Our Billion Ventures Leads Strategic Delisting of Lightworks
Introduction
In a remarkable move to boost human resource development in Japan, Our Billion Ventures LLC (OBV), an independent sponsor and advisory firm focused on supporting founders, has successfully led the strategic delisting of Lightworks Inc. (Ticker: 4267) from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This accomplishment was realized in collaboration with The Longreach Group (LRG), a private equity firm specialized in the Japanese market. This action marks a pivotal change for Lightworks and the broader landscape of corporate talent development in Japan.
Successful Tender Offer
The tender offer was executed at a price of ¥2,179 per share, reflecting a 68.91% premium over the average closing price for the past three months. This significant premium underscores the strong valuation placed on Lightworks's growth potential moving forward. OBV was intricately involved in the initial stages of this transaction, providing strategic support throughout the entire process. They identified hidden growth opportunities, collaborated with management to design the transaction structure, coordinated with capital partners, and devised strategies aimed at future value creation.
Insights from Key Stakeholders
Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi, co-founder of OBV, stated:
"Our mission is clear: to help founders in Japan realize the maximum potential of their companies. With the Lightworks case, we have demonstrated that a combination of strategic vision, operational expertise, and the right capital can create sustainable corporate value. We take pride in collaborating with LRG, a leading private equity firm in Japan. The fusion of digital technology and human capital is a core concern of contemporary society, and we expect Lightworks to lead talent development in Japan in the future."
Natsuo Eguchi, President of Lightworks, commented:
"For Lightworks, established over 20 years ago, this transaction marks a significant turning point toward our next stage of growth. Jonathan and the OBV team provided a very clear strategic perspective and execution capabilities. We're excited about our future growth."
Keitaro Tsuda, Partner at The Longreach Group, added:
"Lightworks has been a leading company in corporate training and LMS (Learning Management System) in Japan for over 20 years, supporting numerous major corporations through its advanced and integrated platform. We deeply appreciate the leadership provided by Jonathan and OBV in this transaction. Under President Eguchi, we will support Lightworks's next phase of growth comprehensively."
Company Profiles
About Our Billion Ventures
Our Billion Ventures is an independent sponsor and advisory firm pursuing transformational growth opportunities in Japanese companies. By closely collaborating with founders, OBV drives business reconstruction and growth strategies in areas such as B2B SaaS, corporate training, cybersecurity, and tech-enabled services.
Official website | Contact: jonathan@ourbillionventures.com (Co-founder Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi).
About Lightworks
Lightworks provides a cloud-based learning management system (LMS), e-learning content, and human capital management (HCM) systems focused primarily on Japan’s blue-chip corporations. As the demand for advanced HR systems increases, Lightworks establishes a unique position to address the growing need for talent development strategies, especially in light of Japan's accelerating digital transformation (DX) and the need for workforce reskilling.
About The Longreach Group
The Longreach Group is an independent private equity firm with offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo, concentrating on control buyout investments in industries related to Japan, including technology, consumer products, and business services. With managed capital commitments totaling around $2.7 billion through four funds, Longreach possesses a solid track record in value creation and exits for its portfolio companies. The firm comprises investment vehicles, Longreach Group Limited based in Hong Kong, and a subsidiary located in Tokyo that collects and analyzes data and information regarding the Japanese and Asian markets to support investment opportunities identified by the parent company.