KAGORISE: Call for Applications from Startups and Local Companies in Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima Prefecture (Industrial Location Division, New Industry Creation Office, Department of Commerce, Labor, Fisheries and Industry) and AlphaDrive Inc. are launching a call for participants in KAGORISE (Kagorize), an open innovation support project originating from Kagoshima. We are now accepting applications for two separate programs: individual support for local startups (2 companies to be selected) and an open innovation support program for local companies (3 seminars + individual support for 2 selected companies).

Program for Local Startups (Support for Market Expansion and Collaboration)

- Benefits

- Individual Expert Support

Receive professional mentoring twice a month tailored to your business stage. Continuous support is also provided via online tools.

- Access to a Nationwide Network of 300+ Major Corporations

Support for market expansion to the Tokyo and Kansai regions through the creation of business meeting lists and participation in meetings using AlphaDrive’s corporate network.

- Speaking Opportunities at Tokyo/Kansai Events and Activity Grants (up to ¥150,000)

Opportunities to speak at national-scale startup events (at least once). Selected companies will receive up to ¥150,000 as activity funding.

- Program Overview

- Eligibility: Startups with headquarters or branches in Kagoshima Prefecture, generally founded within the last 10 years, with paid sales - Number of Selections: 2 companies - Activity Grant: Up to ¥150,000 per company - Support Period (planned): August 10, 2026 (Mon) – February 26, 2027 (Fri) - Application Period (planned): June 15, 2026 (Mon) – July 15, 2026 (Wed) 23:59 - Selection Announcement (planned): July 27, 2026 (Mon) - Participation Fee: Free

- Key Support Components

- Development of a growth support plan (KPIs and milestones) - Bi-monthly mentoring by expert mentors (with continuous online tool support) - Creation of business meeting lists and participation in meetings using a nationwide network of 300+ major corporations - Speaking opportunities at major events in Tokyo and Kansai regions (at least once) - Media coverage and PR through AlphaDrive’s media platform “Ambitions” - Activity grant (up to ¥150,000)

- How to Apply

- Application Form: https://forms.gle/8y5kCY7azLGGnL8r7

Program for Local Companies (Proposal-Based Co-Creation Support)

- Benefits

- Systematic Learning of Open Innovation Knowledge and Skills

Acquire practical knowledge systematically through three free seminars, from “What is Open Innovation?” to “How to Find Customers and Challenges.”

- (For 2 selected companies) Opportunities to meet startups and co-create

Receive co-creation proposals from 5+ startups via AlphaDrive’s network. Experts will support you from clarifying co-creation themes to business meetings.

- (For 2 selected companies) Activity Grant (up to ¥150,000)

Receive up to ¥150,000 in funding for activities related to co-creation with startups.

- Program Overview

- Eligibility: Core companies in Kagoshima Prefecture (approximate criteria: annual revenue over ¥1 billion, 20+ employees) - Structure: 3 seminars (50 participants each) + individual support (2 selected companies) - Activity Grant: Up to ¥150,000 per selected company - Support Period (planned): August 10, 2026 (Mon) – February 26, 2027 (Fri) - Application Period (planned): June 15, 2026 (Mon) – July 26, 2026 (Sun) 23:59 - Selection Announcement (planned): August 7, 2026 (Fri)

- Key Support Components

- Enhanced understanding of open innovation through seminars - Clarification of co-creation themes and challenges through individual interviews - Introduction to startups as potential collaboration partners via AlphaDrive’s network - Matching, meeting arrangement, and support during co-creation discussions - Activity grant (up to ¥150,000)

- Seminar Schedule

- July 6 (Mon) 13:00–16:00: Kickoff Session “What is Open Innovation in Business Management?” Speaker: Yoichi Aso (CEO, AlphaDrive Inc.) - August 5 (Wed) 13:00–16:00: First Seminar “Key Points of New Business and Open Innovation” Speaker: Yosuke Doi (Co-CEO, Unij Inc.) - August 24 (Mon) 13:00–16:00: Second Seminar “How to Find Customers and Challenges” Speaker: Ryuji Utsunomiya (Executive Officer, AlphaDrive Group Inc.)

- How to Apply

- July 6 (Mon) Kickoff Seminar Registration: https://forms.gle/FASZPAiRF2naah4RA - Individual Support Application Form (Deadline: July 26, 2026 (Sun) 23:59): https://forms.gle/9nn2S9GTSh29oJ1z9

Comments from Representatives

- [Kana Yoshimori, Startup Support Section, New Industry Creation Office, Industrial Location Division, Kagoshima Prefecture] Kagoshima is home to many companies and startups with excellent technologies and strengths. We hope this project, KAGORISE, will serve as a catalyst for their growth and lead to the creation of new value and ambitious co-creation projects originating from Kagoshima.

- [Kuchi Kashi, Project Manager, AlphaDrive Inc.] We aim to provide startups with a chance to leap onto the national stage and local companies with the new weapon of open innovation. KAGORISE is now officially launching. We sincerely look forward to your applications.

What You Can Gain from KAGORISE

KAGORISE is not just a program to learn knowledge. AlphaDrive brings its implementation expertise cultivated in over 30 prefectures nationwide and a network of 300+ major corporations to Kagoshima, providing individualized support to each participant.

- What Kagoshima Startups Can Gain

- Business meeting opportunities with 300+ major corporations in the Tokyo and Kansai regions. - Through bi-monthly individual sessions with expert mentors, jointly analyze business challenges, design next steps, and aim to acquire “reproducible market expansion skills” that enable independent growth even after the program ends.

- What Core Companies in Kagoshima Can Gain

- Not only understand “what is open innovation,” but also support initiatives for new business development through actual matching with startups. AlphaDrive’s experts will help you clarify “which startup, what, and how to co-create,” building the capability to integrate open innovation into your corporate strategy.

About AlphaDrive Inc.

AlphaDrive Inc. is a specialized firm supporting open innovation among large corporations, startups, and government agencies. We integrate new business development, open innovation promotion, and startup support into a unified approach and have operated programs in over 30 prefectures nationwide.

Under the “AlphaDrive REGION” initiative, we collaborate with government bodies and local enterprises to promote industrial revitalization, local talent development, corporate relocation, and the creation of connected populations. Beyond consulting, we actively engage in regional ventures, demonstrating strong implementation capabilities. Additionally, we operate the “AlphaDrive Regional Economic Research Institute,” which functions as a think tank.