Kepple Releases Comprehensive 2025 Startup Employee Trend Report

Kepple, a prominent player in the startup ecosystem, has launched its latest report titled "2025 Startup Employee Trends: Insights from Employee Counts." This report utilizes data from their proprietary startup database, KEPPLE DB, to analyze the employment trends within Japanese startups from December 2024 to December 2025.

Report Overview

The report presents a multi-faceted analysis of the current landscape of the domestic startup ecosystem, focusing on the growth of startup employment, employee increases by sector, and variations in employee counts before and after funding rounds. It also explores the correlation between valuation and employee numbers, providing a deep dive into recent developments in the startup scene.

Additionally, the report highlights insights into university-affiliated startups, revealing sector-specific employee numbers, rankings of companies with significant employee growth, and employment distribution across local regions.

Kepple believes that monitoring fluctuations in employee counts alongside fundraising amounts and deals will allow for a more detailed understanding of startup trends. The KEPPLE DB is designed to offer monthly tracking capabilities for these employee statistics. By analyzing and sharing employee trends, Kepple aims to bolster startup recognition and create employment opportunities in the industry.

Highlights for 2025

One of the standout themes from the report is the continued dominance of the space sector, which leads in employee growth rates. Companies like Axelspace Holdings, known for their development of small satellites, have made significant strides, enhancing their workforce by 10 employees in 2025. Their subsidiary, Axelspace, has increased its employee count by 23.

The sports sector follows closely, driven by a rise in fitness-related businesses. Notable companies like LOIVE, which operates hot yoga studios, and Fitness Crew, a gym chain, have joined the stock market, contributing to employee growth of +282 and +27, respectively.

In the business software sector, employment numbers have also surged, particularly with companies like PRONI—a platform focused on order management—bringing in an additional 16 employees after their IPO.

Employment Trends

The detailed analysis addresses the overall employment population in startups, showcasing trends over the years, sector-specific employment changes, and median employee counts per company across various sectors. The report also discusses the proportion of companies with over fifty employees, shedding light on the segments of the ecosystem that are expanding rapidly.

Furthermore, there’s a particular focus on university-driven startups, highlighting trends in the healthcare sector—both month-to-month employee changes and comparisons with overall sector trends. Rankings for fastest-growing university-affiliated startups are also included, providing valuable information on the burgeoning areas within the startup environment.

Kepple’s Commitment

Kepple operates under the mission, "Create New Industries," aiming to contribute to the evolution of the startup ecosystem. Their range of services includes M&A support, open innovation support, and assistance for startups in recruitment and fund management tasks. Kepple brings a wealth of insights and an extensive network gained from their extensive experience in supporting startups to help facilitate strategic partnerships and initiatives that lead to sustainable business growth.

As they expand their contributions, Kepple seeks to connect startups with investors worldwide, increasingly playing a vital role in shaping the future of industries in Japan.