MSR
MSR Research is an independent Myanmar-based research and strategy agency founded in 1996, delivering market research, social research, EIA, and B2B consulting services to multinational corporations and international organizations across Southeast Asia, with a Japan subsidiary.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersYangon, Myanmar (Burma)
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MSR does
MSR Research is an independent research and strategy agency founded in 1996 and headquartered in Yangon, Myanmar, with a subsidiary in Tokyo (MSR Japan). The firm operates four core service lines: Human Insights & Market Research, Social Research, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Industrial Research & Business Consulting (IRBC). Methodological breadth spans qualitative research, quantitative research, ethnography, and 'implicit tools' encompassing emotion measurement and eye-tracking instrumentation.
The company's business model is project-based B2B professional services delivery. It generates revenue through customized research engagements priced via non-public quotes, sold directly to clients through relationship-based business development. Client segments include multinational corporations (Carlsberg Myanmar, Pernod Ricard Asia, Grab), international development organizations, and B2B companies across 12+ sectors including FMCG, alcoholic beverages, retail, technology, finance, telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, energy, and personal care. The firm also conducts work in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar.
MSR Research positions itself as ESOMAR-compliant, aligning Myanmar-based operations with international market research industry standards. The firm is privately held and founder-led, with no disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or partnership transactions. Geographic footprint spans Yangon headquarters and Tokyo subsidiary, providing cross-border servicing capacity between Southeast Asia and Japan. No revenue, headcount, or financial metrics are publicly disclosed.
MSR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MSR
- Legal name
- MSR Research
- Website
- https://myanmarsurveyresearch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- MSR Research is an independent Myanmar-based research and strategy agency founded in 1996, delivering market research, social research, EIA, and B2B consulting services to multinational corporations and international organizations across Southeast Asia, with a Japan subsidiary.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MSR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Market Research Services
- NAICS
- Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPADAEAB)
Keywords
Where MSR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yangon
- HQ country
- Myanmar (Burma)
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
MSR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Market Research & Consulting Services: Project-based research and consulting engagements serving multinational corporations and international organizations. Revenue is generated through customized research studies, analysis, and strategic advisory services tailored to client needs in Myanmar and Southeast Asian markets.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Conducting Environmental and Social Impact Analysis studies for planned development projects in Myanmar as required for project permission approvals.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
MSR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MSR Research is an independent research and strategy agency that delivers customized market research, social research, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and industrial research and business consulting services to multinational corporations, international organizations, and development agencies operating in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. The firm employs qualitative, quantitative, ethnographic, and implicit testing methodologies to generate consumer and human insights that inform brand strategy, product adaptation, policy development, and infrastructure project planning.
Product overview
MSR Research is an independent research and strategy agency offering a portfolio of research and consulting services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include four main service lines: Human Insights & Market Research (for brand and product adaptation in Southeast Asian markets), Social Research (national survey and community study capabilities), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services, and Industrial Research & Business Consulting (IRBC) for B2B sector clients. These services are supported by four research methodologies: Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Ethnography, and Implicit Tools. The company serves diverse sectors including development, alcoholic beverages, retail, FMCG, technology, finance, telecom, personal care, media, healthcare, automotive, and energy. MSR operates as a service-based consultancy rather than a software platform, delivering insights through human-centered research rather than automated product modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Human Insights & Market Research in South-East Asia Market research service partnering with global companies to help them build and adapt brands, communication, and products for complex and dynamic Southeast Asian markets, with a focus on Myanmar.
- Social Research Myanmar's leading social research service with over 30 years of experience in designing, implementing, and analyzing studies nationwide, including large-scale national surveys, focused community studies, and research in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Environmental and Social Impact Analysis (ESIA) studies assessing the potential impact of planned development projects on the natural and social environment, required for infrastructure project permissions in Myanmar.
- Industrial Research and Business Consulting (IRBC) Research and consulting services for B2B sector entry or expansion, providing industrial research and consulting across manufacturing, trading, and services industries to unlock B2B potential.
Companies that use MSR
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MSR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MSR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MSR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dentsu: Global advertising and communications group with substantial research and consumer-insight operations across Asia. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering market research as part of a wider marketing services portfolio, including in Myanmar.
Direct peers
- Ipsos: Global market research and consumer insight firm with established operations across Southeast Asia and Japan. Directly comparable as an enterprise-focused research partner serving the same multinational CPG, beverage, and tech clients.
- Macromill: Japan-based digital market research firm with global footprint and Southeast Asian operations. Comparable technology-enabled research services and similar client base of multinational brand owners.
- Kadence International: Asia-Pacific focused market research firm operating across emerging and developed Asian markets. Directly comparable as a regional research partner to MNCs seeking consumer insight across Southeast Asia.
- Nielsen (NIQ): Global consumer and retail measurement firm with long-standing operations across Southeast Asia. Directly competes for FMCG and retail sector research engagements that are central to MSR's portfolio.
- Kantar: World-leading consumer research and insights division with deep Asia-Pacific presence. Competes for the same brand-strategy and consumer-insight mandates from multinational FMCG and beverage clients in Myanmar and Japan.
- Intage: Japan-headquartered market research and consulting firm with regional Asia capabilities. Particularly comparable given MSR's Japan subsidiary and similar mix of qualitative, quantitative, and consumer-behavior methodologies.
Regional players
- Video Research: Long-established Japanese audience and consumer research firm. Comparable as a Japan-rooted research specialist relevant to MSR's Japan operations, though primarily focused on media and ratings measurement domestically.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MSR social profiles
Digital presenceMSR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MSR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MSR subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
MSR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MSR 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 MSR
What does MSR do?
MSR Research is an independent research and strategy agency that delivers customized market research, social research, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and industrial research and business consulting services to multinational corporations, international organizations, and development agencies operating in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. The firm employs qualitative, quantitative, ethnographic, and implicit testing methodologies to generate consumer and human insights that inform brand strategy, product adaptation, policy development, and infrastructure project planning.
Is MSR a public or private company?
MSR is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MSR founded?
MSR was founded in 1996. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is MSR based?
MSR is headquartered in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), in the Asia region.
How does MSR make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Market Research & Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Who are MSR's main competitors?
Dentsu is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Ipsos, Macromill, Kadence International, Nielsen (NIQ), Kantar and Intage. Video Research is listed as a regional player.
Does MSR have an API?
No public API is recorded for MSR.
What industry is MSR in?
MSR's product category is Market Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHALAE, Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom), with a secondary code of BPADAEAB, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL). Its NAICS code is 54191.