Shibuya QWS Signs International Collaboration with Startups in Finland and South Korea

Shibuya QWS Expands Global Cooperation with Finland and South Korea

In a significant move towards international collaboration, Shibuya QWS (Shibuya QWS), located on the 15th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square in Tokyo, has established partnership agreements with key startup support centers in Finland and South Korea. This initiative aims to strengthen the global startup ecosystem and enhance opportunities for both local and international businesses.

On July 1, 2025, Shibuya QWS will collaborate with "Crazy Town Oy," one of Finland's largest community-driven coworking networks. Following this, on January 14, 2026, it will partner with the "Gwangju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation," a prominent startup support facility backed by the Gwangju Metropolitan Government in South Korea. These agreements will facilitate mutual introductions between startups engaged by these institutions, along with joint utilization of facilities by startup staff and operational teams.

Fostering a Global Network

The partnership will provide a structured framework for collaborative events and exchange programs, ultimately aiming to establish an international network that fuels innovation and startups. This effort aligns with Gwangju's vision of promoting industrial innovation and nurturing local startups through community collaboration. The Gwangju Center plays a crucial role in this regard, driving open innovation projects that encourage collaboration between large corporations and regional startups.

In Finland, Crazy Town Oy operates in six cities and has proven to be a catalyst for business growth as an accelerator. Their model connects freelancers, startups, and corporate teams in flexible office spaces, promoting a diverse ecosystem for entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002 in Jyväskylä, Crazy Town Oy has evolved to support thousands of businesses and ideas across Finland.

Strategic Cooperation Initiatives

The key areas of collaboration outlined in this partnership include:
1. Mutual introductions of enterprises contributing to Japan-Korea and Japan-Europe startup communities.
2. Reciprocal facility utilization by startups, big businesses, and operational staff from both parties.
3. Support for forming an international network through event co-hosting and inter-startup connectivity initiatives.

Shibuya QWS has recently broadened its international outreach by forming agreements with prominent organizations globally. Notable collaborations include partnerships with "START2 GROUP PTE. LTD. " in Singapore in November 2022, "Maria01" in Europe in October 2023, and the Seoul Startup Hub in South Korea in May 2025, alongside Finland's leading startup support organizations such as "Aalto Entrepreneurship Society (Aaltoes)" and "Startup Sauna". Through these alliances, Shibuya QWS aims to support its members' global expansion and foreign startups' entry into the Japanese market, increasing opportunities for generating new social value.

About Crazy Town Oy

Founded: 2002
Locations: Six cities across Finland, including Jyväskylä and Espoo
Overview: Crazy Town Oy operates as a leading community-driven coworking network in Finland and serves as a business growth accelerator. It fosters a collaborative ecosystem that promotes creativity and innovation among various stakeholders.
Learn more about Crazy Town Oy

About Gwangju Center for Creative Economy & Innovation

Founded: 2014 (Operational since 2015)
Location: 12, Gyeongyeol-ro 17 beon-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Overview: As a public support institution, the Gwangju Center focuses on nurturing local startups and driving industrial innovation through various programs. It is the main organizer of the Gwangju Startup Festival, which aims to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem through exhibitions and investment events.
Learn more about Gwangju Center

About Shibuya QWS

Shibuya QWS is a co-creation facility designed to foster cross-industry collaboration and generate social value through innovative ideas and new business endeavors. Since its opening in November 2019, Shibuya QWS has supported over 440 startups and projects, offering unique programs that challenge the creation of new social values. As a result, several startups have already secured funding from angel investors and venture capital firms, paving the way for their successful market implementation.
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