# Mercari

Mercari is an other based in Tokyo, Japan.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** other
- **Headquarters:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** Tokyo, Japan
- **Founded:** 2013
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** mercari.com

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

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.

## Sectors

- E-Commerce
- Marketplace

## Offices

- Palo Alto, California, United States

## People

- Shintaro Yamada — Founder and CEO

## 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.

### 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.

### What is Mercari's posture on co-investments with external GPs?

Mercari does not publicly participate in co-investments alongside external general partners.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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