SocialX Commissioned for Gunma Prefecture's FY2026 'Green Innovation Creation Project'

SocialX, Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Daiki Ito, Representative Director; hereinafter 'the Company') announces that following the 'Regional Co-creation Decarbonization Innovation Creation Project' conducted in Gunma Prefecture in FY2024 and FY2025 (Reiwa 6 and 7), it has been commissioned for the 'Regional Co-creation Green Innovation Creation Project' to be implemented by Gunma Prefecture in FY2026 and FY2027 (Reiwa 8 and 9).

In the decarbonization sector, Gunma Prefecture previously conducted a public-private co-creation acceleration program in FY2024, promoting the matching of municipalities addressing regional issues with companies challenging themselves to create new businesses. Furthermore, in FY2025, it engaged in proof-of-concept experiments in Maebashi City and Tomioka City, advancing concrete business creation aimed at solving local challenges.

From FY2026 onwards, these efforts will be further expanded to accelerate initiatives aimed at resolving regional issues and achieving goals in green sectors such as carbon neutrality, nature positive solutions, and the circular economy. This aims to simultaneously achieve the resolution of social issues surrounding sustainability and economic growth.

In this project, the Company will support municipalities within the prefecture in uncovering and databasing regional issues. Concurrently, it will provide the 'SocialX Acceleration' program (*1) to companies both inside and outside Gunma Prefecture. This program supports the design and growth of businesses that balance social impact and profitability, predicated on open innovation (public-private co-creation) with local governments.

Through these initiatives, the Company will create valuable innovations for both the region and businesses, driving the formation of an ecosystem where innovation occurs naturally and autonomously toward achieving goals in the green sector.

Background

In March 2025 (Reiwa 7), Gunma Prefecture formulated the 'Green Innovation Gunma Strategy 2035' (*2) as a new strategy for promoting green innovation.

Anticipating the realization of an 'independent and decentralized society where everyone can feel happy' outlined in the 'New Gunma Prefecture Comprehensive Plan (Vision)' and the 'Gunma 5 Zero Declarations' (*3) targeting 2050, this strategy establishes long-term goals and a strategic roadmap up to 2035 to promote the expansion of renewable energy introduction into the prefecture and the creation of green innovation in the industrial sector.

The strategy sets a vision for 2035 to create new value and markets that generate a virtuous cycle enhancing environmental and regional sustainability across agriculture and forestry, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and resource circulation. Co-creation between businesses and public administration is required to achieve this.

As a pioneer in open innovation (public-private co-creation) between companies and local governments, the Company has provided end-to-end support for business development through co-creation between companies aiming to develop businesses that solve social issues and municipalities tackling those issues. This track record was highly evaluated, leading to the Company being entrusted with the planning and operation of this project.

Specific Program Details

When developing businesses mindful of social impact, it is crucial to involve local governments standing on the front lines of social issues. In the acceleration program provided by the Company, green-themed proposals from companies addressing regional issues faced by municipalities will be solicited.

Finalists who pass the preliminary screening will be provided with workshops to learn about business development through social impact and co-creation with local governments, mentoring by co-creation professionals, opportunities for meetings with municipalities, and access to a social issue database, thereby supporting the refinement of their businesses. Furthermore, companies that win awards in the final screening will receive support in matching with municipalities eager to conduct proof-of-concept experiments and accompaniment during the experiments.

Program Application Method and Schedule

Information regarding the application overview, including the application method and schedule for this acceleration program, will be sequentially published on the official website (https://sac.socialx.inc/).

Future Developments

Through this project, the Company will further promote open innovation (public-private co-creation) between businesses and local governments, providing integrated support ranging from the cultivation of human resources responsible for co-creation to business development and social implementation.

Moreover, starting from the social issues faced by each municipality in Gunma Prefecture, the Company will accelerate the creation and implementation of innovations in the green sector that balance social impact and profitability, aiming for both the resolution of sustainability-related social issues and economic growth.

Comment from Mr. Akiyo Nara, Green Innovation Promotion Supervisor, Green Innovation Promotion Division, Governor's Strategy Department, Gunma Prefecture

'Based on the "Green Innovation Gunma Strategy 2035," our prefecture is promoting initiatives to realize a virtuous cycle of the environment and the economy. In this project, by accelerating efforts to solve regional issues and achieve goals in green sectors such as carbon neutrality, nature positive, and the circular economy, we aim to simultaneously realize the resolution of social issues surrounding sustainability and economic growth.'