Tokyo, Japan, September 19, 2023 – East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have signed a memorandum of cooperation with a shared goal of creating a startup ecosystem centered around Japan and Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore. The cooperation aims to facilitate the expansion of startup companies into overseas markets and foster increased international exchange opportunities.
In collaboration, the two organizations plan to establish a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship within the “TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,” which is set to open its doors by the end of fiscal year 2024. Leveraging the partnership with “BLOCK71,” Singapore’s largest incubation facility with a global presence, JR East’s diverse experimentation fields, and NUS’s extensive global network, the initiative aims to mutually support the overseas expansion of startup companies.
As part of the efforts to build the startup ecosystem, a joint business support program called the “MARKET IMMERSION PROGRAMME JAPAN” has been launched.
<Key Areas of Cooperation>
Building the Startup Ecosystem and Supporting Overseas Expansion:
Both Japan and Singapore will work together to construct a thriving startup ecosystem and assist startup companies in expanding their presence in foreign markets.
Establishing an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub at “TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY”:
“TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY” will serve as a base for fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and creating new avenues for international exchange.
Providing Opportunities for Proof-of-Concept Experiments:
Utilizing a range of fields, including “TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY” and JR East’s diverse experimentation sites, the initiative will create opportunities for proof-of-concept experiments to address various technological challenges faced by startup companies.
From September 11th to 15th, NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurship support arm of NUS, collaborated with overseas startup companies who are members of “BLOCK71” and Japanese companies aiming to create innovation through collaboration. They jointly organized the “MARKET IMMERSION PROGRAMME JAPAN,” which included a Tokyo program held from September 11th to 13th. The Tokyo program featured introductions to Japan’s business environment, the startup support ecosystem, and pitch events. Additionally, the program utilized “Flexible Workspace Services,” connecting Tokyo and Singapore in real-time to promote international exchanges.
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