What M-Lab Japan does

M-Lab Japan (株式会社m-Lab) is a Tokyo-based, founder-led software company established July 7, 2017 by Shinya Murakami (村上進也). Operating from a Ginza headquarters with a sub-10-person team, the firm specializes in three integrated practice areas: metaverse platform development, custom AI solutions, and web system development, supplemented by a Web Booster marketing service. Its underlying technology stack spans Python and React on AWS/GCP/Azure cloud infrastructure, plus a self-developed proprietary metaverse engine (AREAL) that enables browser-based 3D spaces without VR hardware, supporting up to 1,000 concurrent users.

The company runs a dual model combining self-developed products and custom development services. Proprietary products include V-expo (browser-based metaverse event platform), metarium (planetary metaverse), Laborin (an autonomous conversational AI virtual human), and consumer gaming properties (Metajan metaverse mahjong, Mahjong Training quiz app). The services arm delivers custom AI (text analysis, image recognition, recommendation, predictive analytics, multilingual translation), metaverse build-outs (virtual spaces, avatars, event operations), and web/cloud/API system development. The Web Booster tiered offering (¥50,000 consulting; ¥150,000 consulting + marketing improvement; ¥1,000,000 full renewal) targets SMBs, while custom enterprise projects anchor the higher end of the engagement mix.

Customers span enterprise (Sumitomo Mitsui Card, Recruit, NTT Data, AGC Glass), regional banking (Kochi Bank, Iyo Bank), construction (Saiga Sekkei Komuten via Tochisil), local government (Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture), and education (Musashino University, Meiji University). GTM is sales-led direct engagement plus event-driven acquisition through V-expo-hosted events and external speaking slots (AWS Digital Society Tour, Google Cloud Leaders' Story, Sumida Ward programs). Revenue is split between project-based custom development and product/recurring revenue from the proprietary platform portfolio, though no revenue, ARR, or external funding is publicly disclosed.

Name

M-Lab Japan

Legal name

株式会社m-Lab

Website

https://m-lab.inc

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

M-Lab Japan is a Tokyo-based, founder-led software firm that builds metaverse platforms (V-expo, metarium), a conversational AI virtual human (Laborin), and delivers custom AI, metaverse, and web system development services to enterprise, government, education, and SMB clients in Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Metaverse & Social Virtual Worlds (BPAMAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

XR/AR/VR/MR Development Frameworks & Toolchains (MPAFAFAF), End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management) (HDAEANAA)

Keywords

• Custom AI development
• Metaverse event platform
• Web system development
• Conversational AI agents
• Digital marketing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ginza

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Development Services (受注開発): AI development, web system development, metaverse development, and web marketing/SEO services provided as custom project-based work to enterprise and mid-market clients.
2. Self-developed SaaS Products: V-expo (metaverse event platform), metarium (planetary metaverse), ラボリン (virtual human), and gaming products like 麻雀超特訓 and メタジャン generate recurring/product revenue.
3. Web Booster Marketing Services: Consulting and implementation services for website renewal, SEO optimization, and advertising operations, with tiered pricing from consulting-only to full redesign packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

M-Lab Japan builds proprietary metaverse and AI software products and provides custom development services for enterprise and mid-market clients. Its self-developed product platform includes V-expo (browser-based metaverse event service), metarium (planetary metaverse social network), and Laborin (autonomous conversational AI virtual human). Alongside products, it delivers custom AI, metaverse, and web system development services, plus tiered marketing support (webBooster).

Product overview

M-Lab Japan operates a unified product platform complemented by distinct service offerings. The core product portfolio includes V-expo (web-browser metaverse event platform), metarium (planetary-type metaverse social network), Laborin (autonomous conversational virtual human), and entertainment products (Metajan mahjong parlor, Mahjong Training quiz app). The company also provides three main service lines: AI development (text analysis, image recognition, recommendations), metaverse development (virtual space/avatar/event services), and web system development (cloud/API/mobile solutions), supplemented by webBooster marketing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• V-expo Web browser-based metaverse event service accessible without VR devices or special software, supporting up to 1,000 concurrent users per event.
• metarium Planetary-scale metaverse platform hosting corporate and municipal content for events, shopping, and communication that substitute for real-world experiences.
• Laborin (ラボリン) Autonomous conversational AI virtual human that learns company information and provides customer service, guidance, inquiries, and presentations across physical stores, web, and metaverse spaces.
• Mahjong Training (麻雀超特訓) Professional mahjong quiz app supervised by Genki Hirasawa pro, offering authentic mahjong training through a mobile/quiz format.
• Metajan (メタジャン) Ultra-authentic metaverse mahjong parlor where players can chat while playing mahjong in a virtual environment.
• AI Development Services Custom AI solutions for enterprise clients covering text analysis, image recognition, recommendation engines, natural language processing, predictive analytics, multilingual translation, and generative document automation.
• Metaverse Development Services End-to-end metaverse solutions including virtual space design, avatar creation, and event operations for immersive metaverse experiences on the V-expo platform.
• Web System Development Services Custom web system development combining AI, cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure), and API integration, supporting full lifecycle from requirements definition through deployment and ongoing maintenance.
• webBooster Integrated digital marketing support combining SEO, advertising operations, and website (HP) management to generate sustainable results in the AI era, with tiered consulting/improvement/full-renewal packages.

Quantifiable outcome

• V-expo supports up to 1,000 concurrent users in a single metaverse event
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

AI capability10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 有限 지적했다賀設計工委 (Saiga Sekkei Komuten)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Cross-industry collaboration between IT and construction companies to provide 'トチシル', a land-finding support service. Combines Saiga's construction expertise with m-Lab's web technology for real estate decision-making support.
• 株式会社リクルート (Recruit)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a business partner/client. Recruit is one of Japan's largest HR and placement companies, providing technology services.
• 株式会社高知銀行 (Kochi Bank) and 株式会社伊予銀行 (Iyo Bank)minorOthersListed as business partners/clients. Regional banks utilizing m-Lab's technology services for digital transformation initiatives.
• 株式会社三井住友カード (Sumitomo Mitsui Card)minorOthersListed as a business partner/client. Major credit card company utilizing m-Lab's development services.
• AGC硝子建材株式会社 (AGC Glass), 株式会社コスモホールディングス, 株式会社ケル, NTTデータ, BSNアイネット, RKB毎日放送minorOthersListed as business partners/clients spanning glass manufacturing, energy, construction tools, IT services, broadcasting, and media sectors.
• 福井県越前市 (Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership hosting Virtual Community Summits on the V-expo platform to promote Echizen City for regional revitalization, migration support, and community building. Multiple summits held since 2023.
• 澤円 (Madoka Sawa)minorOthersAdvisor to m-Lab. Former Microsoft Japan executive, currently CEO of Enso Co., Ltd. Provides guidance on DX, cybersecurity, and organizational management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• VRChat: VRChat is a large-scale social VR platform used for both consumer gatherings and some enterprise events. It is a broad incumbent in the metaverse space, though primarily VR-headset-driven versus M-Lab's browser-first approach.
• Microsoft Mesh: Microsoft Mesh is the metaverse platform within Microsoft Teams for enterprise collaboration and 3D meetings. It is a broad incumbent alternative to M-Lab's V-expo, especially for enterprise customers already standardized on the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Meta Horizon Worlds: Meta Horizon Worlds is Meta's consumer-facing metaverse platform that has expanded into enterprise events. It represents a global incumbent threat to browser-based event platforms like V-expo, particularly for international brands operating in Japan.
• NTT QonoQ: NTT QonoQ is NTT's subsidiary focused on XR and metaverse services, including the DOOR platform for concerts and corporate events. As a major incumbent, it competes with M-Lab in enterprise metaverse deployments but offers broader telecom-integrated capabilities.
• Roblox: Roblox is a global gaming and creation platform increasingly used for branded virtual experiences and events. While U.S.-headquartered, Japanese brands run campaigns on Roblox that compete with M-Lab's enterprise metaverse service offerings.

Emerging players

• Spatial: Spatial is a browser and mobile-based metaverse platform for enterprise collaboration and events with avatar-based interactions. It overlaps with V-expo's browser-accessible event positioning and competes for multinational enterprise event budgets.
• Mozilla Hubs: Mozilla Hubs is a browser-based virtual world platform for events and social gatherings, comparable in technical philosophy to V-expo (no install, web-accessible). It represents an emerging open-source-style alternative that Japanese enterprises sometimes evaluate.

Direct peers

• Realift: Realift provides the REALITY metaverse platform and mobile-based virtual live/event services, with a focus on Japanese enterprise events and virtual influencers. It directly overlaps with M-Lab's V-expo and metarium in targeting the Japanese event-metaverse market.
• HIKKY: HIKKY develops the Virtual Market (Vket) metaverse platform and provides metaverse development services to Japanese enterprises and VTubers. Like M-Lab, it offers proprietary engine technology plus custom metaverse solutions targeting Japanese enterprises and event organizers.
• Cluster: Cluster is Japan's leading metaverse event platform that allows users to host virtual events, concerts, and gatherings directly from a web browser. Like M-Lab's V-expo, it targets event organizers and enterprises seeking accessible browser-based 3D experiences without VR hardware.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vexpo4
• Facebookfacebook.com/mLab.inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/vexpo8

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 M-Lab Japan