TrustHub

TrustHub Co., Ltd., established in May 2019 by founder Takaki Ogake, is a company operating at the intersection of entertainment and digital commerce. The firm is strategically focused on the 40 trillion yen entertainment market, with a current emphasis on the rapidly expanding trading card sector. TrustHub aims to address key market challenges such as authenticity, condition assessment, price transparency, and liquidity for collectibles by leveraging technology.

The company's business model is a hybrid of online and offline operations. Its primary service is "Clove Oripa," an online platform where users can purchase original packs ('oripa') of trading cards, such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, 24/7. This digital service is complemented by a mail-order service, "Clove Store," and physical retail stores, branded as "Clove Base." This dual approach allows the company to source products directly from customers through buybacks and to gather direct consumer feedback, which informs its business strategies. The business has demonstrated significant growth, with its user base showing a 525% year-over-year increase and international sales accounting for 30% of revenue.

Financially, TrustHub has secured significant capital to fuel its expansion. The company raised 350 million yen in a Series A round in early 2021. More recently, it completed a substantial non-dilutive financing round, securing 1.7 billion yen through loans and a commitment line from financial institutions, including Mizuho Bank and the Japan Finance Corporation. This funding was based on the company's strong growth performance, expanding cash flow, and solid financial foundation. TrustHub is actively developing new ventures and considering mergers and acquisitions to sustain its growth trajectory within the broader entertainment domain.

Keywords: Takaki Ogake, Clove Oripa, Clove Store, Clove Base, trading cards, collectibles, online collectibles, e-commerce, entertainment commerce, original packs, Pokémon cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, digital marketplace, pop culture, hobby goods, authentication services, collection valuation, alternative investments, physical retail, online retail, Japanese startup, fintech, asset management, community platform