Ahead of its 55th anniversary of supporting local communities, ITFOR Inc. has disclosed the establishment of a new company providing M&A and investment support for operating companies, as well as its CVC structure. It has outlined a plan to work with regional banks and local governments and dispatch presidents to investee companies in all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Founded in 1972 as Chiyoda Information Equipment, ITFOR Inc. has worked to resolve challenges faced by regional financial institutions and local governments and promote digital transformation. As it approaches its 55th anniversary next year, it established the joint venture ITFOR Growth Capital to integrate M&A and investment support for operating companies, with the company's representative scheduled to become president.
The company aims to pursue co-creation with regional banks by using its network centred on regional banks and the expertise it has developed through its track record. It plans to help address the lack of successors and resources faced by local companies by facilitating collaboration among investee companies and expanding services for local governments.
The company has already completed investments in 6 companies in approximately 1.5 years, including バカン, which provides congestion visualisation technology; Payke, which displays multilingual information; and WAmazing, which operates an e-commerce business. Going forward, it aims to roll out nationwide a model that connects its investees and business partners and establishes a president in each region.
ITFOR Inc. emphasises its commitment to contributing to local communities as a “place to turn to in times of difficulty” by strengthening its ability to provide long-term maintenance and operations and respond to regional demand.