Announcement of the Establishment of the 'Hokkaido Mother Investment Business Limited Partnership,' a Fund Aiming to Solve Regional Challenges through Industry Restructuring

Longblack Partners Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the establishment of the 'Hokkaido Mother No.1 Investment Business Limited Partnership' (hereinafter, 'the Fund') together with Hokuyo Bank, Ltd. and Hokkaido Mother Investment Co., Ltd., as a fund aiming to address regional challenges through industry consolidation.

In Hokkaido, the regional economic environment is rapidly changing due to factors such as a lack of successors and market shrinkage caused by population decline. Amid these shifts, there is an increasing need for industry-wide restructuring and structural transformation to ensure the sustainable development of regional industries.

The purpose of the Fund is to enhance the competitiveness of regional enterprises and solve regional challenges through industry consolidation. The Fund will establish a holding company (SPC) jointly with core companies in each industry and invest in enterprises facing management challenges in growth or business continuity due to changing market conditions, labor shortages, or lack of successors.

Beyond merely providing capital, the Fund will combine the business expertise of core industry companies, the financial and solution capabilities of the Hokuyo Bank Group, and Longblack Partners' extensive fund management experience accumulated across Japan to strengthen the business foundations and competitiveness of regional enterprises.

Through the operation of this Fund, Longblack Partners will further contribute to the sustainable development of regional industries in Hokkaido.

1. Fund Overview

Name

Hokkaido Mother Fund (Hokkaido Mother No.1 Investment Business Limited Partnership)

Total Fund Size

5 billion yen

Management Companies

Longblack Partners Co., Ltd.

Hokkaido Mother Investment Co., Ltd. (a 100% subsidiary of Hokuyo Bank, Ltd.)

Limited Partners

Hokuyo Bank, Ltd.

Establishment and Duration

Established on June 15, 2026; term of 10 years from the establishment date

Investment Objectives

Enhancing competitiveness of regional enterprises and solving regional challenges through industry consolidation

Investment Targets

Enterprises primarily located in Hokkaido facing management challenges in independent growth or business continuity

Investment Strategy

Establish an SPC jointly with core industry companies and support the sustainable development of regional industries through business foundation strengthening and management support

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[Inquiries]

Administration Department, Longblack Partners Co., Ltd.

Tel: 03-6674-2314 E-mail: info@longblack.co.jp