Japan-based game developer Gumi raised ¥5bn ($49m) on Friday in a late stage round from investors including a raft of corporates, according to Nikkei
Game developer Sega, financial services firms Mitsubishi UFJ and Shinsei Bank, social network Gree and B Dash Ventures, the fund representing a syndicate of Japan-based internet companies, participated in the round alongside venture capital firm World Innovation Lab, which led the round, investment firm Jafco and Japanese state-backed DBJ Capital.
Founded in 2001 as online content provider Atmovie Pirates 7, the company changed its name to Gumi in 2008 and it now focuses on social games for mobile devices.
Gumi had raised about $50m prior to the latest round, according to Tech in Asia, and its past investors also include mobile advertising company Adways, game developer Tecmo Koei, Nissei Capital and East Ventures.
In addition to supplying capital, Gumi’s current investors are also providing strategic assistance.
Sega, which invested through its Sega Networks unit, will help Gumi expand into the US and other major international markets, while Gree’s open platform has hosted Gumi’s game since 2010.
In addition, Gumi launched a joint venture with Fuji Media called Fuji & Guji Games in December 2013 in order to create native games, just after closing a $19m venture round in which Fuji did not publicly participate.