NYC Inc. Announces Investment in Traditional Search Fund 'Granvia Partners LLC'

NYC Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Yasuhito Nakatsuka; hereinafter 'NYC') announced that it executed an investment in Granvia Partners LLC (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yoshifumi Ito), a traditional search fund, on May 11, 2026. NYC is an investment firm specializing in SMEs with excellent technology or business models, and this marks the company's second investment in a traditional search fund.

Background of the Investment

Search funds, a model where talented management personnel acquire SMEs and work to improve corporate value as managers themselves, have developed primarily in Europe and the United States. In Japan, with many high-quality SMEs struggling with the lack of successors, search funds are gaining attention as a potent option for business succession. The decision to invest was made in recognition of Mr. Yoshifumi Ito's diverse practical experience gained through large corporations, government administration, and an MBA, as well as his commitment to reviving the Japanese economy by passing on Japanese SMEs to the next generation.

About the Searcher

After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Keio University, Mr. Ito worked in sales and management planning at Dai-ichi Life Insurance for approximately eight years. At the Ministry of Finance, he served as a government bond planning officer, promoting the appeal of the Japanese economy internationally through dialogues with investors in more than 15 countries. Following these diverse experiences, he earned an MBA at IE Business School (Spain), accumulating a wide range of practical knowledge spanning finance, administration, and management.

Search Policy for Succession Targets

Mr. Yoshifumi Ito will search for succession targets among SMEs with business succession needs based on the following policy:

Industry: Wide consideration, including manufacturing (toys, fan goods, etc.), stage art/exhibition planning, operation, and production, building maintenance, and hotel cleaning.

Region: Nationwide.

* The above is an assumption at this point and will be considered flexibly depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

Future Prospects

To date, NYC has worked on corporate growth and new value creation through business succession of SMEs in various industries. Through investment in traditional search funds, NYC will continue to support the matching of talented management personnel with SMEs seeking successors.