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On October 31, cactuz, the operator of the video education platform THE LESSON, announced the completion of a seed round for business expansion of the platform, with the amount undisclosed. The investor is The Seed Capital. Additionally, the company has appointed Masahiro Kumai, who has served as editor-in-chief of ‘popeye’ and ‘an・an’ at Magazine House and as a senior executive officer, as an advisor to strengthen its brand and content strategy. Mr. Kumai, well-versed in both print and digital media operations, will provide advisory services on the company’s video policy and overall brand strategy. THE LESSON is a video education platform that offers lectures by top leaders in various fields through high-quality video. Each lecture is composed of 10 to 15 chapters (approximately 5 to 10 minutes each), providing a total learning experience of 1.5 to 2 hours. The lectures are available for on-demand viewing and are offered as a one-time purchase, accompanied by a 32-page textbook. The service launched in April 2025 and has already acquired members not only in Japan but also in four countries, primarily in Europe and the United States. The distinctive features of this service lie in its editorial design that visualizes not only theory but also practical processes and thought patterns through video, as well as its thorough commitment to content quality including booklet production. The inaugural lecture “THE LESSON Naoto Fukasawa” consists of 15 chapters totaling approximately 100 minutes, exploring design philosophy and thinking methodologies. According to the company, it has received positive evaluation from educational institutions and business settings. The company also offers plans for educational institutions, promoting adoption at universities, vocational schools, and high schools. The funds raised will be invested in expanding the lineup through new lecture production featuring top practitioners in various fields, strengthening the production system and improving quality through enhanced collaboration in planning, filming, editing, and educational material creation, and developing products and system infrastructure including plans for educational institutions and corporations. Through these initiatives, the company aims to improve user experience and accelerate business growth. cactuz was established in September 2024. Representative Director Itaru Watanabe founded the company after building his career at IBM Japan and Dentsu. via PR TIMES
