- CEO
- Ryutaro Hiraoka
- Full Time Employees
- 58
- Sector
- Technology services
- Industry
- Packaged software
- Address
- MFPR Shibuya Building Tokyo TY Japan 150-0002
- IPO Date
- Nov 24, 2021
- Business
- Science Arts, Inc. (4412.T) develops and provides cloud-based communication platforms primarily targeting frontline and deskless workers in Japan. The company offers Buddycom, a SaaS live communications platform featuring group voice calls, high-quality audio, mobile-friendly UI, voice-to-text transcription, video calls, text chat, location sharing, and AI-powered digital assistant support; it also sells compatible hardware accessories including speaker microphones, headsets, PTT buttons, and specialized smartphones through an online store. Buddycom serves diverse industries such as airlines, railways, buses, logistics, security, construction, taxis, energy, broadcasting, events, restaurants, retail, apparel, caregiving, real estate, hotels, medical facilities, manufacturing, schools, and corporate resilience sectors.
Founded on September 19, 2003, and headquartered in MFPR Shibuya Building 5F, 1-2-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in Osaka, the company operates exclusively in the Japanese market and lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market. Science Arts previously launched products like the hybrid DBMS ALTIBASE in 2007 and smartphone IP transceiver Aldio in 2015 before focusing on Buddycom as its core offering.
In October 2024, Science Arts formed a capital and business alliance with Rakuten Group, Inc., through which Rakuten subscribed to 819,000 new shares for 434 million yen, acquiring a 10.17% voting rights stake; Rakuten Mobile partnered to promote the Rakuten Mobile Buddycom Set package for enterprise customers, targeting Rakuten ecosystem partners like Rakuten Travel accommodations; the companies also agreed to jointly develop AI-enhanced Buddycom features using Rakuten's technologies to boost operational efficiencies. In late 2024, the firm received additional funding of 781 million yen from JVCKENWOOD Corporation and Rakuten Group. These alliances expand Buddycom's distribution via major carriers and enhance its functionality for digital transformation in frontline operations.