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GMO Internet Group

Organization
Type Commercial
Focus IT Services and IT Consulting
Region AP
Country
  • Japan
City Tokyo
Founded 1991
Founders Masatoshi Kumagai
Subsidiaries Various
Websites

The GMO Internet Group (formerly Voice Media, Global Media Online and GMO Internet) is a Japanese holding company founded in 1991 [1] that offers a diversity of Internet-related services, including infrastructure, security, financial services, online advertising and media, and cryptoassets.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

The GMO Internet Group was founded in 1991 as Voice Media. In November 1995, the company was renamed interQ, shifting its focus to the provision of Internet and service infrastructure.

In April 1997, interQ launched Japan's first domain name acquisition service for free for businesses.

In April 1999, the company was selected by ICANN to become the sole commercial domain registrar in Japan and the Asian region.

In August 1999, the company became the first independent net venture and the first Internet service provider to list on the stock exchange in Japan.

In September, the subsidiary Magclick (currently, GMO AD Partners, Inc.) is established.[3]

In August 2000, a business alliance was formed with Cobalt Networks, Inc., and lauched inter Q Marugoto Server, a high-quality data center service at low prices, which led to the launch of a web hosting service.

In April 2001, the company name is changed to Global Media Online, Inc.

In May 2001 two web hosting companies iSLE (renamed GMO Hosting and Technologies, Inc. in 2003, and later GMO GlobalSign K.K.) and RapidSite were acquired. In September, MagPromotion and FreeML.com become wholly-owned subsidiaries. In November, Daiichi Tsushin is acquired.

In 2002, FreeML, Mailin, and MagPromotion merge to become GMO Media and Solutions. In December of the same year, GMO Media and Solutions Inc. launched the research business GMO Research in partnership with Access Media International.[4] Later, in May 2005, GMO Media and Solutions was restructured with a focus on research and changed its name to GMO Research.[5]

In May 2003, security business is launched as GeoTrust JAPAN (currently, GMO GlobalSign K.K.) is established by GMO Hosting and Technologies, Inc. (currently, GMO GlobalSign Holdings K.K.) in partnership with GeoTrust.

In March 2004, paperboy&co. (currently, GMO Pepabo, Inc.) joined the group.

In July 2004, the company acquired complete control of CCS Holding Co., Ltd through a share exchange, and executed a share exchange agreement. Card Commerce Services (renamed GMO Payment Gateway, Inc. in February 2005), at the time leading online credit card payment processing company, joined the group.[4]

Following a stock swap, Tea Cup Communication joined the group in August 2004.

In October 2004, 3721 Soft and ACCESSPORT (currently, GMO INSIGHT Inc.) become wholly-owned subsidiaries.[4]

In January 2005, the group launched a new service. paperboy＆Co.[4] (renamed GMO Pepabo, Inc. in April 2014)[6] launched its "Color Me Shop! pro (currently, Color Me Shop byGMO Pepabo)," which is a service to build an online store and is currently the company's core service. This led to a full-scale launch of the company's ecommerce solutions business.

In May 2005, GMO Media was created, as the media and e-commerce divisions of GMO Mobile and Desktop and GMO Media Solutions are consolidated in a new company, GMO Media.

In June 2005, the company was renamed GMO Internet, and was promoted to the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

In August 2005, a capital partnership was established with online store construction service, MakeShop (currently, GMO MAKESHOP Co. Ltd.).

In September 2005, the group entered the consumer finance market, as Orient Credit becomes a group company following the stock acquisition. In the same month, GMO VenturePartners investment business is established. The following month, GMO Internet Securities is established.[4]

In February 2006, GMO Payment Gateway launched a credit card payment solution for public money targeting local governments accepting credit card payments for taxes and public utility charges, which is currently the company's core service.

In April 2006, GMO NETCLUE Japan and GMO Intertainment merged to integrate the group’s online game businesses. GMO Games is the result of the merger. In the same month, Gofukusei Network (currently, GMO Creators Network, Inc.) has joined the group.

In July 2009, GMO Registry Inc. was established to launch Japan’s first new gTLD registry business.

In December 2009, COMMUNICATION TELECOM (currently, GMO DIGITAL Lab K.K.) becomes a subsidiary of GMO Hosting & Security, Inc. (currently, GMO GlobalSign Holdings K.K.).[7]

In February 2010, a Singapore subsidiary is establish with the goal to develop Oceania, India and South-East Asia markets.

In October 2010, CLICK Securities (currently, GMO CLICK Securities, Inc.) becomes a group company through stock purchase acquisition.

In June 2011, the company and Acrodea establish a joint venture company, GMO GameCenter. In the same month, Vietnam-based offshore developer, RunSystem Corporation (currently, GMO-Z.com RUNSYSTEM JSC.) becomes GMO Internet Group company following the formation of a new business and capital partnership. The following month, GMO Internet forms a capital and business alliance with VALUE-DOMAIN.COM Operator, DigiRock (currently, GMO DigiRock, Inc.).

In November 2011, GMO CLICK Holdings, Inc. (currently, GMO Financial Holdings, Inc.), a holdings company, was established by GMO Internet, Inc. through the share transfer of GMO CLICK Securities, Inc.

In March 2013, GMO Internet and GMO RUNSYSTEM establish an Internet research and development facility, GMO Vietnam Lab Center, in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

In November 2013, PC game development company, GMO GamePot, Inc. joins GMO Internet Group.

In January 2014, GMO Internet, GMO Venture Partners and Bakumatsu co-found "GMO Venture Tsushin Startup Support Co. Ltd.".

In October 2014, GMO Internet became partners with Myanmar Company, Ace to establish Local Joint Venture GMO ACE Company Limited.

In November 2014, the company acquires Z.com, in order to make Z.com its Global Brand.[6]

In September 2015, GMO Internet acquired 80% of shares from enterprise domain registration services company Brights Consulting (currently, GMO BRAND SECURITY Inc.), making Brights part of the GMO Internet Group.

In order to promote accelerated growth in the ad technology field, GMO Internet Group's online marketing and media-focused companies GMO AD Marketing, GMO Mobile, and AdCloud combine under the name "GMO AD Marketing" in January 2016.

In June 2016, shares were acquired from Thai domain and hosting company NetDesign Group (currently, Z.com NetDesign), making it a GMO Internet Group company.

In August 2017, Shift-One, Inc. has been merged into GMO Internet Group through GMO AD Partners, Inc.'s acquiring a 100% stake in Shift-One, Inc. having the strength of motion comic and other types of video solution businesses.

In December 2017, GMO Internet Group entered cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) mining business. In the same month, GMO Internet, Inc. merged three subsidiaries - GMO Gamepot, GMO Game Center, and Syncloud - that develop and offer Mobile Entertainment business into the parent company, GMO Internet.

In January 2018, GMO Internet began offering official versions of Z.com Cloud Blockchain that supports blockchain businesses.

In August 2018, Medical Reservations Technology Co., Ltd. has joined GMO Internet Group and changed its company name to “GMO Medical Reservations Technology Co., Ltd.”

In November 2019, TownWifi (currently, GMO TownWiFi, Inc.), a company offering a free Wi-Fi auto-connect app, has joined GMO Internet Group through GMO Internet's acquisition of their share. In the same month, GMO Internet and AMZ Group Sole Co., Ltd. in Laos founded a joint venture named GMO-Z.com Lao Co., Ltd.[8]

In August 2020, GMO Internet launched “GMO Digikids,” a programming education support project for children.

In May 2021, the Group joined the Public-Private Council for Air Transportation Revolution established and operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In the same month, OMAKASE Inc., a developer of reservation management service (currently, GMO OMAKASE, Inc.) is acquired, joining GMO Internet (currently, GMO Internet Group, Inc.) consolidated companies

In June 2021, a new company was established, GMO Adam, Inc., which develops and operates the NFT marketplace Adam byGMO.

In January 2022, Japan's leading white hat hacker organization, Ierae Security, Inc. (currently, GMO Cybersecurity by Ierae, Inc.), joined the Group, leading to full-scale entry into the cybersecurity business.

In June 2022, another new company was established,GMO Web3, Inc., that specializes in supporting Web3 startups.

In July 2022, GMO Internet partnered with Unstoppable Domains, the U.S. provider of NFT domains, and launched CryptoName byGMO, which is NFT domain introduction and registration services, entering the NFT domain business.

In Semptember 2022, GMO Internet changed its name to GMO Internet Group. In the same month, ENGINE, Inc. (currently, GMO ENGINE, Inc.), a comprehensive content company focused on the planning and production of videos and advertisements, joined the group.

In March 2023, GMO Internet Group began providing a series of AI-based services in conjunction with the release of the ChatGPT API.

In November, a new company was established in order to make AI accessible to everyone, GMO Oshiete AI, Inc. Also, a new service, the generative AI prompt portal "Oshiete.AI byGMO," was launched.

In the same month, GMO Internet Group signed a basic agreement with Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) on digitalization of the city, establishing the joint venture GMO-Z.com Mongolia LLC in January, 2024.

Also in November, Japan Research Activity Support, Inc., engaged in data analysis for medical and pharmaceutical research, joined the group. In December, its corporate name is changed to GMO Research Activity Support & Technology, Inc.

In February 2024, Cybersecurity startup Flatt Security Inc. joined the group.

In June 2024, GMO Internet Group entered the AI and robotics business with the establishment of GMO AI & Robotics Corporation (GMO AIR).

In October 2024, two companies joined the group: Anect Co., Ltd. joins, a developer and operator of mobile apps (name changed to “GMO Make Apps, Inc.") and "Shuminavi Ltd.", a provider of information on hobby classes (name changed to "GMO Shuminavi Inc.").[9]

Services[edit | edit source]

The GMO Internet Group offers the following services:

  • Internet infrastructure:
    • Domain Registrar
    • Domain Registry
    • Cloud / Hosting
    • Payment Processing
    • E-Commerce Support
    • Reservation Management for Restaurants
    • EC Platform
    • Provider
    • Free WiFi
    • Web Development Support
    • Customer Attraction Support for Stores
    • Electronic Contracts
    • Global Brands
    • Financial Services
    • Payroll Transfer Services
    • Membership Management
    • Meter Inspection DX
    • Various DX Services
    • Healthcare DX
    • Real Estate DX
    • Freelance Support
    • Business Matching
    • Generative AI Services
    • AI & Robot Implementation Support
  • Internet security
    • SSL & Encryption Security
    • Brand Security
    • Cybersecurity
  • Online advertising and media
  • Internet finance
  • Cryptoassets[10]
  • Others

References[edit | edit source]

Asia/Australia/Pacific, according to the ICANN Geographic Regions (ICANN Geographic Regions).

Retrieved from "https://icannwiki.org/index.php?title=GMO_Internet_Group&oldid=1386028"
Semantic properties for "GMO Internet Group"
RDF feed
Date foundedStores the date that an object was founded, normalized to the "Month DD, YYYY" format.
1991 +
Has ICANN regionAssociates an object with an ICANN-determined Geographic Region.
AP +
Has cityStores the city associated with an object. This value does not get normalized.
Tokyo +
Has countryAssociates a page with a country. Territory names are extracted from ISO 3166, "Country Codes".
Japan +
Has entity typeSpecifies the primary classification or fundamental type of the page's subject (e.g., Event, Organization, Person).
Organization +
Has focusAssociates an object with a focus theme. Not normalized.
IT Services and IT Consulting +
Has organization typeAssociates an organization with its organizational or legal type (e.g., Non-profit, Government agency, Commercial).
Commercial +
Has subsidiary
Various +