#Our Billion Ventures #The Longreach Group #Lightworks Corp

Our Billion Ventures Pulls Off a Major Take-Private in Japan

In a remarkable development within Japan's bustling M&A landscape, Our Billion Ventures (OBV) has successfully orchestrated a strategic take-private deal involving Lightworks Corp., a leader in enterprise learning solutions. This transaction occurs amidst an unprecedented $232 billion in M&A activities in Japan during the first half of 2025, highlighting the region's growing appeal to global investors.

Our Billion Ventures, known for its founder-centric advisory services, teamed up with The Longreach Group, a private equity firm specializing in Japanese investments. This partnership was crucial in executing the deal, which showcases OBV's expertise in identifying and capitalizing on unique investment opportunities in Japan's mid-market.

The tender offer price for Lightworks shares was set at JPY 2,179 per common share, representing a remarkable 68.91% premium over the average price from the preceding three months. This premium not only validates the anticipated growth trajectory of Lightworks but also underscores the strategic valuation that OBV and its partners have placed on the company.

OBV played a pivotal role in initiating this opportunity, armed with insights into the untapped growth potential of Lightworks’ platform. The company specializes in providing cloud-based corporate learning solutions, which have become essential in the modern workforce's digital transformation journey. By collaborating closely with Lightworks' management, OBV not only structured the deal but also ensured that aligned capital partners were secured, establishing a roadmap for sustained value enhancement.

The founder-centric approach of OBV is reflective of its mission to empower Japanese entrepreneurs fully. Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi, OBV's co-founder, remarked on the transaction's implications: “Japan's mid-market is one of the most attractive yet underserved investment areas for foreign capital. Our dedication is clear—to assist Japanese founders in realizing their business's full capabilities. The Lightworks deal exemplifies how we strive to foster meaningful and lasting value by merging strategic foresight with operational acumen.” Rossi further emphasized the essential dynamics of digital and human capital transformation as pivotal in today’s corporate evolution.

The continuity in leadership post-acquisition is another critical element in this transaction. CEO Natsuo Eguchi, who founded Lightworks over two decades ago, will continue to lead the company, ensuring that its strategic vision remains intact while leveraging the new resources and insights brought in by OBV and The Longreach Group.

Eguchi expressed his enthusiasm regarding the deal’s potential, stating, “This transaction unleashes immense value and growth opportunities for the Lightworks platform. The strategic insights provided by OBV have been instrumental in shaping our pathway forward.”

The collaboration with The Longreach Group further strengthens this deal; their portfolio is renowned for successfully guiding investments in sectors such as technology and consumer services. Keitaro