Kokopelli Inc operates the Big Advance platform, a web‑based ecosystem that links Japanese SMEs with a nationwide network of financial institutions and provides integrated SaaS tools for financing, business matching, digital operations, and growth support. Through the BA Portal, banks can offer a unified communication hub for their corporate clients, enabling chat, appointments, seminars, and service links. The platform’s flat‑rate subscription and optional add‑ons streamline access to funding, market opportunities, and operational resources for SMEs.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan often face limited access to financing, business networking, and digital tools needed to resolve operational challenges and expand domestically or internationally. The lack of a unified platform linking them with financial institutions and providing integrated support services hampers growth and efficiency.
Solution
Kokopelli Inc. operates the “Big Advance” platform, a web‑based ecosystem that connects SMEs with a nationwide network of financial institutions. The service offers a suite of SaaS tools—including business matching, chat, website creation, grant search, employee welfare coupons, safety‑check, finance‑institution chat, crowdfunding, management forums, and optional paid modules for attendance, invoicing, and expense handling—under a flat monthly subscription. A complementary “BA Portal” extends these capabilities to banks, enabling them to provide a consolidated communication hub (chat, appointment scheduling, seminars, and service links) for their corporate clients. By centralizing these functions, the platform streamlines access to financing, market opportunities, and operational support, helping SMEs overcome resource constraints and pursue growth.
Target Audience
Primary users are Japanese SMEs seeking financing, networking, and digital operational tools, as well as regional banks and credit unions that wish to offer enhanced services to their corporate clients.
Features
- Business matching across regions and industries, facilitated by partner financial institutions
- Real‑time business chat and finance‑institution chat for seamless communication
- One‑click website builder for SMEs to establish an online presence
- Grant and subsidy database searchable at the municipal level
- Employee welfare coupon site (“FUKURI”) integrated as a benefit service
- One‑tap emergency safety‑check for employee status monitoring
- Integrated crowdfunding module for project‑based financing
- Management discussion boards for peer advice on corporate challenges
- Optional paid add‑ons: attendance tracking, travel expense, and expense management
- Discounted access to external services and tools for platform members
- AI‑driven translation and recommendation features in the global extension (Big Advance Global)