[Technology Story | Episode 3] - Farewell and New Beginnings -

As a wholly owned subsidiary of a major Niigata corporate group, we worked on commercializing the business for three years.

During that time, I was more like an office worker than an entrepreneur.

The flag that was once raised, "A Bridge of Dreams to Niigata," was also quietly lowered.

The young president was highly regarded by the group's owners and had a chance to remain as a close aide to the second-generation leadership.

Becoming an executive at a large company with 10,000 employees is a path that many people would choose without hesitation.

But he was different.

He chose "unfinished business" over stability.

"I want to perfect this technology."

After a year of service, he left the company, and I left my position as part-time technical manager and returned to my own technical consulting company.

But the story doesn't end here.

In the early days of the company's establishment in Niigata, we had a miraculous encounter.

She is the same generation as the young CEO, studied architecture at a technical university, and is a bright, talented, and proactive woman.

His blog has 300 readers. He confidently gave technical explanations in front of 50 people at a power company research institute, and is trusted by executives of major companies.

I promoted her to sales manager.

When I left Niigata, I was convinced that she had the ability to start a business, so we decided to start a company together.

The capital is 10 million yen. She has 5 million yen and I have 5 million yen.

The company name is Aqua Noel Co., Ltd.
Noel means "birth."

It was the second birth of the technology.

Immediately after its establishment, the company received a 10 million yen loan from the Japan Finance Corporation.
The business got off to a smooth start at the Tokyo headquarters, and the company secured contracts with major companies.

But fate will try again.

She got sick.

I will temporarily take over management.

Around that time, the young president decided to go independent.

He became president, and I gave him all of my shares.

As the founding president, she stepped down from management, and he began buying up the shares every year.

I took a step back and chose to work under him as a technical advisor and take charge of development.

That is not a "defeat."

By giving in, he chose to make use of his skills.

The current standard machine series was completed within this company.

Breaking up is not the end.
It was the beginning of true independence.

Technology will start moving again not when it is tied down by an organization, but when it is set free with determination.

Next time: The birth of the standard machine and the trial and error behind it.

We are looking for people to join us in creating the continuation of this story.