Debt Finance for Startups "Flex Capital" Exceeds 15 Billion Yen in Cumulative Loan Disbursements

Flex Capital, a debt finance service for startups provided by Fivot Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shogo Abe; hereinafter, Fivot), a startup aiming to become a challenger bank, announced that its cumulative loan disbursements (※1) exceeded 15 billion yen in March 2026.

Since its launch in February 2021, Flex Capital has steadily expanded its loan transactions, primarily with startups. From the outset, the service has consistently strived to enhance credit assessment through technology utilization and user-friendly service design (see figure below). In the last fiscal year (April 2025 - March 2026), the number of contracts surged by approximately 1.6 times compared to the previous year, reaching 301. Even amidst this growth, the service has maintained its operational speed, consistently providing "credit assessment responses within 10 business days from application."

This unparalleled speed of support and expansion in the number of contracts, unmatched by other companies, is underpinned by the development and implementation of continuously advancing AI technology. Our company has traditionally utilized machine learning and LLMs (Large Language Models) for customer financial analysis and business valuation. In fiscal year 2025, we further expanded this technology to automatically generate loan approval documents (稟議書), which are reports of quantitative and qualitative analysis of companies required for loan審査. This integration of human and AI has led to further efficiency and speed in the loan process.

Recently, with the increase in funding supply accompanying the launch of RFC Venture Debt Fund No. 1, jointly established with Resona Bank, the speed of support has further accelerated since the fund began operations in January 2026. In line with the objectives at the time of the fund's establishment, we are proceeding with discussions on advanced loan operations that integrate Resona Bank's know-how and our company's technology. We will continue to work closely together to provide the necessary financial support for the growth of startups.

Furthermore, going forward, we will deepen analysis using AI agents, strengthen support functions for human-led credit assessment operations, and expand the scope of new service offerings based on insights gained from past development and business promotion (from startups to more general corporate loan processes). By continuing to deepen cooperation with financial institutions and optimizing corporate loan business processes, we aim to unlock "the inherent power of finance" and realize our mission of "creating new money flows for new industrial structures."

Comment from Takuo Ota, Flex Capital Business Leader

"We have reached the milestone of 15 billion yen in cumulative disbursements. What we value more than the amount is the fact that we have been able to provide empathetic financial support to management through approximately 300 transactions annually. Japanese finance needs diverse financing mechanisms that properly assess and support the credit risk of companies. We are building a system to meet diverse funding needs, from venture debt to invoice factoring, by leveraging the data infrastructure we built by taking risks ourselves and deepening our collaboration with financial institutions. We will continue to contribute to the development and growth of the Japanese economy by supporting more growth companies."

Flex Capital Loan Performance (as of March 31, 2026)

Cumulative number of loans: 583

Cumulative number of companies: 464

Cumulative loan amount: 15.8 billion yen

Default rate (※2): Approximately 0.3%

※1: Total support amount through venture debt, RBF, and Flex Capital Invoice. Includes disbursements made by RFC Venture Debt Fund No. 1, for which our company serves as GP.

※2: Ratio of overdue claims for 3 months or more against the cumulative recovery amount.

About Flex Capital

Flex Capital offers venture debt without equity dilution, RBF (Revenue-Based Financing), and invoice factoring "Flex Capital Invoice" for growth companies, primarily startups. Advocating "Deep with Data, Fast with AI," it has built a loan assessment model utilizing cutting-edge AI technology. With cumulative loan disbursements exceeding 15 billion yen, over 450 companies supported, and a default rate of approximately 0.3%, it achieves both high agility and stable business operations.
　

　

About Fivot

Fivot is a startup founded in 2019 with the mission of "creating new money flows for new industrial structures," aiming to become a challenger bank. Through an ecosystem comprising two businesses—Flex Capital, a debt finance service for startups, and IDARE, a cashless app for individuals that encourages saving—Fivot provides the liquidity necessary for society and contributes to the creation of new value.

Company Name: Fivot Inc.

Location: Toranomon 3-8-21 Toranomon 33 Mori Building, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Shogo Abe

Established: October 2019

Official Website: https://fivot.co.jp/　

IDARE: https://idare.jp/　

Flex Capital: https://flex-capital.jp/

Reference Information: "FIN/SUM2024" Impact Pitch Special Jury Award (March 2024), Forbes JAPAN "New Stars Leading the Next Generation: 100 Japanese Startups to Watch in 2024" (December 2023), Shogo Abe, Representative, Selected for Forbes JAPAN "Directory of Japanese Entrepreneurs 400" (November 2024), Received the "Venture Grand Prix" at the "ASPIC Cloud Award 2024" sponsored by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (November 2024), Received 1st place in the "Financial Innovation Division" of the "Tokyo Financial Award 2024" organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (February 2025).