SoldOut
SoldOut is a Japanese digital marketing and technology group serving SMBs, regional companies, and major brands across Japan through agency services, proprietary software tools, and AI-driven digital transformation, operating from 11 offices nationwide and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SoldOut does
SoldOut, Inc. (ソウルドアウト株式会社) is a publicly listed (TSE, ticker 6553) Japanese digital marketing and technology group founded in February 2010 and headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. The company is structured into four operating divisions — Marketing Company (campaign management, SEO, content marketing, analytics), Software Company (proprietary tools including the ATOM ad-operations platform, SO Data feed management tool, and the brick heatmap/funnel analytics tool), DX Company (digital transformation consulting via subsidiary And Digital), and Media Company (content brands such as loconomiQ, LISKUL, Wellulu, JAPAN SELECT) — supported by wholly owned subsidiaries And Digital, SO Technologies, Media Engine, dynabright, and loconomiQ.
The company sells to a hybrid customer base spanning SMBs, venture/startup companies, regional/local enterprises, and major corporations across Japan, with SMBs and regional companies explicitly identified as the primary segment. It maintains 11 offices nationwide (Tokyo HQ plus Osaka, Niigata, Shizuoka, Kobe, Fukui, Sapporo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Matsuyama, Shimanto/Kochi Digital Operation Center) and operates a direct sales-led go-to-market, supplemented by platform partner channel relationships (Google Premier Partner, Meta certified in Media / Marketing Science / Creative Strategy, Criteo Certified Partner Platinum with 4 consecutive Partner of the Year SMB awards, LINE Yahoo Partner Premier, Amazon Partner Agency, SmartNews Ads partner). Revenue is generated through professional services (digital marketing agency engagements) and subscription/recurring software (marketing automation, data feed management, analytics tools); pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based.
Recent strategic direction is anchored in the 'Local & AI First' strategy formalized in April 2026 under new President & CEO Kitagawa Tomofumi, who also serves as Executive Director at Hakuhodo DY Holdings. The strategy combines company-wide deployment of ChatGPT Teams Plan and a 100+ custom GPT GPTs Collection (95% employee AI utilization rate), regional-local government engagements (Nara City 立地協定 April 2026, prior Kamaishi City agreement), direct capital deployment (January 2026 investment in SHONAI's ¥9.9 billion funding round), and a June 2026 group restructuring that consolidated area business operations into a dedicated subsidiary.
SoldOut firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SoldOut
- Legal name
- ソウルドアウト株式会社
- Website
- https://sold-out.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SoldOut is a Japanese digital marketing and technology group serving SMBs, regional companies, and major brands across Japan through agency services, proprietary software tools, and AI-driven digital transformation, operating from 11 offices nationwide and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SoldOut industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Media Buying Agencies (541830)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lead Generation & Performance Media (B2B/B2C) (MPAAACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Paid Social Media Buying (BPAFABAD)
Keywords
Where SoldOut is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices11 records
Markets served
SoldOut business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Digital Marketing Services: Provides digital marketing agency services including advertising campaign management, SEO, content marketing, and analytics for中小企业・ベンチャー企業
- Platform and Tools: Provides marketing automation tools, data feed management tools, and other software platforms to businesses
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SoldOut product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SoldOut operates as a digital marketing agency providing advertising campaign management, SEO, content marketing, and analytics services primarily to small and medium businesses (中小企業・ベンチャー企業) and regional/local enterprises across Japan. The company also develops and sells marketing automation tools, data feed management software (SO Data, ATOM, brick), and operates proprietary regional media platforms (loconomiQ, LISKUL, Wellulu, JAPAN SELECT) through its four-division structure: Marketing Company, Software Company, DX Company, and Media Company.
Product overview
SoldOut is a digital marketing and technology company structured as a platform with four distinct divisions: Marketing Company (marketing services), Software Company (technology development), DX Company (digital transformation), and Media Company (media operations). The portfolio includes multiple product brands: '365' for digital marketing services, 'loconomiQ' for regional media content, 'SO Data' for data feed tools, 'brick' for web analytics, 'ATOM' for ad management, and 'LISKUL' for marketing knowledge content. The company also operates 'JAPAN SELECT' for regional enterprise support. A key recent initiative is the AI Company initiative featuring GPTs Collection with 100+ custom AI assistants deployed company-wide, supporting their Local & AI First strategy for regional digital transformation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- loconomiQ: Regional revitalization media platform featuring stories of regional companies and entrepreneurs across Japan
- LISKUL
- Wellulu
- JAPAN SELECT
- SOUL of SoldOut
Products and services
- loconomiQ Regional media platform featuring interviews and case studies of regional companies, supporting local enterprise growth through storytelling and knowledge sharing across Japan.
- 365 Digital marketing service brand offering comprehensive online advertising and marketing solutions for SMBs and regional enterprises across Japan.
- SO Data Data feed marketing support tool that enables product data management and distribution across multiple advertising platforms.
- brick Web marketing tool offering heatmap, funnel analysis, and site review functionalities for website optimization.
- ATOM Integrated management platform for performance advertising, supporting multiple ad network operations from a single interface.
- LISKUL Web marketing know-how media providing industry insights and marketing strategy content for business readers.
- Wellulu Regional media platform focused on local lifestyle and community content for Japanese regional audiences.
- JAPAN SELECT Regional enterprise support platform providing consulting and support services for local businesses across Japan.
- ジッセン! Biz Digital marketing e-learning service for talent development and skill training, supporting digital marketing workforce education in Japan.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% AI utilization rate achieved through company-wide AI adoption program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SoldOut
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SoldOut technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability9 records
Feature2 records
SoldOut partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and secondary.
- SHONAIminorSoldOut participated as an investor in SHONAI's ¥9.9 billion funding round led by United. SHONAI is a regional revitalization company based in Yamagata Prefecture developing local community projects in the Shonai region. The investment is part of collaborative efforts to support growing regional companies.
- LINE YahoocoreLINE Partner Program certified partner providing LINE advertising services. Holds Premier certification status and Sales Partner designation with Ads Policy Badge for LINE advertising search campaigns.
- Meta (Facebook)coreMeta certified partner program with certifications in Media, Marketing Science, and Creative Strategy. Operates as certified agency for Meta and Instagram advertising services.
- GooglecoreGoogle Premier Partner with multiple award recognitions including Shopping Ads and Growing Businesses Online awards. Provides Google Ads and YouTube advertising services.
- CriteocoreCriteo certified partner awarded Partner of the Year SMB for 4 consecutive years and Platinum Certified Partner status. Provides retargeting and display advertising services.
- SmartNews AdssecondarySmartNews Ads partner program member with partner rank certification. Provides advertising services on SmartNews platform.
- Amazon AdssecondaryAmazon Partner Agency Program member providing Amazon advertising and e-commerce marketing services.
- Media EnginecoreGroup company specializing in local marketing and regional promotion services. Contributes to loconomiQ content platform and regional business storytelling initiatives.
- And DigitalcoreSubsidiary company focused on SMB digital transformation and AI solutions. Provides consulting services for digital adoption and AI utilization for small and medium businesses.
- SO TechnologiessecondaryGroup company providing marketing technology tools and platform development for local business digitalization.
- 博報堂DY HoldingscoreMajor advertising agency group with strategic relationship. SoldOut President Kitagawa serves as Executive Officer at Hakuhodo DY Holdings while leading SoldOut.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SoldOut competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adways: Tokyo-based digital marketing and advertising technology company. Operates affiliate, mobile, and integrated digital ad businesses, overlapping with SoldOut's performance media and SMB support positioning.
- Septeni Holdings: Public Japanese digital advertising holding company providing performance marketing, creative, and data platform services. Direct competitor in paid-social and digital media buying for Japanese advertisers.
- Digital Holdings: Major Japanese digital marketing group operating multiple agency brands across performance, creative, and data services. Closest direct competitor by scale and product breadth, with similar SMB-to-enterprise client mix and platform-partner strategy.
- Geniee: Japanese ad-tech firm providing DSP, SSP, and digital marketing solutions. Comparable as a mid-sized public competitor in programmatic and performance advertising.
- SO Technologies: Wholly-owned subsidiary of SoldOut that operates as an independent martech provider for local businesses. Listed here as a peer because it competes with other Japan martech platforms in the SMB segment, though the relationship is internal.
- FreakOut Holdings: Listed Japanese DSP and digital marketing firm offering programmatic advertising and integrated marketing services. Comparable in platform-partner approach and mid-cap agency positioning.
Emerging players
- Macromill: Japan-listed digital marketing and research firm offering market research, data analytics, and digital advertising. Comparable in mid-cap Japanese public-marketing exposure and overlap on data-driven campaign services.
- Allganize Japan: Japanese AI automation provider focused on enterprise generative AI solutions. Relevant as an emerging player intersecting with SoldOut's AI-first strategy and SMB digital-transformation offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Dentsu: Japan's largest advertising agency group, offering full-service creative, media, and digital capabilities globally. Competes with SoldOut for major advertisers but at significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
- Hakuhodo: Japan's second-largest ad agency group and SoldOut's strategic partner through Hakuhodo DY Holdings. Operates across creative, digital, media, and content with global reach, dwarfing SoldOut's scale but overlapping on digital and regional clients.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SoldOut social profiles
Digital presenceSoldOut compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
SoldOut financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SoldOut leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SoldOut subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
SoldOut funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SoldOut M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SoldOut
What does SoldOut do?
SoldOut operates as a digital marketing agency providing advertising campaign management, SEO, content marketing, and analytics services primarily to small and medium businesses (中小企業・ベンチャー企業) and regional/local enterprises across Japan. The company also develops and sells marketing automation tools, data feed management software (SO Data, ATOM, brick), and operates proprietary regional media platforms (loconomiQ, LISKUL, Wellulu, JAPAN SELECT) through its four-division structure: Marketing Company, Software Company, DX Company, and Media Company.
Is SoldOut a public or private company?
SoldOut is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was SoldOut founded?
SoldOut was founded in 2010. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SoldOut based?
SoldOut is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does SoldOut make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Digital Marketing Services are the primary driver. The others are platform and Tools.
Who are SoldOut's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Adways, Septeni Holdings, Digital Holdings, Geniee, SO Technologies and FreakOut Holdings. Emerging players are Macromill and Allganize Japan. Broad incumbents are Dentsu and Hakuhodo.
Does SoldOut have an API?
No public API is recorded for SoldOut.
What industry is SoldOut in?
SoldOut's product category is Digital Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAACAK, Lead Generation & Performance Media (B2B/B2C), with a secondary code of BPAFABAD, Paid Social Media Buying. Its NAICS code is 541830 and its SIC code is 7311.