#Japan #startups #Kobe #Creww #Hyogo Innovation

Introduction to the Hyogo Open Innovation Challenge 2025

Creww Inc., led by CEO Sora Itochi, has been entrusted by Hyogo Prefecture to manage the 'Hyogo Open Innovation Challenge' starting from the fiscal year 2023. This year, Creww is excited to announce the continuation of regular events focused on open innovation at the Entrepreneurship Plaza Hyogo.

What is the Hyogo Open Innovation Challenge 2025?

This program is initiated by the new industrial division of Hyogo Prefecture, aiming to promote open innovation between local businesses and startups. It supports endeavors toward co-creation and collaboration. Last fiscal year, the program saw participation from 689 individuals and 284 organizations from both within and outside the prefecture during its regular events, resulting in successful collaborative projects.

In the upcoming year, the challenge aims to provide additional opportunities for knowledge acquisition and network building through regular events. Highlights include:

• - Reverse pitching from local companies
• - Matching support utilizing Creww’s online platform
• - Financial assistance for collaboration efforts

Details of the Hyogo Open Innovation Challenge 2025

1. Regular Events

To enhance understanding of open innovation and facilitate various network connections, the program will host regular events throughout the year (a total of 10 events). The events are scheduled to take place at the Entrepreneurship Plaza Hyogo located in Kobe City.

• - For more information on the kickoff event, you can visit: Kickoff Event Details

2. Matching Support via Creww’s Online Platform

Creww will aid local businesses interested in creating new ventures and solving challenges through open innovation with startups nationwide. This includes designing co-creation themes, recruiting and selecting potential matching companies, and providing support throughout the business creation process.

For details on the schedule and implementation, please refer to the challenge's official page.

3. Target Audience

The primary participants will be businesses with operational bases in Hyogo Prefecture:

• - Businesses facing management challenges that can't be addressed solely with current partners.
• - Companies lacking the technical know-how to explore new fields.
• - Organizations unable to manifest new business ideas due to a lack of resources or expertise.

Startups looking to collaborate with Hyogo-based companies will also be a key audience.
Examples include:

• - Startups seeking partners for product validation and proof of concept.
• - Startups wanting to leverage local resources for business growth.
• - Companies hoping to demonstrate their services in collaboration with local firms.

All local companies and startups aiming for growth can engage, including support institutions, financial bodies, universities, and government agencies.

4. Host and Management

The challenge is organized and managed by Hyogo Prefecture, with Creww Inc. as the operating body.

About Creww Inc.

Founded in August 2012 and based in Shibuya, Tokyo, Creww Inc. has grown into a prominent open innovation platform in Japan. With a vision to 'Create an Era of Great Challenges,' Creww supports entrepreneurs, startups, and corporations in matching their needs with a range of services. With over 500 open innovation programs and approximately 1,500 collaborations, it boasts one of the largest track records in the country, registering around 8,500 startups on its platform. The company plays an active role in promoting the startup ecosystem not only in Japan but across Asia, including South Korea and Taiwan.

For more details, please visit Creww's Official Website.