AI Storm Partners with Maaap to Enhance M&A Capabilities in Japan's Growing Market

AI Storm and Maaap Join Forces to Strengthen M&A Strategies

AI Storm, formerly known as Jecside, has officially announced a partnership agreement with Maaap, effective June 1, 2026. This collaboration comes in response to the booming M&A market in Japan, where the number of transactions is set to reach an all-time high by 2025. A significant factor in this growth is the looming 2025 business succession problem highlighted by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. With around 2.45 million small business owners aged over 70 expected to face succession issues—many with no designated successors—the demand for third-party succession M&A solutions is accelerating.

In addition, upcoming regulatory changes in the Tokyo Stock Exchange regarding listing standards will increase the market capitalization requirement for maintaining listings in the growth market from ¥4 billion to ¥10 billion, creating a pressing need for startups to consider M&A as a viable avenue for accelerated growth and restructuring.

AI Storm is strategically positioned to leverage M&A as a critical component for expanding its business portfolio and achieving non-linear growth. Through this partnership, the strengths of AI Storm in AI and digital transformation will be combined with Maaap's extensive M&A expertise, establishing a robust framework to promote M&A activities within the AI and IT sectors.

Objectives of the Partnership

The collaboration aims to leverage each company's unique strengths and expertise to enhance corporate value, create new customer opportunities, and develop M&A prospects in the AI and IT domain. The partnership will focus on three key areas:

1. Strengthening AI Storm's M&A Framework: A new M&A Promotion Office will be established within AI Storm to formulate strategies and enhance the framework for M&A activities, with Maaap providing advisory support and information.

2. Promoting M&A Advisory Services: AI Storm will launch an M&A advisory service focused on AI and IT-related businesses, including the operation of an M&A matching platform called "AI Storm M&A." Maaap will also assist in this endeavor with advisory services.

3. Cross-Selling and Upselling to Mutual Customers:
- Maaap will offer M&A consulting and advisory services to AI Storm’s existing clients.
- AI Storm will provide consulting solutions related to AI and digital transformation to Maaap's customers, including M&A support organizations like accounting firms and law offices.

CEO Toshio Imai's Remarks

Toshio Imai, the President of AI Storm, stated, "We are positioning M&A at the core of our growth strategy. As the AI industry enters a phase of rapid consolidation and specialization driven by technological advancements, we believe that integrating outstanding technologies and talents through M&A will enable us to achieve substantial, non-linear growth.

Alongside this partnership, we will establish an M&A Promotion Office to manage everything from strategy development to post-merger integration, ensuring a seamless operation. By incorporating Maaap's vast experience, which includes support for over 50 M&A transactions, we can now explore opportunities that were previously beyond our reach, ultimately aiming for a market capitalization of ¥50 billion."

About Maaap

Founded as a specialized M&A support agency, Maaap is headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and is led by CEO Renko Ketsu. The company commits to upholding national M&A support guidelines and operates a matching platform focused on connecting businesses in need of M&A services.

For more information:

- Website: Maaap

Company Overview

- Company Name: AI Storm Inc.
- Representative: Toshio Imai
- Location: 9th Floor, Eiyou Building, 3-17-11 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business Scope: AI Services, Education, Product Development, IT Consulting, and More.
- Website: AI Storm