#Japan #Frost & Sullivan #HR Tech #Shibuya #ZenX

Introduction

ZenX, a prominent player in HR tech based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has recently partnered with Frost & Sullivan, a global research and consulting firm. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as they unveil Japan's first open innovation platform, named the "Future Concept Consortium". This initiative aims to connect large corporations with startups and academic research projects through a streamlined approach to innovation.

Background and Objectives

The establishment of this consortium comes amid increasing challenges faced by large enterprises in identifying promising technologies and finding suitable external collaborators. The complex internal processes of these organizations often slow down their ability to innovate. Conversely, startups, despite possessing innovative technologies and strengths, often struggle to connect with major companies, leading to missed opportunities for collaboration.

The Future Concept Consortium aims to bridge this gap, making it easier for large enterprises to discover the technologies and startups they need to thrive. With the goal of facilitating over 150 startup matches annually, the consortium leverages Frost & Sullivan's extensive knowledge network and resources to accelerate co-creation between domestic and international startups, universities, and research institutions.

Consortium Overview

The Future Concept Consortium is designed to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge analysis of megatrends and technology trends with practical support for future scenario planning, making it a unique platform in Japan. The consortium will focus on next-generation topics including generative AI, green transformation (GX), smart mobility, and the well-being economy. By incorporating insights from Frost & Sullivan's global reports alongside ZenX's capabilities in startup support, this platform aims to drive not just discussions but tangible action on innovative projects.

Key Activities

The consortium will support members through four primary areas:

1. Trend Analysis Seminars: Conduct seminars that discuss emerging technology trends across various industries, providing insights into the topics that are expected to become significant in the next 10 to 30 years.
- Example themes include generative AI and business transformation, GX, smart mobility & energy, and supply chain reconstruction.

2. Startup Research and Introductions: ZenX will engage with approximately 150 startups and academic labs to gather critical insights necessary for collaboration. They will maintain a database of potential candidates tailored to meet the specific needs of corporate members.
- The process includes supporting due diligence for investment considerations and ongoing project design assistance to ensure fruitful collaborations.

3. Needs Assessment and Co-Creation Project Support: Individual consultations with participating companies allow for an in-depth understanding of their internal dynamics and future goals, leading to a focused approach in co-creation.

4. Future Scenario Development: By designing comprehensive plans that reverse-engineer from ideal future scenarios, the consortium will facilitate project execution from conception through to realization.

Projected Future

The Future Concept Consortium aims to create co-creation projects involving 500 major companies and 2,000 startups, accelerating the development of new businesses and technological implementations across various industries. The overarching vision includes producing over 10,000 successful matches annually, leveraging the principles of megatrend analysis and future scenario planning.

Leadership Messages

Masahiro Goto, CEO of ZenX: "Japan is home to countless untapped research and technology. Our role is to illuminate these possibilities and create platforms for societal implementation, driving collaborations that lead to real innovation."

Hiroshi Yamamura, CEO of Frost & Sullivan Japan: "By connecting Japan's initiatives to a global network, we will identify winning strategies across market, regulatory, and technological landscapes, supporting implementations from ideation to reality."

For more information and participation interest in the Future Concept Consortium, please visit ZenX’s website at https://www.zenx.jp/.