CIC Tokyo x U3 Innovations] Calling for startups to collaborate with 7 Core Member companies of the "Environmental Energy Innovation Community".

In order to accelerate the creation of innovation in the environmental energy field, CIC Tokyo and U3 Innovations, in collaboration with seven Core Members, launched the Environmental Energy Innovation Community (the "Community"). The kick-off event was held on August 24, 2021.
As Core Members, the seven companies involved in creating innovations in the environmental energy field will play a central role in the management of this community.
The activities of this community are to support the creation and search for startups, provide growth support, and implement a practical innovation program that promotes collaboration between startups and Core Members based on a specific social issue. Startups are invited to participate in this practical innovation program until September 30.

About Core Members and Community Partners

The following companies are invited to join as Core Members to play a central role in the operation of this community. More Core Members will be added in the future.

INPEX Corporation
ENEOS Holdings Corporation
Kansai Electric Power Co.
Sekisui Chemical Co.
Sojitz Corporation
Tokyo Gas Co.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Call for startups to participate in hands-on innovation program

The main activity of this community is to implement hands-on innovation programs that create opportunities for collaboration between startups and large companies to solve specific social issues, as well as to accelerate collaboration with local governments, central ministries, investors, and other stakeholders.
Specifically, Core Member companies will present their unique challenges and the technological areas they are seeking to solve them, and will call for startups that are expected to contribute to the solution of these challenges.

By exploring the possibility of collaboration with Core Members, the selected startups will be able to take advantage of the business fields and assets provided by Core Members, and will also be able to work with local governments, central ministries, and other organizations to gain practical opportunities for social implementation.

This innovation program for solving social issues will work on one issue (issue) for a certain period of time, with two or three issues to be implemented in one year during the first year.

1) First social issue in 2021 (2021: Issue 1)
Decarbonization of housing

2) Background
In line with the "Declaration of Carbon Neutrality by 2050," all sectors are required to achieve virtually zero emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, and this also applies to the residential sector. In recent years, the government has been promoting ZEH (Net Zero Energy House), which reduces the annual primary energy consumption balance to zero. However, the further spread of ZEH and the decarbonization of housing, including existing housing, are still in their infancy, and further decarbonization through new technologies is expected to result in the expansion of housing-related markets.

3) Examples of start-up technologies, products and services sought

• Construction materials and materials area] Contributing to the improvement of energy efficiency in housing and decarbonization throughout the entire life cycle
• Energy Management] Equipment and devices (energy-creating and energy-storing devices, home appliances, lighting, etc.) related to housing that contribute to more efficient energy use.
• Business for multi-unit residential buildings] Contributing to decarbonization by promoting the use of renewable energy in multi-unit residential buildings, including high-rise condominiums.
• Mobility/V2H] Contributing to the promotion of EVs in private vehicles and to the efficiency of their use
• Construction Tech] Contribute to improving the efficiency of home construction and renovation and strengthening decarbonization solutions.
• Real Estate Tech] Contributing to the visualization and distribution of decarbonized value in the real estate industry, etc.

4) Theme Owner
In Issue 1: Decarbonizing Housing, the following Core Members will work with startups

• Sekisui Chemical Co.
• 1-2 other companies (to be explained at the proposal presentation event on September 17)

Issue 1: Decarbonization of Housing" will not be limited to collaboration with the theme owners mentioned above, but will also include "open" startups that explore collaboration and funding with other Core Members and others.
Therefore, any startup that can contribute to the decarbonization of housing in a wide range of areas, such as those listed in (3), may be eligible for adoption. The potential for unexpected collaborations is the potential for a community-based implementation program.

5) Application Requirements

• The company must be a start-up within 10 years of establishment, or a department within a company that is considering new business.
• Must be interested in Issue 1: Decarbonizing Housing and be willing to collaborate with Core Members of the Environmental Energy Innovation Community.
• Be willing to follow the instructions of the secretariat (CIC Toranomon LLC and U3 Innovations LLC) in participating in the Practical Innovation Program.

6) Schedule

• Recruitment periodFrom September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 at 23:59
  
• Core Member explains the assignment:Friday, September 17, 2021, 18:00-19:30
  
• Details and Application for Issue Briefing Event:https://energy-environment-reverse-pitch-1.peatix.com/view
  
• Notification of AdoptionEarly October (scheduled)
  
• Pitches by adoptersOctober 13 (Wed) 18:00 - 20:00 (tentative)
  
• Program Implementation Period: From October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021

7) Application Procedure
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1va6yfRs3TTr_8xSnMxlhZSstsU__4nc54o6pP663PYg/edit?usp=sharing

8) How to apply
Apply using the application form below.
https://forms.gle/cDxFPGV2iKtLPsY29

Kick-off Event Report

The kick-off event for the launch of this community was held at CIC Tokyo on August 24, 2021. A total of 380 people participated in the event, both online and offline.

Outline of the event
Date: August 24, 2021 18:00-20:30 (doors open at 17:30)
Location: CIC Tokyo (Toranomon Hills Business Tower 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo) & online
Admission: Free

1) Greetings from Guests of Honor
At the opening of the event, Mr. Kawahara, Director, Energy and Environment Innovation Strategy Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. Kato, Director, Environmental Research and Technology Office, Policy Planning and Coordination Division, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment, spoke about start-ups in the environmental energy field and their expectations for this community.

Mr. Kawahara expressed his hope and positive attitude toward METI's support, saying that he felt a sense of destiny to be involved in this historic moment of the launch of Japan's first innovation community specializing in the environmental energy field.

Mr. Kato also spoke about the importance of this community and his expectations for it, along with the Ministry of the Environment's efforts to date.

2) Attention focused on the environmental energy field
Mr. Murakami, General Partner of MPower Partners, which invests in the SDGs field, spoke about the growing worldwide attention to the environmental energy sector and the climate change-related situation. Using the United States as an example, Mr. Murakami spoke about the growing interest and investment in the green energy sector around the world, as well as the role that startups play internationally.

3) Launch of the Environmental Energy Innovation Community
Mr. Nagura, General Manager of CIC Tokyo, introduced the purpose and activities of the launch of the Environmental Energy Innovation Community. He also explained what he has learned from CIC Tokyo's past activities in the environmental energy field and outlined the future activities of the community.

4) Panel Discussion 1　
"Time for Environmental Energy Transformation! Players Gather to Launch New Industries!"
The first panel discussed innovation in the environmental energy field from the standpoints of startups, researchers, and large companies. The panelists discussed from a variety of perspectives the players needed to bring about change in this field, how to create a place where these players can meet and collaborate, and the role and expectations of this community in solving the difficulties unique to the environmental energy field through the community. The discussion will cover a variety of perspectives on the role and expectations of this community.

interpoint (interword separation)moderator
Junko Takeuchi / Founder & Co-Chairman, U3 Innovations, LLC
interpoint (interword separation)panelist
Yota Takakura / CEO and Representative Director, INOCA Corporation
Makoto Asai / President, CEO & Co-Founder, Arkleb Corporation; Project Professor, Global Research Institute, Keio University
Daijiro Tokutomi / Business Promotion Group 3, Future Business Promotion Department, ENEOS Holdings Corporation
Takashi Mizuochi / Executive Officer, Deputy General Manager, Business Innovation Division, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

5) Panel Discussion 2: "Practical Innovation Programs are now in full swing!"
In the second panel discussion, the panelists discussed how each player can get involved in the "Practical Innovation Program," which is the main activity of this community, and what should be done to decarbonize housing, the theme of Issue 1.
Voices were heard from startups, large companies, and supporters about areas where it is difficult for startups alone to decarbonize housing and elements that require collaboration with large companies.

Moderator
Takeshi Kawashima / Director, U3 Innovations, LLC

Panelists
Harumi Shioide / CEO, Nature Inc.
Takehiro Oda / Public affairs Strategy Office, Acceleration Division, Four Startups, Inc.
Innovation Catalyst, Innovation Promotion Group, Corporate New Business Development Department, Sekisui Chemical Co.

The archive of this symposium will be made available to some community members.
Below is the registration form
https://forms.gle/MkdMRPYzJrwf7rmu5

Environment and Energy Innovation Community Management Office

About CIC Tokyo

CIC Tokyo opened on October 1, 2020 on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower (a total of approximately 6,000 square meters), and is one of the largest innovation centers in Japan, with space for over 250 companies and organizations, mainly start-ups (companies just starting out and aiming for rapid growth) It offers expansive workspace and a community and services to accelerate business growth and global expansion.

Startups moving into CIC Tokyo will have access to office space and a variety of common spaces in a free atmosphere. In addition, they will be able to participate in the innovation community in a variety of ways and build new relationships with key players in the ecosystem. CIC Tokyo will also provide easy access to global locations, using CIC Tokyo as a gateway to the rest of the world.CIC Tokyo has hosted over 130 various events related to startups and open innovation since its opening in October 2020 through the end of July 2021, making it a place where many CIC Tokyo has become a gathering place for many people.

WEB SITE:https://jp.cic.com/

About U3 Innovations

U3 Innovations is a group of practitioners who aim to create and grow new businesses together with startups, specializing in the area of social systems with a focus on energy. U3 Innovations aims to grow startups that are expected to become leaders of the new social system (Utility 3.0) that U3 Innovations wants to realize, by investing in them, dispatching CxOs, and using all other means.

The target is not limited to the energy industry, but also includes mobility, water, agriculture, and housing, with the aim of creating businesses across industries. Our members are already participating in the management of several startups, and in parallel, discussions are underway to establish joint ventures for startup investment and collaboration.

The Energy Industry in 2050: Game Change to Utility 3.0, published in 2017, which first presented the concept of Utility 3.0, a new social system beyond energy supply, to realize a sustainable future that embraces diverse values. U3 Innovations was founded in 2018 by Junko Takeuchi and Tsuyoshi Ito, co-authors of the book.