Design of the new centre © Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Start-up Ecosystem
Aichi Prefecture is one of the world’s leading manufacturing bases for automobiles, aerospace, robots and other products. The most recent value of exports of manufactured goods was approximately 48 trillion yen, and the prefecture has been the largest exporter in Japan for 43 consecutive years.
The automotive industry, which is the central component of the economy in the prefecture today, is undergoing a period of once-in-a-century transformation, with the spread of electrification, automated driving, connectivity and sharing. In addition, the accelerated development of digital technologies such as AI, IoT, Big Data and 5G is also expected to accelerate the transformation of the region’s industrial structure.
In order for Aichi to continue to maintain its competitiveness and lead Japan and the world at this historic turning point, it is innovation is essential in Aichi, with start-ups with outstanding innovative business models and cutting-edge technologies as the catalyst.
Therefore, based on the “Aichi-Start-up Strategy” formulated in October 2018, the Prefecture aims to create the Aichi Start-up Ecosystem as a virtuous circle that triggers new innovation and leads to the growth of our industry by combining Aichi’s strengths in manufacturing tradition and superior technology and skills.
The Aichi Start-up Ecosystem is a virtuous cycle that will lead to the growth of industry in Aichi Prefecture. To achieve this goal, there are plans for developing various programs in collaboration with local companies, universities, economic organizations, support institutions, financial institutions, and government agencies.
STATION Ai
STATION Ai (link) in Tsurumai, Showa Ward, in the heart of Nagoya City, is being developed as a start-up support base that will create and nurture new ventures, encourage overseas expansion, and attract the best start-ups from around the world. By promoting open innovation between the start-ups clustered in this area and local manufacturing companies, Aichi aims to make STATION Ai the largest start-up support base in Japan, where innovations will be created one after another.
In July last year, Softbank Corporation, one of Japan’s leading telecommunications companies and a global player, was selected as the successful bidder for the PFI project.
In September, Softbank established a special purpose company, STATION Ai Corporation, which will be responsible for the development and operation of STATION Ai in accordance with Japan’s PFI law, and Aichi Prefecture signed a project contract with the company in October.
After three years of design and construction, STATION Ai is scheduled to open in October 2024.
Collaboration with overseas start-up support institutions and universities
In order to incorporate the knowledge of the world’s leading start-up ecosystems, we are collaborating with overseas start-ups support institutions and universities. At the same time, through these partnerships, we are supporting the global development of start-ups in Aichi Prefecture, as well as attracting overseas start-ups to develop new businesses in Aichi and promote open innovation with companies in the prefecture.
At present, Aichi has conducted specific programs in collaboration with start-up support institutions and universities in the USA, China, Singapore and France.
Conclusion
Through these efforts, we will continue to combine our global network of leading start-ups support institutions and universities with the global network of SOFTBANK CORP. to form a global community centred on STATION Ai, with the aim of establishing an international innovation centre that is unparalleled in the world.
