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Iridge Inc.'s Vision for 2026: Co-Creating Meaningful App Experiences in the Age of AI

As we welcome the New Year, Iridge Inc. extends warm greetings to everyone. We are grateful for your continued support throughout the past year.

The year 2025 witnessed significant changes in digital services, primarily driven by the rapid adoption of generative AI. The way we search for and purchase information underwent a transformation, prompting a renewed inquiry into the fundamental purpose of smartphone applications. In this context, Iridge views this transformation as an opportunity to highlight our commitment to creating deeply rooted app experiences that enrich people's lives.

Moving into 2026, our goal is to adapt to these environmental changes by focusing on three strategic pillars as a leading company in the app business:

1. Pursuing App Experiences Rooted in Daily Life

Despite the rise of AI, the value of applications that provide real-life experiences remains unchanged. For instance, while AI may handle information searches, in-person transactions and personalized experiences tied to location and time will continue to thrive as essential app functions that cater to human behavior. Iridge is dedicated to evolving our long-standing expertise in integrating apps into daily life, enriching purchasing experiences and enhancing everyday interactions through innovative applications.

2. Broadening the Scope from Consumer Experience (CX) to Employee Experience (EX)

Our app business is expanding beyond consumer-oriented applications to focus significantly on enhancing employee experiences. Notably, in 2025, our collaboration with Dip Inc. on the “Baitoru Talk” application experienced remarkable growth, demonstrating how apps can efficiently streamline workplace productivity and positively influence the experiences of employees.

Research indicates that fewer than 30% of companies have adopted employee-oriented apps, signaling a growing market opportunity. Despite the significant role of work in people's lives, the potential for enhancing the experience of working is often overlooked. Iridge aims to bring forth new, enriching, and convenient experiences that emphasize the value of human involvement in the workplace.

3. Collaborating as a Tech & Innovation Partner in the AI Era

To convert the challenges brought about by AI into opportunities, we plan to expand our collaboration with HAKUHODO BRIDGE, our joint venture with Hakuhodo Inc. Our involvement will extend beyond mere application development; we intend to fuse our knowledge of AI technologies with our expertise in app adoption. This way, we become deeply engaged in the initial phases of conceptualizing new business models and user experiences, aiming to accelerate growth for businesses.

As we enter the final year of our mid-term management plan for 2027, we strive to reinforce our theme of being a