POLI.design and knots associates Join Forces for Innovation in Japan's Business Landscape
In a significant development for the business landscape of Japan, knots associates Co., Ltd. has officially partnered with POLI.design, the renowned design department of the Politecnico di Milano, effective July 9, 2025. This partnership designates knots associates as the Regional Development Officer for Japan, marking a critical step towards fostering collaborative innovation and value creation.
This partnership is built on the strengths of both organizations, aiming to create a co-creation system that contributes to corporate transformation. By establishing a platform for collaboration between Japanese companies and POLI.design, they will work together on education programs and the joint design and execution of new business development projects. The significance of this partnership can be highlighted by addressing some key management challenges faced by Japanese enterprises today.
These challenges include the need for innovative differentiation in a mature market, the integration of questioning capabilities that drive organizational transformation, restructuring business models with a focus on sustainability and social issues, and the lack of global perspective opportunities for younger and mid-level professionals. Furthermore, there’s a critical need for upskilling and reskilling employees, fostering design-led innovation, and maximizing learning effects across various departments. The collaboration will also leverage existing research and educational assets to explore new market opportunities.
In this context, knots associates will act as a local partner, assisting in building strategic partnerships with Japanese companies and relevant entities while supporting the shared development of co-creation projects and customized training programs tailored to the specific needs of each organization. The representatives from knots associates have expressed their vision regarding this collaboration.
"By integrating the technological prowess and hands-on capabilities of Japanese companies with POLI.design’s ability to stimulate inquiry and establish meaning, we can foster new value creation that resonates globally. We aim to establish a co-creation model in Japan that goes beyond mere import education, one that addresses real challenges of businesses through inquiry, conception, and implementation together." — Yoshikazu Tomita, President of knots associates Co., Ltd.
knots associates is actively seeking partner companies for these collaborative services, as well as organizations interested in implementing our programs. Companies interested in this opportunity can contact us at the following:
Founded in 1999 as part of Politecnico di Milano, POLI.design is a world-renowned design education and research institution. It delivers advanced specialized education (master’s and executive courses), corporate training, and global co-creation projects, promoting the construction of practical knowledge that bridges design, business, technology, and society.
knots associates Co., Ltd. embraces the philosophy of value creation through the reconstruction of inquiry. The company merges systems design, human resource development, and new business support to provide a unique consulting approach. They offer comprehensive support from ideation to execution across various industries, including manufacturing, education, sports, and the public sector. Through this partnership, they aim to serve as a hub for cross-border co-creation, linking global design with the practical realities of Japanese enterprises.
This partnership is built on the strengths of both organizations, aiming to create a co-creation system that contributes to corporate transformation. By establishing a platform for collaboration between Japanese companies and POLI.design, they will work together on education programs and the joint design and execution of new business development projects. The significance of this partnership can be highlighted by addressing some key management challenges faced by Japanese enterprises today.
These challenges include the need for innovative differentiation in a mature market, the integration of questioning capabilities that drive organizational transformation, restructuring business models with a focus on sustainability and social issues, and the lack of global perspective opportunities for younger and mid-level professionals. Furthermore, there’s a critical need for upskilling and reskilling employees, fostering design-led innovation, and maximizing learning effects across various departments. The collaboration will also leverage existing research and educational assets to explore new market opportunities.
In this context, knots associates will act as a local partner, assisting in building strategic partnerships with Japanese companies and relevant entities while supporting the shared development of co-creation projects and customized training programs tailored to the specific needs of each organization. The representatives from knots associates have expressed their vision regarding this collaboration.
"By integrating the technological prowess and hands-on capabilities of Japanese companies with POLI.design’s ability to stimulate inquiry and establish meaning, we can foster new value creation that resonates globally. We aim to establish a co-creation model in Japan that goes beyond mere import education, one that addresses real challenges of businesses through inquiry, conception, and implementation together." — Yoshikazu Tomita, President of knots associates Co., Ltd.
Proposed Collaboration Services (Sample)
- - Executive Education: Courses focusing on state-of-the-art design management and strategic concept development in Europe.
- - New Business Creation: Support for design thinking and vision-driven development.
- - Sustainability Transformation: Redesigning business models in the era of ESG and GX.
- - Brand & Organization Development: Visualization of organizational culture and designing inquiries for leaders.
- - Innovation Talent Development: Training internal facilitators and design professionals.
Currently Accepting Inquiries
knots associates is actively seeking partner companies for these collaborative services, as well as organizations interested in implementing our programs. Companies interested in this opportunity can contact us at the following:
- - Contact: knots associates Co., Ltd. (Attn: Onishi)
- - Email: contact@knotsassociates.com
- - Phone: 03-6805-5813
- - Website: knotsassociates.com
About POLI.design
Founded in 1999 as part of Politecnico di Milano, POLI.design is a world-renowned design education and research institution. It delivers advanced specialized education (master’s and executive courses), corporate training, and global co-creation projects, promoting the construction of practical knowledge that bridges design, business, technology, and society.
About knots associates Co., Ltd.
knots associates Co., Ltd. embraces the philosophy of value creation through the reconstruction of inquiry. The company merges systems design, human resource development, and new business support to provide a unique consulting approach. They offer comprehensive support from ideation to execution across various industries, including manufacturing, education, sports, and the public sector. Through this partnership, they aim to serve as a hub for cross-border co-creation, linking global design with the practical realities of Japanese enterprises.
Topics Business Technology）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.