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Digital Garage, FDC, Fukuoka Growth Next Begin Accepting Applications for the 2nd Batch of “Onlab FUKUOKA,” the Open Innovation Program
Seeking for Startups Aiming to Create New Businesses in New Normal
Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE first section: 4819; HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG), Fukuoka D.C. (Director General: Shuhei Ishimaru), and Fukuoka Growth Next (Secretary General: Yuichiro Uchida; Fukuoka Growth Next) begin accepting applications for the 2nd batch of “Onlab FUKUOKA (https://onlab.jp/en/programs/fukuoka/); Onlab FUKUOKA), which aims to create business revolving around smart cities and smart lives for the New Normal era in the Fukuoka region, from October 13, 2020. (Program Period: December 2020–March 2021)
【Open Network Lab FUKUOKA introductory video】
Based at Fukuoka Growth Next (https://growth-next.com/), Fukuoka City’s startup support facility through public-private cooperation, the program is aimed at discovering and developing services and products that provide secure, comfortable and high-quality lifestyles and urban spaces. This includes new experience values, work style and living, entertainment, healthcare, education, mobility, and smart cities in the era of the New Normal and next-generation DX (digital transformation), as well as to implement services and technologies that our society requires for this New Normal era, including business utilizing technologies such as 5G, xR (a generic term for VR, AR, etc.), digital twinning, and more.
“Onlab FUKUOKA” seeks out various companies that are tackling issues on the themes outlined above, selecting those companies prepared to collaborate as partners with outstanding enterprises in diverse fields, including major Fukuoka-based companies. To aid in planning and furthering PoC (proof of concept), “Onlab FUKUOKA” provides mentoring by members with abundant experience in open innovation, Biz Dev (business development) support to promote collaboration with major companies, and an environment that speeds up PoC, business ties, and more to facilitate the progress made by companies. In addition, DG will help Fukuoka-based startups expand overseas, and provides assistance for overseas startups to take part in this program, through the Internet business and startup support expertise, as well as its Global Incubation Stream linking Japan, the United States, Europe, and Asia. DG also plans to provide PoC and collaboration opportunities with DG Lab, an open innovation R&D organization with five focus areas (Blockchain, AI, VR/AR, Security, and BioHealth).
Going forward, DG will continue building ecosystems to support new business creation, and will keep cultivating and supporting more startups, through locally-rooted programs in collaboration with major Japanese cities like “Onlab FUKUOKA”. DG will also start programs in specific regions and domains, such as “Open Network Lab HOKKAIDO” and “Open Network Lab Resi-Tech”.
■Partner companies (no particular order) *As of October 13, 2020
Fukuoka Jisho Co., Ltd., Takenaka Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., Kakaku.com, Inc., Hanwha Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
■Global Network (no particular order)
DG717, 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C., All Turtles Corporation, Betaworks Studio, LLC, I&CO, byFounders, Hardware Club, BEENEXT PTE. LTD, Mind Fund Group Ltd, Golden Whales Group Corporation
■Program contents (December 2020 – March 2021)
* The schedule is subject to change due to social circumstances such as the spread of infectious disease or natural disasters.
【Overview of Onlab FUKUOKA】
■Support
– Biz Dev support to promote PoC and collaboration with major companies
– Professional consulting support by members with wealth of experience in open innovation, etc.
– Co-working space usage rights for the “Fukuoka Growth Next,” Fukuoka-City’s startup support facility during the program
– Fundraising opportunities
■Eligible Candidates
– Companies with the skills to plan proof-of-concept (PoC) in co-creation with supporting companies, and to demonstrate the results of PoC
– Companies that can allocate resources to carry out co-creation initiatives with partner companies after selection
■Schedule
Applications accepted: October 13 (Tuesday), 2020 – November 12 (Thursday)
Teams selected: Late-December (tentative)
Program provided: Late-December – Late-March (tentative)
Demo Day*: Late-March (to be held online)
*Demo Day: Japanese and international investors, as well as business companies, are invited to this pitch event that is an opportunity for fundraising, joint research, and collaboration.
■Website
https://onlab.jp/en/programs/fukuoka/
【Inquires】
Onlab FUKUOKA Secretariat
onlab-fukuoka@garage.co.jp