Osaka Business Development Agency

What Osaka Business Development Agency does

Osaka Business Development Agency (公益財団法人 大阪産業局, OBDA) is a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation (公益財団法人) headquartered in Osaka, Japan, that supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, and entrepreneurs across Osaka Prefecture and the broader Kansai region. The organization operates a multi-facility platform comprising Osaka Sangyo Sozokan (Sansokan) and MEBIC (community/exhibition hub in central Osaka), MyDome Osaka (~5,000 sqm urban exhibition venue), MOBIO (manufacturing SME support in Higashi-Osaka), OIH / Osaka Innovation Hub (startup acceleration and global programs), TEQS / Software Industry Plaza (IoT, 5G and AI experimentation including the 5GXLAB verification environment and a Makers Lab with 3D printers and laser cutters), ODP / Osaka Design Promotion Plaza (creator and design incubation), and Techno Seas Izuo (urban rental factory). OBDA also serves as secretariat for two flagship consortia: the Osaka Startup Ecosystem Consortium (jointly with Kyoto and Hyogo-Kobe, designated a Cabinet Office Global Hub City since July 14, 2020) and the Osaka International Business Support Consortium (14 institutional members plus three government observers including METI Kansai, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City).

Its core capabilities span a real-world IoT/robot experimentation field at the Nanko ATC commercial complex, a 5G development and verification environment, a pre-seed acceleration program for IoT/AI startups, a 5G service-development subsidy, digital fabrication equipment, and a Yorozu Osaka free-consultation desk. Internally, OBDA is piloting an AI-based audio-streaming application for internal company newsletters (announced June 2026), running an "AI Evening School for Executives" series and generative AI business workshops (announced June–August 2026), and launching the DISCOVER MYSELF women entrepreneur support project (kickoff July 9, 2026). Revenue is generated primarily through public-interest foundation funding from Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, METI and the Cabinet Office, supplemented by fee-based overseas Business Support Desk services (¥20,000–¥30,000 per inquiry), Business Support Desk business meeting support (¥10,000/case + ¥2,500/hour), Osaka Bar Association SME legal consultations (¥5,500/30 min), facility rentals at MyDome Osaka and Sansokan, equipment investment via long-term low-interest installment sale or lease, and administration of public subsidy programs. Most SME-facing consultations, seminars and events are provided free of charge.

The go-to-market motion is multi-pronged: event-driven (high-volume seminars, workshops, pitch events including Business Plan Contest Bijicon OSAKA 2026, Package Exhibition 2026, Space Produce Exhibition 2026, and the EXPO 2025 Reborn Challenge with 432 SMEs and ~10,000 daily visitors at peak), channel-partner-driven via the 14-member International Business Support Consortium, community-led ecosystem building through the Startup Ecosystem Consortium, and field-based enterprise sales through five in-country Business Support Desks (India/Chennai, Indonesia/Jakarta, Thailand/Bangkok, Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi, Myanmar/Yangon) plus a Shanghai representative office covering East China. Operating geographies are restricted to firms headquartered in Osaka Prefecture and the Kansai Wide-Area Union for BSD services.

Name

Osaka Business Development Agency

Legal name

公益財団法人 大阪産業局 (OSAKA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY)

Website

https://obda.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Osaka Business Development Agency is a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation supporting Osaka-based SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs through eight specialized facilities, a Cabinet Office Global Hub City startup consortium, and five Asian Business Support Desks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Business Development Services

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (5511), Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114), Offices of Other Holding Companies (551112)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

SME, Microfinance & Financial Inclusion Facilities (BPADACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infrastructure & Project Finance Facilities (BPADACAG), Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program Management (BPADAOAC)

Keywords

• SME business support
• Startup incubation services
• Overseas expansion consulting
• Business incubation facilities
• Trade exhibition management

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Paid Business Support Desk Services (overseas): Fee-based services for Osaka-based SMEs including International Business Consultation (¥20,000), Trading Partner Candidate List-Up (¥30,000), On-site Business Trip Support (¥25,000 + actual costs), and Business Meeting/Online Negotiation Support (¥10,000/case + ¥2,500/hour attendance + actual translator fees). Available for firms headquartered in Osaka Prefecture and the Kansai Wide-Area Union.
2. Facility Rental (conference halls, meeting rooms, event spaces): Rental income from MyDome Osaka (approx. 5,000 sq.m. exhibition space, 6 meeting rooms, Japanese-style room and salon in central Osaka), Osaka Industry Creation Hall (Sansokan) meeting rooms and halls (open Saturdays/Sundays, parking, barrier-free, 5 min from Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station), TEQS, ODP and rental factory Techno Seas Izuo.
3. Equipment Investment Support (long-term installment sales / lease): Public scheme under which OBDA purchases machinery and equipment required for SME start-up or business innovation and provides them to SMEs via long-term, low-interest installment sale (割賦販売) or lease.
4. Subsidy Administration (5G development subsidy, etc.): OBDA administers subsidy programs (e.g., 5G utilization service development cost subsidy) on behalf of public authorities.
5. Public-interest foundation funding (Osaka Prefecture / Osaka City / METI / Cabinet Office): As a 公益財団法人 (public-interest incorporated foundation), OBDA's primary support comes from public authorities (Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, METI, Cabinet Office). It operates within public-interest programs supporting SMEs, startups and overseas expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Osaka Business Development Agency (OBDA) operates as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation providing integrated business support to Osaka-based SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs. Its core offering spans management consultation, startup acceleration (OIH pitch events, acceleration programs, OIH Global Bridge Program), overseas business support via five in-country Business Support Desks (India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar) and a Shanghai office, equipment investment financing through long-term low-interest installment sale or lease, and a network of nine physical facilities (Sansokan, MyDome Osaka, MOBIO, OIH, TEQS, ODP, MEBIC, Yorozu Osaka Support Base, Techno-Seeds Izuo) that provide rentable exhibition halls, meeting rooms, co-working spaces, and incubation offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OIH (Osaka Innovation Hub / 大阪イノベーションハブ): Innovation and startup support hub offering pitch events, acceleration programs and global startup programs themed 'From Osaka to the World'.
• MOBIO (ものづくりビジネスセンター大阪 / Monodzukuri Business Information-center Osaka)
• 大阪産業創造館 (Osaka Sangyo Sozokan)
• マイドームおおさか (Mydome Osaka)
• TEQS (ソフト産業プラザ / Software Industry Plaza)
• ODP (大阪デザイン振興プラザ / Osaka Design Plaza)
• 大阪よろず支援拠点 (Yorozu Osaka Support Center)
• テクノシーズ泉尾 (Techno Seeds Izuo)
• 大阪外国人材採用支援センター (Osaka Foreign Talent Employment Support Center)

Products and services

• Osaka Sangyo Sozokan (大阪産業創造館) OBDA's main business support hub in central Osaka's Sakaisuji-Hommachi area, offering rentable conference rooms, halls and event spaces open Saturdays and Sundays with parking and barrier-free access. Houses MEBIC (17F) and serves as the main venue for seminars, workshops, training and the Sanno-kan management consultation platform. Approximately 5-minute walk from Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station, ~20 minutes from Umeda or Namba.
• My Dome Osaka (マイドームおおさか) Urban exhibition hall in central Osaka (Honmachi-bashi, Chuo-ku) with approximately 5,000 sq.m. of exhibition space, six meeting rooms, a Japanese-style room and a salon, used for trade shows, exhibitions, business meetings, examinations and events. Houses the International Business Support Center and Yorozu Osaka Support Base on the 7F.
• MOBIO (ものづくりビジネスセンター大阪) Manufacturing-industry SME support facility in Higashi-Osaka (Creation Core), housing the MOBIO Incubate Room, permanent and themed exhibitions, and industry-academia collaboration seminars (e.g., surface treatment with Doshisha University). Serves as a hub for Osaka's manufacturing SMEs and business matching.
• OIH (Osaka Innovation Hub) Startup support platform operating pitch events connecting startups with investors and major companies, short-term acceleration programs tailored to growth stage, global startup events and overseas workshops (OIH Global Bridge Program) supporting startups expanding from Osaka to the world.
• TEQS (ソフト産業プラザ / Software Industry Plaza) Technology and software-industry support hub providing an IoT/robot technology demonstration field (ATC commercial complex, Nanko), the 5GXLAB 5G development and verification environment, a pre-seed acceleration program for IoT/AI ideas, the 5G Service Development Subsidy, and the Maker's Lab with 3D printers and laser cutters. Operates a 19-room incubator.
• ODP (大阪デザイン振興プラザ / Osaka Design Promotion Plaza) Design-industry support facility operating the ODP Incubation Office (24-hour-use office for creators within 10 years of founding with incubation-manager interviews, business presentation opportunities and expert introductions) and the ODP Designers Office (for designers/creators more than 5 years from founding).
• Techno-Seeds Izuo (テクノシーズ泉尾) Urban rental factory in Izuo, Taisho-ku, Osaka supporting entrepreneurs with technical, creative and entrepreneurial drive through well-equipped manufacturing facilities. Tenants being recruited for rooms 304 and 407 (FY2026 recruitment 2026/6/22–7/13).
• Yorozu Osaka Support Base (大阪よろず支援拠点) Free one-stop consultation desk operated as part of the national Yorozu Support Base network, providing expert advisors covering management, sales, product development, technology, financing, DX and overseas expansion. Located at My Dome Osaka 7F.
• International Business Support (国際ビジネスサポート) One-stop international business support service for Osaka SMEs covering product export/import, overseas market entry, and partner search, integrating the International Business Support Center, Shanghai Office, five Business Support Desks and the Osaka International Business Support Consortium.
• International Business Support Center (国際ビジネスサポートセンター) Dedicated consultation center for Osaka SMEs on overseas product sales/sourcing, market entry and partner search. Houses three resident coordinators plus specialist advisors in international law, M&A/receivables, IP, tax/accounting, and China (incl. Hong Kong/Taiwan). ASEAN-focused. Open 9:00–17:30.
• Business Support Desks (ビジネスサポートデスク) Five overseas business support desks operated by local expert providers with Japanese-language support covering India (Chennai), Indonesia (Jakarta), Thailand (Bangkok), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi), and Myanmar (Yangon). Four fee-based services: International Business Consultation (¥20,000), Trading Partner Candidate List-Up (¥30,000), On-site Business Trip Support (¥25,000+ actual costs), Business Meeting/Online Negotiation Support (¥10,000/case + ¥2,500/hour attendance + translator fees).
• Shanghai Office (上海事務所) OBDA's staffed office in Shanghai providing business support for Osaka-based companies in the East China region (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang), coordinating introductions to local Chinese companies, market research and information provision.
• Equipment Investment Support Program (設備投資支援プログラム)

Quantifiable outcome

• 432 SMEs/startups exhibited at EXPO 2025 Reborn Challenge
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Osaka HeadquartersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull member of the Osaka International Business Support Consortium and frequent co-organizer of OBDA seminars. JETRO Osaka has 12 resident staff, covers 54 countries / 74 offices, and provides trade investment consultation, individual SME overseas expansion support, foreign talent recruitment support, country/sector-specific seminars, and Japan Mall/Japan Street cross-border EC programs. Joint seminar examples: 'Lawyers Saw Overseas Transaction Pitfalls' (May 2023), 'Vietnam Business & Human Resources Seminar', cross-border EC seminars (July 2024).
• SME Support Japan (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Kinki HQ)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Provides overseas expansion hands-on support (free consultation for first-time overseas expansion, import/export, local subsidiary setup, regulation/certification, local tax/labor, cross-border EC), on-site consultation visits and joint seminars (e.g., July 2024 cross-border EC seminar co-hosted with OBDA and NEXI). 8 resident advisors + 300+ on-demand advisors.
• Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Provides China Business Consultation (1 resident counselor every Tuesday) and TPP11 / Japan-EU EPA consultation (2 counselors 4 days + 2 days a week). Co-organizer of EXPO 2025 Reborn Challenge program with OBDA. Responsible for China-related trade consultation, including certificate of origin issuance.
• Osaka Business Investment Center (O-BIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Promotes Osaka and supports foreign companies entering Osaka Prefecture; 3 staff including Manager and 2 coordinators; supports trilingual consultation (Japanese/English/Chinese).
• Osaka International Business Promotion Center (IBPC Osaka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Co-hosted webinar with OBDA on 'Preventing Information Leakage!' with Osaka Prefectural Police (2024).
• INPIT-KANSAI (National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training, Kinki HQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. 4 resident IP strategy experts (9:00-17:00); supports SME overseas IP activities free of charge. Co-hosted webinars on trademarks for overseas expansion (Nov 2024) and IP know-how required for overseas expansion (Feb 2024) with OBDA and JPAA Kansai.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA KansaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Provides JICA Collaboration Desk (Osaka) consultation for SMEs seeking to develop businesses addressing challenges in developing countries. Co-hosted Nigeria Business Seminar (June 2023) with OBDA.
• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) Kansai BranchcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. ~100 IP consultants in standing consultation room. Provides overseas IP activity support for SMEs, free dispatch of IP management consultants, joint webinars with INPIT-KANSAI on overseas expansion IP topics (Feb 2024, Nov 2024).
• Osaka Bar Association (SME Support Center 'Overseas Otasuke Net')coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium. Provides legal consultation on overseas contracts, foreign legal systems, risk and trouble response, and dispatches seminar lecturers on overseas trading basics and English contracts. Consultation fee ¥5,500 for first 30 min + ¥2,750 per 15 min.
• Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) Kansai Training Center (KKC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Osaka International Business Support Consortium; 12 resident staff. Co-hosted January 2025 webinar 'Key Points for Utilizing Foreign Talent' with OBDA. Provides overseas local talent training programs, foreign talent introduction, Japanese language training for foreign employees, and overseas internship programs.
• Kyoto and Hyogo-Kobe Startup Ecosystem ConsortiumsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint consortium with Kyoto and Hyogo-Kobe under Cabinet Office's Global Hub City designation (since July 14, 2020). Cross-prefectural collaboration on bio/healthcare/life sciences, manufacturing, and ICT; resource and program mutual use; joint Hack Osaka event; joint acceleration programs, global pitch events, talent cultivation, foreign startup attraction, and EXPO startup creation.
• Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) - Reborn Challenge Joint Promotion CommitteeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBDA and OCCI jointly established the 'SME and Startup Exhibition Planning Promotion Committee' (Chair: Junzo Tateno - OBDA President / OCCI Vice Chairman as of March 31, 2026) to plan and operate the Reborn Challenge at EXPO 2025 Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. Co-organized 432 SME/startup exhibition program in cooperation with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City.
• Sumitomo Corporation / Thang Long Industrial Park 2 Corporation / Thang Long Industrial Park (Vinh Phuc) CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-party agreement between Osaka Prefecture, Sumitomo Corporation, Thang Long Industrial Park 2 Corporation, Thang Long Industrial Park (Vinh Phuc) Corporation and OBDA to support Osaka-based companies entering/locating in the second and third Thang Long Industrial Parks in Vietnam.
• Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City (Government Observers)flagshipOthersOsaka Prefecture (Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor / Growth Industry Promotion Office) and Osaka City (Economic Strategy Bureau / Location Exchange Promotion Department / International Section) act as observer institutions in the Osaka International Business Support Consortium, and as principal public funders of OBDA.
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) - Kansai BureauflagshipOthersMETI Kansai Bureau serves as observer institution of the Osaka International Business Support Consortium, alongside Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City. Provides policy and supervisory oversight.
• Kyoto ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership formalized in 2020 between Osaka Startup Ecosystem Consortium (OBDA as core member) and Kyoto Consortium, with Hyogo-Kobe Consortium, under Cabinet Office Global Hub City designation.
• UJA Global Advisory Pvt. Ltd. (India BSD provider)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by OBDA to deliver in-country Business Support Desk services for Osaka-based SMEs in India (Chennai area), providing Japanese-language market research, candidate partner identification, on-site trip accompaniment and business meeting coordination.
• PT Indonesia Sogo Kenkyusho (Indonesia BSD provider)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by OBDA to deliver Business Support Desk services for Osaka-based SMEs in Indonesia (Jakarta area); Japanese-language support available.
• NC Network Co., Ltd. (Thailand and Vietnam BSD provider)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by OBDA to deliver Business Support Desk services in Thailand (Bangkok) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi); Japanese-language support available.
• JSAT Co., Ltd. (Myanmar BSD provider)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted by OBDA to deliver Business Support Desk services in Myanmar (Yangon area); Japanese-language support available.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO): National trade promotion agency covering 54 countries/74 offices with trade investment consultation, Japan Mall/EC programs and SME export support. Operates at national scale versus OBDA's Osaka-focused mandate but provides overlapping overseas expansion services that compete for the same SME clients.
• Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI): Largest regional business association in Kansai and co-organizer of EXPO 2025 Reborn Challenge with OBDA. Overlaps with OBDA on overseas trade consultation, exhibitions and SME support, but as a private member-based chamber rather than a public-interest foundation.

Others

• Startup Genome: Global startup ecosystem research and rankings provider — adjacent enabling service that benchmarks ecosystem performance, indirectly competitive with OBDA's Global Hub City positioning and ecosystem reporting functions.
• Japan Finance Corporation (JFC): Policy-based public financial institution providing SME loans (long-term operating capital, startup funds, agriculture/forestry/fisheries) — a consortium partner of OBDA but functionally overlapping on SME financing/equipment investment; not a direct competitor given OBDA's installment-sale/lease scheme structure.

Regional players

• Fukuoka City Foundation for Promotion of Industry and Trade: Public-interest foundation supporting SMEs and startups in Fukuoka via incubation, consulting, overseas expansion and startup ecosystem programs — a regional peer to OBDA in a competing startup hub city (also a Cabinet Office Global Hub City), serving a different geography.
• Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation: Public-interest corporation supporting SME/Startup ecosystem in Yokohama with incubation, overseas expansion and innovation programs — comparable to OBDA's MOBIO/OIH/TEQS facilities but serving Kanagawa Prefecture.

Direct peers

• Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion: Public-interest foundation supporting SMEs in Tokyo with consulting, incubation, equipment lease and overseas expansion services — the closest functional analogue to OBDA at the prefectural level, serving the same SME segment via a similar facility-consortium model.
• Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (SME Support Japan): National SME support agency offering free overseas expansion consultation, on-site advisor dispatch and cross-border EC seminars. A consortium member of OBDA's International Business Support Consortium and a directly overlapping service provider for Osaka SMEs.
• Aichi Prefecture SME Support Foundation (あいち産業振興機構): Prefectural public-interest foundation delivering SME consultation, startup support, incubation and overseas expansion services in Aichi — directly comparable to OBDA's mandate at the prefectural level, serving auto/auto-parts and broader SME clusters.

Emerging players

• Kyoto Startup Ecosystem Consortium (Kyoto Economic Federation): Joint Cabinet Office Global Hub City partner consortium (since July 2020) alongside Osaka Startup Ecosystem Consortium. Overlaps with OBDA's startup creation, global acceleration and cross-border pitch programs in the same Kansai region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/chiiki_obda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/osaka-business-development-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries11 records

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 Osaka Business Development Agency