Addness Inc. CEO Kota Mikami Releases New Book on Entrepreneurship
Kota Mikami, the visionary CEO of Addness Inc., a global leader in generative AI innovation, has unveiled his latest book titled "The Essence of Entrepreneurship: Everything About Building a Business from Scratch to Achieving Over 1 Billion Yen in Annual Sales", set for release on February 18, 2026. This insightful book encapsulates Mikami's journey of transforming his business from ground zero to an impressive annual revenue of 2.1 billion yen within just four years, drawing lessons from personal failures and leveraging a profound understanding of human psychology as the keystone of success in business.
A Deep Dive into the Human Understanding that Fuels Growth
In a realm where many entrepreneurs focus on strategies and marketing techniques, Mikami espouses the importance of understanding the foundational sources of decision-making. He explores critical questions such as:
- - Why do hit products emerge?
- - What drives customers to make a purchase decision?
- - Why do organizations face stagnation during expansion phases?
By evaluating theories from renowned figures like Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Abraham Maslow, the book offers a structured approach to grasping customer needs. Mikami also reveals his unique "Addness Theory", shaped by six years of practical experience, which articulates previously vague "pain points" into actionable strategies that translate into revenue.
Concrete Strategies to Overcome the 0 to 1 Phase
One significant obstacle that many startups encounter is the acquisition of their initial customers. Chapter two of Mikami's book details practical approaches to overcoming this hurdle, such as:
- - Methods for market selection
- - Strategies to identify early customers
- - Order of product design
- - Techniques to enhance validation speed
Through the inclusion of his own failures, Mikami structures a reproducible process designed for entrepreneurs striving to advance from concept to reality. This guide challenges the notion of relying solely on momentum, advocating instead for a meticulously crafted approach to navigate the challenging 0 to 1 phase successfully.
Blueprint for Scaling From 3 to 300 Employees
The third chapter focuses on the indispensable "structure" necessary for business expansion. It highlights key principles that facilitated Addness Inc.'s growth from a mere trio to a robust team of over 300 individuals. Mikami identifies three foundational pillars:
- - Business design grounded in reproducibility
- - Recruitment strategies aligned with growth phases
- - Systems designed to prevent dependency on specific individuals
By sharing strategic frameworks executed during the initial four years that led to his remarkable revenue milestone of 2.1 billion yen, Mikami provides insights into scaling a business effectively.
Upon finishing this book, readers will gain a systematic understanding of how to discern the "true desires" lurking deep within their customers and create value that not only scales their business but also fosters enduring happiness. This text serves not just budding entrepreneurs, but also leaders in new ventures, executives, and anyone in the business world determined to embrace challenges. In a rapidly evolving marketplace, this book proves indispensable for grasping the essence of business.
Purchase Information
Book Details
- - Title: The Essence of Entrepreneurship: Everything About Building a Business from Scratch to Achieving Over 1 Billion Yen in Annual Sales
- - Author: Kota Mikami
- - Price: 1,980 yen (1,800 yen plus tax)
- - Release Date: February 18, 2026
- - Publisher: Addness Publishing
Table of Contents
1. The Mechanism of Human Desire and Happiness
2. Creating Initial Value
3. The Essence of Scaling a Business in Four Steps
About the Author
Kota Mikami (Born 1998) entered the University of Tokyo, where he launched his first business and later withdrew. In 2021, he founded Addness Inc., which offers reskilling education services for working adults and an AI platform for organizational management, thereby supporting the development of talent and organizations in the era of digital transformation and AI.