Six Startups Selected for MIE Startup FIELD to Address Local Challenges

Six Startups Selected for MIE Startup FIELD

In an effort to tackle local challenges in Mie Prefecture, AlphaDrive Co., Ltd., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced the selection of six external startups for the "MIE StartUp FIELD" initiative. This program, which is partnered with Mie Prefecture, focuses on demonstrating innovative products and services designed to solve regional problems.

The selected startups are slated to collaborate with local municipalities, businesses, financial institutions, and higher education institutions from October 2026 to February 2027, conducting practical field tests for their solutions.

About MIE StartUp FIELD Program

The MIE StartUp FIELD initiative aims to support startups coming from outside the region in developing solutions that address the unique issues faced by Mie Prefecture. The program encourages an all-Mie approach, leveraging partnerships with various local agencies to provide necessary resources and test environments for these startups. This initiative not only focuses on supporting the demonstration experiments but also considers future business expansion for the startups involved, ensuring sustainability and impact.

Selected Startups

Here’s a brief overview of the six chosen startups and their proposed projects:

1. Amulapo Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku, Tokyo) - Led by CEO Katsuaki Tanaka, they will introduce digital technology-driven space experience content.
2. e-lamp. Co., Ltd. (Shibuya, Tokyo) - Run by CEO Ayumi Yamamoto, this startup will focus on creating community engagement through heart rate and conversation analysis for enhanced date planning.
3. WizWe Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda, Tokyo) - Under the leadership of CEO Kohei Moriya, they aim to demonstrate a dementia prevention program for seniors, combining AI technology and human interaction.
4. DAOWORKS Co., Ltd. (Gifu, Gifu) - Directed by CEO Kazuaki Yoshida, this project will utilize drones and AI for port facility inspections and automatic report generation.
5. Fishpass Co., Ltd. (Sakai, Fukui) - With CEO Naruhiko Nishimura at the helm, they are developing low-cost wildlife damage countermeasures using environmental DNA analysis for biodiversity monitoring.
6. Micro Development Co., Ltd. (Higashi-Izu, Shizuoka) - Lead by CEO Shinichi Moriya, they are set to promote local tourism through story-driven content based on regional history and food culture.

Networking Event for Startups

On September 18, 2026, an event will be held for networking with these selected startups at cafe neuf in Yokkaichi City. The event will feature a seminar on collaboration with startups, along with pitch presentations from the selected companies.

Event Details:

- Date: September 18, 2026 (Friday)
- Time: 16:30 - 18:30
- Location: cafe neuf, 4-1 Suwa, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture
- Access: A five-minute walk from Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station on the Kintetsu Nagoya and Yunoyama Lines.
- Capacity: 60 participants

The event will feature the following agenda:

- 16:00 - Registration
- 16:30 - Opening (10 mins)
- 16:40 - Seminar (20 mins)
- 17:00 - Startup Pitches (30 mins)
- 17:30 - Networking (60 mins)

This event is specifically aimed at businesses and local governments in Mie Prefecture interested in collaborating with startups for practical demonstrations and other cooperative initiatives.

AlphaDrive Company Overview

AlphaDrive Co., Ltd., established on February 23, 2018, is dedicated to supporting regional economic development and innovation in collaboration with local governments and businesses. They have engaged in various initiatives across Japan, from consulting to actively participating in businesses that drive local economic growth.
Explore more about AlphaDrive's regional initiatives.

For inquiries related to the program, please contact:
Reiko Ishida at [email protected] or the Mie Prefecture Employment and Economic Department at [email protected].

In conclusion, the MIE StartUp FIELD program exemplifies a progressive approach to regional challenges by fostering creativity and innovation within the startup ecosystem.