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GENDA Inc., whose name is an acronym for Global Entertainment Network for Dreams and Aspiration, operates as a holding company with a diversified portfolio in the entertainment sector. The company was established in May 2018 as Midas Entertainment by co-founders Nao Kataoka and Mai Shin, with backing from the private equity fund Midas Capital. It was renamed GENDA Inc. in September 2020. The founding vision was driven by Kataoka's extensive experience in the amusement industry, having previously led AEON Fantasy to become a global leader in amusement facility operations, and Shin's background of over a decade at Goldman Sachs. Kataoka's ambition was to create the world's number one entertainment company, a goal he shared with Shin, leading to the company's inception.

The company's core business revolves around amusement facility operations, which was significantly scaled through a strategic acquisition strategy. A pivotal moment was the December 2020 acquisition of an 85.1% stake in SEGA Entertainment, which was subsequently renamed GENDA SEGA Entertainment. In January 2022, GENDA acquired the remaining shares, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary and rebranding it to GENDA GiGO Entertainment. This led to the rebranding of all SEGA arcades in Japan to "GiGO." Beyond its flagship amusement arcades, the company's business model encompasses a wide array of entertainment services. These include amusement machine leasing, online crane games like "LIFTる。", karaoke chains such as "Karaoke BanBan," character merchandising, and sales promotions. The business serves a broad consumer market through physical locations and digital platforms. Revenue is generated from these varied operations, including fees from arcade games, machine rentals, and sales of merchandise and prizes.

GENDA's growth is heavily fueled by a continuous and aggressive M&A strategy, expanding its footprint both domestically in Japan and internationally. The company has acquired numerous businesses across the entertainment spectrum, including karaoke facilities, bowling alleys, and companies specializing in character goods. It has a significant international presence, with operations in the United States, China, Taiwan, and the UK, among others. A notable part of its international strategy is the expansion of "mini-locations," which are non-staffed gaming areas, with a substantial network in the U.S. through subsidiaries like Kiddleton and National Entertainment Network. The company went public in July 2023, listing on the Growth market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, to further fund its M&A-centric growth.

Keywords: Amusement arcades, Entertainment holding, GiGO, Online crane games, M&A strategy, Japanese entertainment, Karaoke business, Character licensing, SEGA Entertainment acquisition, Nao Kataoka, Mai Shin, Global entertainment network, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Amusement machine leasing, Entertainment facility operation, Kiddleton, National Entertainment Network, Bowling alleys, Arcade gaming, LIFTる。