Ask Project

What Ask Project does

Ask Project (株式会社ASKプロジェクト) is a privately held Japanese IT firm incorporated in 2014 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kimura Information Technology, headquartered in Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture. The company operates with a lean team of six staff plus four directors and is registered with ¥6,000,000 in capital. Its origins trace to a 2012 student group at Ariake National College of Technology, and the firm maintains a formal three-party research collaboration with the college and its parent company through the ASK Innovation Lab opened in 2021.

The company builds and sells AI-powered systems, data analytics, and educational technology, with two flagship products: ASK AICE, an on-premises-capable natural language classification engine for chatbots with industry-specific corpus customization; and CIRCUIT DESIGNER, a patented metaverse-based shooting game for teaching semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturing processes. Beyond packaged products, Ask Project delivers custom AI development (NLP, computer vision, predictive analytics), time-series forecasting, computer system development and maintenance, and business training seminars including the Absolute Achievement Management Course and Process Management University Ariake Campus. The firm also operates community-facing e-sports and music experience facilities (ASK e-Sports parK, ザーボの音楽ラボ) that double as brand anchors.

Revenue is generated through a mix of project-based AI and system development contracts (Saga Prefecture government, private universities, manufacturers), subscription licensing for CIRCUIT DESIGNER (¥1,000/day to ¥100,000/year academic tiers; custom enterprise terms), education seminar fees, and SMB web production. Distribution is domestic-only and primarily inquiry-driven through the company website, supported by earned media coverage in major Japanese newspapers (Nikkei, Asahi, Yomiuri) and community engagement through its physical facilities in Omuta.

Name

Ask Project

Legal name

株式会社ASKプロジェクト

Website

https://ask-project.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ask Project is a small Japanese IT firm that develops AI systems (notably the on-premises ASK AICE chatbot engine), the patented CIRCUIT DESIGNER semiconductor education game, and bespoke data analysis and system development services for government, education, enterprise, and local SMB clients in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Software & IT Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conversational AI Platforms (chat/voice bots, orchestration) (HDAAAFAC), AI Application Enablement Platforms (Copilot/Agent Frameworks, SDKs) (HDAEANAJ)

Keywords

• AI system development
• Chatbot engine software
• Data analysis services
• Semiconductor education tools
• Computer system development

Headquarters

HQ city

Omuta

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AI System Development: Custom development of AI-powered systems including chatbots, natural language classification engines (ASK AICE), and AI image recognition systems. Revenue is project-based, likely one-time with potential for ongoing maintenance contracts.
2. Data Analysis Services: Time-series data analysis and prediction services for enterprise clients, including power demand forecasting, prescription volume prediction, and parts counting via AI image recognition. Billed per project or engagement.
3. CIRCUIT DESIGNER Software Licensing: Metaverse-based semiconductor education software sold as per-license subscriptions (daily, monthly, annual plans). 1PC per license. Primarily targets academic institutions. Enterprise pricing available upon inquiry.
4. Human Resources Development Education: Business seminars including the 'Absolute Achievement Management Course' and 'Process Management University Ariake Campus', which trains sales managers and professionals. Operated in partnership with external educational institutions.
5. Computer System Development and Management: Computer system development, operation, and maintenance services for enterprise and government clients.
6. Website and DTP Production: Website planning, creation, and desktop publishing services for local businesses and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ASK Project develops and sells AI-powered software products and custom IT services, with two flagship offerings: CIRCUIT DESIGNER, a patented metaverse-based educational tool that lets users experience semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturing processes in a virtual shooting-game environment; and ASK AICE, an on-premises-capable natural language classification AI engine for chatbots with industry-specific corpus customization. The company also provides custom AI development, time-series data analysis and predictive modeling, general computer system development and maintenance, website production, and human resource development seminars.

Product overview

Ask Project is an IT services company offering a portfolio of AI-powered products and educational technology solutions. The core product lineup includes CIRCUIT DESIGNER, a metaverse-based semiconductor manufacturing training tool, and ASK AICE, an on-premises compatible natural language classification AI engine for chatbots. Beyond these flagship products, the company provides AI development services (natural language classification, image inspection, predictive analytics), data analysis services, system development, and human resource development programs including the Absolute Achievement Management Seminar and Process Management University. The company also operates e-sports and music experience facilities, positioning itself as a comprehensive technology partner for digital transformation initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASK AICE: Natural language classification AI engine — an on-premise or cloud-compatible chatbot engine with customizable industry-specific corpus for automated customer support.
• CIRCUIT DESIGNER
• HowMuch
• ASKイノベーションラボ

Products and services

• CIRCUIT DESIGNER A metaverse-based educational software tool that allows users to learn semiconductor and integrated circuit design and manufacturing processes through a shooting game format. Developed in collaboration with Professor Yohei Ishikawa of Ariake National College of Technology. Patent registered (Patent No. 7333036). Sold as per-license subscriptions (1-day, monthly, annual plans) primarily to academic institutions, with enterprise plans available via inquiry.
• ASK AICE (自然言語分類AIエンジン) On-premises compatible natural language classification AI engine for chatbot applications. Supports both on-premises server deployment (keeping learning data internal) and cloud deployment. Industry-specific corpus customization enables domain-specialized chat engines tailored to each client's terminology. Targets enterprise and government clients with data security requirements.
• AI Development Services (AI開発実績) Custom AI development services including natural language classification engines, AI image inspection for manufacturing quality control, and predictive analytics for pharmaceutical and power grid applications. Project-based engagements for enterprise and government clients.
• Data Analysis Services (データ分析) Time-series data analysis and prediction services for enterprise clients, including power demand forecasting, prescription volume prediction, and parts counting via AI image recognition. Specializes in extracting value from dark data and providing actionable insights. Billed per project or engagement.
• System Development (システム開発) Computer system development, operation, and maintenance services including database systems and application software development for enterprise and government clients. Includes website planning, creation, and desktop publishing for local businesses.
• Absolute Achievement Management Seminar (絶対達成マネジメント講座) Human resource development program teaching business skills and mindset for achieving goals, targeting students and young professionals to develop communication and professional capabilities.
• Process Management University Ariake Campus (プロセスマネジメント大学 有明校) Business school program focused on process management, marketing, and solution sales for sales managers. Operated in partnership with external educational institutions; the company CEO serves as campus director.

Quantifiable outcome

• CIRCUIT DESIGNER enables learners to experience semiconductor manufacturing processes interactively in a metaverse environment, making abstract engineering concepts tangible.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• 有明工業高等専門学校 (Ariake National College of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2021Three-party partnership with Ariake National College of Technology and Kimura Information Technology to establish the ASK Innovation Lab (ASKイノベーションラボ), a matching laboratory inside the college. This is a flagship collaboration: the first of its kind at the college, with dedicated shared research rooms where faculty/student groups and external engineers collaborate on long-term projects. The lab focuses on game-based AI development, semiconductor education tools (CIRCUIT DESIGNER), and agriculture applications. Professor Yohei Ishikawa of Ariake NCOE leads 'Circuit Design Education' research. ASK Project developed CIRCUIT DESIGNER based on this partnership, holding a patent (No. 7333036).
• 木村情報技術株式会社 (Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the three parties in the ASK Innovation Lab partnership alongside ASK Project and Ariake National College of Technology. Contributes engineers to the lab, with at least one engineer appointed as a visiting professor (客員教授) at the college.
• 石川洋平教授 (Professor Yohei Ishikawa, Ariake NCOE)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Yohei Ishikawa coined the term 'Circuit Design Education' to promote early, multi-generational education in semiconductors and integrated circuits. He is the academic originator of the CIRCUIT DESIGNER concept and holds Patent No. 7333036. His laboratory (石川研究室) initiated the collaborative research that formed ASK Project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ObjectMix: ObjectMix provides conversational AI and chatbot solutions to Japanese enterprises and government agencies, with emphasis on customizable NLP engines. It is a direct competitor to ASK Project in the Japanese enterprise chatbot market, particularly for clients requiring domain-specific corpus tuning.
• ZEALS: ZEALS is a Japanese conversational AI platform company offering chatbot solutions for marketing and customer service. Its chatbot product competes with ASK AICE in the Japanese enterprise market and shares a focus on conversational AI infrastructure.
• ALBERT: ALBERT is a Tokyo-listed data science and AI solution provider offering analytics consulting and custom ML development to Japanese enterprises. Like ASK Project, it focuses on bespoke AI/ML engineering projects and time-series analytics for clients, sharing a similar services-led business model.
• AI inside: AI inside is a Japanese AI company providing AI-OCR and enterprise AI products with on-premises deployment options. Its productized AI platform approach and emphasis on air-gapped installation for security-conscious Japanese enterprises makes it a direct comparable to ASK Project's ASK AICE on-premises NLP engine.
• PKSHA Technology: PKSHA Technology is a leading Japanese conversational AI and NLP platform company, offering natural language processing engines and chatbot solutions to enterprises. It is a direct comparison point for ASK Project's ASK AICE on-premises NLP chatbot engine, sharing the same fundamental product category, customer base, and Japanese market focus.
• Rist: Rist is a Japanese AI consulting and engineering firm specializing in deep learning, computer vision, and custom ML solutions for enterprise clients. Its focus on AI image inspection and bespoke model development closely mirrors ASK Project's AI image recognition (parts counting) and LSTM-based forecasting services.

Broad incumbents

• Benesse: Benesse is a major Japanese education and edtech company offering K-12 and lifelong learning products. While not focused on semiconductor or technical education, it represents a broad incumbent comparable to ASK Project's CIRCUIT DESIGNER educational simulation product in terms of educational technology market and Japanese edtech distribution.
• NTT Data: NTT Data is one of Japan's largest IT services providers, offering AI solutions, system integration, and consulting to enterprise and government clients. As a broad incumbent with significant AI capabilities, it competes with ASK Project for enterprise AI development contracts, particularly in government.
• Fujitsu: Fujitsu is a major Japanese IT services conglomerate offering enterprise AI, system integration, and consulting across all verticals. It competes broadly with ASK Project's AI system development and data analysis services but at much greater scale and scope.

Regional players

• Fusic: Fusic is a Fukuoka-based IT services and AI development firm specializing in cloud, ML, and AI solutions for regional Japanese clients. As a fellow Kyushu-based AI services company, it competes for the same regional talent pool and customer base, making it a strong geographic and operational peer to ASK Project.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Ask Project