Connect-ed

What Connect-ed does

Connect-ed株式会社 (Connect-ed Inc.) is a Japanese private education company operating multiple sub-brands that target preschool children aged 0-6 and their families. Its core offering is STEAM English for kids, an online English and STEAM education tutoring service that combines immersion-based English instruction with five-sense, experience-based STEAM activities using household items, delivered through personalized online lessons with parent participation and a custom curriculum recalibrated biweekly based on each child's age, language ability, and developmental stage. The company also operates 白百合学舎 (Shirayuri Gakkusha), a private one-on-one entrance examination preparation service specialized for the Aichi University of Education affiliated kindergarten, and the 幼児教育・早期教育ラボ (Early Childhood / Early Education Lab), a content media platform publishing articles on early childhood education, STEAM, and English learning.

The revenue model is built primarily on monthly subscription tuition for STEAM English courses (Infant class priced at 15,000 yen enrollment plus 6,999 yen/month) and one-time course fees for the Shirayuri Gakkusha exam preparation program (99,000 yen for a 5.5-month course). Supporting B2B revenue streams include curriculum introduction to corporate nurseries, small-scale nurseries, unlicensed childcare facilities, and employee-benefit partnerships with NTT Docomo's comotto parenting platform and Yohana. GTM is direct-to-consumer-led: SEO content marketing through the owned media blog, organic social on Instagram (@mamapapasteam), and parent referral networks, supplemented by channel partnerships with corporate benefit platforms and twin-family organizations (Aichi Twin Net). The company does not publish a mobile app and does not expose a public API; payment processing is handled via Square.

The company is privately held, founder-led (Ogawa, MBA), with no disclosed external funding, headcount, or revenue. Operations are nationwide online across Japan with Aichi Prefecture concentration for the in-person exam-prep vertical. Recognition milestones include NAGOYA WOMAN STARTUP LAB (2020-2021), Startup Business Support Subsidy (2021), GLOW TECH NAGOYA Global Mindset Program (2023), and media coverage in Asahi Shimbun Digital and Nagoya TV in 2023.

Name

Connect-ed

Legal name

Connect-ed株式会社

Website

https://connect-ed.biz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Connect-ed株式会社 is a Japanese early childhood education company operating online STEAM English classes for children aged 0-6, a kindergarten entrance exam preparation service, and a parenting media platform, serving individual families and childcare institutions nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Teacher-Led Classroom Platforms (Lesson Delivery, Centers, Whiteboard) (EDACANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEAM-Focused Early Learning Academies (EDACADAJ), Parent-Facing Home Learning & Family Engagement Apps (EDACANAK), Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Online English tutoring
• STEAM education services
• Kindergarten exam preparation
• Preschool learning programs

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. STEAM English for Kids Course Fees: Monthly subscription fees for online English education courses targeting infants (0-2 years), Level A (2 years - 3rd grade), Level B, and Level C classes. Includes enrollment fee and monthly tuition.
2. 白百合学舎 (Shirayuri Gakusha) Examination Preparation: Specialized kindergarten examination preparation courses for Aichi University of Education affiliated kindergarten. One-time course fee covering 5.5 months of preparation.
3. Corporate Training & Seminars: Enterprise services including corporate nursery consultation, early childhood education seminars for companies, and custom B2B solutions for education institutions.
4. Early Education Media & Content: Content monetization through 幼儿教育・早期教育ラボ media platform providing educational articles and resources for parents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Connect-ed delivers online English and STEAM education tutoring to Japanese families with children aged 0 through early elementary via its STEAM English for kids service, combining immersion-based English instruction with STEAM activities, individualized curricula, and parent participation. It also runs 白百合学舎 (Shirayuri Gakkusha), a private one-on-one kindergarten entrance exam preparation service for Aichi University of Education affiliated kindergarten, and an early childhood education media platform for parent education content.

Product overview

Connect-ed株式会社 operates a multi-brand education portfolio targeting young children (infants through early elementary) and their families in Japan. The portfolio centers on three main offerings: (1) STEAM English for kids — an online English and STEAM education tutoring service for ages 0 through early elementary, featuring personalized curricula, immersion-based instruction, and home training support; (2) 白百合学舎 — a private kindergarten exam preparation and parent–child interview coaching service specialized for Aichi University of Education affiliated kindergarten; and (3) 幼児教育・早期教育ラボ — a media platform publishing articles on early childhood education, STEAM, and English learning. Supporting services include individualized learning tool development, open-ended educational material creation, curriculum deployment to childcare facilities and enterprises, early education outreach activities, and preschool event planning and operations. The company also develops custom home training programs and advocates for working parents' access to quality early childhood education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEAM English for kids Online English and STEAM education tutoring service for infants (0 years) through early elementary school (approximately grade 3), delivered via personalized online lessons with parent participation, custom curricula adjusted biweekly, immersion-based English instruction with STEAM activities, and home training support. Tiered by age/level (Infant 0-2 yrs, Level A 2 yrs-3rd grade, Level B, Level C) with monthly subscription plus enrollment fee.
• Shirayuri Gakkusha (白百合学舎) — Kindergarten Entrance Exam Preparation Private one-on-one exam preparation and parent–child interview coaching service specialized for Aichi University of Education affiliated kindergarten, targeting children aged 3–5 and their parents. Delivered as 45-minute sessions twice per month over a 5.5-month period at ¥99,000 (tax included), with privacy-conscious programming that minimizes contact with other families. No enrollment fee; facility management, materials, and registration fees are included.
• Early Childhood / Early Education Lab (幼児教育・早期教育ラボ) Parenting-support media platform publishing articles on early childhood education, STEAM education, English education, and kindergarten/elementary school entrance exam preparation. Used to build community, trust, and thought leadership with target parents and to support funnel for STEAM English for kids and Shirayuri Gakkusha.
• Curriculum Introduction for Educational Institutions and Companies B2B service providing customized individual learning proposals to corporate nurseries, small-scale nurseries, unlicensed nurseries, and childcare facilities, tailored to each facility's purpose and target audience. Also offered through corporate employee benefit platforms including Yohana and Docomo comotto.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children begin English verbalization within 3 months of consistent training
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• あいち多胎ネット (Aichi Twin Net)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing twin/multiple child family support. Offers 'second child free lesson' program for registered families of twins, triplets, etc. Addresses unique needs of multiple birth families.
• 名古屋商科大学大学院 (Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Graduate School)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest lecture on 'Recognition of Personal Values and Career Path Selection' conducted from 2018-2020. Founder delivers lectures on education and career topics.
• 名古屋交通局 (Nagoya City Transportation Bureau)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated as PR Partner for Nagoya City Transportation 100th Anniversary. Aligns with company vision of supporting working parents and families.
• YohanaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partnership providing employee benefit services. STEAM English offered as part of corporate family support programs.
• NTT Docomo (Docomo comotto)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured in Docomo's parenting support platform 'comotto'. Column feature and service promotion to Docomo customers.
• Education Institutions (企業主導型保育園, 小規模保育園, 認可外保育園, 託児所)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCurriculum introduction partnerships with various childcare and nursery facilities. Provides unique educational programs for corporate nurseries, small-scale nurseries, unlicensed childcare facilities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Novakid: Online English education platform focused on children aged 4-12, with international instructors. Comparable in pure-play online English for kids but operates globally rather than concentrated in Japan.
• Globee: Online English conversation platform offering affordable lessons with international instructors for children and adults in Japan. Comparable to Connect-ed's online English delivery model and Japan market focus, though broader in age targeting.

Direct peers

• Global Step Academy: Online English education platform targeting children in Japan, with international instructors and curriculum for ages 3-18. Directly comparable to Connect-ed's STEAM English for kids service in product category and target customer segment.
• NativeCamp: Japan-based unlimited online English conversation platform with a dedicated Kids offering. Comparable in online delivery model and Japanese market focus, though at significantly larger scale.
• 伸芽会 (Shingakai): Established Japanese kindergarten and elementary school entrance exam preparation academy. Directly comparable to Connect-ed's Shirayuri Gakkusha exam prep business, though Shingakai operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography.

Broad incumbents

• ECC: One of Japan's largest English education companies operating conversation schools and children's programs (ECC Junior). Overlaps with Connect-ed in English education for kids but operates at much broader scale with brick-and-mortar dominance.
• Berlitz Japan: Established language education provider in Japan offering children's English programs. Operates as a broad incumbent in language education with overlapping capabilities in the kids' English segment where Connect-ed competes.
• Kids Duo (やる気スイッチグループ): English-immersion after-school programs and preschools for Japanese children, part of the Yarukeru Switch Group. Comparable to Connect-ed in English education for young children but operates primarily through physical facilities rather than online delivery.
• Benesse (こどもちゃれんじ / Kodomo Challenge): Major Japanese educational services company offering subscription-based learning content and materials for young children (ages 0-6). Directly comparable to Connect-ed's parent-facing home learning and educational content offerings, but at vastly greater scale and brand recognition.
• Kumon: Japan's largest supplemental education company with a focus on self-learning worksheets for children. Overlaps with Connect-ed in early childhood educational content and parent-facing learning materials at massive scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mamapapasteam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 Connect-ed