Atlas is a consulting group specializing in the payment and financial sectors. We provide consulting and project execution support services domestically and internationally in the fields of payment, banking, securities, and insurance. Founded in January 2018, we were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in October 2022, just five years after our founding.
In conversation with the founder
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First, please introduce Atlas Technologies Inc. (hereinafter, "Atlas").
What was theきっかけ (trigger/reason) for starting the company?
I had originally decided when I was 18 that I would start a business by the time I was 37. The day after my 36th birthday, I quit my job and started Atlas.
That's impressive, keeping your word.
Actually, it's not impressive at all. I started Atlas by myself with just one used computer that I got from my previous job and 500,000 yen in capital. It was a very small start.
I see. And you achieved an IPO in just five years. What are you currently focusing on?
From our founding to our IPO, we focused on the payment sector within the FinTech field. Our future strategic initiatives can be broadly categorized into three areas. First, within the FinTech field, we will expand our service areas beyond payments to include banking, securities, and insurance, strengthening our consulting services. Second, we will expand into new solutions, business areas, and business domains. Third, we will accelerate growth through M&A and partnerships. In 2023, with the aim of strengthening our consulting base in the Asia-Pacific region and expanding our services, we welcomed Kapronasia Singapore Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based strategic consulting firm specializing in the FinTech sector, into our group.
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What are your aspirations as a leader, given this background?
Related to our group's vision, we want to realize our goal of "creating leaders who unlock the potential of people and industries." The essence of our group lies in nurturing leaders who create change both domestically and internationally, and we believe that solving management and social issues is effective in achieving this objective. Therefore, our daily business activities are centered around consulting. In this context, to create a unique identity for Atlas, I personally believe that we need to go beyond simply supporting clients from the outside as a consulting group. We need to take risks ourselves, from the perspective of various management resources such as people, goods, and money, and create a consulting platform that transcends the traditional roles and functions of consulting firms.
Does that mean you're not bound by existing business models in the consulting industry?
Yes. This is also related to why we chose "Technologies" instead of "Consulting" as our company name when we founded the company in 2018. From the very beginning, we've had a desire to pursue various possibilities that extend beyond consulting, and to create economic and social value. In the future, I hope to grow our business beyond the boundaries of consulting and even the FinTech domain.
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What steps will you take to achieve that?
I want to move back and forth between abstract and concrete ideas to find future growth potential for our business. I believe the essence of things lies not in the elements themselves, but in the interactions between them. As I mentioned earlier, by positioning our group as a "leader-developing company," we aim to attract leaders who can thrive both domestically and internationally, and to provide them with opportunities and a platform for growth. With such leaders, we believe that value creation for clients and the realization of new businesses will naturally follow. We place the utmost importance on the "people" who gather at Atlas, and we intend to reflect this in our future business outlook.
You've overcome various challenges since the company's founding. What is the most positive and memorable day for you?
Two scenarios come to mind: one inside the company and one outside. Inside, it was in February 2019, when we first rented a physical office. The office rent was 200,000 yen, and while we were anxious about the high cost, we were also thrilled to finally have our own office. I remember the time when Mr. Ogura, our second member, and I assembled the delivered office furniture.
Outside, it was securing a direct contract with a major telecommunications company. At the time, our company was very small, so it was difficult for us to even submit all the necessary documents required by large corporations. However, the person in charge at the other company made various arrangements within their own company, and we were able to successfully conclude our first prime contract. It was a very happy moment when our company's value was recognized.
You started your business in your late 30s. Have you always had confidence in your career path up to this point?
No, I didn't have confidence. However, I think it's undeniable that I never gave up on realizing the ideal state I wanted for myself and my organization, and that I moved forward with courage. In various decision-making situations, I have moved forward while facing my own anxieties every day. There is a saying that management is about working backward, and I personally strongly agree with that. It takes time to accomplish something. I believe that the most important thing before that potentially long journey is to decide on a destination and take the first step.
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How do you maintain your motivation?
As a professional who receives fees from clients, and as a business owner, I try not to bring the word "motivation" into my daily life. However, being human, I do experience moments of discouragement and lethargy. Accepting these feelings and returning to the question, "Why am I doing this now?", allows me to continue challenging myself and overcome difficulties.
How do you switch between work and personal life?
Perhaps because I'm a founding entrepreneur, I might be considered "on" in a sense, always working. I see time as life itself, and since it's something that can't be recovered, I don't think in terms of "on" or "off"; I'm always fully committed to what's in front of me.
So, what's your typical day like?
I'm a morning person, so I start work at the office a little after 7 AM. I generally dedicate the morning to decision-making, the afternoon to input, and the evening to meeting people. On weekends, I can secure focused time, so I often contemplate "important but not urgent matters in business."
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Do you have any personal goals or life goals outside of business?
My biggest goal is to live my one and only life to the fullest.
"If you lose money, you can earn it back. If you lose trust, you can regain it. But if you lose the courage to live a better life, it's as if you've lost everything." These are words I encountered during my university days, and they still resonate with me. Ultimately, what I personally want to achieve is to constantly discover new possibilities for myself and others.
Those are great words. Finally, what kind of people would you like to work with at Atlas? And what message would you like to give to those who will be working at Atlas in the future?
As a leader, I want to work with people who want to bring about creative change in the world. This isn't about specific skills like English proficiency, and age, nationality, or gender isn't important either. Even if it's not possible right now, what's important is that they have the will to pursue their ideal self through personal growth and to create a better society together. I want to continue creating Atlas as a place that people who could thrive anywhere in the world, or in any organization, will choose to stay with.
Thank you for your time today.