• Concept of the iSigma Business Advancement Funds
• Business Advancement Activities
• Voice of portfolio company management
• Outline of iSigma Business Advancement Funds

Masahiko Fujioka, CEO and President
Kotobuki Data Bank (Formerly Kotobuki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.)

Through the “Management Vision Establishment Project,” iSigma led the reformation of our corporate culture, activation of employee communication, and improvement in employee motivation. On the sales front, iSigma worked alongside us to utilize Marubeni Group’s business network, leading to the acquisition of large clients, that have become the foundation of our long lasting business performance. We deeply appreciate iSigma’s support.

Akihiko Masuda, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Maos, Co., Ltd./Sinsouki Co., Ltd.
(Founder of Maos and former CEO and president of Maos and Sinsouki)

Aspiring to become No. 3 in the industry next to Park 24 and Repark by collaborating with a large real estate company, we worked together with iSigma. We experienced everything in the “We are on the same boat” spirit from start to finish, and we thank iSigma very much. Many efforts with iSigma led to our becoming a member of Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd, which is a wonderful partner. To have met iSigma and to be still having a close relationship is a huge asset. I would love to tell how great and how helpful it is to collaborate with iSigma to any owner CEO’s who may misunderstand and have a poor impression of these types of funds (and there are still many of these people in Japan).

Yoichi Shibata, CEO and President
Premium Financial Services Co., Ltd.

For approximately two years, iSigma supported us in our business operations and the promotion of our business as a capital partner. We believe that taking advantage of the vast network of the Marubeni Group has enabled us to strengthen our business, while iSigma’s support based on the understanding and respect of our management policy. iSigma went beyond the capital partner role to give us a really significant amount of support toward our corporate growth. As we aim for higher goals and go forward to enter new fields, we are very grateful to iSigma for their past support.

Sokichi Kimbara, Managing Director
IINO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.

While we at IINO are confident in our craftsmanship, our management resources were concentrated on plant management, rather than comprehensive business management, including the design and execution of business strategies and tactics, typical of many Japanese SMEs.
Post iSigma’s investment, a new business approach was adopted that turned out to be extremely valuable in terms of making up for what we lacked previously. The business approach is characterized by discussions through thorough deliberation and mutual respect on mainly realistic and sometimes flexible methods to close the gaps between plans and reality. With respect to our overseas expansion in particular, the launching of our overseas plants went smoothly for the very reason.
I thoroughly recommend iSigma to SME owners who face similar challenges.

Tetsuya Ichiyama, President
Misuzu Life Co., Ltd.

I was invited to the company soon after iSigma acquired all of its outstanding shares. At first, it was a typical owner-operated company that would fit the expression of "big farmer" (strong top-down management, no emails or meetings), but over some three years of receiving support from iSigma, we were able to develop it into a company with a full-fledged corporate structure. iSigma prioritized improving motivation of employees and we all are grateful for that.

Yoshihiko Inami, CEO
Vario Secure Inc.

Over the course of business management in conjunction with iSigma, we faced a series of hardships including the sudden development of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we shared many highs and lows together. In particular, with regard to taking the company public, around the time we initially planned to go public, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the stock market hard, and despite having completed our pre-IPO roadshow, we paused at the last moment, eventually managing to be listed on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange about six months later on the second attempt. During this second attempt at a public listing, although circumstances at the company forced us to implement changes to the company directors, iSigma agreed to those management decisions and provided support through to the end. There was also a clear division of roles among those assigned to us, and members of the management team other than myself were also able to speak with them on familiar terms.

Tsuneo Takahashi, President and CEO
KYOTO SEMICONDUCTOR Co., Ltd.

Kyoto Semiconductor is a high-tech company, but one with a sense of founding ownership that boasts a nearly four-decade history. Despite being a little better on the development and manufacturing fronts, at the time I joined the company there were issues with sales, marketing and corporate planning-led growth strategies as well as back office functions such as HR, IT and management accounting. Over time we have pursued various reforms to address these shortcomings. Facing the headwinds of COVID-19 and US-China trade friction, I believe the fact that in the space of just two years we managed to pursue digital transformation, enhance our corporate value and be transferred to new shareholders able to drive the continued growth of the company is thanks in no small part to the flexible cooperation and trusted ties we have forged with iSigma.

Takeuchi Koki, Representative Director
MINITOR CO., LTD.

Since assuming the position of Representative Director in August 2020, I have been able to work through the challenges before me together with the wisdom and effort of the iSigma team members, even as the momentum of the COVID-19 pandemic continued unabated.
Thanks to your help, we were able to review and improve our internal platform.
We will continue to promote aggressive management, including overseas expansion, while fostering the change in the mindset of each and every employee.

Tomohiro Matsumoto, CEO
Shokukai Co, Ltd.

Immediately after I joined the company's management team in February 2020 to strengthen the management department, the COVID-19 pandemic began. The following year I was asked to become the CEO. I accepted the position based on the belief that I would be able to overcome this unprecedented crisis with iSigma.
With the cooperation of iSigma, we restructured the organization, which had been rigid as an extension of its owner company, so that it was in line with its strategy, and quickly carried out bold and surgical operations such as the external recruitment of executives who are able to lead each organization. In order to articulate a corporate philosophy, introduce new personnel and salary systems and create new value, we have proactively participated in exhibitions and promoted DX since the company's inception.
All of our employees are grateful for being able to safely depart under the new ownership of our new shareholders. I also learned a lot as a manager myself. Thank you very much.