#Japan #startups #Gifu #AlphaDrive

Gifu Prefecture Launches Public-Private Partnership Initiative

In a groundbreaking initiative, Gifu Prefecture, in collaboration with AlphaDrive, is promoting public-private partnerships to tackle local challenges through innovation provided by startups. Starting from August 19, 2026, this initiative invites proposals from startups to address specific themes identified by five municipalities within Gifu.

Program Overview

The "Public-Private Partnership Enhancement Project with Startups" is officially launched by AlphaDrive, a Tokyo-based company led by CEO Yoichi Aso. This program aims to combine the advanced technology and services of startups with the pressing issues faced by local governments, transitioning from examination to practical social implementation.

Five municipalities—Takayama City, Minokamo City, Kakamigahara City, Yamagata City, and Sekigahara Town—have collaborated to define six distinct partnership themes that require innovation and solutions. This year’s themes have been closely refined through discussions with municipal representatives to ensure that startups can formulate actionable proposals.

Proposal Details

The call for proposals will be open from August 19 to October 16, 2026, culminating in a reverse pitch event at the Kawasaki-NEDO Innovation Center (K-NIC) on October 9. During this event, representatives from participating municipalities will discuss their challenges directly and invite startups to understand their needs more deeply. This format not only allows them to share their current predicaments but also helps startups to tailor their proposals based on real scenarios.

Following the proposal phase, selected startups will collaborate closely with municipalities, with at least bi-monthly mentoring sessions starting in November 2026. The goal is to create viable solutions that can be implemented effectively within the communities.

Background of the Initiative

Gifu Prefecture is confronting various local challenges exacerbated by demographic changes, such as an aging population and declining birth rates. Key issues include maintaining essential services like sewer inspections and meeting the demands of a growing elderly population with diminishing staff resources. To tackle these challenges, municipalities aim to integrate innovative technology, but the adoption has been slow due to limited market research and familiarity with available solutions.

Since its founding in 2018, AlphaDrive has successfully facilitated over 23,800 innovative projects across 30 prefectures, working with 260 companies. This new initiative continues that legacy by ensuring thorough discussions with local departments to articulate their needs clearly, thereby fostering meaningful collaborations with startups.

Six Key Partnership Themes

1. Takayama City: Improving ICT in elder care environments to combat workforce shortages and aging staff.
2. Minokamo City: Encouraging vegetable consumption among citizens to enhance public health and address rising medical costs associated with chronic diseases.
3. Minokamo City: Addressing vegetation management around roads and waterways to optimize municipal maintenance.
4. Kakamigahara City: Innovating inspection methods for small-diameter sewer pipes to reduce labor and financial burdens.
5. Yamagata City: Developing strategies to transform vacant properties, enhancing community engagement and property value.
6. Sekigahara Town: Increasing visitor expenditure at historical sites to stimulate local businesses.

These themes were chosen to focus on the areas where innovation can lead to tangible improvements, enhancing service efficiency, community health, and economic activity.

The Reverse Pitch Event

On October 9, participating municipalities will host a reverse pitch event at K-NIC, collaborating with the Gifu Startup Support Consortium to create a platform for exchange. This event aims to foster connections between local startups and broader regional initiatives by showcasing success stories from Gifu-based companies, alongside guest talks from notable figures in the startup ecosystem.

Conclusion

This initiative not only aims to stimulate economic activity in Gifu but also represents a significant step towards modernizing local government operations through startup innovation. The public and private sectors are invited to take part in this collaborative effort to solve pressing local issues while also paving the way for the growth of innovative businesses in the region.

For further information about the application process and details on each partnership theme, please visit this website.