Hokkaido's "New Product Trial System" calls for businesses developing new fields

Hokkaido implements a New Product Trial System every year in which the Governor certifies new products and services developed by small and medium-sized enterprises in the prefecture, with the aim of securing and expanding order opportunities and expanding sales channels for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Products certified under this system will be listed on a registration list for specific discretionary contracts for three years and Hokkaido government agencies will endeavor to purchase them. For fiscal year 2024, we are accepting certification applications as follows.
　
　詳細については、以下よりご確認いただくとともに、ご不明点がございましたら、北海道経済部地域経済局中小企業課小規模企業係（011-206-0494）までお問い合わせください。

September 2nd (Monday) to November 15th (Friday), 2024

Anyone who meets any of the following criteria is eligible to apply (please see the Hokkaido website for details).
(1) The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise or other entity located in Hokkaido.
(2) The person is responsible for producing new products within Hokkaido.
(3) A person who is not in arrears with prefectural taxes, consumption taxes, and local consumption taxes.

A product or service that is highly innovative and contributes to the advancement of technology, improvement of business efficiency, or improvement of residents' lives, and meets all of the following requirements (excerpts) (please see the Hokkaido website for details).
(1) At the time of application, the product must already be on sale in Hokkaido and not more than five years must have passed since its launch.
(2) The purchase is expected to be made by a prefectural government agency within the next three years.
(3) Comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding the new product or service.

(1) The prefecture will endeavor to purchase new products and services by utilizing the discretionary contract system, etc., taking into consideration the required functions, quantities, prices, budgets, etc.
◆ Purchase history (example)
・ Chair-type stretcher (a stretcher in which the frame that makes up the seat and backrest is folded to form a chair)
- Antibacterial filters (filters with the function of suppressing the growth of bacteria), etc.
◆ Certification record
・ Herbal carpet (a rolled mat with herbs densely planted)
・ Glexa (an e-learning system for educational institutions that strongly emphasizes the effectiveness of face-to-face learning), etc.

(2) Premium Package Program for Awarded Companies (Support after Certification)
The prefecture supports the efforts of companies that have received awards and promotes their products in order to help them take the next step, such as increasing awareness and expanding their sales channels.
・ The winning technologies and products will be promoted at the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Public Relations Corner on the first floor of the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Building.
・ Low-interest loans will be provided under the "Policy Support" framework of the Hokkaido Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Fund (use of funds: business funds, loan amount: 100 million yen)

For each new product or service, please submit one copy of the application form to the Small Business Section, Small and Medium Enterprise Division, Regional Economic Bureau, Economic Department, Hokkaido Prefectural Government.
Application forms (application for certification, plan) are available on the Hokkaido government's website: https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kz/csk/sanshin/trial/164881.html

◆ List of application documents (please attach one copy of each)
・Certification application form, implementation plan
・Articles of incorporation (or juminhyo (certificate of residence) for individuals)
・Financial statements including balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the last two fiscal years
・Proof that you have not defaulted on prefectural tax, consumption tax, or local consumption tax (for the past year)
・Materials related to new products, etc. (catalogs, photos, presentation materials, etc.)

Hokkaido Economic Department, Regional Economic Bureau, Small and Medium Enterprise Division
Address: Sapporo City, Chuo Ward, Kita 3-jo Nishi 6-chome
電話　：011-206-0494
Email: keizai.chushokigyo☆pref.hokkaido.lg.jp
(Please convert ☆ to @)