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Mercari
Mercari is Japan's leading C2C marketplace app, founded by Shintaro Yamada in 2013 and publicly listed on the TSE in 2018.
Mercari
Mercari was founded in 2013 by Shintaro Yamada, a serial entrepreneur who previously co-founded the social gaming platform Gungho Online Entertainment. The company launched its C2C marketplace app in Japan in July 2013, processing over ¥1 trillion in gross merchandise value by 2020 (per the firm's 2020 annual report). Mercari operates a peer-to-peer marketplace focused on secondhand goods, with a product mix spanning fashion, electronics, collectibles, and household items. The platform generates revenue through a 10% transaction fee on sales and optional shipping/insurance upsells. The company expanded to the US in 2014 via subsidiary Mercari Inc., based in Palo Alto, California. Mercari also launched a payments business, Merpay, in 2019, which enables QR code payments at physical retailers. As of its 2024 annual earnings release, Mercari reported net sales of ¥187.3 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2024, with 22.9 million monthly active users on its Japanese platform. The company employs roughly 1,800 people, concentrated in Tokyo and the San Francisco Bay Area. A separate subsidiary, Souzoh, focuses on AI-based inventory management and logistics for Mercari sellers. Mercari is structured as a publicly traded corporation, not a family office, but its primary listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange makes it accessible to institutional allocators via ADRs. The company's governance model involves founder control: Yamada and related parties held about 27% of shares as of June 2024, giving him effective veto power over major decisions.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Asia
Country
Japan
City
Tokyo
Corporate office
Tokyo, Japan
Additional offices
Palo Alto, California, United States
Principals
Shintaro Yamada
Founder and CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who controls investment decisions at Mercari?
Shintaro Yamada, as founder and CEO, retains significant control, holding approximately 27% of shares. Day-to-day strategic decisions are made by the executive team, including CFO Kenichiro Hara.
Is Mercari a family office?
No, Mercari is a publicly traded corporation (TSE: 4385) and an ADR issuer. It operates as a marketplace platform, not an investment vehicle for private wealth.
Does Mercari invest in external funds or direct deals?
Mercari does not publicly disclose a venture investment program. Its primary capital allocation is toward platform development, logistics, and payments infrastructure.
What investment stages does Mercari target?
Mercari does not function as an investment firm. It is a publicly traded operating company focused on its marketplace business.
How is Mercari's wealth origin structured?
Mercari's wealth originates from its founder's prior exits and the company's 2018 IPO. The firm itself uses retained earnings and equity capital for operations.
Does Mercari have philanthropic structures?
Mercari has a corporate social responsibility program called Mercari Social, but no separate philanthropic foundation is disclosed in public filings.
What is Mercari's posture on co-investments with external GPs?
Mercari does not publicly participate in co-investments alongside external general partners.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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