2020/11/19
Keio University
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
On November 2, 2020, the Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management (hereinafter "Keio SDM") and Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Mitsubishi Estate") concluded a joint research agreement aimed at promoting open innovation and forming a business ecosystem in Yokohama. The research will take place at YOXO BOX, the Kannai Venture Company Growth Support Hub, which is operated by the Kannai Venture Company Growth Support Project Joint Enterprise (representative company: Mitsubishi Estate) as a collaborative project with the City of Yokohama.
Keio SDM conducts research and education in "systems x design thinking," which integrates systems thinking—providing a holistic and systematic perspective on things—with design thinking, which creates new value through a human-centered approach that leverages diversity. Keio SDM also works to implement these approaches in the real world.
To help realize the vision of "Innovation City Yokohama," Mitsubishi Estate operates two facilities in the city's Kannai district. One is "YOXO BOX," a hub that supports venture companies and promotes open innovation, run as a collaborative project with the City of Yokohama. The other is "YOXO BOX Office," an independent project serving as a base of operations for the companies and entrepreneurs who will be the new drivers of innovation.
As the "new normal" of the with/after-COVID-19 era takes shape, digital transformation is expected to advance further, increasing opportunities for online communication and information dissemination. At the same time, offline communication is being recognized once again as indispensable for creating innovation.
Therefore, the two parties have concluded this joint research agreement with the aim of researching the ideal form of industry-academia collaboration for innovation creation and exchange functions in this new era.
Following the conclusion of this joint research agreement, the two parties will set up an online communication studio equipped with various equipment in a room at the YOXO BOX Office. They will proceed with their research while using this studio as a venue for broadcasting Keio SDM's online workshops and other events. Furthermore, by leveraging the business network centered around YOXO BOX to create opportunities for collaboration and exchange between venture companies, entrepreneurs, and Keio SDM, they aim to further promote open innovation and expand and enhance the business ecosystem in the Yokohama/Kannai area.
Please see below for the full press release.