May 29, 2023

Cluster Inc. will Start a Contracted Development Business of Contents for the Metaverse Overseas

Cluster operates the virtual space "Metaverse" and raised 5.2 billion yen in a capital increase through third-party allotment with SPARX Asset Management and others as underwriters, to be used for human resources recruitment and advertising.

It anticipates demand to host live music and other events in the Metaverse. First, it will enter North America within the fiscal year 2023, and if it gets on the right track, it will expand to Europe.

Cluster entered the metaverse operation in 2017 and is considered a pioneer in the country. In 2020, it introduced a smartphone application compatible with the Metaverse. In 2022, it added the ability to sell costumes and items created to other participants. Event attendance exceeded 20 million people as of January 2023.

Overseas, the U.S.-based Roblox, which operates Metaverse, used by more than 200 million people a month, is leading the way. The cluster will provide market technology that supports simultaneous connections on a 100,000-person scale and a unique development system that reduces the development turnaround time to 70% of normal. The company will also promote cooperation with Japanese companies with intellectual property (IP), such as games and animation, to attract more users from overseas.

Funds raised will also be used to expand domestic operations. By around June, the company will establish a new subsidiary and start a business introducing creators to companies and municipalities that wish to produce content.