Recruiting Participants for "YOXO NEXT Verification Lab" to Test Entrepreneurial Business Ideas with the Community!

plan-A Inc. (Headquarters: Naka-ku, Yokohama; Representative Director: Takeshi Aizawa; hereinafter "plan-A"), the operator of "YOXO BOX," Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship support hub, is now accepting applications for "YOXO NEXT Verification Lab," a program designed to test the business ideas, products, and services of entrepreneurs aiming to solve challenges with new technologies and perspectives, together with the local community.

This year, we are offering two menu options tailored to the content and progress of your business: "Exhibition" and "Accompanying Support." Together with the "Support Network"* that assists Yokohama-based entrepreneurs and startups, we will back your business commercialization and needs verification efforts with the entire community. We look forward to welcoming entrepreneurs to participate.

* Support Network: A network of supporters, including senior entrepreneurs and local business operators, within Yokohama City's next-generation entrepreneurship support hub, "YOXO BOX." It provides entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills, and verification opportunities related to starting and growing businesses.

Program Overview

(1) YOXO NEXT Verification Lab @ Exhibition

This program provides a venue to verify needs for products and services through exhibitions, workshops, and demos at local events.

◆ A training program will also be conducted to help even first-time exhibitors effectively approach their verification.

◆ Exhibitions will be held at two locations: Kanto Sakura Dori (as part of the "Kanto Food & High-Calorie Festa") and Zounohana Terrace (1-1 Kaigandori, Naka-ku)! You can conduct needs verification and PR targeting diverse groups such as local residents, workers, and tourists at multiple locations.

【Exhibitions (Scheduled)】

November 3 (Tue, Holiday) Kanto Food & High-Calorie Festa

November 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun) Zounohana Terrace

(2) YOXO NEXT Verification Lab @ Accompanying Support

This program matches entrepreneurs with local supporters registered in the Support Network* to provide support such as refining ideas, products, and services, brainstorming for needs verification, mentoring, and matchmaking with relevant parties.

◆ Local supporting businesses range from senior entrepreneurs to specialists, addressing various challenges and consultations from entrepreneurs.

◆ Support content and providers will be selected individually based on the business phase.

Application Overview

Number of Slots

Approximately 5 entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs for each of (1) and (2). *Selection screening will apply.

Participation Fee

Free

Application Deadline

August 31 (Mon) by 4:00 PM for both (1) and (2).

Application Method

For details on eligibility and other information, please visit the following website: https://yoxonext.jp/kensholab-guidelines2026/

Case Study Introduction (FY2025)

【Verification Lab @ Exhibition】Community Building to Enjoy Cars as a Hobby Culture

Initial Stage

Corporation [Product/Service Released]

Focusing on a new service (app) that solves car-related issues, verify the acceptance of proposals to establish cars as a hobby culture, and build a community foundation.

Support Menu

Verification through a booth at the FY2025 "Kanto Food & High-Calorie Festa" ・Surveys via SNS account follows ・Held a Mini 4WD experience to provide opportunities for parents and children to enjoy "car play."

Growth

・Analysis of resonance with proposals for car hobby culture ・Acquired know-how for providing content tailored to events

Selected Applicant

Mr. Naoki Matsuoka (Representative Director, All Compass Inc.) Website: https://www.allcompass.jp/

Applicant's Feedback

Through the practical verification at the exhibition, I was able to obtain direct user feedback, which was a valuable opportunity to move forward with business verification.

【Verification Lab @ Accompanying Support】Business Company Solving Parental and Child Learning Challenges Using AI

Initial Stage

Preparing to start a business At the idea stage, the goal is to develop a product and establish it as a business model.

Support Menu

Mentoring Meetings with supporters, consultations on business concepts

Growth

Development of an MVP* for an AI education app *MVP: Minimum Viable Product

Selected Applicant

Mr. Ryo Imai <Interview with Selected Applicant> "Accompanying Support with the Enthusiasm of a Co-founder": The Story Behind the Birth of the AI Education App "Wakaroo" - YOXO NEXT | Yokohama City https://yoxonext.jp/interview02/

Applicant's Feedback

Initially, I only had a feature-based perspective, thinking "it would be convenient to have this function." However, thanks to the essential and sharp questions from the supporters, I was able to refine the concept from a mere "proposal for a convenient app" to a "sustainable business plan."

What is "YOXO BOX"? YOXO BOX supports individuals who are expected to lead the future regional economy, such as entrepreneurs aiming to solve regional and life-related challenges with new perspectives, and young people interested in entrepreneurship.

plan-A is a member of the joint venture as an operating contractor. From FY2025 onwards, we will implement programs such as "YOXO NEXT," an entrepreneurship mindset development program targeting young people. We also offer three programs: an entrepreneurship lab (limited to junior high and high school students) to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, an innovation lab to acquire practical knowledge for starting a business, and a verification lab to support the verification necessary for commercialization.

<plan-A Inc. Company Overview>

Established: May 2018

Representative Director: Takeshi Aizawa

Address: 6-84 Ota-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shinryo Building 403

URL: https://plan-a-02.co.jp/ (YOXO BOX: https://yoxonext.jp/ )

Contact: info@plan-a-02.co.jp