#Japan #Tokyo #01Booster #01Start #SAAI

Mitsubishi Estate and 01Booster's Business Plan Contest

Mitsubishi Estate, in collaboration with 01Booster, hosted the final judging event for the 8th edition of the business plan contest "01Start" on July 15. The competition aimed to spark innovative ideas and support the next generation of leaders, enabling entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level. The theme for this edition was "Making Dreams Come True in Yurakucho."

After a thorough selection process that involved written applications and interviews, eight remarkable teams were chosen to receive a year of complimentary access to the wonder-working community facility "SAAI" located in Yurakucho. This initiative is designed to provide a network of mentorship and support from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals, thereby facilitating the growth and development of their respective ventures.

Accepted Teams

The selected teams belong to three primary categories - Startup, Intrapreneur, and Social Issues. Here’s a brief overview of the chosen projects:

Startup Category (4 Teams)

• - ErudAite – Led by CEO Kuruto Iida, this company specializes in a high-precision translation engine that supports 59 languages. Visit ErudAite
• - JOYCLE – Under the leadership of CEO Yutaro Koyanagi, JOYCLE offers a decentralized upcycling infrastructure service designed to convert waste into resources rather than transporting or burning it. Visit JOYCLE
• - KenRi – CEO Ryohei Nishida heads this firm specializing in legal-focused AI SaaS paired with legal outsourcing. Visit KenRi
• - TCN Prime – Led by CEO Akihide Konishi, this team introduces an innovative treatment for aortic stenosis called "DIVE," providing less invasive options for patients previously without alternatives. Visit TCN Prime

Intrapreneur Category (2 Teams)

• - Hamee – Rie Nakashima, a project manager at Hamee, presents a customization service enabling non-designers to realize their fashion preferences. Visit Hamee
• - Shimizu Corporation – Yusuke Komiya, an in-house entrepreneur, developed a DX service called Sekonare, which streamlines logistics at construction sites.

Social Issues Category (2 Teams)

• - Nexresin – Led by Miki Ishibashi, this company creates next-generation eco-materials from waste eggshells, achieving both environmental protection and high performance. Visit Nexresin
• - Plusbase – Yoshiya Uchika’s venture supports AI-driven retention of nursing staff through their service, NurseBee. Visit Plusbase

Judges' Insights

Prominent judges such as Natsuki Tamura, team leader at Globis Venture Support, commended the diversity and dedication exhibited by participants, encouraging ongoing collaboration within the SAAI community. The event fostered a sense of solidarity among budding entrepreneurs and established business leaders, who collectively strive to propel the Japanese startup ecosystem forward.

Matsuko Shimada of Mitsubishi Estate expressed her admiration for the contestants' commitment to transforming their unique insights into viable business solutions. Similarly, CEO George Goda of 01Booster reinforced the significance of the SAAI community as a melting pot of ideas, aspirations, and industry collaboration that contributes value to both Japan and the global marketplace.

Final Viewing Opportunity

For those interested, the final judging event can be viewed on the official 01Booster YouTube channel: Watch Here.

About SAAI

Opened in February 2020, the "SAAI Wonder Working Community" operates under Mitsubishi Estate’s vision of fostering a diverse space that catalyzes new ideas and connections. Aimed at nurturing individuals passionate about challenging the status quo and exploring innovation, SAAI stands as a groundbreaking project within the rejuvenation of the Yurakucho area.

This community is centered around the concept of collaboration, diversity, and personal dedication, where individuals can immerse themselves in their pursuits while interacting with like-minded peers.

For more about SAAI, visit SAAI Website.

About 01Booster

Founded with the mission to "change the world through the power of business creation," 01Booster facilitates partnerships between large corporations and startups. Their offerings include open innovation programs, corporate accelerator initiatives, and dedicated support for aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, they operate facilities that foster community engagement and creativity, such as the 01Booster Studio, as they guide innovations from concept to realization. Visit 01Booster