Yamada Consulting Group to Invest in JAFCO Venture Capital Fund as LP

Yamada Consulting Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Keisaku Masuda; Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market; hereinafter "the Company") has decided to invest as a limited partner (LP) in the venture capital fund "JAFCO V8-a Investment Business Limited Partnership" (hereinafter "the Fund"), established by JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Keisuke Miyoshi; Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market; hereinafter "JAFCO").

Background and Purpose of Investment

The Company's long-term management vision (10-year strategy) aims to maximize customer lifetime value (LTV) as a core strategy, and as a key initiative, it is working to expand consulting services for mid-sized companies. Mid-sized companies are vital entities supporting the sustainable growth of the Japanese economy through job creation, wage increases, and capital investment in their regions. The Company aims to provide further service value as a partner that supports the management challenges of these mid-sized companies.

While the Company's main clients recognize the importance of expanding into related fields for sustainable growth and developing new businesses, they face challenges such as constraints on internal resources, a lack of concrete business ideas, and difficulties in forming alliances with other companies.

This investment aims to create new business development projects by leveraging the relationships with JAFCO, one of Japan's largest venture capitalists, and its portfolio startup companies, to foster collaboration between mid-sized companies and startups. Furthermore, the Company will build a new business model to continuously support mid-sized companies through consulting and execution support. By taking charge of everything from project creation to execution support, the Company will expand its traditional consulting and M&A service areas and further enhance its service value towards maximizing the lifetime value of mid-sized companies.

About JAFCO Group

JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. is one of Japan's largest independent venture capital firms, established in 1973. For over 50 years since its establishment, it has invested in over 4,200 companies and achieved over 1,000 IPOs. Its cumulative fund management assets amount to approximately 1.2 trillion yen, and it is known for its overwhelming track record in supporting startup growth and IPOs.

About Yamada Consulting Group

Yamada Consulting Group (www.yamada-cg.co.jp) is a comprehensive management consulting firm that seamlessly addresses the diverse and evolving challenges of its clients, including sustainable growth, business revitalization, business succession, M&A, overseas expansion, real estate, and DX. In addition to 13 domestic offices, it has expanded to 13 overseas locations, including Shanghai. Employees at the headquarters and each branch support clients through services such as growth strategies, cross-border M&A, business restructuring and withdrawal, and asset management. In M&A services, the firm has a track record of over 130 successful deals annually and excels in providing comprehensive support before and after M&A execution. Leveraging its extensive knowledge based on years of experience and the collaboration between Japan, its overseas offices, and its various business divisions and locations, the firm is dedicated to improving clients' business value and contributing to society as a truly international firm.