LINKBAL
LINKBAL operates Japan's largest event e-commerce platform machicon JAPAN and the online-offline fusion dating app CoupLink, serving singles in their 20s-30s with matchmaking events, apps, and related information media across Japan.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What LINKBAL does
LINKBAL Inc. (株式会社リンクバル) is a Tokyo-headquartered public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market under securities code 6046, founded in December 2011 by CEO Kazumasa Yoshihiro. The company operates Japan's largest event e-commerce platform, machicon JAPAN, which connects event organizers with participants seeking social, dating, hobby, and self-improvement experiences nationwide, primarily serving singles in their 20s and 30s. The company has been listed since April 2015 and operates a wholly-owned development subsidiary (LINKBAL VIETNAM in Hanoi, established December 2018) plus an Osaka branch.
The company's core technology stack centers on a two-sided event marketplace (machicon JAPAN) tightly integrated with CoupLink, a dating app described as Japan's first real-and-online fusion matchmaking service. Supporting properties include KOIGAKU (dating information media for women), 1on1 for Singles (voice-based dating café and app), Marriage Style (online marriage counseling), and the acquired Pairy couples app. A unified LINKBAL ID spans machicon JAPAN, CoupLink, and KOIGAKU. The company has recently deployed AI capabilities including a generative AI conversational search feature on machicon JAPAN and a proprietary CoupLink recommendation engine, and it operates an internal AI Promotion Office (AI推進室).
LINKBAL generates revenue through four primary streams: transaction and listing fees from machicon JAPAN, freemium subscriptions on CoupLink, advertising on KOIGAKU, and time-based fees for 1on1 for Singles café lounge services. The company has a broad ecosystem of partnerships across media (KBC TV, ABEMA), real estate (Open House), finance (SMBC Consumer Finance), entertainment venues (aquariums, theme parks, Karaokekan), and planetariums (Konica Minolta). Headcount stands at 48 employees as of September 2025, with an additional development presence in Vietnam.
LINKBAL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LINKBAL
- Legal name
- 株式会社リンクバル
- Website
- https://linkbal.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- LINKBAL operates Japan's largest event e-commerce platform machicon JAPAN and the online-offline fusion dating app CoupLink, serving singles in their 20s-30s with matchmaking events, apps, and related information media across Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LINKBAL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Dating & Matchmaking Events
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Meet & Invitational Organizers (MPAKADAC)
Keywords
Where LINKBAL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
LINKBAL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Event Platform Fees: machicon JAPAN charges event organizers to list and promote their events. Users pay participation fees which the company processes. The platform also earns sponsorship fees from companies promoting products through event branding.
- CoupLink Subscription: Online dating app with free registration but subscription-based premium features. Japan-first model combining online matching with real event participation.
- KOIGAKU Advertising: Dating information media site generating revenue through advertising fees from companies seeking to reach female audience interested in relationships.
- 1on1 for Singles Service: Cafe lounge service offering 1-on-1 dating experiences with fees for time-based use
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | CoupLink - Free registration with optional premium subscription |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | 1on1 for Singles - Time-based service with age-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
LINKBAL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LINKBAL operates machicon JAPAN, a nationwide event e-commerce platform listing matchmaking parties, hobby meetups, and social events run by both the company and third-party organizers, alongside CoupLink, a dating/marriage matching app that fuses online matching with real-world event attendance. Supporting offerings include KOIGAKU (dating information media for women), 1on1 for Singles (voice-based dating café lounges and app), and Marriage Style (online marriage counseling).
Product overview
LINKBAL operates a multi-brand platform business centered on matchmaking and experiential consumption in Japan. The core platform consists of event e-commerce site machicon JAPAN, which connects event organizers with participants seeking social and dating experiences, alongside CoupLink, Japan's first dating app that fuses online matching with real-world event attendance. Supporting services include KOIGAKU (dating information media with advertising revenue), 1on1 for Singles (voice-based café lounge and app for one-on-one encounters), Marriage Style (online marriage counseling), and Pairy (acquired couples app). The portfolio spans the full relationship lifecycle from initial event-based encounters through dating, marriage counseling, and ongoing couple support, unified by a shared LINKBAL ID across services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- machicon JAPAN: Event e-commerce site and platform listing events across Japan for purposes including friendship, dating, marriage activities, and self-improvement. Targets users in their 20s and 30s.
- CoupLink
- KOIGAKU
- 1on1 for Singles
- Marriage Style
- Pairy
Products and services
- machicon JAPAN Japan's largest event e-commerce platform listing matchmaking parties, hobby meetups, social circles, and self-improvement events nationwide; a two-sided marketplace connecting event organizers with participants in their 20s and 30s.
- CoupLink Online dating and marriage matching app with subscription-based premium features; enables machicon JAPAN event attendees and other users to message matches, with AI-powered recommendations.
- KOIGAKU Dating information media site offering columns, articles, and advice content from dating columnists and influencers to help women achieve ideal relationships; advertising-supported.
- 1on1 for Singles Voice-only dating café lounge and mobile matching app offering 1-on-1 conversations for singles; operates physical cafés in Shinjuku and Ueno with time-based pricing.
- Marriage Style Online marriage counseling service providing marriage support to users in the marriage-hunting process.
- MiDATA Data-related service operated by LINKBAL; appears as a sub-brand alongside other LINKBAL brands in portfolio navigation.
Companies that use LINKBAL
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LINKBAL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
LINKBAL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Karaokekan (カラオケ館)minorBusiness partnership to launch new store expansion model. Collaboration to create matchmaking event opportunities at karaoke venues.
- Konica Minolta Planetarium满天NAGOYA (コニカミノルタプラネタリウム満天NAGOYA)minorCollaboration to release 'プラネタリウムデート検定' (planetarium date quiz) integrated with CoupLink, combining stargazing experiences with dating services.
- SMBC Consumer Finance (ＳＭＢＣコンシューマーファイナンス)minorCollaboration to host matchmaking events focused on shared financial values and money management perspectives, bringing together singles who value financial compatibility.
- Open House (オープンハウス)coreStrategic collaboration for 'ショールーム婚' (showroom matchmaking) events combining real estate viewings with matchmaking activities. Aimed at helping singles find partners while discovering ideal living spaces. Multiple events held at Open House showroom locations in Tokyo and Osaka.
- KBC九州朝日放送 (KBC TV)minorKBC TV show 'シリタカ！' featured LOVE FES events and Linkbal's matchmaking survey research, providing media exposure.
- ABEMA PrimeminorABEMA TV news program featured '街で合コン' matchmaking service, providing media coverage and brand visibility.
- Night Aquarium Events Partners (四国水族館, えの島水族館, 湾奈水族館, etc.)minorVarious aquarium partners for '夜の水族館まるごと出会いの舞台' large-scale matchmaking events held at aquarium venues nationwide.
- Theme Park Event Partners (ハウステンボン, ネスタリゾート神戸, etc.)minorMultiple theme park partners for '夜の遊園地貸切り大合コン' private buyout matchmaking events at amusement parks across Japan.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
LINKBAL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Omiai: Japanese matchmaking app positioning toward marriage-oriented users, with identity-verification features and a subscription model directly comparable to CoupLink's premium tier.
- Pairs (Eureka): Japan's largest dating app with tens of millions of users, operated by Eureka (a Match Group subsidiary). Directly competes with CoupLink in the Japanese online matchmaking category and serves the same 20-30 year-old demographic.
- IBJ: Japan's largest marriage-matchmaking agency network with both online and offline (consulting) channels. Closely comparable to LINKBAL's integrated online-plus-physical matchmaking model.
- Tapple: Major Japanese dating app with millions of users, focused on the same young-adult matchmaking segment as CoupLink. Closely comparable on business model (freemium + subscription) and target market.
- Partner Agent: Japanese marriage matchmaking agency offering both online and in-person matching services. Comparable hybrid offline/online business model and target outcome (marriage).
- with: Japanese dating app owned by Tokyo-based Marketing Applications Inc., targeting young female users — a closely comparable audience and value proposition to CoupLink.
- Marish (Marrish): Japanese dating app positioned around remarriage and serious relationships. Comparable subscription model and target demographic to CoupLink, especially for marriage-oriented users.
Broad incumbents
- Bumble: Global dating-app incumbent (Bumble, Badoo, Fruitz) with a Japan-localized product. Overlaps with CoupLink's dating/matchmaking functionality but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Match Group: Global parent of Tinder, Hinge, Pairs and OkCupid — a broad incumbent in the same online-dating category as LINKBAL, though operating at vastly larger scale and portfolio breadth.
Regional players
- Zexy (Recruit Co.): Japan-focused bridal and matchmaking information/agency brand operated by Recruit, serving a comparable Japanese marriage-seeking demographic with an overlapping online information and matching service portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LINKBAL social profiles
Digital presenceLINKBAL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LINKBAL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
LINKBAL subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
LINKBAL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LINKBAL 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 LINKBAL
What does LINKBAL do?
LINKBAL operates machicon JAPAN, a nationwide event e-commerce platform listing matchmaking parties, hobby meetups, and social events run by both the company and third-party organizers, alongside CoupLink, a dating/marriage matching app that fuses online matching with real-world event attendance. Supporting offerings include KOIGAKU (dating information media for women), 1on1 for Singles (voice-based dating café lounges and app), and Marriage Style (online marriage counseling).
Is LINKBAL a public or private company?
LINKBAL is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was LINKBAL founded?
LINKBAL was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is LINKBAL based?
LINKBAL is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does LINKBAL make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Event Platform Fees are the primary driver. The others are coupLink Subscription, KOIGAKU Advertising and 1on1 for Singles Service.
Who are LINKBAL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Omiai, Pairs (Eureka), IBJ, Tapple, Partner Agent, with and Marish (Marrish). Broad incumbents are Bumble and Match Group. Zexy (Recruit Co.) is listed as a regional player.
Does LINKBAL have an API?
No public API is recorded for LINKBAL.
What industry is LINKBAL in?
LINKBAL's product category is Online Dating & Matchmaking Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKADAC, Meet & Invitational Organizers. Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 7997.