CIC Institute Announces Second Project of Global CityTech Bridge for 2025

CIC Institute Launches New Projects for the Global CityTech Bridge

CIC Institute, headquartered in Tokyo's Minato Ward and founded by CEO Tim Rowe, has officially announced the selection of four innovative projects for the 2025 initiative of the Global CityTech Bridge, part of a broader effort to foster global innovation. This announcement comes as the second round of selected projects following an impressive pool of over 60 submissions.

The chosen projects aim to tackle pressing urban challenges through inventive technologies and collaborations between startups and established companies. The initiative is firmly rooted in Tokyo's commitment to becoming a leading hub for innovative solutions that address urban living and sustainability. The selected projects are as follows:

1. Utilizing Waste Heat for a Decarbonized Society
- Startup: elleThermo
- Implementation Partner: Sapporo Real Estate Development

This project focuses on converting above-room-temperature heat into electrical power, helping to harness waste heat from urban infrastructures. By gathering data on electricity generation in outdoor low-temperature environments, the goal is to advocate for effective uses of waste heat, propelling towards a decarbonized society.

2. Infrastructure Development for Mobility in Welfare Settings
- Startup: mairu tech
- Implementation Partner: Haseko Senior Well Design

This initiative aims to enhance the mobility services available in healthcare settings. Utilizing the mairu service, the project seeks to improve user experiences and alleviate the burdens on facility staff, ensuring smoother transport opportunities in care facilities.

3. Multilingual Tools for Early Development of Drivers
- Startup: Be-Spoke
- Implementation Partner: Central Japan Railway Company

Focusing on the vital skills of train operators, this project aims to develop AI-generated video training materials, particularly for emergency handling techniques. The collaboration will explore effective training methods based on real-time feedback from current operators to perfect educational tools.

4. Enhancing Urban Walkability with AI-based Crowd Analytics
- Startup: Delight Flow
- Implementation Partner: Shibuya City

Targeting the area around Shibuya station, this project will employ AI to analyze pedestrian traffic to enhance urban navigation. A part of this effort includes partnering with aora, an operator of a social finance app, to facilitate easier movement for visitors in the area.

With the chosen startups and companies, CIC Institute will provide multifaceted support for these projects, including implementation subsidies, growth assistance, and international expansion support. Additionally, a public announcement will be made on October 15, where details and plans concerning these initiatives will be shared at CIC Tokyo.

CIC Institute continues to seek participation from businesses and startups interested in furthering these innovative projects. Interested parties can reach out to the secretariat for more information.

About Global CityTech Bridge

The Global CityTech Bridge initiative, co-run by CIC Institute and Shimizu Corporation, aims to foster innovation in urban technology while ensuring societal implementation. Collaborating closely with Connected Places Catapult and various partners, the program provides startups the opportunity for corporate matching, practical testing opportunities, economic support for realization, and assistance in expanding to overseas markets. Solutions regarding smart cities, mobility, energy, decarbonization, resource circulation, and disaster resilience are set to be implemented within Tokyo, showcasing local implementations as models for international projects.

Additional Information

For further details about the Global CityTech Bridge, please visit CIC's website.
For insights into the administrative body, CIC Institute, and their supporting role in startup innovation and ecosystem development, check here.