[Management Talk Vol. 1] Takeshi Ogiwara, Shuichi Yamaya, and Hiroshi Hatta Reflect Honestly on Their First Year: Rocket Star's Investment Philosophy and Design of Reproducibility After 5 Business Successions

Rocket Star has published its first joint discussion article featuring its three founders on its official website. The company describes itself as "a fund created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs." Following the start of its fundraising in July 2024, the company completed a final close of 1.8 billion yen in six months and achieved the succession of five businesses by the end of March 2026. This discussion offers an honest reflection on their first year, built on a track record of all acquired businesses remaining operational with no write-offs.

Interview Summary How was the record of zero write-offs achieved? What is operational alpha and the playbook-based investment model? What are the strict criteria for searcher selection? And what does it mean to fully integrate AI into the investment process? Now that the first year has concluded, the three founders discuss these topics openly.

Participant Profiles Takeshi Ogiwara (Representative Director & CEO): Co-founded SoldOut in 2009. After listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, he sold the company to Hakuhodo DY Holdings in 2022. Founded Rocket Star in 2023.

Shuichi Yamaya (Director & COO): Co-founder of SoldOut. Led the company to its IPO as Group COO. Appointed Director and COO of Rocket Star in April 2023.

Hiroshi Hatta (Director): Gained experience in business investment, M&A, and PMI at Opt (currently Digital Holdings). Joined the founding of Rocket Star as a Director.

About Rocket Star Rocket Star is an investment company specializing in business succession and growth support for SMEs. Based on the philosophy of "opening up the future through the power of management," the firm takes the baton from SMEs struggling with a lack of successors, and works with searchers (succession entrepreneurs) and investors to improve enterprise value.