#Japan #Chofu #Campus Create #TIB CATAPULT #TABI

Campus Create Leads Tourism Innovation Cluster

Campus Create, based in Chofu City, Tokyo, has proudly announced its acceptance into the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's TIB CATAPULT initiative, aimed at fostering global innovation. As the lead company for the newly formed tourism-focused innovation cluster known as 'TABI' (Tourism Alliance for Business Innovation), Campus Create will tackle critical issues faced by the tourism sector, such as overtourism and labor shortages.

Overview of TABI

The TABI cluster combines the data and services provided by large corporations with the cutting-edge technologies from various startups. This approach is strategically designed to create socio-economic impacts that offer solutions to the pressing hurdles in the tourism industry. Notable participants of this cluster include major companies such as JTB, AirTrip, Tokyu, SBJ Bank, Okumura Corporation, and NTT Docomo Business Solutions, alongside international partners from Singapore and South Korea.

The TIB CATAPULT Initiative

Launched by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the TIB CATAPULT initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster innovation across high-potential industries. Since the fiscal year 2023, this program has worked to support 'innovation clusters' by bringing together large businesses and investors, enabling them to leverage their strengths in cultivating global startups. This cooperative effort is pivotal for developing robust ecosystems that promote sustainable growth.

For more details, interested parties can visit the official TIB CATAPULT website.

Challenges in the Tourism Sector

Despite being a crucial pillar of Japan's economic strategy, the tourism industry grapples with several systemic challenges, including overtourism and the upkeep of cultural assets and infrastructure. The goal of TABI is to harness startup technologies to create new social value that directly addresses these barriers. Collaborative development and proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives will be expedited to find practical solutions.

Examples of Collaborative Themes:

• - Development of next-gen booking and travel experiences through AI and digital credentials.
• - Implementing sensing technologies for the management and preventive maintenance of cultural heritage sites and tourist attractions.

Through the activities of TABI, Campus Create aims to generate instances of collaboration between startups and large enterprises. Furthermore, outcomes from these initiatives in Tokyo will be shared with local governments and tourism destinations nationwide, enhancing cooperation for overseas deployment through partnerships in Singapore and South Korea.

Future Plans for TABI

Looking ahead, Campus Create will initiate open calls for startups to join the initiative, subsequently leveraging the assets of member companies for PoCs and joint development projects. Updates about the cluster's activities will be disseminated via its dedicated website and press releases, drawing on the long-established networks of cooperation built by Campus Create as a Technology Licensing Organization (TLO) associated with the University of Electro-Communications.

Collaboration with Local Governments

The challenges presented by overtourism, labor shortages, and the management of cultural assets are not confined to Tokyo; they resonate with municipalities and tourist areas across Japan. Campus Create has actively engaged in numerous projects supporting industrial promotion and startup assistance in collaboration with local governments, including serving as a designated management organization for the Minato City Industrial Promotion Center. The TABI initiative will further this open innovation approach by working closely with local authorities, providing real-world testing grounds for collaborative projects.

Company Background

Founded in September 1999, Campus Create is dedicated to practicing open innovation aimed at solving customer challenges. The company operates as a licensed TLO acknowledged by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It functions as a bridge, matching national university researchers with corporate entities seeking applicable technologies.

Currently, Campus Create supports various domains such as technology transfer management, solutions provision, industrial promotion, and overseas market entry. The model promotes a unified approach to create social value, as demonstrated by their accolade during the KAIKA Awards 2020.

With the ongoing endeavor to promote industrial growth in alignment with national strategies, Campus Create is committed to paving the way for innovative solutions in the tourism sector, ensuring that it remains a key driver of economic vitality in Japan.

For more information, reach out to:

• - Address: 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu City, Tokyo (Inside the University of Electro-Communications)
• - Phone: 042-490-5734
• - Email: [email protected]

]