Event Report: 5 Startups Pitch Co-Creation for New Business Development – Askul Hosts 2nd 'Askul PITCH CAMP'

Askul Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Akihisa Yoshoka; hereinafter 'Askul') hosted its second pitch event, 'Askul PITCH CAMP,' on May 14, welcoming five startup companies. Building on last year's success, the event aimed to foster innovation by leveraging Askul's assets and creating co-creation opportunities with domestic startups, delivering new value to customers while strengthening and growing both parties' services.

On the day, five companies—Wellmo Inc., NINAITE Inc., Personal Health Tech Inc., Muso Action Inc., and eMotion Fleet Inc.—took the stage in order, presenting proposals aimed at growing existing businesses and launching new ventures. For the first time, an 'Audience Award' was introduced, voted on by 420 Askul employees participating both in-person and online. NINAITE Inc., which proposed an e-commerce and employee benefits service targeting foreign workers, won the award.

## Overview of Each Company's Presentation

- Wellmo Inc., Representative Chairman & CEO Yusuke Shikano

Wellmo provides various AI-powered care DX services, supporting operational efficiency in care facilities and at-home care by automating legally mandated documentation and generating reports. This time, the company proposed combining its expertise in AI for the care sector with Askul’s product strength and e-commerce and logistics network to eliminate 'shopping vulnerability' in Japan’s super-aging society. The proposal includes recommending and supporting purchases of optimal products based on care needs, and turning shopping assistance in care settings into a revenue-generating service to reduce burdens while creating value.

- NINAITE Inc., Executive Officer and Product Lead Kazuma Sugawara

NINAITE addresses Japan’s labor shortage by digitally managing the entire process of foreign worker recruitment and retention. Focusing on foreign workers’ daily challenge of accessing home-country goods, the company proposed launching an e-commerce business by combining its foreign worker network with Askul’s logistics and customer base. Beyond e-commerce, it presented a vision for creating a new market for foreign talent, including expansion into employee benefits.

- Personal Health Tech Inc., CEO Tetsuya Nitta

Personal Health Tech offers healthcare DX services for enterprises and medical institutions, managing and analyzing health check data. The company proposed using AI to analyze health data and link it to personalized services and products. By integrating data digitization, appointment booking, and check-up management, it aims to improve corporate health management efficiency and encourage behavioral change. With mandatory stress checks in place, the company is targeting SMEs and highlighted potential for sales channel expansion by leveraging Askul’s customer base.

- Muso Action Inc., CEO Ryutaro Murayama

Muso Action supports automation in logistics and manufacturing using 'Physical AI'—a combination of generative AI and robotics. The company demonstrated how its technology can handle non-standardized, multi-item tasks previously difficult to automate, proposing its application within Askul’s logistics centers that manage small-lot, high-variety operations. By enabling robots to make real-time decisions and generate actions based on environmental input, complex picking tasks could be automated, with initial implementation planned for processes like sorter feeding.

- eMotion Fleet Inc., President & CEO Shuji Shiraki

eMotion Fleet provides end-to-end support for commercial EV adoption and operations. Targeting small and medium logistics operators lagging in EV transition, the company proposed a mobility DX and GX support service leveraging Askul’s customer base. Starting with vehicle data visualization (DX), it plans to guide phased EV adoption, alleviating concerns over cost and operational burden. It also introduced a subscription model offering vehicles, charging infrastructure, and energy management at a fixed monthly rate, enabling EV operations at lower cost than current expenses.

## NINAITE Wins the 'Audience Award'

For the first time, the 'Audience Award' was introduced, with 420 Askul employees voting online and in-person for the idea they most wanted to co-create. NINAITE Inc., which proposed an e-commerce and employee benefits service for foreign workers, won the award.

Askul will continue to pursue transformative co-creation initiatives for the benefit of its customers.

## Event Overview

- Name: Askul PITCH CAMP
- Location: Askul Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
- Content: Startup presentations, Q&A sessions, Audience Award ceremony
- Participating Companies: Wellmo Inc., NINAITE Inc., Personal Health Tech Inc., Muso Action Inc., eMotion Fleet Inc. (5 companies in total, in speaking order)
- Number of Participants: 420 (in-person and online)

*The information in this release is current as of the announcement date and is subject to change without notice.