CxOgroup

For startups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), securing seasoned leadership is often the difference between scaling successfully and hitting a wall. This is where CxOgroup steps in. Founded in July 2022, CxOgroup bridges the gap for businesses seeking high-caliber executive expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire. The company provides flexible, outsourced CFO and COO services on a time-based system, enabling firms to access strategic insight and operational acumen typically reserved for larger organizations.

CxOgroup’s model offers a unique advantage: cost-effective access to veteran leaders with proven track records. Leveraging this approach, the firm helps organizations develop and execute strategies that stabilize operations and propel them into new growth phases.

Its specialty lies in guiding companies based on its past experience to uncover potential strengths not visible in financial statements. It not only offers consulting but also ongoing support that brings an executive perspective to the table.

“Through our efforts, I want to transform Japan’s M&A market and create an environment where entrepreneurs who have exited can invest more f lexibly in the next generation of startups. By doing so, I hope to establish a vibrant investment ecosystem in Japan, similar to that of Silicon Valley,” says Yuki Mizuno, CEO.

Uncovering Hidden Strengths and Synergies

CxOgroup’s strategy goes beyond conventional metrics for valuing a business. While many consulting firms concentrate on improving a company’s financials, CxOgroup strives to unlock hidden potential in businesses. This unique perspective, grounded in years of executive-level experience, enables it to identify M&A opportunities that would create the most synergy.

For example, CxOgroup helped one of its clients, a company with 50 million yen in ordinary income and only 20 million yen in net assets, achieve a remarkable 55x valuation during an M&A transaction. In another instance, it successfully guided an insolvent company to find a buyer willing to pay 1.5 billion yen. These success stories result from a proven methodology that CxOgroup applies across diverse industries, using past experiences to shape future transactions.

“After sharing the hardships and achieving success together, the moment when we can celebrate success with our clients is when the years of effort truly pay off. That is why, instead of limiting M&A to mere transactions or brokerage services, we support our clients as partners for years, uncovering the true value of their businesses and connecting them in the best possible condition. We strive to maximize a company’s potential and uncover hidden possibilities. We polish these diamonds in the rough and deliver them to our clients. This is what I regret not being able to achieve during my time in the banking industry, and now I am committed to providing the highest value through my current experience,” says Mizuno.

This focus on creating value through synergies during M&A deals allows CxOgroup to maximize benefits for all parties involved. By providing a hands-on executive perspective that goes beyond traditional consulting, the firm supports clients at every stage—from strategic planning to execution—ensuring alignment with their long-term goals.

Training the Next Generation of Executives

CxOgroup is also focused on shaping the future of corporate leadership. Its training program for aspiring CFOs and COOs equips them with the knowledge and experience required to accompany clients as strategic leaders.

The six-month program offers access to key success factors drawn from CxOgroup’s track record. Participants gain a rare opportunity to gain insights from unpublished case studies, including the closed details of M&A deals under strict non-disclosure agreements. Graduates of the program who meet the company’s proficiency standards will even be granted the right to offer similar outsourcing services, paving the way for a new generation of executive leaders.

Long-Term Impact on Corporate Growth

CxOgroup’s approach to success goes beyond immediate financial gains. While the ultimate measure of its impact may be the exit price or stock price following a transaction, the firm also places great emphasis on tracking progress through company-specific KPIs derived from each client’s long-term goals. The interim metrics allow CxOgroup to monitor growth in real-time, adapting strategies as necessary to maximize corporate value in the long run.

CxOgroup doesn’t just rely on numbers. The feedback it receives from clients highlights increased confidence in goal-setting. Clients are empowered to set ambitious yet achievable targets based on third-party insights and fact-based milestones drawn from CxOgroup’s past success stories.

Its approach has yielded transformative results for many clients. For instance, one struggling company that had difficulty raising funds secured 100 million yen from multiple banks after partnering with CxOgroup, ultimately leading to an M&A sale worth billions of yen. Another client, a company with 800 million yen in sales and -52 million yen in ordinary income, benefited from CxOgroup’s expertise in explaining the synergies of a group integration, leading to a lucrative 1.5 billion yen M&A deal. Whether it’s an M&A, an IPO, or improving relationships with financial institutions, it ensures they align with their clients’ strategic objectives.

Under Mizuno’s leadership, CxOgroup is redefining what it means to enhance corporate value. By offering accessible executive expertise and focusing on customer success, the firm is poised to make a lasting impact on the business landscape. As it continues to expand its services and train the next generation of CFOs and COOs, CxOgroup exemplifies innovation in action.