Suita City SME Digitalization Promotion Subsidy

1) Overview: The Suita City SME Digitalization Promotion Subsidy (FY Reiwa 8) supports small and medium enterprises within Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, undertaking in-house digitalization with expert support, to improve productivity and business continuity. Applicants must first receive an IT consultation from an SME diagnostician dispatched by the city. The subsidy is limited to one award per business. 2) Eligibility: Eligible applicants are SMEs (including sole proprietors) as defined by the SME Basic Act, with a principal place of business in Suita City, at least one year of operating history after founding, and no municipal tax delinquency or unfiled returns. So-called "deemed large enterprises" effectively managed by large companies, businesses falling under entertainment business regulation law clauses, and parties subject to the Osaka Prefecture Anti-Organized Crime Ordinance are excluded. 3) Eligible Expenses: Covered expenses include (i) software purchase, (ii) outsourcing fees for information system construction or modification, (iii) cloud system/software usage fees (up to one year from start), (iv) hardware needed to introduce the above, and (v) initial setup, instruction, and support fees. Advertising-only projects, mere maintenance or expansion, projects already funded by other subsidies, and new-business or business-model transitions are not eligible. 4) Rate, Cap, Schedule, Key Points: The subsidy rate is up to one-half of eligible expenses, capped at 200,000 yen (amounts under 1,000 yen rounded down). The application deadline is within one year after the final IT consultation. Project completion must occur by March 31, 2027 (Wed). Required forms (No.1 to No.3), registry/opening notice, tax certificate, and quotation must be submitted by email or registered mail. Procurement must occur after the grant decision.