UNIDGE Initiates Startup Recruitment for Himegin New Business Creation Program 2025

UNIDGE Launches Recruitment for Himegin New Business Creation Program 2025

UNIDGE, a subsidiary of AlphaDrive, is excited to announce the commencement of its recruitment for partner startups in the Himegin New Business Creation Program 2025. This initiative, a collaboration with Ehime Bank and KPMG Japan, will begin accepting entries from August 12, 2025.

Program Overview

The Himegin New Business Creation Program is designed to fully support the launching of new businesses aimed at regional core companies in Ehime Prefecture. With KPMG Japan as a co-host, UNIDGE functions as the program provider, offering comprehensive support that includes business development assistance, exploration of partnership opportunities, and the creation of various content initiatives.

On August 7, 2025, a theme-sharing meeting took place where four participating companies outlined their new joint business proposals. Following this, proposals for collaboration will be solicited from startups across the nation, with the aim of turning these ideas into viable businesses.

Participating Companies and Their Themes

The following companies are part of the program, presenting diverse themes for new business development:

Minami-jo Bejoy Co., Ltd.

- Theme 1: Developing high-function feed from unused marine resources through fermentation technology, creating a recycling model for untapped resources.
- Theme 2: Enhancing anti-fouling systems for fishery nets, aiming for a sustainable maintenance framework.

Nishikawa Group

- Theme 1: Aiming to develop services that clarify boundaries and create carbon value.

Nishimura Trading Co., Ltd.

- Theme 1: A challenge to create a cosmetics sample box service.

Nikkou Machinery Trading Company

- Theme 1: Exploring on-site maintenance services for agricultural machines as a first step to enter the agricultural field.

National Startup Recruitment

UNIDGE is inviting startup companies from across Japan to apply. Interested parties can fill out the application form available on the program's special webpage: Himegin Program 2025 Application.

Schedule

The tentative timeline for the program includes:

- Application Period: August 12 – September 19, 2025
- First Coordination Period: September 22 – October 10, 2025
- Second Coordination Period: October 10 – October 24, 2025
- Partner Selection: October 24, 2025
- Proof of Concept: October 27, 2025 – January 14, 2026
- Results Presentation: Late January 2026

About UNIDGE

UNIDGE is a strategic subsidiary of AlphaDrive dedicated to new business support, focusing on not just matching but fully realizing open innovation with a strong commitment to producing tangible business outcomes. The team comprises experienced business developers who assess challenges on the corporate side and design goals, developing a reproducible framework for successful collaborative business development.

To date, UNIDGE has supported around 80 companies in just three years, showcasing the effectiveness of its approaches that encompass everything from developing necessary joint business proposals to supporting the results-driven process.