The Credit Guarantee Association

What The Credit Guarantee Association does

The Aichi Credit Guarantee Association (愛知県信用保証協会) is a public credit guarantee institution established under Japan's Credit Guarantee Association Act (信用保証協会法, 1948) and headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Its core function is statutory: it acts as public guarantor for small and medium enterprises and small-scale business operators obtaining loans from financial institutions, smoothing borrower access to bank financing. The product surface consists of 12+ guarantee programs — including Credit Guarantee, Startup Support Fund, Small-Scale Enterprise Guarantee, Borrowing Limit Guarantee, Equipment Investment Guarantee, Large-Scale Financing, Bond Issuance, Cash Flow Stabilization, Management Improvement, Business Succession, and Disaster Response — with maximum guarantee limits of ¥280 million for typical SMEs (¥480 million for cooperatives). It is supported by online simulation tools (Guarantee Premium Simulation, Repayment Date Simulation) and a Group Credit Life Insurance scheme (保証協会団体信用生命保険制度). Distribution flows through three channels: direct counters at headquarters plus Nishimikawa and Higashimikawa branches, partner financial institutions across Aichi (banks, credit unions, credit associations, JA, Shoko Kumiai Chuo Kinko), and referrals via municipalities/chambers of commerce, with Saturday consultation windows and a fee-only billing model.

The association operates as a not-for-profit public entity under government oversight by the competent minister and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, in coordination with Aichi Prefecture, the National Association of Credit Guarantee Corporations, Japan Finance Corporation, and other regional SME support bodies. Beyond guarantee issuance, it provides an extensive management-support stack (経営支援サービス): expert dispatch, business improvement planning, McSS business diagnosis, the Local Benchmark formulation team 'Ivy', business succession desk, cash-flow support, and specialized desks such as the Startup Support Desk for technology-driven ventures and the IRIS Women's Manager Support Team. Marketing and outreach span pamphlets, the official website, a YouTube channel, an FM AICHI 'GLOBAL R-CHANNEL' partnership, and Twitter/X (@aichiguarantee). Revenue mechanics are based on guarantee fees only — no application, mediation, or upfront fees — supplemented by public funding; revenue is not publicly disclosed and is reported through government mechanisms rather than direct publication.

Name

The Credit Guarantee Association

Legal name

愛知県信用保証協会

Website

https://cgc-aichi.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Aichi Credit Guarantee Association (愛知県信用保証協会) is a public statutory credit guarantee institution under Japan's Credit Guarantee Association Act, headquartered in Nagoya, that acts as guarantor for SMEs and small-scale businesses obtaining loans from financial institutions across Aichi Prefecture, while also providing management support and advisory services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Credit Guarantee Services

NAICS

Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation (52229)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Mortgage Insurance & Government Credit Guarantee Programs (FSALAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

SME Lending Platforms & Embedded SME Credit (FSAKAGAJ)

Keywords

• Credit guarantee services
• SME loan guarantees
• Public credit institution
• Business financing support
• Guarantee association

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 信用保証料 (Guarantee Fees): Revenue is generated through guarantee fees charged to borrowers for providing credit guarantee services. The association acts as a public guarantor for SMEs obtaining loans from financial institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Aichi Credit Guarantee Association is a public credit guarantee institution under the Credit Guarantee Association Act that serves as guarantor when small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small-scale business operators in Aichi Prefecture borrow funds from financial institutions, facilitating smoother access to financing. It offers a portfolio of guarantee programs — including startup support, equipment investment, large-scale financing, bond issuance, cash flow stabilization, management improvement, business succession, and disaster response guarantees — alongside management support services such as the Startup Support Desk, Women's Manager Support Team IRIS, and Business Succession Support Desk. Revenue is generated through guarantee fees, with no application form fees, mediation fees, or gratuities required.

Product overview

The Credit Guarantee Association (愛知県信用保証協会) is a public institution providing credit guarantee services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Aichi Prefecture. The organization operates as a unified platform offering core credit guarantee products including startup support guarantees, working capital guarantees, equipment investment financing, and business succession support. The portfolio encompasses 12+ guarantee programs ranging from general credit guarantees to specialized systems for startups, small-scale businesses, disaster response, and bond issuance. Supporting the guarantee services, the association provides digital tools including guarantee premium simulation and repayment date simulation calculators. Specialized support services include the Startup Support Desk for technology-based ventures, the Women's Manager Support Team IRIS for female entrepreneurs, and comprehensive management improvement consulting services. All services are designed to facilitate SME access to financing from financial institutions by serving as guarantor, with additional services focused on business management consultation and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 女性経営者支援チーム「アイリス」(Iris — Women's Manager Support Team): A dedicated support team composed of female staff members providing consultation and guarantee services for female entrepreneurs and managers. Named after the Japanese name for the iris flower (カキツバタ), Aichi's prefectural flower, symbolizing hope and good news for women business owners.
• スタートアップサポートデスク (Startup Support Desk)
• ローカルベンチマーク策定支援チーム「アイビー」(Ivy — Local Benchmark Formulation Support Team)
• 税理士連携制度 (Tax Accountant Collaboration System)

Products and services

• Credit Guarantee Service (信用保証サービス) Core credit guarantee service in which the association acts as public guarantor for SMEs and small-scale business operators borrowing from financial institutions, facilitating smoother access to business financing. Available to individual business operators, corporations, medical corporations, specified nonprofit corporations (NPOs), and cooperative associations in Aichi Prefecture.
• Startup Support Fund Guarantee (創業支援資金) Guarantee program targeting entrepreneurs planning to start a business or those recently established (typically within 5 years), supporting startup financing needs including working capital and equipment investment.
• Small-Scale Enterprise Guarantee System (小規模企業向け保証制度) Guarantee system specifically designed for small-scale businesses to support their financing needs, providing access to credit guarantees tailored to smaller operators.
• Borrowing Limit Guarantee (借入金枠確保保証) Guarantee service to secure borrowing limits for businesses, ensuring access to necessary working capital.
• Equipment Investment Guarantee (設備資金保証) Guarantee program for businesses undertaking capital investment in equipment and facilities.
• Large-Scale Financing Guarantee (大口融資保証) Guarantee service for businesses requiring large-scale financing beyond standard limits.
• Bond Issuance Guarantee (社債発行保証) Guarantee service enabling businesses to raise funds through bond issuance.
• Cash Flow Stabilization Guarantee (資金繰り安定化保証) Guarantee program to help stabilize cash flow and ensure stable financing for businesses.
• Management Improvement Support Guarantee (経営改善支援保証) Guarantee service supporting businesses in improving their management operations.
• Business Succession Support Guarantee (事業承継支援保証) Guarantee program facilitating smooth business succession and continuity for SMEs.
• Disaster Response Guarantee (災害対応保証) Guarantee service for businesses affected by natural disasters or requiring disaster preparedness financing.
• Startup Support Desk (スタートアップサポートデスク) Dedicated support desk for startups leveraging new technologies or business models — companies planning to start or within five years of founding. Provides financing consultation, business matching, and expert referrals from seed through later stages.
• Women's Manager Support Team IRIS (女性経営者支援チーム「アイリス」) Support team staffed by female employees providing consultation and guarantee processing support for women entrepreneurs and managers. Named after the iris, Aichi's prefectural flower.
• Management Support Services (経営支援サービス) Comprehensive management support including expert dispatch programs, management improvement planning assistance, Local Benchmark formulation support team (IVY), business succession support, McSS business diagnosis, and cash flow statement creation support.
• Business Succession Support Desk (事業承継サポートデスク) Dedicated desk providing consultation on business succession planning and support to facilitate smooth ownership transitions for SMEs in Aichi Prefecture.
• Credit Guarantee Group Credit Life Insurance (信用保証協会団体信用生命保険制度) Group credit life insurance system that settles outstanding guaranteed loans upon the insured's death or severe disability, protecting both the business and family.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• 全國信用保証協会連合会 (National Association of Credit Guarantee Corporations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner全国の本信用保証協会的联系機関であり、信用保証制度の向上・普及に関する各種事业を実施。
• 保証協会債権回収株式会社 (Credit Guarantee Collection Service)coreOthers信用保证付いた债务の回収業務を専門とする株式会社
• 中小企業庁 (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner信用保証制度に関する政策立案・实施تبطる主管省庁
• 株式会社日本政策金融公庫 (Japan Finance Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner政府系金融機関との連携による中小企業支援
• 独立行政法人中小企業基盤整備機構 (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprise Renewal)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT経営サポートセンターなど中小企業支援サービスとの連携
• 公益財団法人あいち産業振興機構 (Aichi Industry Promotion Foundation)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner愛知県内の産業振兴・中小企業支援に関する連携
• 公益財団法人名古屋市小規模事業金融公社 (Nagoya Small Business Finance Public Corporation)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner名古屋市の小規模事業者向け金融サービスとの連携
• 名古屋中小企業投資育成株式会社 (Nagoya Small and Medium Business Investment and Consultation)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner中小企業投資育成株式会社との連携
• 愛知県信用基金協会 (Aichi Agricultural Credit Guarantee Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner農業信用保証に関する連携
• FM AICHI (エフエムエーアイ)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerGLOBAL R-CHANNEL番組の共同制作・放送による地元企業紹介

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Shoko Chukin Bank: Government-affiliated cooperative bank focused on SMEs (including cooperative associations). Listed as a partner channel for Aichi CGA; broader in product (deposits, lending) versus the pure guarantee mandate, but functionally overlaps in supporting SME financing flow.
• Japan Finance Corporation (JFC): National government-affiliated financial institution providing direct loans, not just guarantees, to SMEs and small-scale operators. Listed as a core strategic partner of Aichi CGA; competes loosely as another publicly-supported SME financing channel rather than a guarantee institution.

Direct peers

• Osaka Credit Guarantee Association: Prefectural credit guarantee association serving Osaka SMEs under the Credit Guarantee Association Act. Identical guarantee institution model, matching product portfolio (general, startup, large-scale, etc.), and integration with regional banks/credit associations across the prefecture.
• Tokyo Credit Guarantee Association: Prefectural credit guarantee association operating in Tokyo under the same Credit Guarantee Association Act framework. Same public-institution guarantee model for SME lending, differing only in geography; operates the same nationwide product taxonomy and coordinates with the National Federation.

Others

• National Federation of Credit Guarantee Associations (Zenshinhoren): Federation of all 51 prefectural credit guarantee associations operating as their coordination/advocacy body. Not a competitor; functions as the industry-level support and policy coordination counterpart that Aichi CGA partners with on system improvement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/aichiguarantee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJQSpd5uVsY4IbUqhhzun6w

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Credit Guarantee Association