Investment Announcement: Accelerating Sports Tech Development with SportsTech Japan

Introduction

Apiritz is excited to announce its minority investment in SportsTech Japan, a promising startup aimed at revolutionizing the sports industry through technology. The collaboration will focus on leveraging AI coaching to bridge the gap in coaching opportunities while expanding market reach within the sports technology sector.

Rationale Behind the Investment

The decision to invest in SportsTech Japan stems from its mission to combine sports and technology to tackle disparities in coaching opportunities and enhance overall access to high-quality training. By integrating our AI capabilities, data infrastructure, and product development expertise with that of SportsTech Japan, we expect to optimize personalized coaching algorithms and enhance measurement and visualization functionalities. Additionally, this initiative aims to expand subscription-based business models within the sports sector.

The social impact of this collaboration is significant. It addresses the shortage of coaches in school athletic programs and community sports, while contributing to performance improvements and health promotion. Furthermore, we aim to foster new value creation through partnerships across academia, government, and the private sector. By providing support in both UI/UX design and engineering, we strive to enhance user experience, development speed, and product quality.

About SportsTech Japan

Founded in 2022, SportsTech Japan is a startup dedicated to shaping the future of the sports industry through the integration of sports and technology. The company aims to provide personalized coaching based on athletes' physical characteristics and conditions, utilizing AI to support scientifically grounded training and efficient skill development. By making sports accessible to individuals who may have previously felt disinterested or incapable, the company promotes a healthier lifestyle and fosters a positive perception of sports.

SportsTech Japan's commitment to ensuring equal access to high-quality coaching environments highlights its goal of eliminating disparities in sports instruction opportunities. The startup's vision aligns perfectly with Apiritz's investment strategy, emphasizing long-term social value in communities and sustainable business returns.

Comments from Leadership

Kento Kanazawa, President of SportsTech Japan:
We sincerely appreciate the investment we received from Apiritz. By merging Apiritz's development capabilities with our AI innovations, we can accelerate our sports tech initiatives powered by AI coaching. We are committed to alleviating the shortage of coaches in school and community sports, enabling everyone to enjoy high-quality sports experiences, thereby contributing to the overall advancement of the sports industry.

Junji Wada, President of Apiritz:
We are proud to announce our decision to invest in SportsTech Japan. Our focus is on addressing the shortage of coaches and disparities in coaching opportunities within school and community sports, a mission we deeply support. Through this investment and by contributing our development capabilities, we hope to bolster SportsTech Japan's vision and promote lasting contributions to society and mutual growth.

Company Overview

- Company Name: SportsTech Japan Co., Ltd.
- CEO: Kento Kanazawa
- Address: 3F, R Cube Aoyama, 1-3-1 Kita Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Established: July 2022
- Capital: ¥2,999,999 (including capital reserve)
- Planned Business Revenue: ¥20,020,000
- Investment Amount from Apiritz: Below the threshold for equity method application (the share ratio will remain undisclosed upon request from SportsTech Japan)

Conclusion

The partnership between Apiritz and SportsTech Japan reflects a strategic move towards enhancing the sports tech landscape. By focusing on social impact and equitable access to coaching, both companies are committed to fostering growth that benefits individuals and communities alike, paving the way for a brighter future in the sports sector.