Digital Garage is Selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Be Smart Tokyo” Project to Accelerate the Implementation of Smart Services

– DG is selected as a “Smart Service Promoter^*1” for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Be Smart Tokyo” project to accelerate the implementation of smart services.

■Outline of “Be Smart Tokyo”
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government aims to create a “Smart Tokyo” where people can enjoy a high-quality life in Tokyo city by maximizing the city’s potential through the power of digital technology. “Be Smart Tokyo” will establish a framework for collaboration between area management organizations that provide smart city infrastructure, such as the urban operating system (“Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider^*2”) and “startups^*3” to accelerate the implementation of smart services for the creation of a smart Tokyo city.

As a “Smart Service Promoter,” Digital Garage, Inc. (TSE Prime section: 4819; HQ: Tokyo; Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO: Kaoru Hayashi; DG) will work flexibly with the Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition, DG will provide technical, financial, and network support to startups that implement smart services over three years, thereby creating numerous examples of smart service implementation in Tokyo city.

■ Details of “Be Smart Tokyo” and selection criteria
“Be Smart Tokyo” is a project that aims to maximize the potential of Tokyo city through the power of digital technology and create a “Smart Tokyo” where Tokyo city residents can live with a higher quality of life based on the concept of “Make Tokyo smarter and funnier.” Startups and other organizations offering a variety of originality and mobility will collaborate to implement smart services. It aims to create new services that enhance Tokyo city residents’ convenience and quality of life.

DG established “Open Network Lab,” a pioneering accelerator program in Japan, in 2010 and has been working to foster startups that will become global players. DG’s expertise in investing and supporting startups and its track record of social implementation through open innovation initiatives with various companies and governments have been highly evaluated. DG is selected as a “Smart Service Promoter” to support startups and other businesses.

DG will utilize the DG Group’s business assets, such as comprehensive payment platforms, marketing solutions, and knowledge of cutting-edge technologies such as web3 and Generative AI, to bring out the potential of Tokyo city through the power of digital, which is the goal of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition, with the startups, DG will support the development of a “Smart Tokyo” that enables Tokyo city residents to enjoy a high quality of life.

Specifically, DG will support the implementation of smart services over the medium to long term by matching startups with the Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider, suggesting collaborations, and verifying PoCs. It also establishes an ecosystem that enables the sustainable provision of services by helping startups expand the areas of implementation of their services and develop their businesses.

■Support summary
＜Expected fields of startups to be supported＞
Environment, wellness, urban development, and others

＜Details＞
•Mentoring for business and collaboration utilizing the knowledge of DG’s accelerator program, “Open Network Lab,” and building project management skills.
•Support business expansion by connecting with DG’s comprehensive payment platform and marketing solutions. Finance support in collaboration with investment businesses.
•Support for communication with the Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider to collaborate on social implementation.

＜Period of the Agreement (tentative)＞
From June 30, 2023, to March 31, 2026

＜Contact＞
Startups and the Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider interested in this project are welcome to contact us at
info@onlab.jp

■Tokyo Metropolitan Government Smart Service Implementation Promotion Project “Be Smart Tokyo” official website
https://www.be-smarttokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/

*1: “Smart Service Promoter”: A company that promotes implementing smart services in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
*2: “Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider”: Key players in the development and operation of smart city infrastructure, such as area management organizations, their constituent, and cooperating companies, and governments participating in their initiatives.
*3: “Startups”: Companies responsible for implementing smart services in cooperation with the Smart City’s Field & Infrastructure Provider and smart service implementation promotion businesses.