November 11, 2021
JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.
Bloom&Co.

Growth Program for Start-up Focusing onFundraising and Marketing Strategy to Maximize Corporate Growth and Value

Official Launch of the “RAPID GROWTH PROGRAM”− With participation of 3 CVC/business firms supporting various start-ups −JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Shinichi Fuki, hereinafter “JAFCO”) andBloom&Co. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yasuhiro Yano) will officially launch agrowth program for start-ups, the “RAPID GROWTH PROGRAM.” Focusing on two main issues - “fundraising”
required for start-up growth and “growth strategy” that maximizes the return of investment of funds - theprogram offers support aimed at accelerating growth and value creation.

Bloom&Co. maximizes clients’ sales and return on investment by creating and conveying their unique values
in both theory and practice. JAFCO has partnered with Bloom&Co. to realize entrepreneurs’ aspirations andsupport formulation and execution of strategies that create new markets. The program develops and refines
growth strategies by helping start-ups in the growth stage identify their core target and unique value proposition
to maximize the return on investment of funds that they have raised.
Background behind the program
Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and dramatic societal changes, entrepreneurs are faced with achallenge to create new markets, while continuing to grow by adapting to changes in microenvironment andcustomer insights. To deliver timely and sufficient fundraising for business expansion, it is vital to create anequity story, in addition to an entrepreneur’s passion for the business, outlining customer insight-oriented
business/ growth strategies based on “qualitative insights and quantitative data” that demonstrate the businesspotential.
JAFCO and Bloom&Co. will support the “formulation and execution of a customer insight-driven businessstrategy” to accelerate business growth. JAFCO - which has supported entrepreneurs in realizing their
aspirations under its slogan “Your Closest Partner” since the time when there was no such expression as “start-

up,” - and Bloom&Co. - which supports the formulation and execution of customer insight driven businessstrategies - will jointly work to further strengthen their support for realizing entrepreneurs’ aspirations. Inlaunching this program, Orient Corporation, Daikin Industries, and Fujitsu (FUJITSU ACCELERATOR) haveexpressed their support to take part in the program. Together with these three companies, JAFCO andBloom&Co. will provide comprehensive support covering everything from fundraising to strategy execution,and commit to supporting passionate and motivated entrepreneurs in the overall start-up sector.
Program outline
1. Submit an entry to the RAPID GROWTH PROGRAM *1
2. Companies that pass the selection will receive a mentoring session from Bloom&Co. *2
3. Companies completing the session will be able to work with JAFCO and participating CVCs/ businessfirms

Advantages of the program□

Receive strategic advice on business expansion□

Develop a finance strategy for business expansion (optional)□Cooperation with participating CVCs/ business firms(optional)*1. A recommendation from JAFCO or either one of the participating CVCs/ business firms is required for submitting an entry.
*2. Selected start-up companies will not bear any expenses.

CVCs/ business firms participating in RGP (in alphabetical order)
Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Fujitsu Limited (FUJITSU ACCELERATOR)
Orient Corporation

About JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1973, JAFCO Group has always worked with leading entrepreneurs. The totalcommitments of its investment funds in Japan and overseas exceed ¥1 trillion and the cumulative number ofportfolio IPOs to date reached over 1,000. In addition to venture investment, JAFCO also carries out buyout
investment and commits to the creation of innovative technologies and services worldwide. As entrepreneurs’closest partner in bringing their visions to life, JAFCO provides support in areas of HR, marketing/ sales, andback- office operations, in addition to providing financing.
Company name

JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.

President & CEO

Shinichi Fuki

Head Office

24F Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, 1-23-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Establishment

April 5, 1973

Paid-in Capital¥33,251 million

Stock Listing

Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section

No. of Employees

132 (consolidated) (as of September 30, 2021)

URL

https://www.jafco.co.jp/english/

About Bloom & Co.
Bloom&Co. is an advisory firm that offers services across several specialties including Research, Strategy
Development, Marketing, PR, Go-to-Market, UI / UX Design, Technology and Finance. Bloom&Co. wasfounded in 2015 and has offices in Tokyo, Japan and Singapore. Since its founding, Bloom&Co. has been
supporting clients to maximize sales and return on investment through a deep understanding of customer
insights based on qualitative and quantitative data. Past clients include venture capital backed startups from
Silicon Valley and Asia, and publicly listed companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan, and has expanded
its services to support both Japan and Asia market entry and global expansion.
Company name

Bloom&Co.

President

Yasuhiro Yano

Location

Hillside terrace F-201, 18-8, Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Establishment

April 1, 2015

Websitehttps://www.bloom-and-co.com/

For more information, please contact:
JAFCO Group Co., Ltd.

pr@jafco.co.jp

Bloom&Co.

info@bloom-and-co.com

Attn: Shimizu, PR