[Event Report] How Did They Break Through the "Regulatory Wall"? FUNDINNO's CSO Hiraishi Shares Behind-the-Scenes of IPO Preparation After Listing Japan's First Fintech Platform

IR Robotics Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Seong-ju Kim; HP: https://ir-robotics.co.jp/) held its April Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting on Thursday, April 16, at the "Next IPO Club," a members-only community for companies serious about achieving an IPO.

In April, we invited Mr. Hiraishi, CSO of FUNDINNO Inc. (TSE Growth 462A), which achieved the first IPO in Japan's large-scale fundraising service business domain, as a lecturer.

He spoke about the "real-life experiences of IPO preparation" that can only be discussed in a completely closed setting, such as negotiations with lead underwriters and shareholder relations.

Why we hold the "Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting" The IPO industry is notably opaque, with undocumented "urban legends" like "I heard it's like this" or "I heard that" spreading, causing confusion for companies preparing for IPOs.

At our club, we thoroughly pursue "the latest real-world examples" and "undistorted primary information."

By ensuring that only "first-hand accounts" from presidents of listed companies that have achieved an IPO within the last two years and executives deeply involved in IPO preparation are circulated fact-based, we aim to resolve the opaqueness and urban legends surrounding IPOs, and enable member companies to achieve sound IPOs. This is why we hold the Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting.

Since its operation began in 2017, our club has seen 39 companies listed on general markets and 3 companies on TOKYO PRO Market.

Overview of the April Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting FUNDINNO Inc. operates a fintech platform, including equity investment-type crowdfunding, connecting unlisted companies with individual investors.

Although the company achieved its listing on the TSE Growth Market in December 2025, it faced numerous high hurdles to get there, such as "proving a new business model" and "filing for listing during a turnaround from deficit to surplus."

CSO Hiraishi joined from the founding stage, leading fundraising and business alliances as CFO, achieving a cumulative total of approximately 9.8 billion yen in funding.

In this seminar, he generously shared his extensive fundraising experience and fact-based examples from the IPO preparation period, during which he confronted lead underwriters and numerous stakeholders.

Mr. Hiraishi, CSO of FUNDINNO Inc. (TSE Growth 462A)

Seminar Highlights Examples from IPO preparation were shared at this completely closed meeting.

- "Pre-IPO IR scheduling one year in advance" with a view to post-listing and dedicated recruitment

- The re-recognition of the importance of individual investor base, built on trust from pre-listing, contributing to institutional investor evaluations, coupled with the difficulty of acquiring individual investors after listing.

Scenes from the day

The April Next IPO Club Monthly Meeting

It was a highly concentrated seminar where "undisclosed facts" that never appear on the public stage of an IPO, such as real-life bargaining with securities firms and negotiations with existing shareholders, were discussed.

We are confident that the attitude of proactively controlling the IPO process according to one's own company's situation, rather than following a textbook schedule, was an extremely valuable lesson for member companies proceeding with IPO preparation.

About Next IPO Club

Upcoming Schedule

[May] AlbaLink Inc. (TSE Growth 5537) Representative Director Kenji Kawada

Listed December 15, 2025

Develops and operates a business for buying and reselling vacant and problematic properties, with the vision of "Zero vacant homes by 2100."

[June] Basic Inc. (TSE Growth 519A) Representative Director Masaru Akiyama

Listed March 25, 2026

Provides front office DX support, including the B2B marketing tool "ferret One."

[July] NE Inc. (TSE Growth 441A) Executive Officer CFO Yukihiro Tomiyama

Listed November 4, 2025

Develops and operates "Next Engine," a platform for integrated EC management.

Regarding participation and inquiries about the community

"Next IPO Club" is currently recruiting companies preparing for IPOs that are serious about achieving one.

If you are interested in acquiring "live primary information" that is not swayed by the internet or rumors, or as a place for management input, please feel free to inquire!

Next IPO Club Details Page: https://next-ipo-club.jp/

Inquiry Form: https://next-ipo-club.jp/contact/

Request materials here

If you are interested, please feel free to inquire

IR Robotics Inc.