Accelerating Co-creation: "Buddyup!" Cooperation Efficiency Infrastructure Introduced at Business Co-creation Hub "Catalo" (Itoigawa City)
Buddyup Inc. has introduced its dedicated signage and smartphone touch linkage service for the "Buddyup!" cooperation efficiency platform at "Catalo" (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture), a business co-creation hub. This aims to promote interaction among co-creation space users, revitalize the regional economy, and foster new business creation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 06:25
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 22:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 04:30 (6h 28m after Collected)
1. Introduction: Enabling people gathered in the same place to create "new things"
Buddyup Inc. (Headquarters: Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City; Representative Director: Motoatsu Kadooka) develops "Buddyup!", a co-creation promotion platform designed to maximize cooperation efficiency within organizations and communities, and to send new value out into the world.
We are pleased to announce that the introduction of Buddyup!'s dedicated signage and smartphone touch linkage service has been completed at "Catalo" (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture), a business co-creation space operated by MOVED Inc. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yudai Shibuya). This case represents an implementation in the field of "regional revitalization x co-creation space."
In modern business, innovation is not born from a single flash of insight, but from "cooperation" among players with diverse expertise and perspectives. However, in many co-working spaces and offices, despite a variety of resources (human resources, skills, information) gathering in the same space, users often remain unaware of each other, leading to what can be called a "loss of cooperation opportunities."
Buddyup! aims to eliminate this "loss of cooperation opportunities" through technology and scientifically increase the probability of new things being born.
In addition to PC and smartphone, a "dedicated signage" perfectly suited for co-creation spaces has been introduced. Members can be viewed via a touch panel.
2. "Efficient Cooperation" Realized by Buddyup!
"The time spent searching for suitable partners" and "the process of understanding each other's intentions" incur far greater costs than imagined. In successful co-creation spaces, community managers act as intermediaries, engaging in numerous conversations to build connections one by one.
However, as a place becomes more widely used, human effort alone cannot cope. Just as banks have ATMs and smartphone apps in addition to teller windows, business meeting places would surely be more efficient with dedicated terminals and smartphone apps. This is what Buddyup!'s dedicated signage and smartphone app (*) offer.
Smooth user experience starting with a smartphone touch
Users simply hold up their smartphone. The screen that appears is extremely simple, allowing them to easily express "I am here now" and "What I want to convey." These self-introductions are reflected in real-time on the dedicated signage, allowing users in the facility to naturally understand those around them.
Atmosphere created by dedicated signage
In addition to general items such as "skills," "current interests," and "issues to solve," many unique items specific to that co-creation space (e.g., "club activities," "favorite shops," "pitch videos") are set. This creates a unique atmosphere around the dedicated signage where people gather and converse.
Access detailed information from your smartphone
For specialized questions such as "Is there anyone with UI design knowledge for this project?" or "Is there anyone with connections to the administration to solve this regional issue?", users can use their logged-in smartphone to search for restricted information or receive support from intermediaries.
* Buddyup!'s smartphone app is implemented as a web app that runs in a browser.
3. Implementation at "Catalo" in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture
"Catalo," a business co-creation hub in Itoigawa City, is located a 4-minute walk from the JR/Shinkansen station and serves as an important hub aiming to revitalize the regional economy and create new businesses. This introduction focused on creating an environment that minimizes the psychological burden on users while maximizing output.
"Community Signage" as an information intersection
NFC-equipped QR codes for smartphone touch are placed at the facility's entrance, exit, and central interaction areas. A large signage installed at the entrance displays the "strengths" of members currently present in real-time. It has become very easy to know people nearby.
Seamless integration with existing entry/exit management system
For the introduction at Catalo, a new function was developed to link Buddyup! with the existing entry/exit management system. This allows members to check in to Buddyup! by touching their membership card, enabling them to use the facility without any change in entry operations before and after the introduction.
Focusing operations on "community activation"
With the introduction of Buddyup!, operational staff can shift from conventional administrative tasks of confirming entry/exit logs to more value-added tasks focused on "community activation."
Buddyup Inc. (Headquarters: Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City; Representative Director: Motoatsu Kadooka) develops "Buddyup!", a co-creation promotion platform designed to maximize cooperation efficiency within organizations and communities, and to send new value out into the world.
We are pleased to announce that the introduction of Buddyup!'s dedicated signage and smartphone touch linkage service has been completed at "Catalo" (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture), a business co-creation space operated by MOVED Inc. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yudai Shibuya). This case represents an implementation in the field of "regional revitalization x co-creation space."
In modern business, innovation is not born from a single flash of insight, but from "cooperation" among players with diverse expertise and perspectives. However, in many co-working spaces and offices, despite a variety of resources (human resources, skills, information) gathering in the same space, users often remain unaware of each other, leading to what can be called a "loss of cooperation opportunities."
Buddyup! aims to eliminate this "loss of cooperation opportunities" through technology and scientifically increase the probability of new things being born.
In addition to PC and smartphone, a "dedicated signage" perfectly suited for co-creation spaces has been introduced. Members can be viewed via a touch panel.
2. "Efficient Cooperation" Realized by Buddyup!
"The time spent searching for suitable partners" and "the process of understanding each other's intentions" incur far greater costs than imagined. In successful co-creation spaces, community managers act as intermediaries, engaging in numerous conversations to build connections one by one.
However, as a place becomes more widely used, human effort alone cannot cope. Just as banks have ATMs and smartphone apps in addition to teller windows, business meeting places would surely be more efficient with dedicated terminals and smartphone apps. This is what Buddyup!'s dedicated signage and smartphone app (*) offer.
Smooth user experience starting with a smartphone touch
Users simply hold up their smartphone. The screen that appears is extremely simple, allowing them to easily express "I am here now" and "What I want to convey." These self-introductions are reflected in real-time on the dedicated signage, allowing users in the facility to naturally understand those around them.
Atmosphere created by dedicated signage
In addition to general items such as "skills," "current interests," and "issues to solve," many unique items specific to that co-creation space (e.g., "club activities," "favorite shops," "pitch videos") are set. This creates a unique atmosphere around the dedicated signage where people gather and converse.
Access detailed information from your smartphone
For specialized questions such as "Is there anyone with UI design knowledge for this project?" or "Is there anyone with connections to the administration to solve this regional issue?", users can use their logged-in smartphone to search for restricted information or receive support from intermediaries.
* Buddyup!'s smartphone app is implemented as a web app that runs in a browser.
3. Implementation at "Catalo" in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture
"Catalo," a business co-creation hub in Itoigawa City, is located a 4-minute walk from the JR/Shinkansen station and serves as an important hub aiming to revitalize the regional economy and create new businesses. This introduction focused on creating an environment that minimizes the psychological burden on users while maximizing output.
"Community Signage" as an information intersection
NFC-equipped QR codes for smartphone touch are placed at the facility's entrance, exit, and central interaction areas. A large signage installed at the entrance displays the "strengths" of members currently present in real-time. It has become very easy to know people nearby.
Seamless integration with existing entry/exit management system
For the introduction at Catalo, a new function was developed to link Buddyup! with the existing entry/exit management system. This allows members to check in to Buddyup! by touching their membership card, enabling them to use the facility without any change in entry operations before and after the introduction.
Focusing operations on "community activation"
With the introduction of Buddyup!, operational staff can shift from conventional administrative tasks of confirming entry/exit logs to more value-added tasks focused on "community activation."