Lightblue Inc. Strengthens Governance with Appointment of Two New External Auditors

AI startup Lightblue Inc. (Representative Director: Atom Sonoda, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "Lightblue") announced that Daichi Kunii and Yuri Utsumi have been appointed as external auditors as of February 2026, with the aim of further strengthening its corporate governance structure in anticipation of business expansion and an IPO.

Since its establishment in 2018, Lightblue has been addressing challenges faced by companies and local governments through the development and provision of multimodal AI based on image analysis and natural language processing technologies. With the expansion of its business, including the AI agent "Lightblue" for corporations, the transparency of management decisions, internal control, risk management, and compliance system have become increasingly important.

Against this backdrop, by welcoming Mr. Kunii, who has auditing and M&A advisory experience as a certified public accountant, as well as CFO experience in startups and knowledge of IPO preparation, and Ms. Utsumi, an attorney with expertise in corporate legal affairs and startup support, as external auditors, Lightblue will promote disciplined management and the establishment of a sound governance structure while maintaining its growth speed.

Background of Appointment

Lightblue is working to improve operational efficiency, support decision-making, and advance knowledge utilization for companies through the social implementation of multimodal AI. As the use of generative AI becomes deeply integrated into corporate management and business processes, companies providing AI services are increasingly required to have not only technical capabilities but also highly reliable management systems, information management systems, and effective internal controls.

Furthermore, with future business expansion and an IPO in mind, it is crucial to enhance management transparency and establish a governance foundation that supports sustainable growth.

By welcoming two individuals with specialized knowledge in accounting, IPO preparation, M&A, and legal fields as external auditors, Lightblue aims to build a more effective audit system and strengthen its management foundation to support business growth.

Profiles of New External Auditors

＜Profile＞ Daichi Kunii

After graduating from Keio University Faculty of Economics, he joined Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC. He was engaged in audit work for general trading companies and IT venture companies.

He then led fundraising and IPO preparation as CFO at a real estate tech startup.

In 2019, he founded Rideltta Inc. and assumed the position of Representative Director. He is engaged in overseas expansion support centered on Asia, cross-border M&A support, and business succession support.

Certified Public Accountant, Tax Accountant.

Comment from Mr. Daichi Kunii

I am Daichi Kunii, and I have been appointed as a part-time auditor of Lightblue Inc.

I feel that the company's initiatives have great social significance in the rapidly evolving AI field.

I will leverage my experience to contribute to the company's sustainable growth from the perspective of governance and internal control.

＜Profile＞ Yuri Utsumi

After graduating from Keio University Faculty of Law in 2012 and completing Keio University Law School in 2014, she registered as an attorney in 2015.

She joined Nishimura & Asahi (now Nishimura & Asahi LPCC) and was engaged in a wide range of corporate legal affairs, mainly M&A cases both domestically and internationally, for over 10 years.

In 2025, she opened her own law office and currently contributes to strengthening the legal systems of various companies, including startups, through advice and support on contract law, compliance, and corporate governance.

Comment from Ms. Yuri Utsumi

I am Yuri Utsumi, and I have been appointed as a part-time auditor of Lightblue Inc.

I feel great potential in the company's continued provision of new value to society in the rapidly developing AI field.

Through my involvement in numerous M&A cases, I have had contact with a wide range of businesses across various industries. I will leverage the legal practical experience I have cultivated to contribute to the company's sound growth from the perspective of compliance and governance.

Comment from Representative Director Atom Sonoda

We are very encouraged to welcome Mr. Daichi Kunii and Ms. Yuri Utsumi as external auditors.

Our company has been supporting the business transformation of companies and local governments through the social implementation of multimodal AI. As our business enters a new growth phase, including the expanding adoption of our corporate AI agent "Lightblue," the establishment of a more advanced management control system, internal control, risk management, and compliance system has become crucial.

Mr. Kunii possesses specialized knowledge as a certified public accountant and experience leading IPO preparation as a startup CFO, and we believe he will significantly contribute to strengthening our management control system. Ms. Utsumi, with her extensive legal experience, will provide robust support for compliance and corporate governance.