Wakayama's Open Innovation Program: A New Era for Local Businesses
In an effort to foster innovation and support local enterprises, AlphaDrive has partnered with Wakayama Prefecture to implement the
WAVE - Wakayama Open Innovation Program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to aid businesses within the prefecture as they navigate the evolving market landscape and embark on new business ventures. Following a successful kickoff, the program has announced the commencement of participant recruitment for both a preliminary seminar and a practical program in Wakayama City.
About WAVE
The WAVE program is specifically designed to help local businesses adapt to changing environments and seize opportunities for new business development. It consists of two main parts:
1. Preliminary Seminar (July - August 2025)
Led by experienced instructors from AlphaDrive who have supported numerous new business initiatives, the seminar series will cover essential practical topics to equip participants for their journey into innovation. The seminar consists of three sessions, each focusing on relevant aspects of business development:
- - Session 1: Understanding the correct approach to developing new businesses (July 8, 2025)
- - Session 2: Finding customers and identifying key challenges (July 18, 2025)
- - Session 3: Practical implementation of open innovation (August 5, 2025)
Participants can expect interaction with leading experts in the field, providing them with valuable insights and frameworks for launching successful new ventures. The preliminary seminar is free of charge, and both on-site and online participation options are available. However, space is limited, with a cap of 60 on-site participants.
2. Practical Program (August 2025 - March 2026)
The practical program will allow participants to apply the knowledge gained in the preliminary seminar to real-world business scenarios, featuring two distinct courses that cater to varying needs:
- - DIVE Course: This course offers personalized mentoring from AlphaDrive specialists, facilitating ongoing dialogue around development ideas and providing continuous support throughout the process. Included in this course are workshops, documentation assistance, and collaboration partner scouting. A total of five companies will be accepted into this course.
- - TRY Course: Focused on collaborative learning, this option will bring together multiple participants to brainstorm and refine business ideas based on customer needs and challenges. Participants will have access to a community platform for partner searches and expert guidance through workshops, enhancing their networking and developmental potential. Up to 15 companies can join this course.
Participation Details
Participants interested in either the preliminary seminar or the practical program can register via the provided links:
For those with questions regarding the program, the organizing team at AlphaDrive is readily available to assist. The goal of WAVE is not just to foster individual success stories but to elevate the entire business ecosystem of Wakayama Prefecture through collaboration and innovation.
About AlphaDrive
Founded on February 23, 2018, AlphaDrive is dedicated to supporting new business development through hands-on mentoring and practical experience. Their headquarters are located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and their work directly contributes to enhancing the capabilities and achievements of local enterprises across Japan. For further information, visit their corporate site at
AlphaDrive.