Interview Series Released: The Reality After Succession

Rocketstar Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takeshi Ogihara; hereinafter “the company”) has released an interview article series titled 'The Reality After Succession,' featuring four executives who have taken over businesses as searchers, on its official website.

In this series, 'The Reality After Succession,' the executives candidly share the real challenges they face after succession, including internal conflicts, decision-making, managing organizational dynamics, building relationships with former owners, and post-succession growth strategies. The four published articles explore diverse themes such as media transformation and dual-company succession, the meaning of fighting PMI (Post-Merger Integration) as a team, value enhancement by professional managers, and the implementation of data-driven management. The content reflects our company’s approach of not treating business succession as a mere handover, but as a journey supported by our team to enhance enterprise value after succession.

Overview of Interview Articles

The Reality After Succession vol.1: Hayato Iijima on Media Transformation and Dual-Company Succession

This article introduces how sales grew over five times compared to pre-succession levels by shifting from a Google-ad-dependent media model to direct sales through proposal-based services, and discusses the challenges of creating synergy through dual-company succession.

Publication URL: https://rocketstar.co.jp/searchers-story/searcher-hayato-iijima2

[Speaker] Hayato Iijima, Representative Director, Angle Create Inc.

The Reality After Succession vol.2: Yasuto Kitagata on Implementing Data-Driven Management in the Apparel Industry

This article covers the process of transforming an apparel company’s operations into data-driven management after succession, including strengthening in-house e-commerce, building a custom management dashboard, and implementing AI tools.

Publication URL: https://rocketstar.co.jp/searchers-story/searcher-yasuto-kitagata2

[Speaker] Yasuto Kitagata, President and CEO, Cacerini Inc.

The Reality After Succession vol.3: Aya Miyata on PMI and What It Means to 'Fight as a Team'

This article candidly shares the speaker’s firsthand experience of the difficulties immediately after succession, the challenges of new business development, and how support from Rocketstar’s team and fellow searcher peers helped navigate PMI.

Publication URL: https://rocketstar.co.jp/searchers-story/searcher-aya-miyarta2

[Speaker] Aya Miyata, Representative Director, web creation Inc.

The Reality After Succession vol.4: Shinji Iwamoto on the Philosophy of a Professional Manager and the Practice of Value Enhancement

This article introduces how a professional manager, who has turned six companies profitable, tackles the challenge of growing already strong companies, focusing on organizational development, numerical management, and transitioning to a subscription-based business model.

Publication URL: https://rocketstar.co.jp/searchers-story/searcher-shinji-iwamoto2

[Speaker] Shinji Iwamoto, Representative Director, UDG Inc.

[Interviewer]

Takeshi Ogihara President and CEO, Rocketstar Inc.

Joined Opt (now Digital Holdings) in 2000. Appointed Executive Officer of the advertising division in 2006. Co-founded Soulout Inc. in 2009 and served as President and CEO. Focused on digital marketing support for regional SMEs, leading the company to a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section (now Prime Market) in 2019. Became a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2022 through a tender offer by Hakuhodo DY Holdings. Founded Rocketstar in 2023 at age 50, his third startup, operating a search fund specializing in business succession and growth support for SMEs. Holds an MBA from Chuo University Graduate School.

About Rocketstar Inc.

Rocketstar Inc. is an investment firm specializing in business succession and growth support for SMEs. Guided by the philosophy 'Unlocking the future through management,' we take over businesses from SMEs struggling with succession shortages, and work as a team of successor entrepreneurs (searchers) and investors to enhance enterprise value.

We view business succession not as a mere M&A transaction, but as a management endeavor that connects the founder’s vision with the company’s future, and we are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the Japanese economy.

Company Name: Rocketstar Inc.

Headquarters: 15F, Mita NN Building, 4-1-23 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014

President and CEO: Takeshi Ogihara

Established: February 13, 2023

Business Activities: Search fund operations, consulting services

Philosophy: Unlocking the future through management

Website: https://rocketstar.co.jp/

【Media Inquiries】

Rocketstar Inc. PR Office

Email: [email protected]