Linn Co-Creation Program Launching Second Phase in July 2026

Linn Co-Creation Program Phase Two Set to Begin in July 2026

The SHIBUYA QWS Innovation Council, led by chairperson Yukio Nomura, along with ADDReC Co., Ltd., represented by Taiga Fukushima, is excited to announce the launch of the second phase of the Linn Co-Creation Program. Officially titled "Linn (SHIBUYA Co-Creation Lab for Living Innovation)," this initiative will kick off on July 6, 2026, and will focus on the central theme of "Living Innovation" related to daily life and housing.

For a duration of three months, this co-creative program will bring together universities, research institutions, local governments, businesses, and creators/artists from various sectors. Together, these participants will envision and implement innovative solutions for future living conditions, housing, and lifestyle practices. Applications for the program open today, June 10, and will close on June 29, 2026.

Phase One Achievements and Enhanced Approach in Phase Two

The first phase, which ran from August to October in 2025, saw participation from 23 individuals representing corporations, universities, local governments, and the QWS project. Together, they generated around 40 collaborative ideas, leading to several successful joint projects. Participants rated their satisfaction with the co-creation program at 4.3 out of 5, while their desire for continuity was given a score of 4.8 out of 5.

Building on these achievements, the second phase aims to strengthen the support provided by the SHIBUYA QWS Innovation Council and the design firm ADDReC. The program will focus on deepening the collaboration between industry, academia, and government and accelerating project implementation.

Characteristics of the Linn Co-Creation Program

Linn is not just a training program or ideation event; it is a comprehensive three-month workshop where participants establish projects by bringing their individual resources together. Participants will co-create ideas and develop seed projects within the workshop, which will be supported by the Linn management office (PMO) to link to concrete outcomes like participation in the QWS Challenge, joint research, pilot experiments, conference presentations, and co-authored publications.

PMO Function: Guiding Ideas to Implementation

The Linn management office is designed to ensure that the innovative ideas generated during workshops transition from concept to implementation. The PMO function serves to bridge the language and practices of various sectors, including companies, universities, governmental entities, and creators/artists. Specific support includes:

- Matching businesses with research labs and local governments for collaborative research contracts.
- Coordinating pilot testing and commercialization, including access to fields like SHIBUYA QWS.
- Assisting in conference presentations and academic publications.
- Supporting the acquisition of implementation budgets and grants, and connecting with the QWS ecosystem.

Continuity of support from the PMO has facilitated the continuation of collaborative projects born from the first phase. In the second phase, this structure will be reinforced to achieve even more significant outcomes than during the first phase.

Facilitator Introduction

Yukinobu Yokota will continue to serve as the main facilitator for the second phase. With a robust background in innovation consulting and having supported over 100 new business and organizational transformation projects, Yokota brings invaluable insights to the program. He is currently an Executive Fellow at i.school and a part-time lecturer at Waseda University's Business School.

Sub-themes and Theme Owners for Phase Two

Partakers will explore sub-themes related to the main theme of "Living and Housing". These sub-themes will be led by theme owners who will provide their professional insights and hypothetical future visions, thus exploring collaborative research and business opportunities together with participants from diverse fields.

Sub-theme 1: Technology and Urban Living

Led by Kōta Minazawa, chair and professor at Keio University’s Graduate School of Media Design (KMD), focusing on sharing, creating, and expanding physical experiences through technology and design projects.

Sub-theme 2: Community Development in Shibuya

Led by Yuki Hashimoto, a member of the Shibuya City Council focusing on diversity, inclusion, and innovative community planning that transcends administrative boundaries.

Value for Participants

The second phase seeks to address challenges identified in the first phase, emphasizing the inclusion of diverse perspectives from local government and academia. For stakeholders in each sector, Linn aims to provide valuable opportunities, such as:

- Researchers: Opportunities for joint research and validating expertise in real-world settings.
- Businesses: New business ideas through cross-industry collaborations and access to fields for social implementation.
- Government Officials: Frameworks for sustainable collaborative solutions for local issues by integrating insights from the private sector and research institutions.

Join the Second Phase

The Linn Co-Creation Program's second phase will take place from July to September 2026, consisting of five sessions (each lasting 2.5 hours) at the SHIBUYA QWS. Key dates include July 6, July 24, August 4, August 14, and September 2.
Applications are welcome from anyone interested in generating innovative proposals regarding living and housing, including local government officials, academic researchers, startups, and university students. Participants should be motivated to actively lead collaborative research and projects.

- Approximately 30 spots are available, with various participation fees based on sector affiliation.
- More details can be found on the official website: Linn Official Site.

Pre-event Session

Join us for the opening pre-session on June 22, 2026, titled "Opening of Linn 2026: Opening Living and Travel". This event will explore the transformative possibilities in community development and collaborative value creation!