The launch events for JICA’s QUEST co-creation and innovation program were held in Tokyo on May 8, 2025 and in Aichi (Nagoya) on May 15, 2025. 300+ Japanese and international participants gathered for the two-day event.
The Tokyo launch event attracted approximately 50 participants at the venue and 90 participants online. The talk session (1), “Global Innovation from Africa: African Business Models for Global Expansion,” featured Mr. Satoshi Shinada of Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures and his portfolio company, Tagaddod Co-founder & CEO Nour El -Assal and Tomohiro Nagasaki of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank’s Impact Equity Investment Department were invited to talk about the latest innovations in Africa. In Talk Session 2, “Startup Ecosystem in India Today and Open Innovation Opportunities,” we invited Mr. Kavikrut, CEO of T-Hub (India’s largest incubation facility), to give a presentation on innovation cases and co-creation needs in emerging countries. He gave a presentation on innovation cases and co-creation needs in emerging countries. For many participants, it was a time to discover new possibilities for business in emerging countries and the latest innovation trends.
In Talk Session 3, Daisuke Ueda, Group Leader, Higher Education and Social Security Group, Human Development Department, JICA, gave a presentation entitled “International Brain Circulation with Universities in Developing Countries – Collaboration with Japanese Industry, Academia and Government”; Miho Kano, Associate Specialist, Private Sector Development Group, Economic Development Department, gave a presentation entitled Miho Kano, Associate Specialist, Private Sector Development Group, Economic Development Department, gave a presentation on “Co-creation Map of Japanese Companies and Overseas Start-ups in Project NINJA,” and Ayako Ooi, Director, Peacebuilding Office, Governance and Peacebuilding Department, gave a presentation on The presentation was an opportunity to deepen understanding of the concept and examples of co-creation with JICA projects in the themes of industry-academia-government, private sector development, and peacebuilding.
Networking followed, during which many participants engaged in active discussions and exchanges.
The Nagoya launch event was held at STATION Ai (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), one of the largest open innovation centers in Japan. The event attracted about 70 participants at the venue and about 80 participants online, and was a lively exchange of ideas.
For details on the status of the event, please refer to the following.
Co-Creation x Innovation Program QUEST Launch Event @ Aichi” was held! ～From Aichi, Japan! Cross-border Co-Creation to Help Solve Social Issues ｜ Initiatives in Japan – JICA
The next matching events are scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 in Tokyo and Monday, June 9 in Nagoya. We are now accepting applications for the matching events, so please register now.
Through QUEST, JICA will further accelerate co-creation with corporations, local governments, educational institutions, and civic groups in Japan and abroad.
Matching Event Application Link
Those who wish to pitch
https://forms.office.com/e/0h7sz8AKEz
If you have an idea you would like to co-create, please apply above.
For those who wish to participate in the audience
https://forms.office.com/e/vbppFNbMLG
© Source JICA
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