Pokelabo is a technology company.
Pokelabo has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round.
Pokelabo has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Pokelabo is a Japanese mobile social game developer specializing in computer entertainment and gaming content, particularly social applications and card battle games.[1][2] Founded as an independent studio, it was acquired by GREE in 2012 for $173 million, after which it continued developing popular titles like *Sangoku Infinity*, *Clan Battle of Fate*, and *Mystic Monsters* that achieved top rankings on iOS and Google Play in Japan.[3] The company serves gamers primarily in Japan, solving entertainment needs through freemium mobile social games while pursuing a mission to "change the world and people through social applications" by exceeding fan expectations.[4]
Post-acquisition, Pokelabo has maintained growth momentum in mobile gaming, expanding into cloud gaming collaborations, such as with Ubitus to distribute cloud versions of its hit titles, broadening accessibility beyond traditional app stores.[5]
Pokelabo was founded in 2007 in Japan as a mobile content development company focused on social games.[3] Early traction came from successful releases like *Sangoku Infinity* and *Clan Battle of Fate*, which secured top 10 placements in Japanese app stores, positioning it as a leading developer.[3] Investors including DCM (over 20% stake) and Sega (19% stake) backed its growth, leading to its pivotal acquisition by GREE in October 2012 for $173 million in cash—a major exit that integrated it into GREE's portfolio to strengthen first-party games in Japan.[3]
This deal highlighted Pokelabo's rapid rise amid Japan's booming mobile social gaming scene, where it competed with rivals like DeNA's *Rage of Bahamut* through card battle mechanics.[3]
Pokelabo rides the wave of Japan's dominant mobile social gaming trend, where freemium models generated massive revenues for platforms like GREE and DeNA in the early 2010s.[3] Its timing capitalized on explosive app store growth and social integration, though regulatory crackdowns on gaming mechanics challenged the ecosystem.[3] Market forces favoring Asia's high-margin gaming—evidenced by GREE's $154 million quarterly net income—propelled its $173 million acquisition, helping GREE balance domestic strength with global ambitions.[3]
As part of GREE, Pokelabo influences the ecosystem by bolstering first-party content, enabling competition in card battles and cloud expansions that democratize access amid rising mobile cloud gaming adoption.[5]
Post-2012 acquisition, Pokelabo likely focuses on sustaining GREE's Japanese dominance while exploring cloud and global distribution to counter maturing freemium markets.[3][5] Trends like cloud gaming and cross-platform play will shape its path, potentially reviving growth amid regulatory hurdles and international competition.[3][5] Its influence may evolve from indie hitmaker to integral GREE asset, driving innovation in social entertainment—echoing its origins as a world-changing social app pioneer.[4]
Pokelabo has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Pokelabo's investors include World Innovation Lab.
Pokelabo has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in August 2010.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2010 | $12.0M Series A | World Innovation Lab |