Assist

What Assist does

Assist (株式会社アシスト) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese digital marketing agency founded on December 26, 2014, that builds, distributes, and operates online presence infrastructure for small and medium-sized businesses and small-scale local stores across Japan. Its core product is a proprietary domestic CMS ("純入国CMS") used to produce homepage and landing-page websites with built-in SEO tooling, supplemented by the InfoBiz MEO service for Google Maps and local-search optimization, an AI Blog Service (launched September 2023) for automated EAT-compliant content generation, an LLMO/AIO/GEO service for AI-driven discovery optimization, and a suite of complementary modules including original branded store apps, a QR-code Mobile Self-Order system, an Instagram marketing tool called hashfollow, video and Web Manga production, and Google Ads management. Underlying technology relies on in-house CMS and behavioral-analysis AI, with generative AI features delivered through third-party language models rather than proprietary models.

The company generates revenue through a mix of one-time production fees (website and app builds) and recurring subscriptions (MEO, AI Blog, CMS access), augmented by a business-credit installment payment product (分割払い) that doubles as a financing revenue stream. Customer acquisition runs through two parallel motions: direct sales from the Chiyoda-ku headquarters and two Nagoya offices, and a nationwide sales-agent (代理店) network with OEM white-label capabilities reaching all 47 prefectures including newly added Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa partnerships. Cumulative production stands at 80,000+ websites with 5,000+ active MEO accounts, 1,000+ apps produced annually, and 1,000+ landing pages annually.

Most recent reported revenue is ¥13.3 billion for the fiscal year ending September 2025 (up from ¥11.9 billion in FY2024), implying a run-rate in the $85–90 million USD band at current FX, served by approximately 180 employees. Assist is a privately held independent corporation led by founder-CEO Uii Kazuo (宇井和朗), with no parent, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds disclosed, and is certified as a Smart SME Supporter by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (認定番号8200) and as a White Company (ホワイト企業認定 8200) by JWS Japan.

Name

Assist

Legal name

株式会社アシスト

Website

https://assist-all.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Assist is a Tokyo-based private digital marketing agency founded in 2014 that provides proprietary CMS-based website, landing page, MEO, AI-blog, and store-app solutions to Japanese SMBs and local retailers, distributed through direct sales and a nationwide agent network, with FY2025 revenue of ¥13.3 billion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Development and Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Blogging & CMS Content Platforms (BPAMAJAG)

Keywords

• Web development services
• Digital marketing solutions
• Local SEO optimization
• Custom app development
• Landing page design

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ホームぺージ制作 (Website Production): One-time website production fees and ongoing subscription fees for CMS usage, SEO tools, and support services. Clients receive a complete website package with latest SEO implementation and long-tail keyword strategy.
2. アプリ制作 (App Development): Original store app development fees, including customer management, reservation, messaging, and promotional features. Customized apps branded with client's logo for iOS and Android.
3. MEO対策 (MEO Services): Local search optimization services including Google Business Profile management, citation building, review management, and integrated Instagram posting for local discovery.
4. LP制作 (Landing Page Production): Landing page production and subscription fees. Initial package includes 10 LP pages plus TOP page and basic pages totaling 32 pages, with SEO keyword generation and analytics tools.
5. ビジネスクレジット・分割払い (Business Credit / Installment): Business credit installment payment service for clients to afford website/app production costs in monthly installments, creating a revenue stream from financing arrangements.
6. AIブログサービス (AI Blog Subscription): Monthly AI-generated blog content subscription service with topic suggestions, article generation, and EAT-optimized writing for ongoing SEO.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Assist designs, builds, and operates digital marketing assets for Japanese small and medium-sized businesses, including full homepage creation, landing page production, local SEO/MEO optimization, AI-generated blog content, custom-branded store applications, and mobile self-ordering systems, all built on a proprietary Japanese-made CMS. The company also distributes these solutions nationwide through a recruited agent and OEM partner network, with business-credit installment payment options to lower purchase friction.

Product overview

Assist is a comprehensive digital marketing and web solutions agency that provides a full suite of online presence tools for small and medium businesses. The core offering centers on homepage creation (ホームページ制作) and landing page (LP制作) services using their proprietary CMS, supplemented by a suite of digital marketing tools including InfoBiz for MEO/local search optimization, the AI Blog Service for automated content generation, Instagram marketing tool (hashfollow), original store app development, and mobile self-ordering systems. These products work together as an integrated marketing platform: websites serve as the digital storefront, MEO/SEO tools drive local discovery, AI content tools maintain fresh publishing, and apps enable customer engagement and direct marketing. The company also offers video production, animation/manga content creation, and business credit/financing options for their tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homepage Creation (ホームページ制作) Full-service website design, build, and hosting using Assist's proprietary Japanese-made CMS, with built-in SEO tooling and long-tail keyword optimization. Clients can modify design, layout, and content without additional fees. Targeted at Japanese SMBs and local stores seeking a turnkey, professionally optimized online presence.
• InfoBiz MEO Optimization (InfoBiz・MEO対策) Map Engine Optimization (MEO) platform that helps local businesses rank prominently in Google Maps and Google Business Profile searches. Includes citation building, review management, and Instagram synchronization. Targeted at local Japanese retailers and service businesses seeking in-area customer discovery.
• AI Blog Service (AIブログサービス) AI-driven blog content subscription that analyzes a client's website, proposes relevant article topics, and generates approximately 3,000-character articles per piece with EAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) measures built in. Targeted at SMBs that lack the bandwidth or writing resources to maintain an ongoing content marketing cadence.
• Original Store App (オリジナル店舗アプリ) Custom-branded native smartphone app for iOS and Android with 24-hour reservations, customer management, mass-messaging, point/loyalty systems, and campaign announcements. Targeted at Japanese retail and service businesses seeking a branded channel for direct customer engagement, repeat visits, and loyalty.
• Mobile Self-Order System (モバイルセルフオーダー) QR-code-based mobile ordering system that lets customers order directly from their smartphones without installing an app, with automatic kitchen ticket routing. Targeted at restaurants and F&B operators seeking labor savings and faster table turnover.
• LP Production / LP Editing CMS (LP制作) Landing page design and editing CMS focused on conversion-rate optimization, with long-tail SEO keyword generation and analytics tools; initial packages include 10 LP pages plus TOP and basic pages. Targeted at SMBs running acquisition campaigns that need high-converting, search-optimized landing pages.
• hashfollow (Instagram Marketing Tool) Instagram marketing tool that maximizes account engagement and converts Instagram activity into customer acquisition for client businesses. Targeted at Japanese SMBs using or planning to use Instagram as a customer-acquisition channel.
• Video Production Service (動画制作サービス) Video production service for promotional content including regular videos, interview videos, and drone footage for websites. Targeted at SMBs that need video assets for sites, ads, and YouTube marketing.
• Web Manga Production (WEBマンガ制作) Visual storytelling production using manga and animation to convey business messages to customers. Targeted at SMBs seeking distinctive, accessible marketing content especially suited to Japanese consumer audiences.
• Google Ads Service (Google広告サービス) Paid-search campaign management on Google Ads as a turnkey service. Targeted at SMBs that need immediate lead generation through SEM, available via Assist as a Google Partner.
• LLMO Measures (LLMO対策) Next-generation optimization covering AI Optimization (AIO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), LLMO, and MEO — designed to help client content surface in AI-driven search and answer engines. Targeted at forward-looking SMBs that need visibility as search shifts beyond traditional SEO.

Quantifiable outcome

• Google review count: 1,500+ reviews at average 4.8 stars achieved for clients through branding support
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Google (Google LLC)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Official Google Partner and Google Cloud Technologies Partner. Assist leverages Google's advertising platforms and cloud infrastructure for client solutions. Listed on Google Cloud Find a Partner directory (cloud.google.com/find-a-partner/partner/infobiz).
• Yahoo! Japan (Yahoo! JAPAN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Official Yahoo! Japan Partner for advertising services. Assist provides Yahoo! Japan advertising solutions as part of its digital marketing service lineup.
• 経済産業省 (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)coreOthers · 1 January 2024Officially designated as Smart SME Supporter by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. This designation enables Assist to provide supported solutions to small and medium enterprises under government-backed programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• makeshop by GMO: GMO's Japanese SMB e-commerce platform. Overlaps in the SMB web-services space and Japanese market; comparable SMB target customer, though core offering is e-commerce rather than MEO/AI content.
• BASE (by GMO): Japan-focused e-commerce/online store platform serving SMB creators and small retailers. Adjacent SMB customer base and Japanese market focus, but skews toward e-commerce storefronts rather than Assist's website + MEO + AI content bundle.

Direct peers

• STUDIO: Japan-based no-code website design platform popular with SMBs, freelancers, and agencies. Direct competitor on the CMS/website creation front for Japanese SMBs, though it lacks Assist's bundled MEO and AI content services.
• ferret One: Japanese B2B SaaS marketing platform offering CMS, website building, MA, and lead nurturing for SMBs and mid-market. Closest direct competitor to Assist in the Japanese SMB web + marketing automation space, with overlapping CMS, SEO, and customer-acquisition tooling.
• GMO Pepabo: Japanese web services group under GMO Internet providing hosting, website builders, and domain services targeted at SMBs and creators. Comparable SMB-focused web infrastructure and CMS product surface with similar Japanese SMB customer base.
• Jimdo: European-origin DIY website builder with established Japanese presence targeting SMBs and individuals. Competes on the no-code CMS layer that Assist also emphasizes, though without Assist's services-heavy distribution model.

Regional players

• Web Effect / Web Producing agencies (segment peer): Representative Japanese SMB-focused web production and digital marketing agency. Closest peer in services-led agency model, though smaller scale and narrower product portfolio (no proprietary CMS, no AI blog, no nationwide agent network).

Broad incumbents

• Squarespace: Global website builder targeting SMBs and creatives. Comparable SMB positioning and CMS-based offering; broader brand and design-led positioning but does not localize at the depth (MEO, agent network, installment financing) that Assist does for Japan.
• GoDaddy: Global SMB web services incumbent offering domain, hosting, website builder, and marketing tools with operations in Japan. Competes broadly in the same SMB web-services category but with a self-serve, English-rooted model that does not match Assist's high-touch agent network.
• Wix.com: Global website builder with strong Japanese presence. Competes as the incumbent self-serve CMS alternative; materially broader product portfolio but less services-led, less localized for Japanese SMB workflows than Assist.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@assist_corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/assist_for_all?igsh=MzJ6bXl2YWZoc2Mz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Assist