Zenbird Editorial TeamAiCAN Inc., an impact startup dedicated to tackling child abuse, has secured ¥100 million in funding from the Japan Finance Corporation. The company announced that the convertible loan will be used to enhance and expand its technology-driven support service for overburdened child welfare agencies across Japan.
In Japan, the number of child abuse consultations handled by child consultation centres has been rising annually, exceeding 200,000 cases in 2020. These frontline services face severe pressure from staff shortages and the difficulty of making complex judgements, creating an urgent need for effective support systems.
AiCAN’s core offering, the “AiCAN service,” combines a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application with hands-on support, including data analysis and staff training. The service digitises case records and streamlines information sharing, improving both the speed and quality of decision-making to prevent cases from being overlooked. By using a tablet-based application, staff can input information from any location, increasing operational efficiency.
According to AiCAN, municipalities using the service have reported a reduction in time spent on creating and registering records, which frees up staff to focus on direct support activities. The service is currently used by 16 municipalities, with a user base of over 1,000 professionals.
The new funding will allow AiCAN to rapidly expand its product offerings beyond child consultation centres to the entire network of agencies involved in abuse response, including municipal child and family centres, and facilities related to social care, encompassing the medical, welfare, judicial, educational, and health sectors.
The company will also venture into adjacent areas related to developmental support, such as schools, to build a child welfare ecosystem with technology.
[Reference] AiCAN note (Japanese)
