Context Timeline

In 1993, a dedicated internet line was installed at Joi Ito’s home, leading to the creation of “Tomigaya/TOMIGAYA,” Japan’s first personal homepage. In 1994, pre-merger Ecosys and From Garage Group began their collaboration.

On August 17, the company was founded as “Digital Garage,” retaining the word “garage” in its name to remember its entrepreneurial spirit that started in a garage. The company began with the mission of becoming “a company that creates ‘context’ for the internet age.

Established through joint investment with Hakuhodo Inc., Asatsu-DK Inc. (now ADK Holdings Inc.), Dai-ichi Kikaku Co., Ltd., Yomiko Advertising Inc., I&S Inc. (now I&S BBDO Inc.), and Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., marking full-scale entry into the internet advertising business.

In 1997, when Japan’s internet users rapidly increased due to widespread PC adoption and infrastructure development, DG Financial Technology (DGFT, formerly VeriTrans) was established as the Japanese subsidiary of U.S. electronic payment service provider CyberCash, Inc.

E-Context Corporation was established on May 19, 2000, as a joint venture between Digital Garage, Inc., Lawson, Inc., TIS Inc., and Mitsubishi Corporation. (January 2003: Became Digital Garage’s consolidated subsidiary; June 23, 2005: Listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange HERCULES Market)

While companies were aggressively investing in IT to become “21st century global companies,” and the government was supporting this as a national policy, the internet market was becoming increasingly selective. Under these circumstances, we listed our stock on the OTC market on December 14.

Began investing in and nurturing the business of Kakaku.com, Inc. Through our business development expertise, Kakaku.com, Inc. achieved its listing on the TSE Mothers market (at that time) in 2003 and launched the Tabelog business in 2005.

We saw the future potential of Twitter and supported their expansion in Japan, by helping them spread, acquire users, and expand business in Japan through the development of a Japanese version of Twitter, in addition to operational support, and the introduction of banner advertising.

While world-class startups were emerging in Silicon Valley, we launched Japan’s first accelerator program, Open Network Lab (Onlab), to create a foundation for developing new businesses through trial and error in Japan. Onlab has held more than 30 three-month programs and supported over 150 startup companies that aim to go global.

Actively accepting entrepreneurial participation from around the world, the company opened an incubation center, DG717, on Market Street in San Francisco, as a facility to support entrepreneurs connecting Japan and the U.S

Established ANA Digital Gate, Inc., a joint venture with ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS TRADING CO., LTD., to develop new fintech-based payment solution services.

Established TD Payment Corporation, a joint venture with Toshiba Tec Corporation, to provide multi-payment solutions for POS systems.

Established “Open Network Lab ESG Investment Limited Partnership Fund I” (commonly known as the Earthshot Fund), an investment fund focusing on promising domestic and international startups in the ESG sector.

With an eye on development across the Digital Garage Group, DGFT will be the leader in the creation of value-added businesses to support Japan as a cashless nation by utilizing the strong payment infrastructure and collaborating with a number of partner companies in Fintech-related industries.

Strengthening payment services, jointly promoting digital marketing services, and developing sales promotion platforms utilizing big data.

By expanding payment services, co-creating new services, and collaborating on new business development, we will integrate the data and next-generation Fintech-related technologies held by both companies. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to the further advancement of Japan’s digital transformation (DX).

By leveraging the customer base and technological expertise of both companies, we will drive the expansion of the payment business and co-create new financial and payment services. Furthermore, through startup investment and open innovation business, accelerate growth through joint operation of investment funds and utilize startups’ advanced technologies and business models.

Aiming to expand market share and improve industry positioning in the growing cashless market by developing a one-stop payment service through co-creative collaboration.