The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) has begun accepting applications for participating companies for a new project in conjunction with Japan Mobility Show 2023, which will take place from October 26 to November 5 at the Tokyo Big Sight.
This new project, “Startup Future Factory,” is a program aimed at discovering and fostering startup companies that are expected to play key roles in the mobility industry’s future. The project will consist of 2 areas: Business Pitch & Award, which will present and review business ideas; and Startup Street, which will showcase products and services through booth exhibits.
Business Pitch & Award is a pitch event in which private companies are invited to submit new business proposals, and the most promising ideas will be selected. The pitches are assessed based on how well they align with the event’s 3 themes:
- LIFE x Mobility: The Future of Living, “A future in which each individual’s daily life will be more comfortable and fulfilling”
- EXCITEMENT x Mobility: The Future of Feeling, “Further evolution of entertainment, sports, and tourism experiences; a future that will create new feelings and culture”
- INFRASTRUCTURE x Mobility: The Future of Social Infrastructure, “A future in which all possibilities are protected, supported, and maintained so that everyone can continue to live as themselves”
Companies that meet the conditions set by the organizer will be eligible to enter. Applications will be open from June 30 to July 29, 2023, and a review of submitted documents will be conducted from July 30 to August 31. Next, the online interview process will occur from September 1 to 29, and selected companies will be announced on September 29. Qualifying rounds will take place between October 2 and 11 at the NewsPicks Studios and UNIDGE office in Tokyo, during which participants will be narrowed down from 60 to 15 companies. The final round will be held on either November 3 or 4 on a special stage at Japan Mobility Show 2023. The winner of the grand prix will receive a monetary award, and their pitch will be broadcast on NewsPicks at a later date.
Startup Street will be exhibited as part of Japan Mobility Show 2023, and private companies that already possess their own product or service and are able to exhibit in-person at the venue will be allowed to participate. There will be 5 open time slots from A to E, each with a 2-day exhibition period. A – October 27 to 28; B – October 29 to 30; C – October 31 to November 1; D – November 2 to 3; E – November 4 to 5. Each slot is open for 20 companies. There is no fee to exhibit. The application period is open from June 30 to July 29, and participating companies will be announced on September 29. Selection will be based on how well companies align with the aforementioned themes of Japan Mobility Show 2023 and their competitive capability.
More details can be found on the Japan Mobility Show official homepage:
https://www.japan-mobility-show.com/en/