GMO Internet

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GMO Internet, Inc.
TypePublic
9449 (TYO)
IndustryInformation and Communication
Founded24 May 1991
FounderMasatoshi Kumagai
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan
ProductsInternet Infrastructure (Domain Registrar, Domain Registry, Hosting & Cloud, Security, Payment, E-commerce Solutions, ISP), Online Advertising & Media, Internet Financial Services (FX Trading, Securities Trading), Mobile Entertainment, Cryptocurrency (Exchange, Mining)
RevenueJPY154 billion (2017)
JPY8.0 billion (2017)
Number of employees
5,454 (2018)
Websitehttps://www.gmo.jp/en/

GMO Internet, Inc. (abbreviation: GMO Internet) is an Internet company which is listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.[1] It is also the holding company of GMO Internet Group. The head office is located in Cerulean Tower in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.

Overview[]

While GMO Internet is mainly engaged in the Internet infrastructure business, it also runs other businesses such as online advertising & media, Internet financial services, mobile entertainment, and cryptocurrency.[2] It is a market leader for domain names and web hosting services in Japan.[3] GMO Internet has 9 listed companies, including the head office itself.[4] The company operates under the corporate slogan of "Internet for Everyone" and offers employee benefits such as a 24-hour staff canteen which provides free meals, childcare facilities, and so on. Furthermore, some employees also have the option to receive their salaries in bitcoin.[5]

Predecessor[]

The predecessor, Voice Media Inc. was established by Masatoshi Kumagai in May 1991. The multi-media company changed its name to interQ in 1995 and shifted its focus to the provision of Internet and service infrastructure.[6] Kumagai is now among the wealthiest in Japan with an estimated net worth of more than $1 billion as of June 2020.[7]

Business Segments[]

  • Domain registration (Onamae.com, Muu Muu Domain, VALUE DOMAIN, Z.com, etc.)
  • Web hosting (Onamae.com rental server, GMO Cloud Public, LOLIPOP!, XREA, CORE SERVER.JP, etc.)
  • Internet service provider (InterQ, ZERO, Bekkoame, GMO toku toku BB, etc.)
  • SSL security (GMO GlobalSign: The "GlobalSign" brand has become a recognized global brand for SSL certification.)
  • Payment service (GMO Payment Gateway, GMO Epsilon, etc.)
  • Online trading (GMO CLICK Securities, FXPRIME by GMO, etc.)
  • Online media (Kumapon, 9199.jp, JWord, freeml, JUGEM, etc.)
  • Online search(infoQ)
  • Mobile entertainment (GMO GameCenter, GMO Gamepot)
  • Cryptocurrency (GMO Coin)

Group Companies[8][]

GMO Internet has a total of 106 companies worldwide, including 9 listed companies.[4] Some of the more prominent companies are as follows.

Internet Infrastructure[]

Advertising & Media[]

  • GMO AD Partners Inc. (TYO: 4784)
  • GMO AD Marketing Inc.
  • GMO Media, Inc. (TYO: 6180)
  • GMO INSIGHT INC.
  • GMO NIKKO.
  • GMO NIKKO AD CAMP.
  • GMO UniteX Inc.
  • GMO PlayAd Inc.
  • GMO TECH, Inc. (TYO: 6026)
  • Shift-One, Inc.
  • GMO Creators Network, Inc.
  • GMO Kumapon Inc.
  • GMO SOLUTIONPARTNER Inc.
  • GMO digitallab, Inc.
  • GMO MAKESHOP Co. Ltd.
  • GMO Media Inc.
  • GMO Research, Inc. (TYO: 3695)

Internet Financial Services

Cryptocurrency

  • GMO-Z.com Switzerland AG

Others

Z.com[]

In 2014, GMO Internet made headlines when it bought the Z.com domain name from Nissan for US$6.8 million.[9] It was mentioned in their press release that Z.com was acquired to spearhead GMO Internet Group's global growth strategy and provide the group with a powerful tool to build a strong global brand.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ "JPX-Nikkei400 / JPX-Nikkei Mid Small | Japan Exchange Group". Japan Exchange Group. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  2. ^ "Corporate Outline | Corporate Profile | GMO Internet, Inc". Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  3. ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "GMO Internet Group Profile" (PDF). GMO Internet Group. March 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  5. ^ "GMO Internet to start paying its employees' salaries partially in bitcoin". The Japan Times Online. 2017-12-15. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  6. ^ "Corporate Historys | Corporate Profile | GMO Internet, Inc". Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  7. ^ Leung, Ruby. "Former High School Dropout Becomes Billionaire As Japan's Internet Usage Soars". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  8. ^ "Group Companies | Corporate Profile | GMO Internet, Inc". Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  9. ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  10. ^ "Japanese Internet Services Provider, GMO Internet Acquires Z.com for JPY800 million". GMO Internet News | GMO Internet, Inc. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
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