Setsucon
Setsucon is a volunteer-run anime convention company founded in 2007 by the Penn State Anime Organization, operating an annual winter convention in Altoona, PA and a free fall marketplace event in State College. It serves Central Pennsylvania anime, cosplay, and gaming enthusiasts through badge sales, exhibitor fees, and partner programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersUniversity Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Setsucon does
Setsucon is a privately held, volunteer-organized anime convention company founded in 2007 and operated under the Penn State Anime Organization (PSAO) at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA. Its core product is an annual winter convention held at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA, delivering a multi-day program of anime screenings, cosplay contests, competitive gaming tournaments, panels, voice-actor guest appearances, an 80+ vendor exhibitor hall, a maid cafe, and a 500+ volume manga library. In 2025 the organization expanded its footprint with Anime Autumn Alley, a free fall marketplace event held in State College, PA, establishing a second annual touchpoint in the calendar.
The business operates on a direct-to-consumer event revenue model. Primary monetization is attendee badge sales at tiered prices (weekend early-bird $25, Saturday $15, Sunday $10, chaperone $25), supplemented by exhibitor booth fees (Artists Alley and Vendors Room), tournament entry fees, hotel room-block commissions, on-site food and beverage sales, and sponsor/advertiser placements. Distribution is handled through the Setsucon website (setsucon.com), social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Twitch, YouTube), and a network of partner hotels and local restaurants participating in the Show Your Badge discount program.
The organization has no proprietary technology stack, software products, or AI capabilities; its moat rests on 20 years of regional brand recognition, its institutional PSAO backbone, and an ecosystem of specialized content partners (Origin of Play for video gaming, Snake Eyes Gaming for tabletop, Jake's Cards & Games for card tournaments, Pixel Pop for the maid cafe, The Variant for the cosplay photo suite, and others). The business is best characterized as a community-rooted live events franchise serving the Central Pennsylvania anime, cosplay, and gaming enthusiast market.
Setsucon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Setsucon
- Legal name
- Setsucon
- Website
- https://setsucon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Setsucon is a volunteer-run anime convention company founded in 2007 by the Penn State Anime Organization, operating an annual winter convention in Altoona, PA and a free fall marketplace event in State College. It serves Central Pennsylvania anime, cosplay, and gaming enthusiasts through badge sales, exhibitor fees, and partner programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Setsucon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Anime Convention / Live Fan Events
- NAICS
- All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers (THAHABAC)
Keywords
Where Setsucon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- University Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Setsucon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Badge Sales: Primary revenue stream from attendee badge sales with tiered pricing (Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, Chaperone badges) at pre-registration and at-con rates.
- Exhibitor Fees: Revenue from Artists Alley and Vendors Room exhibitor applications and booth fees.
- Hotel Partnerships: Commission-based revenue from partner hotel room blocks with exclusive discounted rates for attendees.
- Tournament Entry Fees: Competitive gaming tournaments with entry fees ($10 per tournament historically).
- Food & Beverage: On-site food service including Setsucon Cafe, Wild Bill's Soda, and beverage sales.
- Silent Auction: Charity-focused silent auction with proceeds donated to Colon Cancer Coalition in memory of Billy Kametz.
- Advertising & Sponsorships: Partner advertising opportunities including logo placement, banners, booklet ads, and Show Your Badge Discount Program partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend Badge - Full convention access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Saturday Badge |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Sunday Badge |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Chaperone Badge |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Hotel Accommodations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tournament Entry |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Setsucon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Setsucon is an annual anime, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture convention held each winter at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The multi-day convention sells tiered attendee badges (Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, Chaperone), exhibitor booth space, tournament entry, and on-site food and beverage services. A complementary fall event, Anime Autumn Alley, is held in State College, PA as a free community marketplace.
Product overview
Setsucon operates as an annual anime convention event, not a software platform. The core product is the Setsucon Annual Convention (Winter's Warmest Anime Celebration) held each January-February at Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA, featuring diverse programming across cosplay, gaming, panels, concerts, and vendor experiences. Additionally, Setsucon operates Anime Autumn Alley as a complementary free community event held each October in State College. The convention offers programming features including AMV contests, competitive gaming tournaments, cosplay events (Masquerade, Hall Cosplay, Wig Styling, Iron Cosplay), video gaming rooms, tabletop gaming, Maid Cafe, Exhibitors Hall with 80+ vendors, panels/workshops, manga library, silent auction for charity, and Idol's Revenge showcase. The annual Con Guide provides attendees with schedules and venue information. No digital software products, APIs, or AI-powered technologies are offered.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Anime Autumn Alley: A fall anime marketplace event held in State College, PA, celebrating artists and vendors. First event held October 4th, 2025.
Products and services
- Setsucon Annual Convention Multi-day annual anime, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture convention held each winter at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA. Offers tiered attendee badges (Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, Chaperone), cosplay contests, competitive gaming tournaments, AMV contests, maid cafe, panels, vendors hall, manga library, and Japanese cultural programming for anime, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture enthusiasts.
- Anime Autumn Alley Free-to-attend anime marketplace event held each October in State College, Pennsylvania, celebrating artists and vendors in a smaller community-focused format. A complementary sub-brand event to the main Setsucon Annual Convention.
Quantifiable outcome
- Growing AMV Contest with over 60 submissions annually across five categories
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Setsucon
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Setsucon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Setsucon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Penn State Anime Organization (PSAO)coreParent organization that founded Setsucon in 2007. Provides organizational support, volunteer base, manga library collection (500+ volumes), and ties to Penn State community.
- Blair County Convention CentercorePrimary venue host for Setsucon main convention. Provides on-site cafe services (Setsucon Cafe Menu) and convention facilities.
- Origin of PlaymajorVideo gaming room partner providing gaming consoles, tournaments, and presentation. Manages competitive gaming tournaments including fighting games and fighting game events.
- Snake Eyes GamingmajorPresents tabletop gaming room with board games, miniatures, and gaming events throughout convention weekend.
- Jake's Cards & GamesmajorPresents card gaming events including Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon tournaments and trading.
- The Quelmar RealmmajorPresents tabletop role-playing games including D&D campaigns and RPG adventures throughout convention weekend.
- Snow PhoenixmajorProvides arcade cabinet collection featuring classic and modern cabinets, dance and rhythm games for the Arcades room.
- Kawaii CatchersmajorProvides Japanese crane machines with prizes in the Exhibitors Hall.
- MAGFest Makerspace TeammajorPresents makerspace with sewing, plushie making, drawing workshops, and hands-on crafting activities.
- Pixel Pop Maid CafemajorPresents the Setsucon Maid Cafe featuring themed treats, interactive performances, cosplay hospitality, games, music, and refreshments.
- Isekai'd DreamsmajorPresents Itasha Car Show showcasing anime-inspired and decorated vehicles.
- The VariantmajorPresents Cosplay Photo Suite with professional photography, unique backdrops, and free photos for cosplayers.
- Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Co.majorProvides vintage sodas and craft beverages throughout convention weekend. Veteran-owned company.
- Greenbean Coffee HouseminorLocal Altoona coffee shop offering anime-themed drinks (My Latte Academia, Six Eyes Lotus, Devil Fruit Latte) with 10% badge discount.
- Schlow Centre Region LibraryminorPartnership for BookFestPA Costume Contest as part of Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
- Hotel Partners (Courtyard Altoona, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hyatt Place)majorProvides discounted hotel room blocks for convention attendees with exclusive rates starting at $106-$119/night.
- Colon Cancer CoalitionmajorCharitable beneficiary of Silent Auction, dedicated in memory of voice actor Billy Kametz. Raises awareness about colorectal screenings.
- Jared Box ProjectminorCharitable partnership accepting donations of toys, gifts, and activities for children in hospitals and care facilities.
- Anime News NetworkminorMedia sponsor providing coverage and promotion of convention events.
- Arda WigsminorWig sponsor for convention and promotional partnership.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Setsucon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anime Midwest: Anime Midwest is a multi-day anime convention held in the Chicago area. It mirrors Setsucon's combination of anime screenings, cosplay, gaming, and an Exhibitors Hall, and competes within the broader U.S. anime convention market.
- Animazement: Animazement is an anime convention held annually in Raleigh, North Carolina. It offers a badge-driven multi-day format with cosplay competitions, panels, and an exhibitor hall — directly comparable to Setsucon's programming mix.
- Anime NYC: Anime NYC is a major anime convention held at the Javits Center in Manhattan. It is run by LeftField Media and operates at significantly larger scale, but competes for the same anime/cosplay/gaming attendee persona across the Eastern U.S.
- Tekko: Tekko is an anime convention that has operated in cities including Memphis and Nashville. It runs badge sales with multi-day cosplay and gaming programming in a similar regional-con footprint to Setsucon.
- Anime Boston: Anime Boston is a New England anime convention held annually in Boston. It is a directly comparable event format (multi-day badges, cosplay contests, exhibitor hall, gaming tournaments) and competes for the same regional attendee base in the Northeast.
- Katsucon: Katsucon is a long-running anime convention held annually in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It directly overlaps with Setsucon on anime/gaming focus, badge-based revenue model, and multi-day convention format, though it operates at meaningfully larger scale.
- Youmacon: Youmacon is an annual anime convention held in the Detroit metro area. It mirrors Setsucon's badge-based multi-day format, cosplay contests, exhibitor hall, and gaming programming, and competes within the broader U.S. regional anime convention market.
- Otakon: Otakon is one of the largest anime conventions on the U.S. East Coast. It competes with Setsucon for anime, cosplay, and Japanese-pop-culture fans in the Eastern U.S. and uses a similar badge-sales business model with multi-day programming.
- Anime Matsuri: Anime Matsuri is a large anime convention in Houston, Texas, featuring cosplay contests, exhibitor halls, concerts, and gaming tournaments. Its format and programming slate directly parallel Setsucon's, though at much larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- MAGFest (Music and Gaming Festival): MAGFest is a large East Coast festival centered on music and video gaming. Although broader in scope, it overlaps materially with Setsucon on gaming tournaments, exhibition halls, and badge-driven event economics, and even runs a partnering makerspace program integrated with Setsucon's programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Setsucon social profiles
Digital presenceSetsucon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Setsucon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Setsucon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Setsucon 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 Setsucon
What does Setsucon do?
Setsucon is an annual anime, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture convention held each winter at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The multi-day convention sells tiered attendee badges (Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, Chaperone), exhibitor booth space, tournament entry, and on-site food and beverage services. A complementary fall event, Anime Autumn Alley, is held in State College, PA as a free community marketplace.
Is Setsucon a public or private company?
Setsucon is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Setsucon founded?
Setsucon was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Setsucon based?
Setsucon is headquartered in University Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Setsucon make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Badge Sales are the primary driver. The others are exhibitor Fees, hotel Partnerships, tournament Entry Fees, food & Beverage, silent Auction and advertising & Sponsorships.
Who are Setsucon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anime Midwest, Animazement, Anime NYC, Tekko, Anime Boston, Katsucon, Youmacon, Otakon and Anime Matsuri. MAGFest (Music and Gaming Festival) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Setsucon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Setsucon.
What industry is Setsucon in?
Setsucon's product category is Anime Convention / Live Fan Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAC, Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers. Its NAICS code is 71399 and its SIC code is 7990.