Relic and Keithley Launch Public-Private Partnership Open Innovation Platform to Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

Overview and Background

Relic and K3 have been supporting the promotion of public-private partnership measures to solve social issues under the new coronavirus infection control since May 2020 (*1). This project is the first project of this public-private partnership measure. This project is a mechanism to solicit new technologies, solutions, etc. from startups and other businesses, universities and other research institutions to solve social issues in the new normal after the lifting of the emergency declaration, and to generate innovations through demonstration experiments in Shibuya Ward. This is the mechanism of the program. In addition to full cooperation from Shibuya City, mentoring by venture capitalists, etc., and collaboration with supporting organizations, the selected businesses and university research institutions will receive the maximum possible business support in order to ensure the success of their demonstration experiments. The project will utilize Relic's innovation management platform "Throttle (*2)" for soliciting, managing, brushing up, screening, and community formation of project proposals.

　Relic and K3 are still looking for municipalities interested in implementing similar platforms and projects. Interested municipalities should contact

For inquiries, please contact
K3 Corporation Attn: Kazuto Kataoka
E-MAIL: contact@k-three.org

New Normal × Innovation from Shibuya" special site

https://shibuya.throttle.biz/innovation

Outline of Public Offering (excerpts)

1. who is eligible to apply
Businesses, mainly start-ups, and research institutions such as universities that aim to address the social issues of the new coronavirus through technology.

2. theme of application
New technologies, solutions, etc. to solve social issues in the new normal that has been welcomed after the lifting of the state of emergency declaration.
 
(Example of service)
Service that creates a new form of retail/food and beverage
A service that creates a new form of entertainment
A service that brings a new fashion buying experience
Services to support new cultural and artistic experiences and activism
Services to assist single parents in raising their children when working at home.
Services to support school education by distance
Services to support home care by refraining from going out
Services that bring about new Shibuya tourism (local experience)

3. application period
Application period: Applications will be accepted from June 25, 2020 at any time (with deadlines set according to application status).

4. support for selected companies
Coordination with Shibuya Ward departments for service development
Cooperation in the Implementation of the Demonstration Experiment
Support for collaboration with partners through the Shibuya Ward network
Early implementation support for successful models
Mentoring by venture capitalists and other investors
Resources and financial support from sponsors (tentative)

5. mentor
Mentors with extensive experience in investing in and nurturing startups at the cutting edge of business support your challenges.
Open Network Lab 
Delight Ventures, Inc.
Mobile Internet Capital, Inc.

6. sponsorship
Shibuya Future Design Inc.
Shibuya City Tourism Association
Shibuya Service Corporation

7. cooperation
Relic Corporation
K3 Corporation
Digital Garage, Inc. 

Comments from each company

Relic Corporation CEO Takao Kitajima
As the first platform to realize open innovation through public-private partnerships, we are very honored to realize this initiative together with the people of Shibuya Ward, which has been leading the growth of Japan's IT industry since its creation and has played a role in innovation as a center for promising ventures and startups. We are honored to be able to realize this initiative together with the people of Shibuya Ward, which has played a role in innovation as a center of promising venture and start-up companies. We hope that this will be the first step toward accelerating the resolution of social issues through co-creation between local governments, business enterprises, and research institutions nationwide. We will continue to make every effort to create innovations that solve social issues through the provision of this platform.

Kazuto Kataoka, Director and COO, Keithley K.K.
We were able to establish a system that aims to solve social issues facing Shibuya Ward through co-creation between the government and businesses. With the support of investors and sponsors, we have been able to establish a system that provides full support for applicants to ensure success. We expect that more and more people will join us in the future. We hope that this project will continue to develop as an innovation creation platform, building an ecosystem in which many stakeholders can co-create and nurture new solutions to social issues.

note 1
May 7, 2020
Relic and K3 collaborate to provide an online platform for open innovation between government and the private sector to solve social issues in with Corona/after Corona."
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000038.000016318.html

*2
Throttle Service Description:https://relic.co.jp/services/throttle/