#Japan #Tokyo #Takanawa Gateway #Kosha #Yamato Takahashi

Unpacking Collaborative Synergy: The Event at Takanawa Gateway

On November 10, 2025, an insightful event titled 'Why Do Collaborations Fail Between Large Corporations and Startups?' was hosted by the TAKANAWA GATEWAY Link Scholars’ Hub. This event gathered key figures, including Kouta Nimura, CEO of Kosha, a company dedicated to addressing management challenges through design and creativity.

The event was organized by the TAKANAWA GATEWAY Link Scholars' Hub (LiSH), a business creation center located in the heart of Tokyo’s Takanawa Gateway City. LiSH serves as a co-working space where startups, companies, and academia converge to collaboratively tackle various societal issues.

Key Highlights from the Event

Kouta Nimura shared the stage with Yurie Takeuchi, from the innovation promotion department of Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, who has vast experience in supporting corporate collaborations. The discussions revolved around the complex relationship between large enterprises and startups, exploring their perspectives on collaboration, successes, and prevailing obstacles.

The World Café Format

One of the event's main features was a World Café, a dynamic and interactive discussion format where participants exchanged ideas in small groups over three rounds:

1. Current Challenges and Concerns: Participants shared their personal experiences with collaboration hurdles.
2. Possible Solutions: Insights into what can be done to resolve these issues were discussed.
3. Generating New Collaborations: Ultimately, how the combined experiences could lead to innovative collaborations was contemplated.

Active discussions led to the identification of potential pathways for real collaboration, moving beyond superficial cooperation to produce genuine synergies. The atmosphere was ripe for generating varied perspectives, making it a vibrant forum for idea exchange.

The Role of Collaborative Community

The event underscored the importance of environments like LiSH in fostering collaborations. With a focus on addressing issues in areas such as mobility, healthcare, and environmental concerns, the LiSH community supports the development of new businesses and cultural initiatives.

As part of this initiative, attendees were encouraged to engage continuously, building networks and sharing knowledge that could lead to successful business outcomes.

The role of communities like So-ciety, operated by Sousei Advisory, was also highlighted, where entrepreneurs and freelancers can connect and collaborate on projects—a reminder of the ongoing need for collective wisdom and support in today's complex business landscape.

Conclusion

The event at Takanawa Gateway proved to be a rich learning experience for all involved. The party's willingness to address difficult questions around collaboration between large corporations and startups showcased a necessary step towards creating a more integrated and innovative business ecosystem. With insights from leaders like Nimura and Takeuchi, participants left equipped with new strategies and perspectives to navigate the future of collaborative business initiatives.