-With Pasona Group, Hakuhodo, and others participating. By partnering with companies from different industries, the company aims to accelerate the expansion of its drone show business and strengthen its management foundation-
Red Cliff Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Komei Sasaki; hereinafter “Red Cliff”), a company that plans and operates drone shows, has completed the first close of its Series C funding round. The company raised funds through a third-party allotment of shares with Rakuten Capital—the corporate venture capital arm of Rakuten Group, Inc. (hereinafter “Rakuten”)—serving as the lead investor, and Pasona Group Inc. (hereinafter “Pasona Group”) and Hakuhodo Inc. (hereinafter “Hakuhodo”), among others, participating as underwriters.
The funds raised this time will be used to purchase additional drone units for the further expansion of our core drone show business, international expansion, and talent acquisition, as well as to build a solid management foundation and governance structure that supports sustainable growth. Through these efforts, we aim to both accelerate business growth and enhance medium- to long-term corporate value. Furthermore, this funding round is continuing toward a second close, and we will keep advancing partnerships with companies that can create business synergies.
Building on our track record at the World Expo, we are stepping into our next stage of growth.
With our mission “Surprise and emotion in the night sky,” Red Cliff has planned and operated drone shows for numerous large-scale events and brand promotions, dedicated to developing the domestic drone show market.
In 2025, we participated as a Platinum Partner for the official event “One World, One Planet.” at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, executing drone shows over a period of approximately six months. Furthermore, we have continuously broken the record for the largest number of drones used in a single show in Japan, which has been officially certified by the Japan Record Accreditation Association.
・”DIG SHIBUYA DG DRONE SHOW” (February 8, 2025): 2,200 drones
・Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai “One World, One Planet.” Drone Show (October 13, 2025): 3,000 drones
・”DIG SHIBUYA 2026 / Digital Garage DRONE SHOW “Earthshot”” (February 14, 2026): 3,030 drones
Backed by this business growth and accumulation of proven results, Red Cliff looks toward its next stage of growth, moving forward with the further expansion of its core drone show business and the strengthening of the organizational foundation and governance structure that support it.
This Series C first close is positioned as a strategic funding round aimed at strengthening our management foundation for medium- to long-term corporate value enhancement, in addition to investing in purchasing additional drone units, international expansion, and talent acquisition to drive further growth of our core business.
New Possibilities Expanding Through Partnerships with Rakuten Capital, Pasona Group, and Hakuhodo
In this first close, leading companies from different industries that share high affinity with Red Cliff’s drone show business have newly joined. By collaborating with each company, we aim to create new opportunities for utilizing drone shows and expand the market.
・Rakuten Capital (Lead Investor):
In addition to marketing collaboration built on Rakuten Group’s member base, this partnership aims to generate technical and business synergies in the areas of drone technology and aviation infrastructure.
・Pasona Group:
Through collaboration with regional revitalization projects promoted by Pasona Group, we aim to utilize drone shows to showcase regional appeal, create tourism content, and increase the visitor population. Furthermore, in the future, we will consider initiatives that lead to sustainable regional revitalization, such as nurturing related talent and creating employment opportunities.
・Hakuhodo (Rally for Growth):
By blending creative, advertising, and marketing expertise, this partnership aims to develop advertising packages and large-scale IP collaborations to establish drone shows as a “next-generation massive outdoor advertising medium.”
By combining the diverse assets and expertise of each company across fields such as e-commerce, aviation infrastructure, regional revitalization, human resources, marketing, and advertising, we aim to create new opportunities for utilizing drone shows and further expand the market. Furthermore, through collaboration with each partner, we will work to create new value that goes beyond the framework of entertainment, driving Red Cliff’s sustainable growth and enhancement of corporate value.
Driving further collaboration toward the second close
Red Cliff is continuing discussions with operating companies and financial institutions toward the second close of Series C. Moving forward, we will keep promoting partnerships that lead to synergy creation with our drone show business and the cultivation of new markets, aiming for sustainable growth.
Comments from each company
*Note: The companies are listed in order of investment structure.
Rakuten Capital (Lead Investor) – Mr. Taiga Sekine
“We are absolutely delighted to participate as the lead investor in Red Cliff’s Series C funding round. In the drone show sector, Red Cliff has built a solid track record in both show quality and safe operations, growing into a true industry leader. By blending technology and creativity, drone shows have become a new medium of expression with the potential to provide diverse value far beyond entertainment—including tourism, regional revitalization, and corporate branding. This deeply connects with the Rakuten Group’s mission to ‘empower people and society through innovation.’ Utilizing Rakuten Group’s robust member base alongside the expertise we have accumulated through our Rakuten Drone and regional revitalization businesses, we will actively support Red Cliff in its upcoming challenges.”
Pasona Group Inc. – Mr. Ryoma Tamai, Director of Entrepreneurship Support Department, Venture Division, Growth Strategy Headquarters
“Our collaboration with Red Cliff has deepened following the ‘NATUREVERSE Business Contest 2025,’ which our company hosted at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Moving forward, through initiatives that combine regional revitalization and entertainment, we look forward to promoting regional appeal and generating visitor populations, while contributing to the realization of emotionally rich lives and well-being for people.”
Hakuhodo Inc. – Rally for Growth
“At Hakuhodo, we aim to design moments that move individuals’ hearts and create new value for Sei-katsu-sha (living people)* within the ‘Sei-katsu-sha Interface’—where everything becomes connected through evolving technology, expanding new touchpoints and possibilities. Leveraging Hakuhodo’s ‘Sei-katsu-sha Insight’ and ‘Creativity,’ we hope to work alongside Red Cliff to create unprecedented experiential entertainment. While we have already begun seeing examples of co-creation with our drone solution team, ‘Sky Hack,’ this investment was made to accelerate the provision of next-generation integrated drone solutions that maximize brand impact.”
Red Cliff Co., Ltd. – Mr. Komei Sasaki, CEO
“We are deeply honored to welcome Rakuten Capital, Pasona Group, and Hakuhodo as our new shareholders.
Our drone shows are evolving beyond mere entertainment, transforming into a presence that delivers new value to society right now—as an advertising medium and as a catalyst for regional revitalization.
With this funding, we will strengthen our management and governance structures with our next stage of growth in mind. At the same time, we will accelerate our challenges on the global stage while driving further collaboration with partners toward the second close.”
Sky-Bound Creative Group Red Cliff Raises Series B Funding (April 16, 2025)
