GAIAX Launches "Gaiax ScaleOut Program" Focused on Exit-Oriented Growth Support ~"Accompanying growth into a sellable company" reverse-calculation support starting from the buyer~

GAIAX Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Executive Officer and President: Yuji Ueda, Securities Code: 3775) has launched the "Gaiax ScaleOut Program," a growth support program specifically for exits, targeting excellent ventures whose growth has reached a plateau. This program aims to achieve M&A exits in as little as one year by working backward from the perspective of the intended buyer to determine how to increase corporate value, advancing growth support and exit preparation concurrently.

GAIAX SCALEOUT PROGRAM "One More Push with an Eye on Exit."

Background: The Existence of Companies "With a Solid Foundation, But Just Short of the Goal"

Many excellent ventures reach a growth plateau around Series A, unable to take the next step due to a lack of resources such as funding, sales, or hiring, despite having a solid business foundation and reaching profitability (or near profitability).

On the other hand, when such companies aim for an M&A exit, many traditional intermediaries and advisors have focused on an approach of "selling the company as it is." Based on its expertise in supporting the launch and growth of startups through entrepreneur education, incubation, and investment, GAIAX has developed this program to provide end-to-end support for the final push in growth and the exit, with the concept of "growing the company into a sellable one before selling it."

Feature 1: Working Backward from Who Will Buy, Why, and for How Much

The starting point of this program is the "buyer." Instead of blindly aiming for performance improvement, the program works backward from the buyer's evaluation criteria, focusing on strengthening "assets the buyer desires."

Identify specific buyers: List 5-10 potential buyers by name.

Work backward from the acquisition multiple: Design "what to sell and for how much" based on past acquisition multiples.

Intensify 1-2 key metrics: Focus on improving the metrics that buyers value most.

Achieve M&A Exit: Complete the exit towards the calculated exit point.

Feature 2: End-to-End Support Across Four Layers: "Design, Execution, Performance, and Foundation"

Layer

Content

Main Support

LAYER 01 / Design

Strategy creation from the exit perspective

Identification of potential buyers by name, business plan calculated backward from past multiples, funding and human resource procurement design.

LAYER 02 / Execution

Increasing corporate value

Intensified focus on evaluation metrics, practical support for sales agency, advertising, and PR, hiring support.

LAYER 03 / Performance

Completing the exit

Buyer sourcing, IM creation and DD support, negotiation to closing.

LAYER 04 / Foundation

(Concurrent with all processes)

Maintaining a sellable state

(Clean-up)

Organizing capital policy, resolving contracts/disputes, eliminating dependency on individuals, clean monthly financial statements.

Feature 3: Design for a Shortest One-Year Period, Running "Side-by-Side" Growth and Exit Preparation

Instead of a phased process of "completing growth and then selling," growth measures that provide the final push and exit preparations are pursued concurrently.

0-3 Months: Growth Sprint | Implement measures to boost growth from the buyer's perspective.

3-6 Months: Start Dialogue with Buyers | Begin discussions with potential buyers once numbers start to improve.

6-12 Months (Shortest): DD to Closing | Proceed to closing through DD and negotiation.

Target Companies

The primary targets are excellent ventures that are profitable (or near-profitable) with growth at a plateau, whose founders have the intention to exit within one year, and for whom buyer candidates can be identified among similar companies. Achieving PMF (Product Market Fit) is not mandatory; consultation is possible if there are signs of revenue.

Representative's Comment

Yusuke Hiroto, Manager, Startup Studio Division

After starting a company as a student, he M&A'd his own company to a listed company within 3 years. As an entrepreneur who has experienced an exit himself, he supports the launch and growth of new businesses in GAIAX's Startup Studio Division.

Recently, the exit stories for venture companies have been diversifying. By providing growth support that leverages GAIAX's greatest strength, "supportive accompaniment for entrepreneurs," I hope to be of help to venture entrepreneurs who are struggling with the direction of their management.

Application

Applications are accepted through a dedicated form. After confirming the intention to exit and the current status of the business through dialogue with the founder, the support plan will be coordinated.

Program Details & Application: https://gaiax-startup-studio.com/scaleout-program/

GAIAX Co., Ltd. Overview

Established: March 1999

Representative Executive Officer and President: Yuji Ueda

Head Office Location: MIDORI.so NAGATACHO, 2-5-3 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Social Media Services, Web3/DAO Business, Incubation Business

URL: https://www.gaiax.co.jp/