PROGRIT Announces Group Integration of StudyHacker Inc.

PROGRIT Inc. (Headquarters: Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shogo Okada; Stock Code: 9560), an English learning platform, announced today that, based on a resolution passed by its Board of Directors on April 7, 2026, it has signed a stock transfer agreement with Benesse Corporation to acquire all shares of StudyHacker Inc. (Headquarters: Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kensaku Oka; hereinafter "StudyHacker"). As a result, StudyHacker will become a member of the PROGRIT Group. The acquisition of shares based on this agreement is scheduled for April 28, 2026.

## Background of the Group Integration

Our company's mission is "to increase the number of people who can flourish freely in the world," and we have been providing English learning services for business professionals, primarily through our English coaching service "PROGRIT." In recent years, we have steadily expanded the scope of our offerings by developing multiple subscription-based English learning services.

StudyHacker primarily offers the English coaching service "ENGLISH COMPANY," alongside English education, media, and educational app development businesses. The company has a rich track record of contributing to the improvement of many English learners' English proficiency, emphasizing a scientific approach based on Second Language Acquisition theory.

By welcoming StudyHacker as a member of the PROGRIT Group, we will establish a new group management structure. To comprehensively meet diverse needs according to life stages, learning objectives, and English proficiency levels, both companies will maximize the synergy of their accumulated scientific knowledge, coaching and school operation expertise, product development, marketing, and learning data. As a group, we aim to further enhance service quality and accelerate business growth.

## Main Synergies from this Acquisition

### Becoming the Largest Group of Specialists in Japan's English Coaching Field

Based on Second Language Acquisition theory as a common foundation, we will achieve Japan's largest instructional system with approximately 260 specialists, combining our company's approximately 150 consultants (*1) with StudyHacker's approximately 110 trainers (*2). We will integrate our company's strength in "coaching" with StudyHacker's strength in "training," which are different approaches, to provide higher quality English learning support.
*1: As of the end of February 2026, *2: As of the end of December 2025 / includes approximately 40 part-time staff

### Evolution of the Learning Experience Utilizing Massive English Learning Data and Technology

The cumulative number of learners for "ENGLISH COMPANY" and "STRAIL" exceeds 30,000 (*1), and combined with "PROGRIT's" 26,000 learners (*2), the group will have accumulated approximately 56,000 learning data points. By combining this massive learning data with our company's cultivated AI and technology infrastructure, we will promote the improvement of learning method accuracy, enhancement of the learning experience, and expansion of our product lineup.
*1: As of the end of March 2025, *2: As of the end of February 2026

### Strengthening the Corporate Solution Provision System

We will establish a system that can provide optimal solutions in a one-stop manner by combining the entire group's services to address the diverse challenges, budgets, and objectives of corporate clients. We will comprehensively address all English-related issues, from strengthening English proficiency for executives and intensive training for selected personnel to departmental training programs and company-wide English proficiency improvement.

## Transition to New Company Name and New Management Structure

Following this group integration, to promptly and powerfully promote the collaboration and business integration of both companies, on April 28, 2026, StudyHacker will be reborn with the new company name "ENGLISH COMPANY Inc." This new company name embodies deep respect for the "ENGLISH COMPANY" brand, which has guided many learners through a scientific approach based on Second Language Acquisition theory. The PROGRIT Group will firmly inherit and further develop its philosophy and value.

Additionally, on the same date, Shogo Okada, our company's President and CEO, will be appointed Chairman of the Board of ENGLISH COMPANY Inc., and Wataru Takahashi, who serves as the Head of our President's Office, will assume the role of President and CEO of the company. Under the new management structure, we will aim for further business growth while fostering the integration of the corporate cultures of both companies.

## Comments from Representatives of Both Companies and the Incoming Representative

### Shogo Okada, President and CEO of PROGRIT Inc. / (Incoming) Chairman of the Board, ENGLISH COMPANY Inc.

I am extremely pleased to welcome StudyHacker Inc. as the first partner to join the PROGRIT Group. I have deep respect for the wonderful achievements of supporting many learners with scientific knowledge in language acquisition, and above all, for all the employees who have passionately created value in their respective business areas and supported the company to this day, starting with the current President and CEO, Mr. Oka.

I am confident that this group integration will enable us to leap to a new stage of growth together. By forming a strong partnership and maximizing each other's strengths, we will deliver the best English learning experience to an even wider range of customers.

### Kensaku Oka, President and CEO of StudyHacker Inc.

This time, our company will join the PROGRIT Group, and I will retire as President and CEO. PROGRIT, with whom we have long competed as industry peers, is a company that understands our value more deeply than anyone else. I see this change as an excellent opportunity to carry forward the aspirations we have built to the next stage.

I once again express my respect for the efforts of each and every employee who has walked with us until today, and I am confident in the further leaps forward under the new system. I sincerely wish for a bright future for the new ENGLISH COMPANY Inc.

### Wataru Takahashi, Executive Officer, Head of President's Office, PROGRIT Inc. / (Incoming) President and CEO, ENGLISH COMPANY Inc.

First, I express my deep respect for the scientific methods and passionate dedication to education that all employees have built up to now. With "legacy" – correctly inheriting this wonderful value – and "co-creation" – generating new value by combining the power of "people x technology" that the PROGRIT Group possesses – as key keywords, I am determined to move forward with all employees.

Now, more than ever, as AI evolves, the value of human-to-human communication in English is extremely high. By combining the strengths of both companies, we aim to establish a new standard as a leading company in English education, supporting the globalization of Japanese companies.

For more detailed information regarding the number of shares acquired, acquisition price, and impact on our company's performance related to this matter, please refer to the timely disclosure document released today (April 7, 2026), titled "Notice Regarding Acquisition of Shares (Making it a Consolidated Subsidiary) of StudyHacker Inc."

## Company Profile of StudyHacker Inc.

* Company Name: StudyHacker Inc.
* Representative: Kensaku Oka, President and CEO
* Established: February 24, 2010
* Location: CIRCLES Jinbocho II 4F, 1-24-1 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
* Business Activities: English education business, media business, educational app development business

*Note: Concurrently with the share acquisition on April 28, 2026, Wataru Takahashi from our company is scheduled to assume the position of President and CEO. On the same date, the company is also scheduled to change its trade name to "ENGLISH COMPANY Inc."

## Company Profile of PROGRIT Inc.

* Company Name: PROGRIT Inc.
* Representative: Shogo Okada, President and CEO
* Established: September 6, 2016
* Location: Hamamatsucho Square 11F, 1-30-5 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo
* URL: https://about.progrit.co.jp/

PROGRIT: https://www.progrit.co.jp/
SHADOTEN: https://www.shadoten.com/
SUPIFUL: https://www.supiful.jp/
DiaTalk: https://www.diatalk.com/
ProWords: https://prowords.progrit.co.jp/
PROGRIT FOR ENTERPRISE (Corporate English Training): https://business.progrit.co.jp/

* Business Activities: Development and operation of English coaching services, development and operation of subscription-based English learning services