agency managing creators and providing B2B promotion services. Closely comparable to nao's combination of talent management, YouTube operations, and enterprise promotion.
- VAZ: Japanese influencer marketing and creator management company focused on short-video and social-native talent. Overlaps with nao's influencer casting and promotion services targeting Japanese brands.
- Geelee (Geechs): Japanese MCN operating multiple YouTube channels and providing influencer marketing services to enterprise clients. Highly comparable operating model to nao's owned-channel-plus-talent-network structure.
- TWIN PLANET: Japanese talent agency managing comedians, voice actors, and entertainment figures — comparable to nao's roster of comedians/voice actors and its casting-for-brands motion.
Broad incumbents
- CyberAgent (AbemaTV / CATS): Large Japanese internet conglomerate with major MCN operations, video production, and digital advertising businesses. Wider portfolio than nao but competes in the same influencer/creator marketing space.
- Septeni Holdings: Japanese digital advertising holding company with influencer marketing, video production, and ad-tech operations. Competes with nao on enterprise video and promotion services as part of a broader ad portfolio.
- Geniee: Japanese ad-tech and digital marketing company with influencer and video-related services. Adjacent competitor to nao's B2B promotion services, with a stronger technology/infrastructure orientation.
Emerging players
- Find Model: Japanese influencer matching platform connecting brands with nano/micro influencers. A more platform-driven, narrower-vertical alternative to nao's curated talent casting model.
Regional players
- LogicLinks (BtoB marketing): Japanese B2B-focused video production and marketing agency. Comparable to nao's enterprise video production services, though with a broader non-gaming client mix.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
nao social profiles
Digital presencenao financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
nao leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
nao funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
nao 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 nao
What does nao do?
nao (ナオ株式会社) is a Japan-based entertainment company providing Promotion Services and Video Production Services to enterprise clients across gaming and entertainment. Through its promotion network it casts 500+ professional entertainers (comedians, idols, cosplayers, voice actors) for client marketing campaigns and operates a portfolio of YouTube game-streaming channels reaching 500K+ subscribers. It produces CM commercials, promotional videos, music videos, and game advertising films, delivers live streaming with multi-platform and metaverse/VR broadcasting, and runs end-to-end event production. The company also operates the GMcoin loyalty point service for mobile game players, with cumulative circulation of 500 billion yen and over 1 million members.
Is nao a public or private company?
nao is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was nao founded?
nao was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is nao based?
nao is headquartered in Shibuya, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does nao make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Influencer Marketing Services are the primary driver. The others are video Production Services, GMcoin Point Service, youTube Channel Advertising Revenue and merchandise Sales.
Who are nao's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UUUM, BitStar, VAZ, Geelee (Geechs) and TWIN PLANET. Broad incumbents are CyberAgent (AbemaTV / CATS), Septeni Holdings and Geniee. Find Model is listed as an emerging player. LogicLinks (BtoB marketing) is listed as a regional player.
Does nao have an API?
No public API is recorded for nao.
What industry is nao in?
nao's product category is Entertainment Marketing and Video Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAEAD, Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) & Creator Management (Agencies, Talent Networks), with a secondary code of MPAHAJAB, Subscriber Identity, Entitlements & Access (SSO, IAM, Paywall). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7310.