Castalia

What Castalia does

Castalia Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based, founder-led private Japanese company founded in November 2005 that provides mobile-first education technology platforms and programming education solutions to enterprises, educational institutions, and government/development clients across Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. Its core product, Goocus, is a multi-language (Yoruba, Amharic, Swahili, English, Japanese and others) mobile learning management system with iOS, Android, and web delivery, social learning, gamification, learning analytics, and — as of 2024 — offline-first, edge-computing, and VR modules (Goocus Offline, Goocus Edge, Goocus VR/Goocus360). The company is the authorized Japan distributor for Evollve/Ozo EDU's Ozobot educational robots, builds the Ozobot-centered CODEPOWER KIDS curriculum for elementary students, and operates CODEPOWER ONLINE (subscription programming school) and CODEPOWER RPA (corporate training). It also resells Mattermost as Educhat, a free-for-educational-institutions chat service with Google Workspace for Education-integrated school administration automation.

Revenue comes from multiple streams: Goocus LMS subscription licensing to Japanese universities (Joetsu University of Education, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Akita University) and government clients; Ozobot hardware sales via Amazon Japan and Rakuten; CODEPOWER ONLINE monthly subscriptions at ¥4,980/student; CODEPOWER KIDS workbooks (¥5,980 per stage, ¥32,980 complete set); CODEPOWER RPA enterprise training at ¥50,000/person; and Educhat (freemium). Internationally, the company pursues a project/government-to-government model funded primarily by JICA SME-SDGs grants and METI Global South subsidies, with the African Mothers subsidiary (established July 2022, wholly-owned) operating the Taarifa za Mama maternal health PHR app in Tanzania and the Castalia Africa subsidiary in Kenya serving East Africa. Notable project scale includes 20,000 students across 200 Iraqi schools via the JGC CSR partnership, 480 Meiko Network Japan tutoring centers using CODEPOWER KIDS, and Kenya KICD's adoption of CODEPOWER as the country's first official primary programming textbook. Castalia has 11-50 employees, registered capital of ¥63.41M, and holds Privacy Mark certification (No. 21004825).

Name

Castalia

Legal name

キャスタリア株式会社 (Castalia Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://castalia.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Castalia is a Tokyo-based private edtech company (founded 2005) that sells the Goocus mobile LMS, Mattermost-based Educhat, Ozobot educational robots, and CODEPOWER programming curricula to universities, K-12 institutions, and development-funded government projects across Japan, Africa, and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Technology

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Family Planning Centers (621410)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Device Ecosystems & 1:1 Program Solutions (Devices, MDM, Charging) (EDAJAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mobile App Development (iOS/Android) (EDAMACAD), AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied) (EDAMACAG), IoT, Sensors & Embedded Systems (Arduino/Raspberry Pi) Programs (EDAMADAI), Parent-Facing Home Learning & Family Engagement Apps (EDACANAK), Contraception & Family Planning Telehealth (birth control, counseling, follow-up) (HLALAHAB), Device Lifecycle Services (Imaging, Deployment, MDM/UEM Ops, Asset Tagging) (EDAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Mobile learning platform
• Learning management system
• Programming education
• Educational technology
• Maternal health software

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Goocus LMS Platform Licensing: Goocus mobile learning platform is provided to businesses and educational institutions under subscription licensing. Institutions including universities (Joetsu University of Education, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, Tokyo University of Agriculture), government bodies, and corporations pay for platform access, content deployment, and administration. Revenue generated through annual or multi-year licensing agreements.
2. Ozobot Robot & Accessory Sales: Sale of Ozobot robots (Evo, 2.0 Bit), Ozobot Basic Pack, classroom kits, color code sticker packs, and CODEPOWER KIDS packages via Amazon Japan, Rakuten, and direct institutional sales. Ozobot robots priced at 26,900 JPY (tax excluded), classroom kits at 159,000 JPY (tax excluded).
3. CODEPOWER KIDS Workbooks: Online programming learning curriculum for elementary students sold as individual workbooks (Stage 1-6) at 5,980 JPY per book or complete 6-book set at 32,980 JPY (tax included). Each workbook package includes online access to CODEPOWER Online learning platform.
4. CODEPOWER ONLINE Subscription: Monthly subscription online programming school (CODEPOWER ONLINE) offering GAS, Android, iOS, Python, 3D, Git/GitHub, Blockchain, Machine Learning, and RPA courses. Fee: 4,980 JPY/month per student, with course-specific offerings. No enrollment fee.
5. African Mothers / Taarifa za Mama (Subsidized): African Mothers subsidiary develops and deploys maternal health apps in Tanzania, operating with government subsidies (METI Global South program), JICA support, and pharmaceutical partnerships (Shionogi). Apps are provided free to pregnant women to achieve sustainable scale; business model is subsidy and impact-funded.
6. CODEPOWER RPA Enterprise Training: Corporate DX training service using Google Apps Script and RPA concepts, sold at 50,000 JPY per person (online), with real-time training options from 10+ participants. Revenue recognized as professional/enterprise services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Castalia develops and operates Goocus, a mobile learning management platform for enterprises and educational institutions, and Educhat, an education-focused chat service built on Mattermost. The company also distributes Ozobot programming education robots in Japan, delivers the CODEPOWER KIDS home programming curriculum and CODEPOWER ONLINE subscription programming school, and through its African Mothers subsidiary provides the Taarifa za Mama Personal Health Record mobile apps for pregnant women and midwives in Tanzania.

Product overview

Castalia operates as a platform company with a portfolio of interconnected digital education products and services. Its core offerings include Goocus, a mobile learning platform for businesses and educational institutions, and Educhat, an education-customized chat service based on Mattermost. The company also distributes Ozobot, an American-made programming education micro-robot, and operates African Mothers, a subsidiary providing the Taarifa Za Mama Personal Health Record app for maternal health in Tanzania. Supporting its core platform, Castalia offers CODEPOWER ONLINE (a multi-course programming school), CODEPOWER KIDS (home-based Ozobot programming learning for elementary students), CODEPOWER RPA (corporate automation training), Goocus Edge (edge-computing LMS), Goocus VR (VR learning), and Goocus Offline (offline-capable mobile app).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Goocus: 事業者様や教育機関様向けにデザインされたモバイルラーニングプラットフォーム。iOS/Android/Webアプリ対応。
• Educhat (エデュチャット)
• Ozobot (オゾボット)
• CODEPOWER KIDS (コードパワーキッズ)
• Taarifa za Mama (タリファ ザ ママ)
• CODEPOWER ONLINE
• Taarifa Za Mkunga

Products and services

• Goocus Mobile-first learning management platform for enterprises and educational institutions, supporting iOS/Android/Web with social learning, gamification, learning analytics, and multi-language content including Swahili, Yoruba, and Amharic.
• Educhat Education-focused chat service built on Mattermost, providing bot-assisted school administration automation, channel-based communication, and Google Workspace for Education integration for teachers and school staff.
• Ozobot Micro robot programming education tool developed by Evollve Inc. (USA) that reads color codes on paper or tablet screens to follow lines and execute commands, used in schools and homes globally to teach programming thinking skills.
• Taarifa za Mama Personal Health Record mobile app for pregnant women in Tanzania, providing cloud-stored prenatal health tracking, educational content by gestational week, peer support via SNS, health check-ins, and appointment reminders.
• Taarifa Za Mkunga Companion midwife mobile app for Tanzanian midwives, synchronized with the Taarifa za Mama maternal app for coordinated prenatal care, midwife training, and health record management.
• CODEPOWER KIDS Online programming learning course for elementary school students using Ozobot robots, featuring six stages progressing from paper-based programming to JavaScript with adventure-themed narrative, video lessons, quizzes, and physical workbooks.
• CODEPOWER ONLINE Online programming school offering multiple courses including GAS, Android, iOS, Python, Git/Github, Blockchain, Machine Learning, and 3D/Unity development on a subscription model with online mentoring and chat support.
• Goocus Edge Edge-computing-based LMS designed for large-group digital learning in schools across Asia and Africa, operating without continuous internet connectivity.
• Goocus360 VR-specialized LMS enabling group-based immersive learning in 360-degree VR theaters without requiring VR headsets, with text and quiz overlays on VR content.
• Goocus Offline Offline-capable mobile learning app allowing content download for internet-free learning in areas with poor connectivity, with server sync for progress tracking when reconnected.
• CODEPOWER RPA Corporate online training course using Google Apps Script to automate business workflows, teach RPA skills, and develop JavaScript programming abilities in a 10-stage curriculum of approximately 50-60 hours.
• Metabot AR-based 3D virtual Ozobot accessible via smartphone or tablet, programmable via OzoBlockly for augmented-reality programming learning without physical hardware.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% learning retention rate in Tanzania midwife mobile learning pilot (24 midwives, 2-month self-directed study period)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

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

• IIJ (Internet Initiative Japan), TOPPAN, 豊田通商majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025African Mothers, IIJ, TOPPAN, and Toyo Tsusho signed an MoU to collaborate on improving maternal and child health using digital technology in Cote d'Ivoire. Each company brings complementary capabilities: African Mothers (app), IIJ (ICT infrastructure), TOPPAN (printing/tech), Toyo Tsusho (trade/logistics).
• Safaricom EthiopiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Safaricom Ethiopia is the mobile network operator partner for Castalia's JICA-funded mobile learning project in Ethiopia. Castalia plans to deploy GOOCUS with teacher training content and K-12 educational content via Safaricom's mobile network, with the aim of creating a sustainable mobile learning service with mobile bandwidth incentives.
• Hokkaido University (北海道大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Goocus Offline beta launched with Hokkaido University Veterinary Medicine for Zambia-based education. Goocus360 jointly developed with Hokkaido University Engineering Faculty Prof. Yohei Kawamura for 360-degree VR theater group learning experiences.
• Shionogi Pharmaceutical (塩野義製薬)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023African Mothers partnered with Shionogi for Phase 3 of the 'Mother to Mother SHIONOGI Project,' developing diarrhea prevention education content via the Taarifa za Mama app in Tanzania. Development period November 2023-2026. Shionogi funds the project and provides overall management; African Mothers handles content production, app design, implementation, and local advertising.
• BITS College (エチオピア)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023BITS College (Business, Innovation, Technology, and System) in Addis Ababa partnered with Castalia via MoU to jointly address Ethiopian education challenges related to population growth and youth employment through Castalia's technology platforms. The university provides campus facilities, faculty, and student resources.
• Strathmore University / iLab Africa (ケニア)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Castalia Africa established operations in Kenya with Strathmore University as its key partner, setting up at iLab Africa incubation center. Joint programming bootcamps conducted from April 2023. Partnership forms the hub for Castalia's East Africa expansion targeting Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
• Associate Prof. Hidenori Harada (京都大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Prof. Hidenori Harada of Kyoto University GSID collaborates with African Mothers and Shionogi on Phase 3 of Mother to Mother SHIONOGI Project, providing expertise in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and serving on WHO/UNICEF JMP Strategic Advisory Committee.
• JGC (日揮グローバル)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021JGC Global selected Castalia as CSR partner for the Basra Oil Refinery Modernization Project in Iraq. Castalia delivers programming education to 20,000 students in ~200 public schools in Basra over 2 years (JGC Code Education), with JGC funding and local operational support. Castalia also explores IT education business development in Iraq as part of the partnership.
• Akita University (秋田大学) - School of International ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Akita University adopted Goocus for the online learning component of the MEXT-funded program 'Smart Mining Core Human Resource Development for Southern Africa' (with partner universities in South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana). Goocus enables collaborative learning between Japanese and African graduate students.
• Mattermost, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Castalia is an authorized reseller of Mattermost enterprise chat software in Japan. Castalia customized Mattermost into Educhat, an education-focused chat service with bot automation (Koumu), school administration features, and Google Workspace integration. Mattermost is used by governments, enterprises (Samsung, Bristol-Myers), and universities (NUS, UBC) globally.
• Joetsu University of Education (上越教育大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Multi-year collaboration including: Educhat full-scale deployment for all faculty/students; joint实证研究 on digital learning with Prof. Omori; Goocus adopted for teacher license renewal training; CODEPOWER KIDS curriculum supervised by Prof. Omori (Yoichi Ohara). Joetsu University provided validation and user feedback for Castalia's education products.
• Advanced Ideas Co., Ltd (サウジアラビア)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Advanced Ideas, a Saudi Arabian education technology company, partnered with Castalia for programming education delivery in Saudi Arabia under Japan's Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. MoU introduced at Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 Business Forum (December 2020). Aims to serve Saudi primary school students with programming education while employing Saudi women as instructors.
• WELCO Lab for Global HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Castalia joined WELCO Lab for Global Health initiative to accelerate Japanese corporate activity in global health. Castalia committed to developing and promoting the Taarifa za Mama PHR app in Tanzania to reduce maternal mortality. WELCO Lab aggregates Japanese corporate commitments in global health for coordinated impact.
• Kyoto University / Prof. Yoko Shimpuku (広島大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint research with Kyoto University's Prof. Yo Shimoyama (then Kyoto, now Hiroshima University) on mobile learning for Tanzanian midwives. Prof. Shimpuku is an internationally recognized maternal health expert (WHO '100 Outstanding Women Nurses and Midwives Leaders 2020'). Research achieved 90% learning retention in pilot. Prof. serves as outside director of African Mothers.
• Evollve Inc. / Ozo EDU, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Castalia is the authorized Japan distributor (国内正規輸入販売代理店) for Ozobot programmable educational robots. Evollve Inc. (US, California) developed Ozobot, and Ozo EDU, Inc. subsequently manages the Ozobot brand. Castalia imports, distributes, and localizes Ozobot products for the Japanese market, and has built the CODEPOWER KIDS curriculum specifically around the Ozobot platform.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Udemy: Udemy operates a global marketplace of online courses spanning programming, business, and creative skills, with broad content breadth. Comparable to Castalia's CODEPOWER ONLINE in category and pricing model but Udemy's scale (millions of learners globally) and breadth make it a broader incumbent rather than a direct niche competitor.
• Code.org: Code.org is the largest nonprofit promoting K-12 computer science education globally, providing free programming curricula adopted across tens of thousands of schools. Overlaps with Castalia's CODEPOWER KIDS in category and curriculum-for-schools mission, but Code.org is a free nonprofit incumbent with far broader reach, positioning Castalia as a niche commercial/robotics alternative.

Direct peers

• Codecademy: Codecademy provides subscription-based interactive online programming courses across Python, JavaScript, web development, and data science. Directly comparable to Castalia's CODEPOWER ONLINE subscription programming school (¥4,980/month), particularly for self-paced adult learner programming education.
• Maven Clinic: Maven Clinic is a virtual women's and family health platform covering fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric care. Directly comparable to Castalia's African Mothers Taarifa za Mama maternal PHR app for pregnant women and midwives in Tanzania, addressing similar digital maternal-health continuity problems in different geographies.
• Wonder Workshop: Wonder Workshop designs educational robots (Dash, Dot, Cue) and accompanying coding curricula for K-8 classrooms. Direct peer in the educational robotics + curriculum space, competing for the same school and consumer adoption as Castalia's Ozobot distribution and CODEPOWER KIDS.
• SplashLearn: SplashLearn is a K-5 learning platform covering math, reading, and now coding with adaptive, gamified content used in tens of thousands of schools globally. Comparable to Castalia's Goocus engagement/gamification approach and programming extension via CODEPOWER KIDS at the K-5 segment.
• ClassDojo: ClassDojo is a K-12 communication, classroom management, and learning engagement platform used by millions of teachers globally. Comparable to Castalia's Goocus LMS and Educhat school communication product in targeting K-12 classrooms with mobile-first engagement and admin tools.
• Tynker: Tynker is a leading kids coding education platform offering self-paced programming courses, block-based coding, and JavaScript/Python instruction. Directly comparable to Castalia's CODEPOWER KIDS and CODEPOWER ONLINE programming curriculum for K-12 and consumer learners.
• Kano Computing: Kano makes kids computer kits and programming hardware/software bundles (including a Disney partnership) targeting home learning and STEM education. Comparable to Castalia's CODEPOWER KIDS + Ozobot kit model combining physical hardware with structured curriculum for at-home and classroom coding learning.
• uLesson: uLesson is a mobile-first learning platform serving K-12 students across Sub-Saharan Africa with video lessons, practice tests, and offline capability. Direct peer to Castalia's Goocus mobile-first, offline-capable LMS strategy for African school digitization, with overlapping geographies (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, etc.).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/castalia_jp
• YouTubenote.com/manabitoki
• Facebookfacebook.com/castaliacojp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/castalia-co.-ltd.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Castalia