[FY R8] Okayama City IoT/AI/Robotics Pre-Verification Support Subsidy

①Overview: Okayama City supports city-based companies adopting IoT, AI, robotics and other advanced technologies to improve labor productivity, competitiveness, and digitalization. This 'Pre-Verification Project' specifically supports businesses conducting feasibility studies and proof-of-concepts before full IoT/AI/robotics adoption. ②Eligible Applicants: SMEs with a head office or major business site within Okayama City, conducting the project at such site; not double-receiving other national or prefectural subsidies for the same expenses; holding all required licenses; with no overdue municipal taxes; not a deemed-large enterprise, an adult-entertainment business, or having ties to organized crime. SME definitions vary by industry per Appendix 1 (manufacturing/construction/transport: capital ≤300M yen and ≤300 employees; wholesale: ≤100M and ≤100; retail: ≤50M and ≤50; service: ≤50M and ≤100; software/info-processing: ≤300M and ≤300; lodging: ≤50M and ≤200). ③Eligible Expenses & Content: (A) outsourcing/commission/consulting fees for selecting effective IoT/AI/robotics, system/device design and development, and proof-of-concept commissioning; (B) equipment/system purchases (sensors, cameras, WiFi/LPWA/RFID devices, displays, tools, software); (C) rental/lease fees; (D) raw materials; (E) shipping. For verification projects, purchased equipment quantities must be kept to the minimum needed and fully used by project end; unused leftovers are not eligible. ④Subsidy Rate, Cap, Schedule, and Application Tips: Subsidy rate 1/2; cap ¥1,500,000. Only expenses paid after the grant decision date are eligible. One grant per applicant per project per fiscal year. Applicants who complete pre-verification can apply the following year for the 'Verified Adoption' track (1/3 rate, ¥7.5M cap). Property-disposal restriction lasts 5 years after project's fiscal year end.