Innovative Exchange Event for New Business Ventures in Toyota City

On February 20, 2026, Toyota City, in collaboration with AlphaDrive, will host an event titled "Toyota City New Business Ventures Exchange Meeting" at STATION Ai in Nagoya. This gathering aims to spotlight the ambitious projects of local businesses and delve into the latest trends in open innovation.

Background of the Event

Toyota City has been actively supporting local businesses in developing new ventures through its SPARK program. As part of this initiative, STATION Ai features a consultation desk, "Hajimeru Toyota," designed to assist startups and established companies in matching with local enterprises. By providing opportunities for practical demonstrations within Toyota City, the program actively promotes open innovation.

The upcoming event will present the real journeys of local businesses making new challenges by utilizing these programs. Attendees can look forward to presentations, a panel discussion addressing the real concerns of practitioners, and opportunities for networking among participants.

Event Details

- Date & Time: February 20, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Participants can join partway through)
- Venue: Central Space, 3rd Floor, STATION Ai (1-2-32 Tsuruma, Showa Ward, Nagoya, Aichi)
- Participation Fee: Free of charge
- Capacity: 50 participants
- Target Audience: Individuals from startups, corporations, and financial institutions interested in connecting with Toyota City enterprises and those keen on the city's initiatives in open innovation.
- Application Deadline: February 19, 2026

Event Program

The program for the day includes:
1. Overview of Toyota City's Initiatives: A presentation by the Next-Generation Industry Division of Toyota City showcasing their efforts in fostering open innovation.
2. New Business Presentations by Local Companies: Four local enterprises will present their new venture initiatives:
- Daiho Industry Co., Ltd., Naoko Horikoshi: Addressing challenges in wastewater treatment at plating factories.
- Meido Co., Ltd., Hirofumi Kataoka: Initiatives to attract and support international students.
- Shinmei Industry Co., Ltd., Toshiyuki Adachi: Contributing to the local community through the integration of drones and mobility solutions.
- Himawari Network Co., Ltd., Hiromi Ohsawa: Utilizing social media for disseminating local information.
3. Panel Discussion: A consultation on new business ventures and open innovation featuring the four presenting companies and an expert facilitator. Yusuke Doi, Co-CEO of Unij and Head of AlphaDrive Tokai, will address practical challenges faced by participants.
4. Networking Session (Optional): A light lunch will be provided, encouraging networking among participating companies and attendees.

Application Process

Interested individuals can apply by filling out the form available through the provided QR Code or application link.

Organizer: Toyota City
Operator: AlphaDrive, Inc.
Contact: Masayuki Ishikawa, Regional Co-Creation Department, AlphaDrive
[email protected]