Akita Agri-Commerce-Industry Support Fund (Joint New Product Development Subsidy)

(1) Overview: The Akita Agri-Commerce-Industry Support Fund (FY2026) is a grant operated by the Akita Center for Business Activation. It funds partnerships between Akita-based SMEs and farming/fishery operators that jointly develop new products, expand sales channels, improve quality control, or provide new services using local agricultural, forestry and marine resources, with the goal of revitalizing the regional economy through cross-sector collaboration. (2) Eligible applicants: Two tracks are available. (a) The Agri-Commerce-Industry Cooperation track is for partnership groups of Akita SMEs and farming/fishery operators (up to three parties including individuals). (b) The Supporter Organization track is for chambers, agricultural/fishery associations, general incorporated associations or NPOs that support the activities of multiple cooperation groups. A mandatory pre-consultation (in person or via web) must be requested before applying. (3) Eligible expenses and support content: Eligible cost items include expert honoraria, travel, industrial property rights acquisition, consumables, printing, venue rental, research, outsourcing, prototyping, menu development / testing and analysis, advertising, trade-show participation, lease/rental, communication/transport, miscellaneous labor and training fees. Consumption tax is not eligible. Costs must be clearly attributable to the project and ordered, delivered, billed and paid within the implementation period stated in the grant decision. (4) Rate, ceiling, schedule, key points: The subsidy rate is up to 1/2 in principle, raised to up to 2/3 when the developed product already has a confirmed sales channel or when varieties/technologies developed by Akita Prefecture's public research institutes are used. Ceilings: up to JPY 15,000,000 in year 1 and JPY 10,000,000 in year 2 for cooperation groups; up to JPY 5,000,000 per year for supporter organizations. The project may run up to two years (a separate grant application is required each year). Pre-consultation deadline: 2026-06-16; application window: 2026-05-19 to 2026-06-30. Payment is, in principle, made after completion inspection.