On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the headquarters of D-POPS GROUP, we held an event to introduce the business of SpeakBUDDY Ltd., a new addition to our group’s investment portfolio.
D-POPS GROUP completed its investment in SpeakBUDDY in December 2025.
(For more details regarding the investment, please refer to our press release.)
This presentation was organized for the CEOs and other executives of our group companies with the aim of creating business synergies and exchanging ideas for further business expansion. We were honored to welcome SpeakBUDDY’s President and CEO Tateishi and Executive Officer Morimoto, who is in charge of their corporate business.
Objectives of the Event
・Promoting Mutual Understanding: To gain a deep understanding of SpeakBUDDY’s vision and business operations.
・Developing Partnerships: To exchange information for exploring corporate client development and business collaborations.
SpeakBUDDY Business Overview
・Planning, development, and operation of “AI English Conversation SpeakBUDDY”.
・Planning and operation of the online English coaching service “CoachBUDDY”.
See their official website here.
Investment Background and Future Vision
At the beginning of the event, Advisor Sugihara, who heads our company’s Investment Committee and drives collaborative CVC developments, spoke about the context of this investment and the synergies our group expects to achieve.
Following this, SpeakBUDDY’s President Tateishi explained their company profile, the strengths of their AI English conversation app, the development of their corporate business, and their vision for the future.
One particularly memorable highlight was an episode President Tateishi shared. Apparently, he further refined SpeakBUDDY’s business strategy by drawing inspiration from the presentation given by President Goto (our CEO) at Venture Ecosystem Summit 2025, which we held in October 2025. Our group’s members in attendance were greatly inspired by SpeakBUDDY’s proactive stance of flexibly incorporating external expertise to continuously evolve their business.
Passionate Q&A with Group Companies
During the Q&A session, a wide range of ideas were exchanged, from specific corporate collaboration methods to unique utilization concepts within the HR industry.
・From a staffing company: “This English-learning app could be used not just for employee training, but as a perk to share while trying to recruit new workers.”
・From a company that centers around customer service: “In light of the recent increase in overseas customers, an attitude of trying to communicate in one’s own words—rather than relying entirely on translation devices—will directly result in higher customer satisfaction.”
These real-world insights from a frontline perspective helped everyone visualize how the service could be practically applied.
Deep Discussions at the Social Gathering
Following the presentation, a social gathering was held, and everyone crowded around President Tateishi and Executive Officer Morimoto.
The conversations were incredibly dense and productive, including the story behind President Tateishi’s founding of SpeakBUDDY, crucial aspects of improving one’s company that only business managers could discuss, and specific ideas for further collaboration.
It was a time that not only deepened our bond with SpeakBUDDY but also fostered a sense of unity across D-POPS GROUP and the entire Venture Ecosystem.
We wish to convey our sincere gratitude to President Tateishi and Executive Officer Morimoto of SpeakBUDDY, and to all the participants from D-POPS, GOOD CREW, STAR CAREER, versetal, and Faithful for making time in their busy schedules!
D-POPS GROUP will continue to strive to increase the value of our partner companies and to build stronger relationships with them.
