KiAI Redefines Tourism Assets as "Business Research Infrastructure" ― Successful Field Survey in Vietnam Sets Stage for Dramatic Cost Reduction in SME Overseas Expansion ―

KiAI Inc. (Headquarters: Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture; Representative Director & CEO: Kazumasa Oba), a developer and operator of AI-powered overseas expansion services, announced on January 26 that it has successfully completed a demonstration experiment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The experiment involved an overseas corporate research service utilizing a global network of land operators (local arrangement companies).

This demonstration experiment was conducted in collaboration with IACE Travel Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo) and with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "ICT Startup League." By redefining the travel industry's asset—its network of land operators—as "business research infrastructure," the project proved that accurate local corporate information can be obtained rapidly and at a low cost.

■ New Service "Trst" Scheduled for Launch in Mid-2026

Based on the results of this experiment, KiAI plans to formally launch the overseas expansion support platform "Trst" (pronounced "Trust") in the middle of 2026.

"Trst" is a hybrid service that combines AI-based online data analysis with on-site verification (offline) by land operators. It aims to provide overseas research and consulting services—which traditionally cost millions of yen—at a price point accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), starting from 100,000 yen per month. In this demonstration, corporate research for three companies was completed in as little as one day, confirming a dramatic reduction in both cost and time.

■ Breaking Down "Information Barriers" to Support SME Overseas Expansion

KiAI is a venture company originating from Ibaraki University with the vision of "Delivering global returns to everyone."

To address challenges such as "information asymmetry" and "high research costs" that SMEs face when expanding abroad, KiAI aims to solve these issues by leveraging a network of tens of thousands of land operators worldwide. Moving forward, the company plans to progressively expand its target regions to Asia, Europe, and North America, building an information infrastructure that allows Japanese SMEs to challenge the global market with confidence.

■ About the ICT Startup League
This is a support program launched in FY2023, initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Startup Creation R&D Support Project."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Accompaniment Support
Up to 20 million yen in R&D funding is provided in the form of a grant. Additionally, regarding accompaniment support, the evaluation committee members involved in the selection of league members continue to stay close after the selection to promote growth. A support system akin to "fandom activities" (oshi-katsu) is established, where evaluators who strongly believe in a company ("definitely want to select them") provide continuous support, including advice on business plans and providing growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Development
We provide opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of league members.
We also aim to discover individuals aiming to start new businesses, thereby expanding the base of the startup ecosystem.
3. Competition & Co-creation
The league serves as a field for positive competition, much like a sports league, where startups learn together and improve themselves to win necessary funding (up to 20 million yen). We also provide opportunities for co-creation where league members collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with evaluation committee members.
4. Dissemination
We disseminate the initiatives of league members in cooperation with media outlets! By letting more people know about these businesses, we aim to expand opportunities for new matching and business chances.

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KiAI Redefines Tourism Assets as "Business Research Infrastructure" ― Successful Field Survey in Vietnam Sets Stage for Dramatic Cost Reduction in SME Overseas Expansion ―

■ New Service "Trst" Scheduled for Launch in Mid-2026

■ Breaking Down "Information Barriers" to Support SME Overseas Expansion

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