AlphaDrive Launches Wakayama Open Innovation Program “WAVE” and Opens Applications for Seminars and Practical Program

AlphaDrive has launched the FY2026 “- WAVE - Wakayama Open Innovation Program,” commissioned by Wakayama Prefecture, to support companies in the prefecture in practicing open innovation. Ahead of the program launch, applications have opened for preliminary seminars, a preliminary workshop, and the practical program to be held in Wakayama City. WAVE is designed to help Wakayama-based companies respond to rapid environmental changes and create new growth opportunities through new business development. Last year’s program attracted more than 80 participants from local companies across four preliminary seminars and provided a practical program to 20 companies, generating outcomes such as matching with major companies outside the prefecture and collaboration among participating firms. In its second year, WAVE will build on its highly rated seminars and program content while further strengthening collaboration with regional support organizations, aiming to broaden the base of Wakayama companies creating new value through open innovation. The preliminary seminar series will run from June to August 2026, consisting of three seminars and one workshop. Led mainly by AlphaDrive instructors who have supported new business development at more than 300 companies, from listed corporations to regional firms, the sessions will cover how to properly advance open innovation, how to identify customers and problems, how to understand entrepreneurs and startups, and a hands-on workshop for new business experience and idea generation. The practical program will run from September 2026 to March 2027 and will recruit up to 20 companies across two courses. The DIVE course, limited to up to five companies, provides individual mentoring by AlphaDrive experts, including business idea refinement, one to two monthly meetings, ongoing chat support, workshops, reference materials, and support for finding collaboration partners. The TRY course, limited to up to 15 companies, allows participating companies to develop business ideas based on their own customers and challenges through workshops, with optional partner recruitment through a platform. The preliminary seminars will be held at Key Site in Wakayama City and are open to companies with headquarters, branches, sales offices, factories, or other business locations in Wakayama Prefecture. Participation is free, with 60 seats available on-site and online participation also offered. Applications for each preliminary seminar close at 23:59 two business days before the event date, while applications for the practical program close at 23:59 on August 7, 2026. The program is hosted by Wakayama Prefecture and operated by AlphaDrive.