Kigyolog Publishes Interview with Higashi-Nippon Bank on 'Regional Finance x Startup Support' and Strengths of Non-Dilutive Debt Financing

Protostar Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hidemaro Maekawa), which holds a mission to support challengers, has published an interview article with Takashi Anazawa, leader of the Startup Support Group at The Higashi-Nippon Bank, Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Higashi-Nippon Bank"), on its startup support media platform "Kigyolog."

Article Title: 'Supporting Startups by Facing People and Realizing Missions: The Future of Regional Finance and Startup Support Envisioned by Higashi-Nippon Bank Startup Support Group'

Background and Overview of this Project Triggered by the government's '5-Year Startup Development Plan' formulated in 2022, expectations for startup support by regional financial institutions as a key to regional economic revitalization are higher than ever. Under these circumstances, Higashi-Nippon Bank, which was established in 1924 and has a history of over 100 years, established the 'Startup Support Group,' a specialized department. In this article, we interviewed Mr. Anazawa to deeply explore the background of the establishment of the specialized department, the bank's unique financing strengths, and its future prospects as it aims to become the 'main bank' for startups.

Interview Highlights ・ 'Pure Financing' to Prevent Dilution The bank provides debt financing without acquiring stock acquisition rights (warrants). This section explains why this is a major benefit for startups that want to maintain a high ownership ratio for their founders with an eye toward an IPO or M&A.

・ A Unique Support Stance Focusing on 'People' That Cannot Be Measured by Numbers Alone Mr. Anazawa spoke about the bank's unique evaluation perspective, which assesses not only business plans and financial figures but also whether the founder's vision is integrated throughout the organization down to the next layer of members.

・ Japan's Only 'Partnership Agreement on Startup Support' with Shoko Chukin Bank Higashi-Nippon Bank has concluded a partnership agreement specialized in startup support with Shoko Chukin Bank, which is the only such agreement in Japan. He reveals the entire picture of multi-faceted ecosystem support that goes beyond mere financing, such as expanding debt capacity through a two-bank structure.

About Protostar Inc. Centering on supporting challengers, the company develops various services such as 'StartupList,' a matching service between entrepreneurs and investors, and 'JP STARTUPS,' a media platform introducing and supporting Japanese startups. In addition to existing businesses such as the alliance business promoting co-creation and acceleration with startups centering on major corporations, and the entrepreneur support media 'Kigyolog,' the company has recently expanded into 'Startup M&A,' which supports M&A as a growth and exit strategy for startups. The company is equipped to support 'challengers' widely.

Address: 501 Nihonbashi Tomizawacho Bldg., 9-4 Nihonbashi Tomizawacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0006 Capital: 89,098,750 yen Establishment Date: November 30, 2016 URL: https://www.theprotostar.co/ Participating Organizations: ・ Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: J-Startup Supporters ・ Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kyushu Bureau: J-Startup KYUSHU ・ Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Tokyo Innovation Base Starting Member ・ Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Tokyo Innovation Base Partner ・ Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs: Incubation HUB Promotion Project FY2016 Adopted Business ・ Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN: Startup Angel Promotion Council (SAN) Member ・ Tsukuba Startup Ecosystem Consortium Regular Member ・ Diagonal Run Tokyo OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS ・ Japan Venture Capital Association Supporting Member