[Nara City] Seeking Entrepreneurs to Challenge Crowdfunding with Nara City!

Nara City is implementing an entrepreneur support project utilizing government crowdfunding*1 as part of its initiatives to revitalize the local economy and create employment. We are seeking entrepreneurs who aim to expand their businesses within Nara City and undertake new business development related to solving local issues or utilizing local resources. In FY Reiwa 8, we will offer a General Frame and a new Growth Investment Frame to support the challenges and growth of various entrepreneurs.

*1 What is Government Crowdfunding?

This refers to crowdfunding conducted by local governments utilizing the "furusato nozei" (hometown tax donation) system. It is a mechanism to solicit donations from individuals who resonate with specific projects by making the intended use of donations more concrete. As it utilizes the "furusato nozei" system, donors are eligible for donation tax deductions based on the donated amount.

1. Project Overview

This project will select eligible entrepreneurs through public recruitment. The business plans of the selected entrepreneurs will be posted on a "furusato nozei" portal site, and funds will be raised from individuals who sympathize with the projects. The entire amount of donations collected will be provided to the entrepreneurs as incentives*2. The incentives provided can be used by entrepreneurs for various purposes, such as advertising costs, material costs, or as partial funding for equipment adoption*3.

*2 If existing Nara City "furusato nozei" return gifts are utilized as return gifts for this project, the amount delivered will be reduced by an amount equivalent to 30% of the value of the return gift.

*3 In the case of the Growth Investment Frame, costs including store improvements or equipment adoption will be included.

2. Recruitment Overview

Target Businesses

Businesses that contribute to solving local issues in fields such as tourism, environment, education, and welfare.

Businesses that utilize local resources.

Businesses that contribute to local revitalization and job creation.

Target Entrepreneurs

1. General Frame

Must be individuals or businesses established for less than 10 years.

Must be aiming to expand their business by challenging new ventures.

Must be an individual business owner residing in the city or a corporation with a business office in the city.

Must be willing to implement the business even if the target donation amount is not reached.

2. Growth Investment Frame

Must be individuals or businesses established for less than 10 years.

Must be aiming to expand their business by challenging new ventures, and be implementing businesses that involve store improvements or equipment adoption.

(Note) "Store improvements or equipment adoption, etc." refers to renovation work or similar construction for stores necessary for the implementation of new businesses, or the acquisition of fixed assets. However, simple purchase of equipment or items that are not clearly conducive to business growth are excluded.

Must be an individual business owner residing in the city or a corporation with a business office in the city.

Must be willing to implement the business even if the target donation amount is not reached.

Target Donation Amount

General Frame: ¥1,000,000 - ¥1,500,000

Growth Investment Frame: ¥3,000,000 - ¥4,000,000

* The target amount will be discussed with Nara City after selection.

Donation Solicitation Period

90 days (Scheduled to start on November 2, Reiwa 8)

Application Deadline

Until August 3, Reiwa 8

For details, please visit the Nara City website.

https://www.city.nara.lg.jp/soshiki/109/118903.html

3. Benefits of Challenging Crowdfunding with Nara City

No listing fees on "furusato nozei" portal sites.

While fees may be incurred when listing on crowdfunding sites, etc., in this project, Nara City will bear the listing fees for the "furusato nozei" portal site (Furusato Choice).

Ability to utilize registered "furusato nozei" return gifts in Nara City.

As a token of gratitude for donations, existing registered "furusato nozei" return gifts in Nara City can be utilized, allowing businesses without their own original return gifts to challenge crowdfunding. It is also possible to combine with original return gifts.

Easier to gather donations by utilizing the "furusato nozei" system.

Donors are eligible for donation tax deductions based on the donated amount.

Nationwide PR for your business.

By being listed on the "furusato nozei" portal site, your business can be introduced to people nationwide. Nara City will also support donation solicitation through assistance with creating listing articles, donation solicitation flyers, and social media outreach.

4. Introduction of Entrepreneurs Who Have Challenged Government Crowdfunding in the Past

Nara's old tales performed by popular voice actors! Aiming to boost tourism by creating sacred site pilgrimages with audio dramas!

Recruitment Period: September 1, Reiwa 7 - November 30, Reiwa 7

Total Donations: ¥1,747,000 (Target: ¥1,500,000)

Ms. Funatsu from "Mahoroba Entertainment Co., Ltd." challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 7. She took on the challenge of producing an audio drama using popular voice actors, based on the "Uneme Legend" from the Heian period tale "Yamato Monogatari."

"Kore Nara Roll" Project [A New Nara Souvenir Born from Nara-zuke pickles]

Recruitment Period: September 1, Reiwa 7 - November 30, Reiwa 7

Total Donations: ¥1,531,000 (Target: ¥1,500,000)

Mr. Morimoto from "Nippon Room Service Co., Ltd." challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 7. Through crowdfunding, he aimed to create new souvenirs from Nara and further enhance Nara's appeal by developing a roll cake using Nara-zuke pickles.

Robots x You: Making Future Work Smarter.

Recruitment Period: November 1, Reiwa 6 - January 31, Reiwa 7

Total Donations: ¥1,508,000 (Target: ¥1,000,000)

Mr. Matsumoto from "Robo Design Inc." challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 6. He took on the challenge of developing a "Smart Sensing Module" that enables expanded application scenarios for robots and reduced introduction costs.

Camping with "Slightly Alcoholic!!" An outdoor brand develops a low-alcohol craft beer, a new standard for Nara!

Recruitment Period: November 10, Reiwa 5 - February 10, Reiwa 6

Total Donations: ¥1,310,000 (Target: ¥1,000,000)

Ms. Tashiro from "asuworks" challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 5. As an outdoor brand, she took on the challenge of developing a low-alcohol beer that is easy for those who dislike beer to drink and matches outdoor scenes, aiming to establish it as a new standard in Nara.

Unique to Nara! Producing "Shosoin Pattern x Nara Sarashi (linen) Long Wallet" to Revitalize the Region.

Recruitment Period: November 1, Reiwa 4 - January 29, Reiwa 5

Total Donations: ¥1,175,000 (Target: ¥1,000,000)

Ms. Tsujinojo from "HARUHINO Co., Ltd." challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 4. She produced a long wallet made of domestic cowhide, featuring a subtle Shosoin pattern on the surface and using 100% linen Nara Sarashi for the card slots, through crowdfunding.

Reduce Food Waste with Upcycled Craft Beer "SOSEINo"!

Recruitment Period: December 1, Reiwa 3 - February 28, Reiwa 4

Total Donations: ¥1,230,000 (Target: ¥1,000,000)

Mr. Ichihashi, representative of "Golden Rabbit Beer," challenged crowdfunding in Reiwa 3. He took on the challenge of reducing food waste by creating an upcycled craft beer called "SOSEINO" using the lees generated during the brewing of their homemade craft beer.

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Nara City, Industrial Policy Division

0742-34-4741

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