Platform Launched to "Find and Meet" Excellent Local SMEs and Ventures

Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun LLC (KANAKEI), which publishes the regional economic newspaper "Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun" serving the entire Kanagawa Prefecture and parts of Tokyo, has renewed its platform "HUB-CONNe" for collecting information on SMEs both domestically and internationally. The platform can be accessed at https://hub-conne.kanakei.jp/. Operations are handled by HUB-CONNe Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun LLC, located in Chuo-ku, Sagamihara City.

This is a full-scale platform that introduces companies featured in the pages of "Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun," which reports in detail on the management trends, new products, and new services of SMEs and other businesses. It is packed with articles on companies boasting small yet brilliant technologies and services that are not covered by major media outlets.

Approximately 600 articles are already included, and the number of articles will continue to increase. The aim is to provide valuable information not only for many SME managers to gain hints for their business by understanding the trends of other SMEs, but also for companies looking to expand their sales channels, find partners, or collaborate within Kanagawa Prefecture and other regions. It also features interview articles on overseas ventures from countries like Taiwan and South Korea that are capable of matching.

Furthermore, in the future, we plan to collaborate with partners nationwide who discover and cover regional SMEs and venture companies, allowing them to post articles on the platform and expand the matching network across the country.

https://hub-conne.kanakei.jp/

"Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun" is a medium that introduces regional SMEs centered in Kanagawa, founded in 2014, and will celebrate its 150th issue in June of this year. "HUB-CONNe" was released in its beta version in 2023, and this marks its first full-scale renewal.

[Features of "HUB-CONNe"]

▽ Company Information Interviewed Directly by Economic Reporters

The main content consists of articles that objectively introduce SMEs visited and interviewed by economic reporters. The content delves into the reality of diverse SMEs challenging management by leveraging their unique technologies and strengths.

▽ Search for Desired Companies Available, Members Can Request Matching

The platform has been subdivided into categories such as "Industry," "Area," and "Theme" to make it easier for users to search for the articles they need. Additionally, columns useful for management, written from the perspectives of our reporters and experts, will be increased. As a service for our readers, a function to accept matching requests to featured companies from the site has also been implemented. We will act as a bridge to companies that Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun has interviewed and featured.

▽ Overseas Venture Companies Eager to Collaborate with Japanese Companies, Partnering with Local Industrial Support Organizations

Interview articles on excellent venture companies from Taiwan and South Korea, eager to match with Japanese companies, are also published. In the future, we will enrich information on SMEs across Japan and companies in Asia and other overseas regions by expanding content providers. Under the philosophy of "Grow Beyond Borders," we aim to realize a media that walks alongside SMEs challenging growth beyond boundaries.

Viewable on smartphones

Interview articles on Taiwanese ventures

[Collaboration with PR TIMES]

In June 2025, Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun LLC entered into a comprehensive business partnership agreement with PR TIMES Inc., the operator of the press release distribution service "PR TIMES," becoming a partner media. "HUB-CONNe" also features press releases from companies distributed by PR TIMES.

PR TIMES distribution also included

Company Profile of Kanagawa Keizai Shimbun LLC

Location: 3-12-3 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Founded: 2014 (Established 2013)

Representative: CEO Ryuta Chiba

Network: [Headquarters] Sagamihara City [Offices] Yokohama City, Kawasaki City

URL: https://kanakei.jp/about/

Inquiries: Editorial Department [email protected]