The Establishment of Regional Nexus Hub as a Key Startup Ecosystem in Japan

The Establishment of the Regional Nexus Hub

The Japanese government, through its initiative to foster startup ecosystems, has officially recognized the "Regional Nexus Hub," a collaborative project between Niigata and Nagano Prefectures, as a key player in the startup landscape. This initiative aims to solidify the cooperative ties between government, academia, and the private sector to enhance the startup ecosystem in the region.

A Milestone Achievement

The adoption of the Regional Nexus Hub marks a significant milestone not only for Niigata and Nagano but also for the broader startup environment in Japan. This regional collaboration is set to leverage the unique resources, technology, and human networks inherent in both prefectures to create a robust foundation for startup development. As part of this consortium, Kiyama Industries, under the leadership of President Mitsu Kiyama, plays a pivotal role in coordinating efforts, acting as a bridge between local governments and private entities.

What is the Regional Nexus Hub?

The Regional Nexus Hub is designed as a wide-area startup ecosystem involving multiple municipalities, universities, research institutions, financial organizations, support agencies, and private enterprises from both Niigata and Nagano. At its core, the initiative aims to diversify local industries by combining strengths in precision processing technology, metalworking, medical device development, renewable energy, food agriculture, and tourism resources. This integrated approach will not only foster regional innovation but also enable global expansion opportunities for local startups.

Significance of this Adoption

This collaboration stands out as the first cross-border regional startup hub between Niigata and Nagano. It serves as a model for localized ecosystems, focusing on cities like Niigata, Nagaoka, Nagano, and Matsumoto. Furthermore, it establishes a structure where multiple municipalities, universities, companies, and financial institutions can collaboratively innovate and create impactful solutions for their communities.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, several key activities are scheduled to strengthen the Regional Nexus Hub:

- Ceremony: An official adoption ceremony will be held to celebrate this achievement.
- Startup Programs: Collaborative programs focusing on incubation and acceleration are set to be launched.
- Experimental Fields: There will be provisions for practical testing environments that utilize regional resources.
- Funding Support: Partnerships with domestic and international investors and major corporations will be pursued to facilitate funding.
- Education Initiatives: A stronger emphasis will be placed on entrepreneurship education in collaboration with educational institutions.
- New Industries: The fusion of local industry and technology is expected to lead to the creation of new, innovative fields.

Initial Framework of Niigata Consortium

What sets the Niigata startup ecosystem apart is its feature of private sector-driven urban strategy development. While other consortia typically have municipal governments at the forefront, the Niigata model thrives on the foundation of private entities that take the lead in providing spaces and initiatives. This collaborative effort between the private sector, government, academia, and financial institutions enhances sustainability and the operational dynamism necessary for driving regional innovation.

Members of the Consortium

The consortium comprises a diverse array of participants:

- Industry: Kiyama Industries (NINNO), Niigata Economic Federation, Niigata Venture Association, Snap Niigata, Food Tech Town Concept (Oisix ra Daichi), among others.
- Government: Niigata Prefecture, Niigata City, and Nagaoka City.
- Academia: Niigata University, Nagaoka Institute of Technology, and Kaishi Professional University.
- Finance: Various financial institutions, including Daiichi Hokuriku Bank and Niigata Venture Capital.

Expert Commentary

Mitsu Kiyama of Kiyama Industries expressed, "The adoption of the Regional Nexus Hub represents a giant leap towards creating a future born from local innovation. By uniting Niigata and Nagano, we are paving the way for an environment where globally competitive startups can thrive."

Company Overview

Company Name: Kiyama Industries, Inc.
Location: 2-5-1 Yoneyama, Chuo-Ku, Niigata City
Representative: Mitsu Kiyama
Established: September 25, 1982
Website: Kiyama Industries