Holoceive
Category: AI in Media / Gaming / Entertainment
AI-powered augmented reality (AR) goods platform developer that combines physical merchandise with interactive AR content Holoceive was founded in 2023. The company is led by Byungil Oh (Co-CEO) & Youngjin Joo (Co-CEO). Based in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Team size: 1-10. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include Mashup Ventures.
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Hanam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Team size
- 1-10
Value proposition
AI-powered vision technology that analyzes physical characteristics of official merchandise to block counterfeits and protect IP, while delivering optimized AR content that transforms static merchandise into interactive experiences
Products and solutions
EffectMate (AR goods platform in partnership with Animate Japan / movic), OSHIDECO (B2C AR merch decoration app; HOLOPARTS rebranded, official launch 2026-04-16; live on App Store/Google Play), HOLOPARTS (original B2C AR goods app launched 2023-10-01; rebranded to OSHIDECO)
Unique value
Proprietary AI vision technology that authenticates physical goods and delivers tailored AR experiences, solving the counterfeit problem while creating premium interactive fan experiences
Target customer
Anime/gaming merchandise retailers (B2B via EffectMate); individual creators and fans (B2C via OSHIDECO); Japanese subculture market
Industries served
Anime & manga merchandise, AR content, IP protection, Fan merchandise, Subculture goods
Technology advantage
Proprietary AI vision technology for goods recognition and authentication; AR content optimization per goods type; XR/AR expertise from Samsung Electronics pedigree; Deep Japan market knowledge through co-founder's 10+ years in Japanese manga platforms
How they differentiate
Unlike standard AR apps that work without physical goods, Holoceive's AI requires the physical merchandise for AR activation — preventing content piracy and ensuring only authentic goods unlock experiences. Combined with counterfeit detection, this creates a unique IP protection layer for merchandise brands.
Main competitors
Shopfanpic (KR), FXIP (KR), Flyaway (KR), Collie (KR)
Key partnerships
Animate (Japan's largest anime merchandise retailer) — joint development of EffectMate, Mashup Ventures (lead investor), TIPS program (Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups)
Notable customers
Animate (Japan's largest anime merchandise distributor), HOLOSTARS (Cover Corp) — White Day Fair 2026 AR content
Major milestones
2023-02: Selected for Korean government's '2023 First-Time Youth Startup Support Program', 2023-06: Company founded (2023-06-02 per Mashup; registry ~2023-06-23), 2023-10: HOLOPARTS B2C app launched, 2025-09: Launched EffectMate with Animate in Japan, 2025-10: Initial AR acrylic stand production run sold out in Japan; Mashup seed investment date 2025-10-21, 2025-11: Seed investment press (Mashup Ventures), 2025-12: Selected for TIPS program (up to ₩500M R&D funding), 2026-03: HOLOSTARS White Day Fair 2026 EffectMate AR content (Animate), 2026-04-01: CI renewal, 2026-04-16: OSHIDECO AR service official launch (HOLOPARTS rebrand)
Growth metrics
5 employees (THE VC / National Pension as of 2026-07-24; was 7 as of June 2026); Initial AR acrylic stand production run sold out completely in Japan; OSHIDECO live with ongoing app updates through Jul 2026
Market positioning
Early-stage startup targeting the global subculture/merchandise AR market, with validated product-market fit in Japan through Animate partnership and sold-out initial production runs
Geographic focus
Japan (primary), global subculture market (expansion)
Patents and IP
Proprietary AI vision technology for goods recognition and counterfeit detection (patent status not publicly confirmed)
About Byungil Oh (Co-CEO) & Youngjin Joo (Co-CEO)
Byungil Oh: Ex-Samsung Electronics (XR Vision Software Engineer, 2020-2025); BA in Psychology & BS in Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University; First-author paper in Nature Communications. Youngjin Joo: 10+ years as manga platform director in Japan; Graduate of Kyoto University of the Arts (Character Design).
Latest news about Holoceive
More AI in Media / Gaming / Entertainment companies
Official website: https://holoceive.com