Head High
Head-High is a Tokyo-based developer relations firm that helps game development tool providers reach indie developers in Japan through community engagement, trade shows, published books, a government-backed accelerator with METI, and an annual indie developers conference.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersShibuya, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Head High does
Head-High is a Tokyo-based developer relations and community services firm dedicated to Japan's indie game development ecosystem. The company helps game development tool providers — both Japanese and international — reach indie developers through community-led engagement, including trade shows, hands-on sessions, published books distributed through bookstores, technical blog posts, and pamphlets. Its service offering centers on a core Project Support and Community Building line, supplemented by the Indie Developers Conference (an annual event the company established), a published Survival Handbook for Developers, an accelerator program operated in partnership with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and incubator programs established with other business partners.
The company operates with a small team of 1-10 employees from Shibuya, Japan, and has been active for over a decade. Its go-to-market is intentionally analog-first relative to typical digital PR, with the company stating that channels such as YouTube tutorials and gamejam spotlights often fail in Japan, while physical books, pamphlets, and direct trade show engagement succeed. Visible client logos on the company website include IGI, Sofu, IGJD, IDC, Bufff, CRI Middleware (CRIWARE), and MACC, indicating a client base of game development tool providers. The firm describes its mission as supporting audience growth in Japanese gaming and cultivating a new generation of home-grown indie creatives.
Head-High is privately held, with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no publicly listed management team. Pricing models, contract terms, and revenue figures are not disclosed. The company operates exclusively within Japan with no global footprint claim, and its website is active as of 2025.
Head High firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Head High
- Legal name
- 株式会社ヘッドハイ (Kabushiki Kaisha Head-High)
- Website
- https://head-high.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Head-High is a Tokyo-based developer relations firm that helps game development tool providers reach indie developers in Japan through community engagement, trade shows, published books, a government-backed accelerator with METI, and an annual indie developers conference.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Head High industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Game Developer Relations Services
- NAICS
- Business Support Services (5614)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lead Generation & List Building Services (Prospecting, Data Sourcing) (BPAFAKAE)
Keywords
Where Head High is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shibuya
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Head High business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Head High product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Head High provides developer relations and community-building services that help game development tool makers reach indie game developers in Japan. The company leverages deep roots in the Japanese game development community through analog-first outreach, including trade shows, hands-on sessions, books, pamphlets, and technical content, supplemented by an annual Indie Developers Conference, a published survival handbook, and accelerator and incubator programs.
Product overview
Head-High is a community-focused organization that offers a platform of support services for Japan's indie game developers rather than a traditional software product. The core offering centers on Project Support and Community Building, supplemented by the Indie Developers Conference (an annual industry event), the Survival Handbook for Developers (a published guidebook), and structured startup programs including an Accelerator Program (operated with METI) and Incubator Programs (partnered with other businesses). These services are designed to address the gap in support programs for up-and-coming game creatives in Japan and help international tools reach Japanese developers through analog and community-driven channels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Project Support and Community Building Core service for game development tool companies seeking to reach indie game developers in Japan, delivered through trade shows, hands-on sessions, books, pamphlets, and technical blog content.
- Indie Developers Conference An annual conference for indie game developers in Japan, providing networking, education, and community-building opportunities.
- Survival Handbook for Developers A published guidebook written to help developers navigate the indie game development landscape in Japan, distributed through Japanese bookstores.
- Accelerator Program An accelerator program for indie game developers established in partnership with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
- Incubator Programs Incubator programs for indie game developers established through partnerships with other businesses, complementing the METI accelerator program.
Companies that use Head High
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Head High technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Head High partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)coreHead-High collaborated with METI to establish an accelerator program for indie game developers in Japan, addressing the lack of support programs for up-and-coming creatives in the Japanese game industry.
- Indie Developers ConferencecoreHead-High established the Indie Developers Conference to support peers in Japan's indie game scene, providing a platform for networking, education, and community building among indie developers.
- Various Business Partners (Incubator Programs)minorHead-High partnered with other businesses to set up incubator programs specifically targeting indie developers, complementing the METI accelerator program with additional support structures.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Head High competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- International Game Developers Association (IGDA): Global nonprofit membership organization for game developers with a Japan chapter. Comparable as a community-builder, networking platform, and educational resource for game developers; differs in that IGDA operates at a broader global scale whereas Head-High focuses tightly on Japan's indie segment.
Direct peers
- PLAYISM: Japan-based indie game publisher that helps international indie titles reach the Japanese market. Like Head-High, PLAYISM functions as a Japan-market gateway with overlap in serving international creators/tools seeking Japanese audience access and indie community building.
- Phoenixx: Japanese indie game publisher that supports indie developers in Japan and globally. Comparable to Head-High through its indie-developer-focused community engagement, marketing support, and Japan-centric publishing role, though more product-facing.
- BitSummit: Japan-based indie game festival and community showcase held annually in Kyoto. Most directly comparable to Head-High's Indie Developers Conference — both are recurring owned events serving Japan's indie game community with networking, exposure, and education functions.
- Active Gaming Media: Japan-headquartered game localization, marketing, and publishing services firm. Plays a similar Japan-market-access role for international game companies, comparable to Head-High's function of helping Western game tools reach Japanese developers.
Broad incumbents
- Devolver Digital: Larger, established indie game publisher with global footprint and strong brand presence among indie developers. Comparable through its indie-developer focus and community marketing DNA; differs in scale (publicly listed) and that it publishes products directly rather than providing DevRel services to tool vendors.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Head High social profiles
Digital presenceHead High financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Head High leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Head High funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Head High 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 Head High
What does Head High do?
Head High provides developer relations and community-building services that help game development tool makers reach indie game developers in Japan. The company leverages deep roots in the Japanese game development community through analog-first outreach, including trade shows, hands-on sessions, books, pamphlets, and technical content, supplemented by an annual Indie Developers Conference, a published survival handbook, and accelerator and incubator programs.
Is Head High a public or private company?
Head High is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Head High founded?
Head High was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Head High based?
Head High is headquartered in Shibuya, Japan, in the Asia region.
Who are Head High's main competitors?
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are PLAYISM, Phoenixx, BitSummit and Active Gaming Media. Devolver Digital is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Head High have an API?
No public API is recorded for Head High.
What industry is Head High in?
Head High's product category is Game Developer Relations Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAKAE, Lead Generation & List Building Services (Prospecting, Data Sourcing). Its NAICS code is 5614.