Name

AI Forward

Legal name

株式会社AI Forward

Website

https://aiforward.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AI Forward is a Tokyo-based Japanese DX services firm founded in 2024 that delivers custom AI system development, web/app development, AI consulting, marketing, design, R&D, EXPO support, and reuse PC sales to enterprise clients, and operates the proprietary Nefri neighborhood social-networking app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Development and Digital Transformation Consulting

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Prompt Engineering, Orchestration & LLMOps Tooling (HDAAACAD), Developer Experience Platforms for Enterprise (IDEs, CI/CD, Dev Portals) (HDAEAKAI)

Keywords

• AI system development
• Digital transformation consulting
• Web and app development
• AI implementation services
• Custom machine learning solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AI System Development: Custom AI and machine learning system design and development services tailored to client needs, ranging from operational efficiency improvements to new business creation.
2. Web/App Development: End-to-end web and mobile application development from planning to design, development, and ongoing operations.
3. AI Consulting Services: Strategic consulting for AI adoption including formulation, proof-of-concept, and production implementation to support enterprise digital transformation.
4. Reuse PC Sales: Sale and purchase of refurbished PCs with rigorous inspection and restoration processes, supporting sustainable IT utilization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AI Forward designs and develops custom AI and machine learning systems and provides end-to-end digital transformation (DX) support for Japanese enterprises, including AI strategy and consulting, web/mobile application development, data-driven marketing, design, R&D, and exhibition support. The company also independently developed and operates Nefri (ネフリ), a proprietary neighborhood social networking application limited to a 15km radius, as an in-house demonstration of full-stack execution capability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nefri (ネフリ): A neighborhood SNS app with a 15km radius limit connecting local communities. Features circle functions for interests and rain chat for nationwide connections on rainy days.

Products and services

• Nefri (ネフリ) - Neighborhood SNS Application Proprietary neighborhood social networking app limiting connections to users within a 15km radius; features interest-based circle functions, a neighborhood timeline, and a "Rain Chat" nationwide mode that temporarily lifts the 15km restriction when rain falls in the user's location.
• AI System Development (AIシステム開発) Custom design and development of AI and machine learning systems leveraging cutting-edge technologies, ranging from operational efficiency improvements to new business creation; delivered to Japanese enterprises seeking tailored AI solutions.
• Web and App Development (Web・アプリ開発) End-to-end planning, design, development, and operation of high-quality websites and mobile applications that maximize user experience; targeted at Japanese enterprises launching or enhancing digital products.
• AI Implementation Consulting (AI導入コンサルティング) Comprehensive consulting for enterprise DX, covering AI strategy formulation, proof-of-concept (PoC) execution, and production implementation to support Japanese companies adopting AI.
• Marketing Support (マーケティング支援) Data-driven AI-powered marketing strategy services enabling precise target approach and ROI maximization for Japanese enterprise clients.
• Design Production (デザイン制作) Branding, UI/UX design, and graphic production services combining aesthetics and functionality to enhance business value for Japanese clients.
• R&D Support (研究開発支援) End-to-end innovation support spanning cutting-edge technology research, prototype development, and market launch strategy for Japanese enterprises.
• Exhibition and EXPO Support (展示会・EXPO出展支援) Total support for trade shows and expos—from planning and booth design through on-site operations—maximizing exhibition effectiveness for Japanese enterprise clients.
• Reuse PC Sales (リユースPC販売) Sale and purchase of high-quality refurbished PCs through rigorous inspection and regeneration processes, supporting sustainable IT utilization while reducing cost and environmental burden for businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500 users acquired in 7 days with ¥0 advertising cost
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• GrabXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026AI Forward co-hosted the GrabX & AI Forward Summit in Jakarta with CGO IceKredit and Kong Chinang. The summit focused on promoting responsible tripartite AI collaboration across ASEAN markets, with the goal of advancing ethical and responsible AI development in the Southeast Asian region.

Scale indicators4 records

Direct peers

• AI inside Inc. Japanese AI company providing AI platform products and enterprise AI implementation services; comparable in target market and AI service offerings to AI Forward.
• LayerX: Tokyo-based AI/DX startup offering AI implementation, SaaS, and consulting for enterprise digital transformation; comparable to AI Forward's AI consulting and system development services.

Broad incumbents

• Nomura Research Institute (NRI): Large Japanese consulting and IT services firm with strong AI and DX capabilities serving Japanese enterprises; direct overlap in enterprise AI consulting.
• Accenture Japan: Global consulting firm with significant Japanese enterprise AI and digital transformation practice; competes for the same enterprise AI consulting engagements.
• NTT Data: One of Japan's largest IT services and system integration firms, providing enterprise AI and digital transformation consulting at massive scale; competes for the same Japanese enterprise DX budgets.
• Fujitsu: Major Japanese IT services and AI solutions provider with established enterprise customer base; comparable in DX and AI consulting services though at much larger scale.
• SoftBank Corp: Major Japanese telecom and technology company with substantial AI services and enterprise digital transformation offerings for Japanese customers.

Emerging players

• Preferred Networks: Japan-based deep learning company providing AI solutions and consulting for enterprise customers; overlapping AI engineering and custom model development focus.
• Sakana AI: Tokyo-based AI research company developing foundation models and offering enterprise AI integration services; competing for similar Japanese AI talent and customers.
• Idein Inc. Japan-based AI startup providing edge AI development platforms and AI consulting services; overlaps with AI Forward's custom AI system development focus for Japanese enterprises.

Market position

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 AI Forward