~ From Japan to the world at the Cool Japan Drone Show ~
Redcliff Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Komei Sasaki, hereinafter referred to as “Redcliff”), which plans and operates drone shows, is pleased to announce that it has raised funds for Series B with the aim of further expanding its business. With this funding, the company will accelerate the strengthening of business collaboration, expansion of business scale, and the acquisition of talented personnel.
Business expansion efforts
Redcliff aims to create new value in entertainment both in Japan and overseas through drone shows. With this funding, we will accelerate the following initiatives and promote new challenges.
1.Strengthening business collaboration
By strengthening collaboration with leading companies active in fields such as theme parks, games, and advertising, and expanding the possibilities of drone shows, we will promote the creation of new entertainment. In 2025, in addition to large-scale outdoor drone shows, we will also fully launch large-scale indoor drone shows, taking on the challenge of new spatial production.
2.Increasing aircraft capacity to expand business
Further evolving the fireworks-equipped drone we tried last year, we will introduce the multi-functional drone show aircraft “RiFF-JP” in 2025. It can be equipped with a variety of modules such as fireworks, smoke, lasers, LED lanterns, high-brightness LED lights, camera mounts, and air drop boxes, dramatically expanding the range of performances.
3.Acquiring excellent talent
With a view to global expansion, we will promote the securing and development of industry-leading talent. We are already strengthening the recruitment of members who can speak multiple languages and members who are familiar with overseas markets, and will establish a system with an eye toward business expansion not only in Japan but also in the global market. Furthermore, by realizing a systematized organizational management, we aim to enable smooth business expansion and efficient operations, and to achieve corporate growth. In addition, with an eye toward an IPO, we will actively promote the recruitment of CxO-class personnel with the aim of strengthening our management base.
List of underwriting investors
*In alphabetical order
- CDIB Capital Innovation Advisors Corporation
- DRONE FUND No. 3 Investment Limited Partnership (operated by DRONE FUND Co., Ltd.)
- GENDA Capital No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership (operated by GENDA Capital Co., Ltd.)
- MC&C Investment Limited Partnership (operated by SBI Investment Co., Ltd.)
- Open Network Lab・ESG No. 1 Investment Limited Partnership (also known as Earthshot Fund, operated by DG Incubation Co., Ltd.)
- Samurai Incubate Fund No. 7 Investment Limited Partnership (operated by Samurai Incubate Co., Ltd.)
- Vector Inc.
- Up-and-coming Startup Investment Limited Partnership (operated by Shikigaku Co., Ltd.)
This latest round of funding comes in addition to previous funding from DRONE FUND III Investment Limited Partnership and Open Network Lab・ESG I Investment Limited Partnership. This investment represents strong support for Redcliff's business expansion and an indication of expectations for continued growth.
Redcliff will continue to combine cutting-edge technology with innovative ideas to deliver drone shows that provide new and moving experiences to the world.
Comments from each company
*In alphabetical order
CDIB Capital Innovation Advisors Corporation Ryan Kuo
“We made this investment because we see potential for further business expansion in Red Cliff’s entertainment platform, which boasts the No. 1 share of the drone show market in Japan. In addition to providing financial support, we will actively support the company’s global expansion, including into the Taiwanese market, which is a unique strength of CCBI.”
DRONE FUND Co-founder/Representative Partner Souki Ohmae
"Since our initial investment, we have supported Red Cliff's challenges and have grown alongside them. They have created spectacular aerial performances using thousands of drones, pioneering the next generation of entertainment, including Japan's first drone show equipped with fireworks. Red Cliff's efforts will also contribute to the realization of a 'drone and air mobility-based society,' and the possibilities are expanding even further. Through this additional investment, we will support Red Cliff's further technological innovation and global expansion, and together we will deliver the excitement of the future created by drones."
Daido Fuchie, Investment Manager, GENDA Capital Co., Ltd.
"Red Cliff creates new experiential value in the space. The spectacular scale of the works drawn by drones evolves the landscape itself into a production, bringing innovation not only to entertainment but also to corporate branding, tourism, and sports production. We look forward to Red Cliff vividly coloring Japan's spaces and creating heart-stirring moments."
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Director of Group Business Planning, MatsuKiyo Cocokara & Company Ltd.
"We have invested in Red Cliff, which plans and operates one of Japan's largest drone shows. Through this investment, we hope to utilize Red Cliff's extensive knowledge of drone shows, the next generation of entertainment that will inspire people, to deliver surprise, joy and excitement that will make people exclaim 'Wow!'"
Toshiya Tabata, Principal, DG Incubation Inc. and Manager, Open Network Lab Promotion Department, Digital Garage Inc.
“Following on from our previous investment round, we have made an additional investment in Redcliff, a graduate of the 25th batch of the Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator Program run by our group. Redcliff has achieved rapid growth by developing the drone show market through the development of Japan’s largest drone show and the creation of new value as an aerial media. Our group will continue to support the company’s expansion both domestically and overseas.”
Samurai Incubate Co., Ltd. Partner Yoshitaka Kai, Associate Tsuyoshi Kondo
"This business, which adds a new color to the night sky with a drone show, has the power to evolve Japan's traditional fireworks culture, revitalize the local economy, and generate inbound demand. We decided to invest in this project because we sympathize with the challenge of combining the operation of Japan's largest drone show with world-class animation technology to create new excitement in Japan's night sky."
Keiji Nishie, Chairman and CEO, Vector Inc.
"We are convinced that Red Cliff's drone show, which utilizes cutting-edge technology to project Japan's world-renowned culture and content into the night sky, will greatly expand the possibilities of entertainment. As is our company's vision, we would like to continue to help companies like Red Cliff 'spread great things to the world and make people happy.'"
Yoshiki Nomiyama, Director, Investment Business Promotion Office, Shikigaku Corporation
"We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to participate as a shareholder. Red Cliff is one of Japan's largest drone show creator groups, and the overwhelming scale, precise quality, and expressiveness of their works impress and immerse all audience members, creating a strong ability to convey and spread information. We sincerely hope that they will continue to provide the world with 'amazing and moving night skies.'"
Redcliff Co., Ltd. Representative Director Komei Sasaki
“We are very pleased that this funding will enable us to accelerate the further evolution of drone shows and the expansion of our business. We will pursue improvements in drone technology and diversification of our performances, and promote drone shows to the world as entertainment made in Japan. Together with our investors who have supported us, we will expand the possibilities of drone shows as a company that continues to create excitement.”