Sherpa Joins Impact Startup Association as Full Member to Drive Sustainability Initiatives

Sherpa & Company Joins Impact Startup Association

In a significant move towards bolstering sustainability initiatives, Sherpa & Company, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has announced its membership as a full member of the Impact Startup Association (ISA) for the fiscal year 2026. Led by CEO Atsushi Sugimoto, the company is committed to tackling social challenges and fostering sustainable growth in society.

Context and Purpose of Membership

Recent years have seen an exacerbation of climate change, human rights violations, and numerous corporate scandals, necessitating an intensified commitment to sustainability within businesses. However, the data related to corporate sustainability is often scattered across various departments, accompanied by fragmented disclosure formats and evaluation criteria. This disorganization creates an overwhelming burden for businesses when it comes to data collection, disclosure, and reporting.

Furthermore, organizations responsible for assessing corporate realities—such as evaluators, investors, and financial institutions—face difficulties in accurately evaluating sustainability information due to its unique characteristics. This gap poses a significant challenge, preventing necessary actions and appropriate capital allocation crucial for achieving a sustainable society.

Sherpa aims to create an impact by addressing these challenges through information infrastructure, aspiring to transform sustainability management from a mere initiative into a core aspect of a company’s operational framework.

About ISA

The Impact Startup Association is dedicated to constructing an ecosystem for impact startups. Their mission involves collaboration among governmental, corporate, academic, and civil society players, focusing on activities centered around “sharing,” “forming,” “advocating,” and “communicating.” By joining ISA, Sherpa intends to accelerate sustainability disclosures in Japan by participating in community events, engaging in policy advocacy, and collaborating with other member companies to expand the impact economy.

Comment from CEO Atsushi Sugimoto

Atsushi Sugimoto, CEO of Sherpa & Company, expressed his enthusiasm for joining ISA, stating, “We are thrilled to be part of this initiative. As social issues grow increasingly complex, companies are now tasked with demands for higher transparency and accountability than ever before. However, the processes of gathering, managing, and utilizing sustainability data continue to be daunting, posing barriers to transformative actions for many businesses.”

Sugimoto confirmed Sherpa's commitment to enhancing the management of sustainability data through platforms like SmartESG, which centralizes sustainability information, standardizes processes, and facilitates data-driven decision-making. He believes that elevating transparency in business practices will lead to substantial changes across supply chains. With this membership, Sherpa aims to robustly promote Japan’s impact economy in collaboration with ISA members.

About the Impact Startup Association (ISA)

Established in October 2022, the ISA focuses on creating a balanced ecosystem of impact startups addressing social challenges while pursuing sustainable growth. With new additions, including 81 new members for 2026, the total number of full members has grown to 325. ISA engages in various activities, including community formation, policy advocacy, and information dissemination, striving for a sustainable future.

For more information, visit ISA's official site.

Company Overview

- Company Name: Sherpa & Company
- CEO: Atsushi Sugimoto
- Location: 1F TERRACE SITE GOTANDA, 3-6-32 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo
- Founded: September 2019
- Capital: ¥100 million
- Business Activities: Development and provision of the sustainability information disclosure platform SmartESG, operation of the sustainability-focused media ESG Journal Japan, and consulting services via ESG Advisory.