Basic

Basic Inc. is a technology company founded in March 2004 by Akiyama Masaru with the mission to solve societal issues, particularly the digital information gap for businesses in Japan. The company focuses on the "democratization of web marketing," aiming to simplify complex marketing processes so that any company can execute them effectively.

To address the challenges B2B companies face in marketing—specifically, a lack of knowledge, resources, and personnel—Basic operates through two main business segments: SaaS and Media. In October 2024, the company consolidated its multiple service brands under the master brand "ferret" to provide a more seamless and comprehensive customer experience. The firm's core offerings include "ferret One," an all-in-one B2B marketing tool that integrates CMS and MA functionalities for lead generation and nurturing. This platform enables users to manage website creation, customer data, email campaigns, and content production, including AI-powered features. Other key services are "formrun," a tool for creating and managing forms that has surpassed 500,000 users, and "bookrun," which automates meeting scheduling. Additionally, Basic operates "ferret," one of Japan's largest web marketing media outlets, which serves as a resource for marketers.

The company's business model is centered on providing these tools and services through subscriptions. Basic has secured significant funding to support its growth, including a total of 1.1 billion yen in a 2021 funding round led by One Capital. This funding has been directed towards enhancing product development and strengthening recruitment efforts.

Keywords: B2B marketing, marketing automation, SaaS, lead generation, content management system, web marketing media, form creation tool, customer relationship management, digital marketing solutions, marketing efficiency, ferret One, formrun, bookrun, Akiyama Masaru, Japanese technology company