Okayama University: Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Coordinator of Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start) Reports at the 10th National Matching HUB Expansion Conference

April 7, 2026 (Reiwa 8) National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Overview

On March 12, 2026, at the **10th National Matching HUB Expansion Conference** hosted by the Future Creation Innovation Promotion Headquarters of Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Hiroshi Kono, Coordinator for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration at Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start), which is managed by Okayama University, presented an activity report titled "Open Innovation Fostering Co-creation from Okayama —OI-Start's FY2025: Venue Creation × Project Formulation × Joint Research—".

Coordinator Kono reported on strategies and specific practical examples for creating new value in the region, seamlessly connecting "venue creation" where diverse stakeholders gather, leading to concrete "project formulation," and then practical "joint research," going beyond mere technology transfer.

The conference began with opening remarks by President Minoru Terano of JAIST, the host institution.

Subsequently, a total of 15 diverse reports on innovation creation through industry-academia-government collaboration were presented, with participants including higher education and research institutions nationwide, such as Okayama University, JAIST, Chiba University, Kumamoto University, and Oita University, as well as local government officials from Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. Approaches to initiatives and problem-solving utilizing the characteristics of each region were shared, and active discussions and exchanges of opinions took place among participants, who were eager to make the most of their time. It was a highly meaningful opportunity to expand new collaborative networks beyond regional and organizational boundaries.

OI-Start will further accelerate co-creative open innovation originating from Okayama, leveraging the advanced knowledge gained from this national conference.

* "Matching HUB" is an initiative for regional revitalization and activation promoted mainly by JAIST. It is a mechanism that aggregates and matches the seeds and needs of local universities and companies, as well as support from government and financial institutions, gathered by URAs (University Research Administrators) and coordinators, to create new products and businesses.

Coordinator Kono reporting.