Novarca

About Novarca

Novarca Inc. provides a business platform to facilitate the global market expansion of Japanese companies, with a primary focus on China, ASEAN, and Western markets. The company was originally established as a new business venture of Hottolink Co., Ltd. in November 2015 and later spun off as TrendExpress Co., Ltd. in January 2017, co-founded by Tomonari Hamano (CEO). The company rebranded to Novarca Inc. in December 2022.

The firm’s core offering is a data-driven platform that integrates market and consumer analysis, promotion, and distribution sales to optimize supply chains and foster business growth. Novarca utilizes social big data for research, strategic planning, and expanding distribution channels, building an ecosystem to support its clients' international ventures. The business model is centered on providing comprehensive support for cross-border e-commerce, including social commerce services that leverage social sellers on platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). Additionally, the company offers a web ad delivery service, 'NOVARCA Display Network', for inbound tourists and operates 'GLOBAL COMPASS', an insights media platform for cross-border e-commerce.

CEO Tomonari Hamano previously worked at Deloitte Tohmatsu Group before joining Hottolink as COO, where he spearheaded the new venture that would become Novarca. Co-founder and current Vice President & COO Yoshihiro Nakazawa began his career at ADEX and later joined Hottolink, where he was responsible for launching the data marketing business for the Chinese market before co-founding the spin-off with Hamano. The company serves major Japanese brands primarily in the cosmetics, daily goods, and healthcare sectors, including Shiseido, Kao, Kose, and Taisho Pharmaceutical. Novarca has raised approximately 5 billion yen in total from investors including Globis Capital Partners, JIC Venture Growth Investments, and DNX Ventures.