AI Storm Co., Ltd. (formerly Jexeed Co., Ltd., headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Toshio Imai; Securities Code: 3719) announces the full launch today of its M&A matching platform "AI Storm M&A" (https://ai-storm-ma.com/). "AI Storm M&A" is a service that matches companies seeking to transfer ownership of their businesses with those seeking to acquire, focusing primarily on AI and IT-related businesses. This service marks a new step forward in advancing M&A as a core component of the company's growth strategy. ◆ Background for Launching the Service In Japan, aging business owners and a lack of successors are progressing simultaneously, creating what is known as the "2025 business succession problem"—a challenge extending beyond individual companies to society as a whole. According to estimates by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, by 2025, approximately 2.45 million small and medium enterprise owners will be over 70 years old, with about half expected to lack identified successors. (Source: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency). Many profitable companies are being forced to close due to the absence of successors, resulting in the loss of long-developed technologies, talent, and employment—a significant loss to Japan's economy. Under these circumstances, succession to third parties—rather than business closure—has become a more realistic option, increasing the importance of systems that effectively connect companies seeking to transfer their businesses with those capable of inheriting and growing them. Leveraging expertise gained through supporting business transformation via AI and DX, the company will provide a new platform to address this challenge. ◆ Overview of the M&A Matching Platform "AI Storm M&A" "AI Storm M&A" is a matching platform that connects companies seeking to sell (transferors) with those seeking to acquire (transferees) through a digital system, enabling efficient identification of potential partners that meet each party's desir