Gaudiy

About Gaudiy

Gaudiy, Inc., founded in 2018 by CEO Yuya Ishikawa, is a Japanese Web3 startup focused on transforming the entertainment industry by building what it calls "Fan Nations". The company's core mission is to create an economic ecosystem where fans' enthusiasm and creative contributions directly enhance the value of the intellectual property (IP) they love, such as manga, anime, games, and music.

The company's primary offering is "Gaudiy Fanlink," a platform that enables entertainment companies to launch dedicated fan communities. This service provides a space for direct engagement between IP holders and their audience, fostering a deeper connection. By leveraging blockchain technology, including NFTs and Distributed IDs (DID), Gaudiy records fan activities and contributions, building an ecosystem where this engagement is evaluated and rewarded. This structure aims to provide a consistent and enriching user experience across various fan touchpoints. Major partners utilizing this platform include prominent entertainment firms like Sony Music Entertainment, Sanrio, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and Shueisha.

Gaudiy's business extends beyond community platforms. In 2024, the firm established Gaudiy Financial Labs (GFL) to develop new financial solutions for the Web3 era, utilizing both blockchain and generative AI. GFL focuses on services such as IEO (Initial Exchange Offering) consulting, tokenomics design, and R&D in decentralized finance (DeFi). Another venture, C4C Labs, operates as a creator firm dedicated to production and education within the Web3 space.

Since its inception, Gaudiy has secured significant financial backing, raising a total of $95.7 million over five funding rounds. Its first seed round was in October 2018, followed by a Series A in November 2020. The company has completed multiple Series B rounds, with the latest in May 2025 raising $69.8 million from investors including Sony and Bandai Namco. Other key investors include JAFCO, STRIVE, SBI Investment, KDDI Open Innovation Fund, Mitsubishi UFJ Innovation Partners, and Sanrio. This capital is being directed towards global expansion, particularly in Southeast Asia, talent acquisition, and the development of new metaverse projects.