Akari Hosho Wins Runner-Up at "IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD," Japan's Largest Pitch Event, Among Over 500 Companies

Akari Hosho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, CEO: Yuki Shimizu, hereinafter "Akari Hosho"), recognized as a promising startup from the Kansai region by the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry's "J-Startup KANSAI," was selected as a finalist for "IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD," a main content of the largest startup conference in Japan, "IVS2026," and won second place.

◇About IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD

IVS LAUNCHPAD, as its name suggests, is a pitch event launched with the desire to "become a launchpad to support the leap of early-stage startups that have not yet entered the market."

First held in 2007, it will celebrate its 20th year in 2025. Many past participating companies have achieved IPOs and large-scale fundraising. IVS LAUNCHPAD, which is the largest pitch event in Japan in terms of history and scale, is also known as the "gateway for next-generation entrepreneurs."

This year, there were over 500 applications, the highest number ever. After document screening and multiple rounds of judging, 15 companies, including Akari Hosho, were selected as finalists. The finalists competed for ranking by giving a 6-minute presentation in front of judges selected from investors, executives, and entrepreneurs.

Akari Hosho won the runner-up prize among over 500 companies.

・Details of IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD

https://www.ivs.events/ivs2026-launchpad

◇Comment from CEO Shimizu

Thank you very much to everyone who supported us.

On the day, not only members of Akari Hosho but also our customers came to the venue from all over the country to cheer us on. Your cheers were a great encouragement.

I am very honored to have been chosen as the second-place winner out of over 500 companies, but at the same time, I am honestly very frustrated.

We will use this frustration as a springboard to grow even further.

Akari Hosho aims to solve the social issue of "lonely elderly refugees" and deliver "peace of mind" to everyone.

◇Background of Participation

Akari Hosho's mission is "To turn your 'anxiety' into 'peace of mind,' and connect everyone." The company primarily provides identity guarantee services for elderly individuals living alone. Akari Hosho has been working to promote the sound development of the industry, including serving as an establishing member of the "National Association of Lifelong Support Providers for the Elderly and Others" (Supervising Office: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Department of Dementia Policy and Community Long-Term Care Promotion), the first nationwide industry association of its kind.

Through our participation in IVS2026 LAUNCHPAD, we will accelerate our business development and contribute to more local communities.

What is Akari Hosho's Identity Guarantee Service?

An identity guarantor is an important figure for ensuring a secure life, providing debt guarantees for single elderly individuals during hospitalization or facility admission, emergency support, and handling of remains.

Lifelong support (identity guarantee service) includes identity guarantee, support for hospital and facility admission. Specifically, it not only acts as a guarantor for hospitalization or admission in place of family members, but also regularly contacts them in place of family members to check their health status, and handles funeral and burial arrangements and administrative procedures after death in place of family members.

Main Users:

Elderly individuals living alone with no relatives to rely on

Childless couples

Those who have family but are estranged or have difficult relationships

Single individuals in their 40s to 60s planning end-of-life preparations for the future

Working adults supporting their parents' old age (risk diversification)

Common Concerns:

Need a guarantor for the future due to lack of next of kin

Do not want to burden family with post-death procedures

Want to handle parents' end-of-life preparations

Was refused hospitalization due to lack of a guarantor

Cannot find a guarantor to enter a nursing home

No one to handle post-death procedures

Akari Hosho provides reliable services with the support of legal professionals such as lawyers and judicial scriveners, and medical and care professionals such as nurses and care managers.

Led by lawyers and judicial scriveners well-versed in care and medical services, we provide comprehensive, high-quality support tailored to the needs of each elderly individual, including debt guarantees and post-death administrative procedures. In addition, together with medical and care professionals such as nurses and care managers, we provide fulfilling life support services, including emergency response.

Furthermore, we not only comply with the "Guidelines for Lifelong Support Providers for the Elderly and Others" formulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and other bodies, but also serve as an establishing member of the "National Association of Lifelong Support Providers for the Elderly and Others," the first nationwide industry association in the identity guarantee sector. We strive for proper business operations, including transparency in service content and fees, and thorough explanation of important contract matters by professionals such as lawyers.

We at Akari Hosho aim to realize a society where all elderly individuals can spend their later years with peace of mind by providing reliable end-of-life support and identity guarantee services.

Company Profile

Company Name: Akari Hosho Co., Ltd. Location: 11F AB, MF Nishi-Tenma Bldg., 4-3-18 Nishi-Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0047 Representative: Yuki Shimizu, Representative Director Capital: 100 million yen (including reserves) Founded: July 8, 2024

Business Overview: Providing the identity guarantee service "Akari Hosho" (debt guarantee, emergency response, handling of remains, etc.) in compliance with national guidelines, together with a group of trusted professionals including lawyers, judicial scriveners, nurses, and care managers.

Official Website: https://www.akarihosho.jp/ PR TIMES: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/searchrlp/company_id/156029