Stayway

Stayway Inc. is a Japanese technology firm focused on unlocking the potential of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and regional economies through digital transformation. Founded in July 2017 by Atsushi Sato, the company initially began as a regional revitalization project. Through this work, it identified significant challenges SMEs faced in navigating the complex process of applying for government subsidies and grants, which led to the development of its core product, "Hojokin Cloud" (Subsidy Cloud).

The company's primary offering is a cloud-based, SaaS platform that simplifies and streamlines the entire subsidy application lifecycle for its clients, which include financial institutions, business corporations, and professional service firms. The platform provides features for information gathering, client consultation, and application support, aiming to make growth opportunities more accessible to all SMEs. Stayway has expanded its services to include "Hojokin Cloud for Bank" and "Hojokin Cloud for ESG," catering to the specific needs of financial institutions and companies pursuing environmental, social, and governance goals. Another service, "Mae-hojokin-kun," allows for the early monetization of approved subsidy receivables. The company also utilizes generative AI to accelerate the creation of application documents.

The founder and CEO, Atsushi Sato, is a graduate of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Economics and a certified public accountant with a background at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, where he was involved in IPO support. His experience in finance and consulting in Tokyo, Seattle, and Hong Kong informed his mission to address the challenges faced by regional and smaller enterprises. The company operates on a B2B subscription model for its SaaS products and also offers consulting services. Stayway has successfully raised capital to fuel its growth, securing a Series B funding round in July 2024. Key investors include Mizuho Capital, Nippon Venture Capital, and the University of Tokyo Founders Association Fund.

Keywords: subsidy management, grant application, SaaS, B2B, FinTech, GovTech, digital transformation, SME support, regional revitalization, Hojokin Cloud, financial services, consulting, ESG, generative AI, Japanese startups, business process outsourcing, data platform, Atsushi Sato, professional firm