FLYWHEEL, Inc. and KDDI Group forge capital business partnership towards the realization of a secure and safe data-connected society

Promoting corporate digital transformation (DX) and inter-corporate collaboration through data utilization platforms and au big data

KDDI Corporation

KDDI Digital Divergence Holdings Corporation

FLYWHEEL, Inc.

March 27,2023

-- TOKYO - On March 10, 2023, FLYWHEEL, Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naoto Yokoyama), KDDI Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Makoto Takahashi) and KDDI Digital Divergence Holdings Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akihito Fujii) signed a capital business partnership (hereinafter referred to as this partnership). KDDI and KDDI Digital Divergence will hold 15.3% and 34.8% of FLYWHEELs shares, respectively, with FLYWHEEL becoming a consolidated subsidiary of KDDI by April 3, 2023.

Through this partnership, the three companies will promote corporate DX by utilizing data, promote inter-corporate data collaboration by safely and securely connecting corporate data, and aim to support solving social issues and improving customer experience value, while striving for industrial transformation.

In this partnership, FLYWHEELs platform Conata (TM), which balances privacy protection and data utilization, and KDDIs au big data, as well as the digital technologies of KDDI Digital Divergence Groups cloud and agile development, will cooperate. Using customer data and aus big data, Conata enables reproducing a companys business as a digital twin, simulating business activities against it, and then reflecting the results of this simulation onto real-world business activities.

Background and objectives of this partnership As digitalization advances across society, companies are required to create new value and transform their businesses using data and digital technology in response to changes in the business environment. On the other hand, many companies face challenges with data utilization, such as data shortages, not knowing how to utilize data, and difficulty in continuously utilizing data for business success. Furthermore, due to the protection of personal information, there is a situation where the collaboration between internal and external data has not progressed, resulting in lack of efficiency and activation in industries and society as a whole.

KDDI Group KDDI is promoting the improvement of customer experience value through utilizing big data solutions, such as providing the KDDI Location Analyzer tool for analyzing location information and establishing a company that specializes in conducting pedestrian flow analysis. Also, under the Satellite Growth Strategy, KDDI has established KDDI Digital Divergence to strengthen digital technology and software development through collaboration with various group companies that have the necessary capabilities for promoting DX and partnerships with external companies. Through this partnership, the KDDI Group will further promote the use of corporate data, connect society not only through communication but also through data, and promote the solution of social issues and DX for companies.

FLYWHEEL FLYWHEEL is a startup specializing in data engineering. The management team and engineers, who have experience in global-level data utilization at major U.S. tech companies, use their experience and technical capabilities to realize data linkage and system implementation according to customer needs in a short period of time. By smoothly and quickly implementing the PDCA cycle of data utilization, they accompany customers in utilizing their data.

FLYWHEELs data utilization platform, Conata (TM), provides a one-stop environment for companies to utilize data and is an excellent platform that protects personal information and privacy to the fullest extent. Through this partnership, FLYWHEEL will create a world where companies can use data with peace of mind by creating a synergistic effect with the KDDI Groups big data and digital technology.

Overview of FLYWHEEL, Inc. Trade Name: FLYWHEEL, Inc.

Business: Development and provision of AI and Data service solutions

Established: February 9, 2018

Registered Place of Business: 2-5-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Naoto Yokoyama, CEO

Website:

https://www.flywheel.jp (in Japanese only)

Overview of KDDI Trade Name: KDDI CORPORATION

Business: Telecommunications business

Established: June 1, 1984

Registered Place of Business: 2-3-2 Nishishinjuku Shinjuku-Ku Tokyo

Representative: Makoto Takahashi, President and CEO

Website:

https://www.kddi.com/english/

Overview of KDDI Digital Divergence Trade Name: KDDI Digital Divergence Holdings Corporation

Business: Functions for the planning, formulation, and advancement of the business strategies of group companies in DX business, and management business of group companies

Date of Establishment: May 12, 2022

Registered Place of Business: 2-10-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Akihito Fujii, CEO

Website:

https://www.kddi-digital.com (in Japanese only)

The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.

LINK:	https://news.kddi.com/kddi/corporate/english/newsrelease/2023/03/27/66...
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