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Digital Garage Group Invests in AGE technologies, Engaging in DX of Inheritance Procedures through Operating “So-zo-ku.com”
Supporting DX for Japan’s Super-aged Society Across the Group
Group companies of the DG Group, centered on Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE first section: 4819; HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG), DG Ventures, Inc. (HQ: Tokyo, Representative Director, Chairman, and CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG Ventures) and Kakaku.com, Inc. (TSE first section: 2371; HQ: Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Shonosuke Hata) have invested in AGE technologies, Inc. (HQ: Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuta Shiobara; AGE technologies), which works to achieve DX for inheritance procedures. AGE technologies has raised a total of 200 million yen through this third-party allocation of shares.
With a population aging rate of over 28%, Japan is becoming a “super-aged” society requiring measures related to medical care, welfare, etc. Inheritance-related issues are also increasing in severity every year. In particular, it is said that 20% of the total land plots throughout Japan have no known owner due to procedural issues. Based on this, in April 2021, the National Diet passed the Land with Unclear Owners Act that makes the registration of inheritors mandatory.
AGE technologies is a startup that strives to resolve inheritance procedure-related issues through DX. With the aim of optimizing complex inheritance processes, it offers “So-zo-ku.com,” a platform where users can complete the required procedures entirely online. Based on its mission of “Using technology to revolutionize our aging society,” AGE technologies plans to offer services in the inheritance field (including real estate inheritance, bank account name changes, inheritance tax filing, and will preparation) while also expanding its business into other related fields.
Through Open Network Lab, Japan’s first accelerator program operated by DG, the DG Group has been supporting over 100 startups including AGE technologies. Through the support from Open Network Lab and the capital alliance with DG, AGE technologies will utilize DG’s customer base and expertise to collaborate with businesses in the end-of-life care field; offer services to optimize bank, local government, and other procedures; and carry out joint business development between the DG Group and AGE technologies. In addition, DG plans to support the operation of AGE technologies’ owned media and the strengthening of marketing measures through Kakaku.com. Further, DG Ventures Director Masahiko Maekawa will become AGE technologies’ outside director to enhance the 2 companies’ collaboration.
DG is implementing the DG FinTech Shift, a group strategy that integrates payments and data. Going forward, DG will continue creating next-generation businesses across the group and implementing co-creation with stakeholders—focused on the payment business—to contribute to a sustainable society.
“At present, administrative procedures in Japan are not highly convenient due to the lack of online accessibility, and various issues have been highlighted from the users’ perspective. AGE technologies’ efforts to solve issues around inheritance are in line with the government’s policy of promoting online administrative procedures and the public-private sector’s joint efforts to promote DX. DG will continue to contribute to society through collaboration with various startups and partners that promote DX in Japan.” (DG President Executive Officer and Group CEO Kaoru Hayashi)
“The DG Group has supported us since we first joined the Open Network Lab accelerator program in our early stage. As Japan is rapidly becoming a super-aged society, we will leverage this support to use our inheritance procedure-related business as a foundation for further growth by taking on social issues in the AgeTech field.” (AGE technologies President and CEO Yuta Shiobara)
【About AGE technologies, Inc.】
Company name: AGE technologies, Inc. (Formerly Marc.on,inc)
Established: March 20, 2018
Representative: President and CEO Yuta Shiobara
HQ: Room B02, Hiei Kudan Building, 3-8-11 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://age-technologies.co.jp/