Uzabase

Uzabase. It is a Japanese information and media company founded in May 2008 by Yusuke Umeda and Takuya Hikichi, headquartered in Tokyo. The company is known for developing and operating business intelligence platforms and subscription-based news media, primarily serving professionals and enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Its core strategy involves aggregating, analyzing, and delivering critical business and financial data through proprietary technology and curated content.

History

The company was established in 2008 by former Mitsubishi Corporation employees Yusuke Umeda and Takuya Hikichi, initially focusing on financial data services. A major early milestone was the 2009 launch of its flagship business intelligence platform, which later became known as SPEEDA. In 2013, it expanded into the media sector with the creation of the news curation service NewsPicks, which grew to become a significant digital media brand in Japan. The firm pursued an aggressive growth strategy, including a 2018 initial public offering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market and the notable 2019 acquisition of the American business news outlet Quartz from Atlantic Media. This period also saw strategic investments and partnerships, such as a 2020 tie-up with Dow Jones & Company to distribute The Wall Street Journal content in Japan.

Business operations

Its operations are divided into two primary segments: the Business Intelligence (BI) unit and the Media unit. The BI segment, centered on the SPEEDA platform, provides deep financial data, analytics, and research on companies and industries, primarily targeting clients in investment banking, private equity, and corporate strategy. The Media segment, driven by NewsPicks and the acquired Quartz, operates subscription-based news services that combine original reporting with expert commentary from business leaders and professionals. The company maintains major offices in Tokyo and New York City, with additional presences in Shanghai, Singapore, and Bangalore, supporting its global clientele and content operations.

Products and services

Its primary product is SPEEDA, a cloud-based platform offering comprehensive data on millions of public and private companies, including financials, M&A deals, and market trends, widely used by firms like Nomura Holdings and Bain & Company. The NewsPicks service is a curated digital news platform featuring articles from sources such as The Nikkei and Bloomberg L.P., augmented with commentary from a community of registered professionals and thought leaders. Following its acquisition, Quartz functions as its international English-language business news brand, producing content on topics like the Fourth Industrial Revolution and sustainable development. The company also develops ancillary tools and data sets for specific verticals like venture capital and life sciences.

Corporate affairs

Leadership is headed by co-founder Yusuke Umeda as CEO, with management teams overseeing distinct geographic and operational divisions. The company's corporate philosophy emphasizes "Fixing Intelligence" to enhance decision-making for professionals. It has engaged in several notable partnerships, including content distribution agreements with Dow Jones & Company and collaborations with academic institutions like the University of Tokyo. Its governance structure includes a board of directors with external members, and it has been recognized in rankings such as the Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" list.

Financial performance

Revenue is generated through subscription fees for its SPEEDA platform and media services like NewsPicks, alongside custom research and consulting projects. The company's financials have shown growth, particularly following its IPO and the expansion of its subscription base, though integrating acquisitions like Quartz involved significant investment. Key financial metrics are disclosed in its annual Securities report filings with Japanese regulators, and its stock performance is tracked on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Major shareholders have historically included investment funds like JAFCO Group and Mizuho Bank.

Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Category:Information technology companies of Japan Category:Media companies of Japan