Integrated Support for SME Growth Investment with "Subsidies x AI" - A Consulting Company Solving SME Management Challenges through Subsidy Application Support and AI/DX Implementation Support

Key Visual

Planbase Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takashi Takei) is a management consulting firm for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with two main pillars: "Subsidy Utilization and Fundraising Support" and "AI/DX Implementation Support." As an accredited support institution certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, we provide comprehensive support for all processes, from utilizing subsidy programs to digital transformation on-site, including application document creation and post-adoption reporting procedures. Since its establishment in 2019, we have supported over 1,500 companies.

01 Subsidy Application Support

Subsidy applications require advanced specialized knowledge and extensive man-hours. Planbase positions subsidy application support as its core business, and as an accredited support institution, it consistently handles everything from requirement organization to business plan creation and post-adoption reporting procedures.

We handle a wide range of projects, from small-scale cases of 1 million yen to large subsidies of up to 5 billion yen, regardless of industry or investment scale.

Supported Subsidies (Main Examples)

▶ Large-Scale Growth Investment Subsidy (up to 5 billion yen): Supports new factory construction and large-scale equipment investment.

▶ Energy Saving Subsidy (up to 1.5 billion yen): Supports the replacement of high-efficiency equipment. Applicable from factory units to equipment units.

▶ Growth Acceleration Subsidy (up to 500 million yen): Supports large-scale investments by SMEs aiming for 10 billion yen in sales.

▶ New Business Entry/Monozukuri Subsidy (up to 90 million yen): Supports new product development and production process improvement.

▶ Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy (up to 100 million yen): Supports the introduction of specialized equipment to resolve labor shortages.

▶ Business Succession/M&A Subsidy, etc.: Supports all other types of subsidies.

Application Support Flow

STEP 1 Inquiry Initial consultation on subsidy types, equipment investment details, schedule, etc.

STEP 2 Pre-hearing/Initial Diagnosis Interview on investment details, background, challenges, and introduction objectives, followed by an initial diagnosis of the optimal subsidy.

STEP 3 Quotation/Contract Clarification of support scope and contract upon agreement.

STEP 4 Detailed Hearing In-depth interview on company strengths, products to be introduced, current business processes, and challenges.

STEP 5 Business Plan Creation/Application Creation of a strong logical plan for review. Comprehensive support including chart creation.

STEP 6 Post-Adoption Support (Optional) Consistent support from grant application to performance reporting and inspection follow-up.

Combination with Tax Incentives

In addition to utilizing subsidies, we support the SME Management Enhancement Tax System (e.g., immediate depreciation).

We collaborate with tax accountants and specialists to handle everything from organizing system requirements to creating and submitting application documents.

02 AI/DX Implementation Support

The characteristics of Planbase's AI/DX implementation support are the utilization of its proprietary AI tools and a support system that accompanies clients until on-site adoption. We address challenges such as "introduced but not used on-site" or "don't know where to start" by providing end-to-end support from strategy formulation to on-site adoption.

Proprietary AI Tool "AI Subsidy Consultant-kun"

"AI Subsidy Consultant-kun," developed and operated by Planbase, is an AI for business plan creation support that has learned from the know-how of over 1,500 successful applications. By simply inputting interview information, it automates everything from creating the outline of a business plan that meets review criteria to generating the text.

03 Main Support Achievements

Company Name/Industry

Subsidy Name

Amount Acquired

Key Points of Support

Yamazaki Shoji Unyu Co., Ltd. (Land Freight Transport)

Large-Scale Growth Investment Subsidy

Approx. 850 million yen

New logistics center. Multi-faceted appeal of 3PL service revenue plan. Accompanied through presentation review for adoption.

Saitama Kiki Co., Ltd. (Transport Equipment Manufacturing)

Large-Scale Growth Investment Subsidy

Approx. 2.5 billion yen

New factory construction. Clearly demonstrated industry structure analysis and detailed revenue calculation basis. Accompanied through presentation review for adoption.

Suzuki Shiko Co., Ltd. (Cardboard Manufacturing)

Energy Saving Investment Promotion Subsidy

Approx. 80 million yen

Proposed energy-saving subsidy as optimal over the initially considered Monozukuri subsidy. Adopted on first application.

Higa Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Awamori Manufacturing)

Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy (General Type)

Approx. 50 million yen

Precisely organized labor-saving effects and specifically showed post-introduction workflow and factory layout for adoption.

Takayasu Co., Ltd. (Resin Product Manufacturing)

Monozukuri Subsidy

Approx. 35 million yen

Provided business plan creation appealing labor-saving effects and interview review countermeasures. Adopted on first application.

04 Consultant Introduction

Our team consists of experts in subsidies, finance, legal affairs, and IT, including University of Tokyo graduates, US Certified Public Accountants, Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants, and individuals with experience in medical AI development.

Representative Director Takashi Takei

Completed Master's program at the Graduate School of Economics, University of Tokyo. US Certified Public Accountant. After engaging in consulting for large corporations and government agencies at KPMG Consulting, established Planbase in 2019. Energy Diagnosis Professional.

Director Naoki Matsumoto

Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. Co-founder of Planbase. Responsible for alliance strategies with industrial machinery manufacturers and trading companies. Proficient in domestic subsidy systems, supporting applications ranging from millions to billions of yen, primarily for manufacturing and logistics industries.

Director Takahiro Murakami

Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Administrative Scrivener. Provides support for large-scale equipment investment and energy-saving subsidy applications for manufacturing, transport, and construction industries, as well as AI-driven business application development and DX promotion.

Director Hisashi Amuro

Completed graduate studies at the University of Tokyo. After business development of medical AI platforms at M3, became independent. Led data utilization and advanced AI application development for numerous companies. Appointed Director of Planbase in 2025.

Director Shunya Suzuki

Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo. Engaged in new business and investment strategy consulting for large and medium-sized companies as an Associate Manager at Dream Incubator. Joined Planbase in 2025.

05 Company Overview

Company Name

Planbase Inc.

Representative Director

Takashi Takei

Established

November 5, 2019

Location

The Portal Iwamotocho 6F, 2-8-8 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0032

Offices

Nagoya, Osaka, Sendai (4 locations in total)

Business Activities

Subsidy application support, tax incentive support, marketing support, IT/DX/AI utilization support

Certifications

Certified Management Innovation Support Organization (Certified Support Organization) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Registered Diagnosis Organization for Regional Energy Utilization Optimization and Energy Saving Diagnosis Expansion Project

URL

https://planbase.co.jp/

06 Future Outlook

Representative Director Takashi Takei

"The business environment surrounding Japan's small and medium-sized enterprises is facing complex challenges, including chronic labor shortages due to the declining birthrate and aging population, soaring raw material and energy prices, and delays in digital transformation. Particularly in the manufacturing and logistics industries, while the need for capital investment to improve productivity and save labor is increasing, many companies are unable to secure sufficient investment capacity. In this situation, various subsidies and tax incentive systems are important means to support corporate growth investment, but due to the complexity of the systems and the sophistication of application procedures, many companies are not fully utilizing them. Planbase Inc. will further strengthen its integrated consulting, with 'fundraising support through subsidy utilization' and 'productivity improvement support through AI/DX implementation' as two wheels, to address these challenges. We will not only provide application support but also consistently support from investment decision design to post-introduction business transformation and adoption, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth of companies. Furthermore, we will promote the functional expansion of our proprietary AI tools and the sophistication of industry-specific support know-how, while further strengthening collaboration with financial institutions, tax accountants, and manufacturers to build a more effective support system. Planbase will contribute to strengthening the next-generation industrial base by unleashing the potential competitiveness of Japanese SMEs through the fusion of technology and specialized knowledge."