WILLs

About WILLs

WILLs Inc. is a Japanese firm dedicated to enhancing corporate value for publicly listed companies by bridging the gap between them and their investors through digital investor relations (IR) solutions. The company was established on October 18, 2004, as Investor Networks, Inc. by Mitsuo Sugimoto, who currently serves as President and CEO. Sugimoto's career path reflects a strategic preparation for entrepreneurship; after graduating from Doshisha University, he accumulated extensive experience in real estate, recruitment, and notably, IR consulting at firms like Recruit Cosmos and IR Japan. This deep-seated expertise in the IR field was the catalyst for founding WILLs, with a mission to address the evolving needs of Japan's capital markets as they shifted towards direct financing. The company achieved a significant milestone by listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2019.

The firm's business model is centered on a suite of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms that facilitate investor marketing and engagement for its clients, primarily publicly traded corporations. Revenue is generated through these subscription-based services. The core offerings are designed to cater to different segments of the investment community. One key product is "IR-navi," a comprehensive IR marketing tool that provides listed companies with data on institutional investor ownership, trend analysis, and a platform for targeted information dissemination. This service helps clients manage relationships with domestic and international institutional investors. Another cornerstone is the "Premium Shareholder Club" ("Premium Yutai Club"), a platform designed to revitalize communication between companies and their individual shareholders. This service acts as a digital solution for managing shareholder benefit programs, allowing companies to offer points to shareholders who can then exchange them for a wide variety of products, including specialty items from local businesses, thereby also contributing to regional economic vitalization.

Beyond these platforms, WILLs provides critical support for modern corporate communications. The company offers services for organizing virtual shareholder meetings and online financial results briefings, which gained prominence as digital engagement became essential. Recognizing the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance criteria, WILLs also delivers sustainability solutions. This includes consulting and production services for integrated reports and ESG-related disclosures, a business segment strengthened by the merger with Alex Net, Inc. in 2018. By providing a holistic suite of digital tools, WILLs aims to improve the efficiency of capital markets, maximize corporate value for its clients, and foster a more engaged and informed relationship between companies and all classes of investors.