MBS innovation DRIVE

What MBS innovation DRIVE does

MBS innovation DRIVE is a private Japanese holding and new-business-development company established on September 3, 2018, wholly owned by MBS Media Holdings, the corporate parent of the Mainichi Broadcasting System. The company was founded to create growth pillars beyond traditional broadcast television and radio, combining 70+ years of broadcast industry expertise with modern digital capabilities through a dual strategy of M&A-driven portfolio expansion and internal venture incubation. It is capitalized at 1 billion JPY (including capital reserve) and operates with approximately 100 employees across its consolidated subsidiaries, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, with an Osaka regional office.

Name

MBS innovation DRIVE

Legal name

株式会社MBSイノベーションドライブ

Website

https://mbs-id.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

MBS innovation DRIVE is a Tokyo-based holding company wholly owned by MBS Media Holdings that invests in and incubates digital media ventures across VTuber, e-commerce, live streaming, SNS marketing, VR, and food content, combining broadcast expertise with portfolio synergies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Investment Holding & Business Incubation

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Publishing Industries (513)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

OTT Platform CMS & Content Operations (Catalog, Scheduling, Workflows) (MPAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Media investment holding
• Digital business incubation
• Corporate venture capital
• Portfolio management media
• Broadcast innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns and Portfolio Company Revenue: MBS innovation DRIVE generates returns through M&A and investment in startups. The company owns multiple subsidiary and portfolio companies across digital marketing, VTuber, e-commerce, live streaming, and other digital media sectors.
2. SHOWROOM Live Streaming and Gifting: SHOWROOM operates a live streaming platform with a gifting business model where viewers can send gifts to streamers. Also operates vertical video app 'smash.' for short-form content.
3. E-commerce and Social Commerce: HINATA LIFE operates lifestyle goods e-commerce with strong social media marketing capabilities. Also operates TV shopping integration through 'Kachimo' platform.
4. VTuber Management and Content: UPLAND manages VTuber talents, operates VTuber agency '.LIVE', and develops VTuber character IPs. Revenue from live streaming, events, and merchandise sales.
5. Digital Marketing Services: SmartShare provides SNS marketing tools and BPO services for campaign management, serving major food and beverage companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MBS innovation DRIVE creates and incubates new media businesses through M&A and startup investment, operating as the new business development arm of MBS Group (Mainichi Broadcasting System). The company manages a portfolio of approximately 10 companies across digital marketing, VTuber production, e-commerce, live streaming, VR training, audio distribution, horror entertainment, and food content, combining 70+ years of broadcast media expertise with modern digital capabilities.

Product overview

MBS innovation DRIVE is a media investment and business development company wholly owned by MBSメディアホールディングス (MBS Media Holdings). Rather than a single product, it operates a multi-brand portfolio/platform model comprising 11+ portfolio companies across distinct vertical markets. Core holdings include: SNS marketing tool OWNLY (via スマートシェア), VTuber production .LIVE (via アップランド), social commerce sites ひなたライフ and MBS MARKET (via ひなたライフ), live streaming platform SHOWROOM, fan community app fanicon (via THECOO, listed), audio streaming app Radiotalk, digital marketing agency Vogaro, VR training solutions via ジョ리그ッド, horror entertainment via 闇, and food content production via TOROMI PRODUCE. The company also directly operates TV-EC hybrid site カチモ. The portfolio spans digital marketing, virtual content, e-commerce, XR/VR, and food media, unified under MBS Group's new business development mandate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OWNLY
• SHOWROOM
• .LIVE (VTuber Production)
• HINATA LIFE
• MBS MARKET
• Radiotalk
• Vogaro Digital Marketing Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Portfolio companies cover 10+ digital media sectors including VTuber, VR, digital marketing, e-commerce, live streaming, audio, and food content
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Nazuna Co., Ltd. (株式会社Nazuna)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNazuna operates luxury machiya (traditional townhouse) accommodations in Kyoto. MBS innovation DRIVE invested in Nazuna Kyoto Hanamachi LLC for a京町家 (Kyoto townhouse) accommodation project. Nazuna operates the facility which was awarded three stars in Michelin Guide.
• KDDI Corporation (KDDI株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDDI partnered with MBS innovation DRIVE for the Toyooka Bag SDG project, contributing to product marketing and branding support for sustainable bag products made by Toyooka bag manufacturers.
• Setouchi Brand Corporation (株式会社瀬戸内ブランドコーポレーション)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with MBS innovation DRIVE and KDDI on the Toyooka Bag SDG project, focused on regional revitalization through sustainable bag manufacturing.
• CAMPFIRE Inc. (株式会社CAMPFIRE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAMPFIRE operated the crowdfunding platform for the Toyooka Bag SDG project, facilitating the launch of sustainable bag products and ocean-environment-conscious merchandise.
• Office Burn Co., Ltd. (株式会社オフィスバーン)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary Yam partnered with Office Burn, represented by horror producer Gomi Hirofumi, for horror content production. Gomi serves as Executive Producer for Yam.
• Jolly Good Co., Ltd. (株式会社ジョ리그ッド)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBS innovation DRIVE invested in Jolly Good, which provides high-precision VR solutions combined with behavioral analysis AI for medical and welfare training. Combined VR content production and sales efforts with MBS Group content expertise.
• Radiotalk Inc. (Radiotalk株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBS innovation DRIVE participated in Radiotalk's third-party allocation and provides voice content production expertise from MBS Radio. Radiotalk operates free audio distribution app with 100,000+ users, featuring Wave Surfing recommendation engine.
• SmartShare Inc. (スマートシェア株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired majority stake in December 2025. SmartShare provides SNS marketing tool OWNLY with multi-platform campaign management and UGC analysis. Adopted by 940+ brands, strengthening group's digital marketing capabilities.
• Hakuhodo Inc. (株式会社博報堂)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOROMI PRODUCE partnered with Hakuhodo and Hakuhodo DY Media Partners to develop Star Chef Consulting - a food problem-solving solution where Michelin-starred chefs provide consulting, product development, and PR services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DMM.com: Major Japanese digital media platform operator spanning streaming, e-commerce, gaming, and online education. DMM.com is comparable as a large Japanese digital media company with overlapping streaming and e-commerce activities to MBS innovation DRIVE's portfolio companies.
• Sony Group Corporation: Global Japanese entertainment conglomerate with music (Sony Music), games (PlayStation), pictures (Sony Pictures), and VTubers. Sony is a broad incumbent comparable to the broader MBS/MBS innovation DRIVE ecosystem in media, content IP, and broadcast distribution.
• Dentsu Group: Largest Japanese advertising agency group with significant digital media and content operations. Comparable to MBS innovation DRIVE as a major Japanese media/advertising ecosystem participant investing in digital capabilities through M&A.
• KADOKAWA Corporation: Japanese media conglomerate spanning publishing, video (Niconico), games, and education. KADOKAWA is comparable as a diversified media holding that incubates and acquires digital content businesses, similar to MBS innovation DRIVE's portfolio approach.
• Avex Group Holdings: Major Japanese entertainment conglomerate spanning music, digital content, VTubers, and live events. Avex is comparable as a diversified entertainment holding company with both legacy IP and digital operations.

Emerging players

• Mixi, Inc. Japanese internet services company operating Monster Strike, family apps, and digital content. Mixi is comparable as a Japanese digital content platform with diversification into consumer-facing entertainment products.
• Gree Inc. Japanese internet company with mobile gaming, social media, and digital advertising businesses. Gree is comparable as a Japanese digital media company with portfolio approach to entertainment and content IP.

Direct peers

• ANYCOLOR Inc. Operator of Nijisanji, one of Japan's largest VTuber agencies. ANYCOLOR directly competes with Appland (.LIVE) in VTuber talent acquisition, live streaming viewership, and merchandise/IP revenue.
• CyberAgent: Japan's largest internet advertising and digital media conglomerate operating ABEMA (streaming), Cygames (gaming), and digital ad businesses. CyberAgent is the closest direct peer to MBS innovation DRIVE as a diversified Japanese digital media holding pursuing growth through M&A and incubation across streaming, content, and advertising.
• Cover Corp: Operator of Hololive VTuber agency, the market-leading VTuber production in Japan and globally. Cover Corp is the most direct competitor to MBS innovation DRIVE's subsidiary Appland (.LIVE), competing for VTuber talent, audience attention, and IP monetization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MBS innovation DRIVE