【Event Report】Stepping Up Listing from PRO Market – AlbaLink President Kawata Shares the Inside Story of the Fastest Listing at the IPO Monthly Meeting

IR Robotics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Sungju Kim; HP: https://ir-robotics.co.jp/) held its May monthly meeting for "Next IPO Club," a membership community for companies serious about achieving IPO, on May 21st (Thursday).

For May, Mr. Kenji Kawata, Representative Director of AlbaLink Inc. (TSE GRT5537), a graduate of our club and the 38th company to achieve IPO, who successfully completed a step-up listing to the Growth Market just two years after listing on the TOKYO PRO Market in November 2023, was invited as a speaker.

Mr. Kawata shared in detail the realistic IPO preparation process, which is not usually made public, including the "background of the decision-making for listing on the PRO Market and unexpected troubles during the preparation period" when listing was not initially envisioned.

・Why We Hold the "Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting"

The IPO industry is notably opaque, with "urban legends" of unknown origin such as "I heard that..." or "I've heard about..." spreading and causing confusion for companies preparing for IPO.

Our club is committed to pursuing "latest real-world examples" and "unbiased primary information."

We hold the Next IPO Club monthly meetings to resolve the opacity and urban legends surrounding IPOs by disseminating fact-based, accurate information directly from the presidents of listed companies who have achieved IPO within the last two years or executives deeply involved in IPO preparations.

Since its operation began in July 2017, our club has seen 39 companies listed on the general market and 5 companies on the TOKYO PRO Market.

・May Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting Overview

In the May monthly meeting, Mr. Kenji Kawata, Representative Director of AlbaLink Inc. (TSE GRT5537), was our speaker.

The company operates a business that acquires and resells vacant and problem properties nationwide, utilizing its unique web marketing strategies.

They began IPO preparations in 2021, listed on the TOKYO PRO Market in November 2023, and subsequently achieved a step-up listing to the TSE Growth Market in just under two years.

The meeting was a candid account of the company's journey from its founding to IPO, covering how they attracted Nomura Securities, a major underwriter, amidst the "securities refugee" problem, and how they balanced a rapidly growing sales organization with strict compliance management.

AlbaLink (TSE GRT5537) President Kawata

・Seminar Highlights

In our completely closed-door sessions, case studies from the IPO preparation period were shared.

Encounter with "XXXX" after being in a "Securities Refugee" state

Sudden changes in "XXXX" and handling unexpected troubles

Fierce battles with "XXXX" during "XXXX" decision negotiations

The dilemma between "budget achievement" and "labor management"

The true role of the CFO and utilizing "insiders"

・On-site Scene

Scene from the Next IPO Club May Monthly Meeting

Throughout the seminar, Mr. Kawata consistently emphasized, "IPO preparation cannot be handled with textbook knowledge; there is a raw reality to it."

What was particularly impressive was his statement, "Most textbook problems could be solved by business growth," and "Business growth becomes the foundation for everything, significantly influencing the securities firm's judgment and response."

Regarding changes after listing, Mr. Kawata noted, "Since it was a step-up from the PRO Market, there weren't drastic changes," but he also mentioned seeing a new perspective, such as "the people I meet have changed" and "I can now communicate with shareholders."

We are confident that the fact-based, concrete know-how for IPO preparation provided an extremely valuable learning experience for all companies aiming for an IPO.

About Next IPO Club

・Future Schedule

【June】 Basic Inc. (TSE Growth 519A) Representative Director: Masaru Akiyama

Listing: March 25, 2026

Supporting front-office DX for B2B marketing tools like "ferret One"

【July】 NE Inc. (TSE Growth 441A) Executive Officer CFO: Yukihiro Tomiyama

Listing: November 4, 2025 Development and operation of the EC integration management platform "Next Engine"

・Community Participation and Inquiries

"Next IPO Club" is recruiting companies in the IPO preparation stage that are serious about achieving an IPO.

We welcome inquiries from companies interested in obtaining "live primary information" not swayed by internet rumors or hearsay, and as a place for management teams to gain input!

・Next IPO Club Detailed Page: https://next-ipo-club.jp/

・Inquiry Form: https://next-ipo-club.jp/contact/

Request materials here

If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.

IR Robotics Co., Ltd.

Company Name: IR Robotics Co., Ltd. Representative: Sungju Kim Headquarters: 5-3-23 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo WeWork Yotsuya Building Business Description: With a vision to "become a business platform for growing companies to grow further," we engage in consulting services (IPO/management study sessions/IR support) and human resource placement services (for high-caliber professionals). Company HP: https://ir-robotics.co.jp/ Keywords: