INFOCITY

What INFOCITY does

INFOCITY (株式会社インフォシティ) is a privately held Japanese software development company founded in 1982 by university students and incorporated in 1984, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo. It develops proprietary software across three business lines: e-book platforms (anchored by the HybookSystems integrated platform, supplemented by bREADER Cloud and bREADER mobile readers, and the legacy BookSurfing viewer); broadcasting and communications technologies (TVMock for simultaneous/catch-up TV streaming, Castanet CMS for broadcasters, TVlet internet TV, Peece.TV video sales, INFO.TV Plus PC TV, and the RichFlyer push-notification service); and digital innovation including 5G/Beyond-5G initiatives and a dedicated intellectual property licensing business. The company sells primarily to enterprise customers — major Japanese broadcasters (TBS, Fuji Television), publishers and e-book store operators (Kinokuniya, NTT Docomo d-book, LINE Manga, Lawson, eBookJapan), telecommunications carriers (KDDI), real-estate/urban DX partners (Tokyu), and entertainment IP holders (Takarazuka Creative Arts) — through direct sales, technology licensing, and SDK/app-store distribution.

The company monetizes through a mix of professional services (custom software development), platform licensing royalties (HybookSystems, bitcast/TVMock technology), SaaS subscriptions (RichFlyer), one-time software licenses (INFO.TV Plus, ドコデモTV2), and IP licensing/conformance services. HybookSystems was reported as the #1 e-book store implementation platform in Japan with approximately 20 deployments by 2012, and RichFlyer delivers over 2 million push messages per minute. INFOCITY holds JIS Q 27001 / ISO 27001 ISMS certification (since 2007) and owns patents including ShareCast Playlist Editor (Patent No. 5909546). The company operates the INFOCITY Group together with two wholly-owned subsidiaries — Bitmedia Co., Ltd. (established 1998) and Techno Net Co., Ltd. — and is led by founder-CEO Iwatsunami Gota, who chairs the 5GMF Application Committee and participates in Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications policy committees on broadcasting and telecommunications.

Name

INFOCITY

Legal name

INFOCITY, Inc.

Website

https://infocity.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INFOCITY is a privately held Japanese software developer (founded 1982, Shibuya, Tokyo) that builds e-book platforms (HybookSystems, bREADER), broadcast-internet convergence tools (TVMock, Castanet, RichFlyer), and 5G/XR licensing services for enterprise broadcasters, publishers, and telecom carriers in Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Publishing and Broadcasting Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Publishing Aggregators & Distribution (e-book distribution, news syndication) (MPAJAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK), Video Streaming & OTT Delivery (Live/VOD, Low-Latency) (HDABAGAC), Device & App Lifecycle Management (Build, QA, Release, A/B Testing) (MPAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Ebook platform software
• Broadcasting communication technology
• Push notification services
• Digital content distribution
• Technology licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Development Services: Custom software development for manufacturers and operators including broadcasting, communications, and digital media development. Services range from terminal applications to embedded systems and protocol development.
2. E-book Platform Licensing: HybookSystems integrated e-book platform licensed to e-book store operators. Revenue from library modules, server modules, and application development.
3. RichFlyer SaaS Subscription: Push notification ASP service offered as SaaS with subscription tiers including a 10,000 yen/month plan as of July 2022
4. Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary technologies including bitcast and related patents with conformance testing and education services for licensees
5. Product Sales: One-time software license sales for desktop applications like INFO.TV Plus, ドコデモTV2 client software, and other PC applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

INFOCITY develops and licenses proprietary software platforms for digital publishing, broadcasting-communications convergence, and push notification delivery. Its flagship offerings include the HybookSystems integrated e-book platform (licensed to ~20 Japanese e-book retailers), the RichFlyer push notification and SNS delivery SaaS service, and the TVMock simultaneous/catch-up broadcast streaming system. The company also operates a licensing business for its patented technologies including Bitcast.

Product overview

INFOCITY is a Japanese software development company with three core business lines: (1) e-book platforms — anchored by the integrated HybookSystems platform and supplemented by bREADER Cloud (cloud storage e-book), bREADER (mobile reader), and BookSurfing (mobile viewer); (2) broadcasting and communications technologies — including TVMock (simultaneous/catch-up streaming with SDKs), TVlet (web-part internet TV), Peece.TV (video sales platform), INFO.TV Plus (PC TV software), Castanet (broadcast CMS), and RichFlyer (push notification/SNS delivery); and (3) digital innovation — spanning 5G network projects, FlashBoot (boot modules), El centro (in-memory database), and licensing services. The portfolio includes both actively developed products (HybookSystems, bREADER Cloud, RichFlyer, TVMock, Castanet, TVlet) and legacy/archived products (bitcast, INFO.TV, Balloo!, B+POP, DS Vision viewers, T·BREAK, Robō-Ō).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HybookSystems: Integrated e-book platform providing rendering libraries, modules, and complete app development for e-book applications supporting ePub, XMDF, PDF, Hycomic, and .Book formats
• bREADER Cloud
• RichFlyer
• Castanet
• 5G Related Business
• TVMock
• B+POP
• DEVCAFE
• Licensing Business

Products and services

• HybookSystems An integrated e-book platform providing rendering libraries, server modules, and development support for e-book application development. Supports multiple formats (ePub, XMDF, PDF, Hycomic, .Book) and multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac) with multi-cloud synchronization. Licensed to e-book store operators.
• bREADER Cloud A cloud storage-integrated e-book platform that allows users to save and manage open-format e-book files such as ePub and PDF in online storage, providing cross-device access to personal digital libraries.
• RichFlyer A push notification and SNS simultaneous delivery ASP service that sends rich messages with video and animated GIF attachments to iOS/Android apps and social media platforms at delivery speeds exceeding 2 million messages per minute, with approval workflow, segmentation, and analytics features.
• Castanet A content management system (CMS) for broadcasters and news sites that streamlines the workflow of generating, updating, and uploading internet content synchronized with TV and radio broadcasts. Supports 18 languages including right-to-left scripts, built on AWS, delivered as SaaS with Slack/email notification integration.
• TVMock A TV broadcast simultaneous/live and catch-up streaming system with smartphone SDKs for iOS and Android. Receives broadcast signals directly and converts them for automatic delivery, supporting subtitles (frame-accurate sync), data broadcasting (BML-compliant), hybrid cast (HTML5), program guides, automatic VOD generation, regional content control, authentication, and DRM.
• TVlet A web-part-based internet TV solution that provides end-to-end hosting, packaging, and delivery of high-quality and live video streaming. Supports diverse delivery modes (C/S streaming, P2P overlay multicast via ShareCast2Plus, P2P file delivery via iGrid), multiple formats and DRM, delivered as SaaS.
• Peece.TV An HD video sales platform that enables high-quality video content distribution and viewing via web search, with built-in web browser for video playback, bookmark management, offline playback, and iTunes file sharing.
• INFO.TV Plus A PC TV application for Windows XP/Vista that supports TV viewing, time-shift playback, picture-in-picture, deinterlace processing, electronic program guide with genre/search, automated scheduled recording, simultaneous home-network multi-PC viewing, and subtitle/data broadcast display.
• Licensing Business (ライセンシング事業) Intellectual property management, standardization, and utilization services for proprietary technologies including bitcast and related patents, with conformance testing, licensee training seminars, and global deployment support covering ASEAN, Middle East, and Malaysia.
• 5G Related Business (5G関連事業) 5G and beyond-5G technology development initiatives including the Tokyo 5G Boosters Project as development promoter, XGMF membership, 5GMF Application Committee chairmanship, 5GAG (5G Application Study Group) hosting, and Ministry of Internal Affairs 5G comprehensive demonstration experiments.
• FlashBoot A secure boot module for information appliances that enables flash memory booting (Linux OS from flash), automatic dual boot image selection, diskless boot, online boot image updates, Linux file access on flash memory, and module tamper protection.
• El centro A high-throughput real-time database management package designed for time-critical applications, using Times Ten in-memory database technology to achieve thousands to tens of thousands of TPS for tracking physical distribution and other real-time data management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million messages/minute delivery capacity
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Integration8 records

AI capability9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Kinokuniya (紀伊國屋書店)coreTechnology or IntegrationE-book app Kinoppy developed using HybookSystems platform technology. One of the first major e-book store implementations.
• NTT Docomo (NTTpdocomo)coreTechnology or Integrationd-book e-book store platform provider using HybookSystems technology
• Lawson (ローソン)coreTechnology or IntegrationE-book store operator (エルパカBOOKS) using HybookSystems platform
• Bitmedia (株式会社ビットメディア)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for TVMock system and ShareCast Playlist Editor technology. Bitmedia is also a subsidiary with common representative directors. Developed P2P streaming technology ShareCast2Plus.
• KDDImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in urban DX platform demonstration at Futakotamagawa Rise, providing 5G environment and XR technology (au XR Door platform)
• TechnoNet (株式会社テクノネット)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup company collaborating on 5G technology development and wireless technology projects
• Tokyu (東急株式会社)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing demonstration field for urban DX platform technology testing at Futakotamagawa Rise
• 5GMF (第5世代モバイル推進フォーラム)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINFOCITY CEO serves as Application Committee Chairman. Active participation in 5G standardization and promotion activities
• XGMF (XGモバイル推進フォーラム)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember and active participant in beyond-5G mobile promotion forum
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment promoter for Tokyo 5G Boosters Project and Tokyo NEXT 5G Boosters Project, supporting startup ecosystem development
• Telement (テレポート)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup partner in urban DX platform project, providing community engine and communication platform
• MasterVisions (MasterVisions株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup partner providing free-viewpoint video technology for urban DX platform demonstrations
• Connected Design (Connected Design株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup partner providing IoT sensor and platform technology for urban DX platform

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Repro: Japanese mobile marketing/push notification and analytics SaaS vendor. Directly comparable to INFOCITY's RichFlyer in target market (Japanese mobile app developers and SMBs) and product category (push + segmentation + SNS delivery).
• NTT Solmare (eBookJapan): Operates eBookJapan and Comic C-mo, both of which are listed HybookSystems customers of INFOCITY. NTT Solmare is itself a vertically integrated e-book store operator using INFOCITY's platform, making it both a customer and a peer in Japanese e-book retail/distribution.
• Media Do: Japan's largest e-book distributor and a dominant intermediary between publishers and e-book retailers. Comparable to INFOCITY because both sit in the e-book distribution/platform layer powering Japanese stores; Media Do's scale and content aggregation contrast with INFOCITY's technology-licensing approach (HybookSystems) into the same retailers.

Broad incumbents

• BookLive: Topecon Holdings subsidiary operating a major Japanese e-book store and platform. Comparable to INFOCITY as both a customer of similar distribution technology and a competitor in delivering Japanese e-book retail experiences.
• Piccoma (Kakao Piccoma): Kakao-operated Japanese manga/webtoon e-book platform. Comparable to INFOCITY as a vertically integrated Japanese e-book retail competitor whose growth has reshaped the competitive set that HybookSystems licensed into.
• CyberAgent (ABEMA): Parent of ABEMA, a major Japanese internet-TV platform with broadcast-style programming. Comparable as a competitor shaping the Japanese broadcaster/OTT convergence market that INFOCITY's TVMock and CMS products address.
• BOOK☆WALKER (Kadokawa): Kadokawa-owned e-book platform and reader app — a direct competitor in the Japanese e-book retail/reading experience layer. Comparable to INFOCITY's HybookSystems/bREADER offerings because it bundles content, reader, and commerce in one stack, putting pressure on INFOCITY's horizontal platform model.
• LINE Manga / LINE Digital Frontier: One of Japan's largest manga e-book platforms, also a HybookSystems licensee. Comparable as a peer because it operates a major Japanese e-book retail destination alongside the same publisher ecosystem that INFOCITY's platform technology supports.
• U-NEXT: Major Japanese OTT video streaming service. Comparable to INFOCITY because its content distribution and catch-up/streaming infrastructure competes for the same Japanese broadcaster OTT distribution budgets that TVMock and TVlet target.

Regional players

• BOOKSTONE: Japanese e-book distribution technology provider serving publishers and retailers. Comparable to INFOCITY's HybookSystems as a competing platform-layer technology vendor in the same domestic market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/INFOCITY_PR
• Facebookfacebook.com/INFOCITY.Inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 INFOCITY