Taiwan's 17Live streaming platform buys Japanese startup

台灣17Live串流平台收購日本新創公司

Deal expected to strengthen 17Live's virtual entertainment business, expand overseas market


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan live streaming platform 17Live Group Limited announced on Tuesday (Nov. 26) that it would acquire Japanese entertainment startup Mikai.

17Live CEO Chiang Hung-hui (姜泓匯) said Mikai is its third acquisition, strengthening its virtual entertainment and live-streaming e-commerce business. The deal includes Mikai's subsidiary, Re:AcT, a virtual YouTuber (VTuber) production company, per CNA.

Re:AcT features VTubers such as Shishigam Leona who has over 330,000 subscribers, and Hanabasami Kyo, who has more than 320,000.

Knowledge Based Value Research reported the global virtual influencer market is expected to reach nearly NT$1.23 trillion (US$37.8 billion) by 2030. “With the growing demand for anime and virtual idols, 17Live has listed the sector as one of our key development goals,” Chiang said.

Chiang added the acquisition would transform the platform into a comprehensive virtual entertainment company with its own technology and intellectual property.