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Open Innovation Seminar and Networking Event in Tokyo

On September 5th, Tokyo will host an engaging seminar and networking event focused on open innovation, aimed at promoting collaboration between large corporations and startups. Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Nihon Sogo Research Institute, the event seeks to create significant ripple effects in the local economy. It is part of a broader initiative aimed at fostering new business creations and revitalizing industries through innovative strategies.

Event Overview

The seminar and networking event will explore the dynamics of open innovation, highlighting strategies for startups to collaborate effectively with established corporations. This initiative is part of the “Promotion of Innovation Towards Achieving Zero Emission Tokyo” project, which was launched in fiscal year 2023. The project intends to provide financial support and hands-on assistance to ventures engaged in research and development activities, offering grants of up to 1 billion yen for a maximum of three years.

Attendance is encouraged for stakeholders from various industries, particularly those seeking collaboration opportunities with venture companies. Participants from numerous sectors, including major manufacturers, trading companies, financial institutions, and universities, are expected to deepen their understanding and foster connections that can lead to important partnerships.

Seminar and Agenda

The event will take place at Tokyo Midtown, specifically in Room 9 of the Tokyo Midtown Conference, beginning at 14:00 and concluding at 17:00, with doors opening at 13:30. The program begins with welcoming remarks from Kenta Nakamura, the head of the Technical Cooperation Division at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs.

Afternoon Sessions

• - Speaker Presentation: “Corporate and Startup Co-Creation Strategies: Creating New Value Through Open Innovation” by Yasuhiro Nagano, CEO of ANOBAKA.
• - Roundtable Discussion: A discussion involving representatives from various companies focusing on the perspectives of both investors and startups, exploring the secrets to successful open innovation collaborations.

- Participants:
- Yasuhiro Nagano (ANOBAKA)
- Tomo Oyamada (Sofia Holdings)
- Koji Morikawa (LIFESCAPES)
- Tomoaki Fujita (LocationMind)

• - Project Presentation: An overview of the “Promotion of Innovation Towards Achieving Zero Emission Tokyo” initiative, providing insight into the support framework and objectives of the program.

Networking Opportunities

The latter part of the event will be dedicated to networking, giving participants the chance to exchange business cards and engage in discussions with peers from various fields, potentially leading to new collaborations.

Event Details

• - Date: Friday, September 5, 2023
• - Time: 14:00 – 17:00 (Doors open at 13:30)
• - Location: Tokyo Midtown, Room 9, 4th Floor (Akasaka 9-7-1, Minato Ward, Tokyo 107-0052)
• - Capacity: Approximately 80 participants (first-come-first-served, free of charge)
• - Target Audience: Small and medium enterprises, business companies (large manufacturers, trading companies), financial institutions, industry development agencies, and academic institutions engaged in industry-academia collaboration.

Registration Process

To secure a spot at this promising event, interested participants are encouraged to register through the provided online form (insert registration link).

For further inquiries, please refer to the project’s official website and reach out through the contact form available there.

• - Contact Information:

- Nihon Sogo Research Institute
- Tokyo Office: 2-18-1 Higashi Gotanda, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, 141-0022
- Phone Number: 03-6896-1624
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Zero Emission Innovation

This seminar promises to provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of open innovation and create opportunities for prosperous collaborations among participants.