ACTIVITY/EVENT

Deep ecosystem activity introduction Green startup activity introduction Event Report

Open Innovation Day Event Report

This is an event report on "Open Innovation Day," an event held at Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) on Thursday, February 2024, 2, to promote open innovation between large companies and startups and expand startup businesses.

1. Summary

On February 2024, 2, Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) will hold an event called "Open Innovation Day" was held at the symposium.
The Tokyo Consortium, which is organizing the event, aims to support the societal implementation of innovation by accelerating the growth of startups and forming a startup ecosystem in the Tokyo area.
At this event, the companies selected for this year's startup support programs "Deep Ecosystem" and "Green Startup Support" were also announced.
Through introducing the initiatives of companies practicing open innovation and promising startups supported by the Tokyo Consortium, the event provided an opportunity to reconsider hints for promoting collaboration and the type of support startups would like from large companies.

2. Opening remarks

At the opening of the event, Mr. Katayama from Tokyo gave a speech to everyone gathered at the venue.

Katayama:In order to promote open innovation, the Tokyo Consortium and TIB want to create opportunities to connect large companies and startups in various ways.
At today's event, we hope to explore the possibilities for open innovation between large companies and startups, and share information on how large companies are collaborating with SU and what kind of collaboration and support SU would like from large companies.
I hope that the new encounters at TIB will lead to open innovation initiatives and become a wonderful opportunity to change society.

3. Promoting open innovation by large companies

Sony Group Corporation Startup Acceleration Division COSIA Business Department
Masa Miyazaki, General Manager and Producer of the Ideation Service Team

Mr. Masaru Miyazaki, General Manager and Producer, Ideation Service Team, COSIA Business Division, Startup Acceleration Division, Sony Group Corporation

Miyazaki:The Sony Group provides its entrepreneurial know-how and development environment to anyone who wants to create a new business, and offers a program to support new businesses from launch to sales and expansion.Sony Startup Acceleration ProgramWe are currently implementing the "SSAP" initiative.

He introduced a wide range of business achievements and examples of acceleration services for external parties. He also introduced the importance of the following three points necessary for open innovation.

1) Clarifying the issues to be addressed
② Understanding of new businesses and startups
3) New business development capabilities

Yukie Abe, Manager, New Business Development Department, BOSCH Corporation

Yukie Abe, Manager, New Business Development Department, BOSCH Corporation

Abe:Bosch has adopted a venture client model called "Open Bosch," a co-creation process between large companies and startups, to identify and solve their own problems and lead to innovation by discovering world-class solutions from startups and introducing them as customers. This initiative also benefits startups by allowing them to expand their scale through Bosch's network of bases around the world, creating a win-win relationship. Collaboration with startups is expanding not only in manufacturing and logistics, but also in various fields such as engineering, human resources, and sales.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Growth Business Development Department Planning and Development Group
Senior Promoter Koji Namekawa

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Senior Manager of the Planning and Development Group, Growth Business Development Department

Namekawa:Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation introduces Mirai Cross, a platform that promotes collaboration and business creation. By leveraging the strengths of a bank that does business with a wide range of customers across industries and sectors, new businesses are being created by connecting many companies. The X Innovation Sheet, which is used to identify business content and target markets for value addition, is used at pitch events to promote collaboration.

4. Business expansion pitches for companies selected for the Deep Ecosystem in FY4

We provide carefully selected target companies with input on the path to becoming a unicorn, and provide intensive, in-depth, and diverse support to help them achieve this goal.

Innophys Co., Ltd. President and CEO Naotaka Otsukawa

Innophys Co., Ltd. President and CEO Naotaka Otsukawa

Otsukawa:We developed a wearable assist suit. In order to "achieve an independent life as long as you live," we have commercialized a muscle suit that assists body movement. It contributes to reducing the number of people leaving their jobs or taking time off work due to back pain, and to expanding opportunities for women and the elderly to play active roles.

TechMagic Inc. CEO Yuji Shiraki

TechMagic Inc. CEO Yuji Shiraki

Shiraki:We are developing robots to address issues in the food industry, such as a declining labor force and rising costs due to inflation, and to build sustainable operations for the future. We will contribute to improving productivity by improving the efficiency and automation of restaurants and factories.

Human Life Code Co., Ltd. 
Masamitsu Harada, President and CEO

Masamitsu Harada, President and CEO of Human Life Code, Inc.

Harada:Focusing on the potential of the umbilical cord, the tissue that connects the placenta and fetus, as a source of cell therapy, we have obtained pharmaceutical approval and commercialized mesenchymal cells extracted from the umbilical cord as regenerative medicine products. As a first step in expanding into the United States, in July 2023, we signed a basic agreement with the New York Blood Center regarding the international harmonization of cell manufacturing platform technologies.

Takeshi Aida, CEO of RevComm Inc.

Takeshi Aida, CEO of RevComm Inc.

Aida:We provide the voice AI "MiiTel" that solves the problem of voice communication becoming a black box and at the same time turns voice data into an asset. By analyzing and visualizing all voice conversations over the phone, web conferences, and in person using AI, and enabling self-coaching, we contribute to improving corporate productivity by increasing sales and reducing costs, and turning voice data into an asset.

5. Introduction to the Green Startup Support Program for FY4

We select "green startups" that are expected to grow in the future and provide intensive support with an eye toward overseas expansion.

Takashi Shiramizu, Director/CFO, Eighterlink Inc.

Takashi Shiramizu, Director/CFO, Eighterlink Inc.

Shiramizu:With the vision of "Realizing a digital world without wires," we develop, manufacture, and sell microwave wireless power transfer (WPT) devices. We contribute to the improvement of implant devices based on medical needs.

Takuya Kitamura, President and CEO of Sensyn Robotics Inc.

Takuya Kitamura, President and CEO of Sensyn Robotics Inc.

Kitamura:Aiming to fundamentally resolve social issues facing Japan, such as a declining working population, aging infrastructure, and intensifying disasters, we are developing services and products that automate equipment inspections and workplace management at power transmission facilities, plant facilities, construction sites, and other locations.

Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. Corporate Planning Department Manager, Yamada Fukashi

Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. General Strategy Office Manager, Yamada Fukashi

Yamada:We are developing and commercializing a low-temperature, low-pressure ammonia synthesis process. By promoting distributed production of green ammonia through small-scale ammonia production models, we aim to hedge supply chain risks and decarbonize, including improving food security.

Yosuke Kubo, Business Development Manager, Helical Fusion Inc.

Yosuke Kubo, Business Development Manager, Helical Fusion Inc.

Kubo:Development of fusion reactors, development and provision of elemental technologies. Fusion reactors are seen as a game changer because they can generate enormous amounts of energy without emitting any CO2. Based on knowledge gained at the National Institute for Fusion Science, we are demonstrating new superconducting technologies necessary for fusion reactors, aiming for full-scale commercialization after 2040.

6. Introduction of companies selected for FY5 Deep Ecosystem/Green Startup Support

Algal Bio Co., Ltd. Business Development Group 
Masahiro Kita, Overseas Business Development Team Leader

Masahiro Kita, Overseas Business Development Team Leader, Business Development Group, Algal Bio Inc.

Kida:Through research and development into algae, we aim to solve global issues such as wellness, food crisis, and global warming. We are building an algae biofoundry and conducting joint development in various fields such as food, materials, and CO2 capture.

Koichi Nakamura, Representative Director/CEO of Idein Inc.

Koichi Nakamura, Representative Director/CEO of Idein Inc.

Nakamura:With the aim of making it possible to handle any information in the real world using software, we have developed the edge AI platform "Actcast," which enables the collection and utilization of real-world data using image, audio, and other analytical technologies.

Yuuki Hanyu, CEO of Integriculture Co., Ltd.

Yuuki Hanyu, CEO of Integriculture Co., Ltd.

Hanyu:We conduct research and development into the production of edible meat and other products using cell culture technology to realize a sustainable world. We utilize the "Food Great Package" for cellular agriculture and provide technology transfer programs to large and small clients alike.

Kotaro Sabe, President and CEO of Aerosense Inc.

Kotaro Sabe, President and CEO of Aerosense Inc.

Sabe:We develop, manufacture, and sell domestic drones and systems. We will contribute to society by bringing about change through drone technology and automating various tasks. We will utilize our technological capabilities, which allow us to provide everything from hardware to applications, to create solutions.

Global Mobility Service Co., Ltd. 
Kazumasa Nakajima, Executive Director, CFO and Head of Corporate Division

Global Mobility Service Inc. Executive Director, CFO and Corporate Head Kazumasa Nakajima

Nakajima:We are developing financial inclusion fintech services for the world's low-credit demographic through our proprietary vehicle remote start control IoT device and mobility service platform to which any device can be connected.

Yoshiyasu Ando, ​​CEO, iRobotics Inc.

Yoshiyasu Ando, ​​CEO, iRobotics Inc.

Ando:With the goal of resolving social issues such as a declining working population and aging facilities through mechanization, remote control, and automation, we provide resource conservation through robot solutions in the construction and maintenance of plants and infrastructure.

Naotsugu Kubo, President and CEO of AC Biode Co., Ltd.

Naotsugu Kubo, President and CEO of AC Biode Co., Ltd.

Kubo:Our mission is to "use chemical technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, solve global waste problems including marine plastic, and contribute to improving recycling rates," and we aim to solve the waste problem by producing glass by absorbing and solidifying CO2.

Jun Okita, CEO of Green Carbon Co., Ltd.

Jun Okita, CEO of Green Carbon Co., Ltd.

Okita: We are developing a carbon credit creation and sales business with the aim of achieving decarbonization. We have developed a one-platform service called "Agreen" that provides end-to-end support for credit creation, registration, application, and sales. We plan to create approximately 2024 tons of credits in Japan in fiscal 100,000.

Osamu Hasegawa, CEO of SOINN Inc.

Osamu Hasegawa, CEO of SOINN Inc.

Hasegawa:We develop intelligent devices, equipment, and information systems using our proprietary AI. We will introduce the results of reducing power consumption at plants using our proprietary AI, which is the highest level in the industry. Energy-saving AI can be deployed in a variety of formats, including production lines, commercial facilities, and factories.

Nana Hori, CEO of Tensor Energy Inc.

Nana Hori, CEO of Tensor Energy Inc.

moat:We have developed a cloud AI platform that integrates the management of money and electricity at renewable energy power plants. We provide user-oriented services to resolve various issues that arise with the large-scale introduction of renewable energy.

Closing remarks

Voice of participants
・It was fun to hear about an industry that I don't usually have the opportunity to come into contact with.
・To solve big problems, startups and large companies need to work together.
・The results of university research were used more than expected

Networking session 1 of "Open Innovation Day"
Networking session 2 of "Open Innovation Day"

The Tokyo Consortium will continue to support entrepreneurs with all its might in order to produce world-class startups from Tokyo. Thank you for your continued support.