Hello everyone.
First of all, did you know that there are subsidies available? Are you making good use of them?
This time, I would like to introduce how small and medium-sized enterprises can utilize subsidies.

Introduction

In recent years, the "personalization" and "inefficiency" of sales activities and customer service have become major issues, and even small and medium-sized enterprises are rapidly introducing CRM (customer relationship management) systems.
However, initial implementation and setup costs often become a hurdle.

In this situation, by taking advantage of the subsidy system implemented by the government, it is possible to significantly reduce implementation costs and smoothly proceed from CRM implementation to its operational establishment.

In this article, we will provide an easy-to-understand summary of the major subsidy programs in five countries that can be used to support CRM implementation and promote DX.

① IT introduction subsidy (IT introduction support project for improving productivity of services, etc.)

Overview

The most well-known digitalization support system implemented by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency.
We will subsidize part of the cost of introducing IT tools to improve productivity and business efficiency.

Subsidy rate: 1/2 to 4/5
Subsidy limit: 450 million yen (varies depending on the number of processes)
Eligible expenses: software, cloud service fees, installation and setup, training, maintenance costs, etc.

How to use it in CRM implementation

・Subsidies are available for the implementation costs of customer management and sales support tools (CRM/SFA)
・Integrate customer history, negotiation status, follow-up plans, and other operations to clarify productivity improvements
・By introducing CRM, numerical targets such as "reducing customer response time" and "improving closing rates" were set.

Recommended usage

By applying for CRM implementation support + CRM adoption support as a set, it is possible to prevent "CRM not being used" after the tool is introduced.

②Subsidies for Promoting Productivity Improvement in Manufacturing, Commerce, and Services (Manufacturing Subsidies)

Overview

This subsidy is part of the Productivity Revolution Promotion Project and supports the development of new services and business process innovation for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Subsidy rate: 1/2 for small and medium-sized enterprises, 2/3 for small businesses
Subsidy upper limit: up to 3,000 million yen
Eligible expenses: Equipment, system development, software implementation, outsourcing costs, etc.

How to use it in CRM implementation

・Using CRM to "restructure sales processes" and "develop new services through customer data analysis"
Example: Designing repeat sales strategies and new subscription-based products based on customer history
・By positioning CRM implementation as part of "new business creation" and "advanced investment," it becomes a target

Recommended usage

Utilizing it as a "CRM + DX Reform Project" to fundamentally reassess existing sales and customer management processes

③Subsidies for small and medium-sized enterprises to enter new businesses

Overview

This system was launched in fiscal year 2025 and supports small and medium-sized enterprises aiming to enter new markets and new fields.

Subsidy rate: Within 1/2
Subsidy upper limit: up to 9,000 million yen
Eligible expenses: system construction costs, outsourcing costs, cloud usage fees, expert expenses, etc.

How to use it in CRM implementation

・Introducing CRM and setting support targets for "strengthening sales to new customer segments" and "building new channels"
Example: Developing new markets through historical analysis of existing customers / Promoting new products with CRM + MA
・New business expansion plans clearly state the introduction of CRM as part of "establishing a foundation for collecting and utilizing customer data"

Recommended usage

Redesigning the entire sales, marketing, and service delivery process with CRM as the "core of new business development"

④ Small business growth acceleration subsidy

Overview

A new system aimed at growth-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises to support strengthening their management base, expanding their business, and expanding overseas.

Subsidy rate: 1/2
Subsidy limit: 5 million yen
Eligible expenses: Equipment, software, outsourcing costs, expert expenses, etc.

How to use it in CRM implementation

・Establish a CRM + data analysis platform to expand sales bases, expand overseas, and optimize customer strategies
・Introduced as a "growth infrastructure" that allows sales, marketing, and management to share data in real time
・Formulate plans by combining MA (marketing automation) and BI integration

Recommended usage

By clearly positioning CRM implementation as a driving force for corporate growth, the significance and ROI of the investment can be reflected in grant applications.

⑤Small and medium-sized enterprises labor saving investment subsidy

Overview

This subsidy supports investments that lead to labor-saving and automation for small and medium-sized enterprises, with the aim of addressing shortages and improving productivity.

Subsidy rate: 1/2 for small and medium-sized enterprises, 2/3 for small businesses
Subsidy limit: up to 1 million yen
Eligible expenses: IoT devices, software, system implementation costs, etc.

How to use it in CRM implementation

・Automate the "personalized" and "manual" parts of customer service and sales activities by utilizing CRM.
Example: Inquiry management, follow-up notifications, automatic collection of response history, workflow development, etc.
・Include in the plan labor-saving measures such as CRM implementation and RPA

Recommended usage

The sales and support department applied for CRM implementation as a way to "reduce workload."
The difference with the IT introduction subsidy is that it focuses on "automation and efficiency."

Taking the next step by implementing CRM with subsidies

Introducing CRM is no longer an investment only for large companies.
By taking advantage of the subsidy system provided by the government, you can promote DX while keeping initial costs down.

For a successful implementation

The key points to consider when using subsidies to implement CRM are as follows:

・Clarify your objectives: strengthening sales, customer management, new business development, labor saving, etc.
・Organize your plan before applying: which operations to improve and how to achieve results
・Select the most suitable products and services, taking into consideration running costs when selecting tools (utilizing specialized businesses)
・Do not enter into a contract or make a payment before the grant decision is made.
・Receive consistent support from application to implementation and performance reporting

We will accompany you from applying for subsidies to establishing operations

We provide one-stop services ranging from consulting on utilizing subsidies for CRM implementation to support for implementation and establishment.

・Support for preparing application forms and business plans
・Tool selection and quotation preparation
・CRM introduction/DX promotion
・Support for establishing operations and analyzing results

If you would like to take advantage of subsidies to quickly implement CRM and digital transformation, please feel free to contact us.