A New Business Exchange Hub Symbolizing Ikoma to Open on April 1st, Just a 3-Minute Walk from Ikoma Station South Exit!

Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, is expanding its "Ikomado" initiative to support entrepreneurship, startups, and diverse working styles by opening a second base, "Ikomado Motomachi," on April 1, 2026 (Wednesday). This facility is ideally located just a 3-minute walk from the South Exit of Ikoma Station and is situated on the first floor of the Ikoma Seisei Building, a hub for businesses including the Ikoma Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hello Work, and rental conference rooms. It can accommodate up to 50 people and is equipped for seminars using a large projector, company information sessions, and more. It will serve as an exchange hub where new businesses can emerge from diverse interactions involving entrepreneurs, startups, and citizens. On the opening day, April 1st (Wednesday), an opening ceremony will be held to commemorate the launch, which will be open to the general public.

Through the expansion of Ikomado bases, Ikoma City will further promote the creation of human resources who take on challenges within the region and foster new jobs and businesses in the city.

■Ikoma City's Startup Support: Ranked 1st in the Prefecture for Startup Ratio

In Ikoma City, which has developed as a bedroom community of Osaka, there is an increasing number of aspiring entrepreneurs who are interested in starting businesses within the city while working for companies. Against this backdrop, the city holds the startup school ILBH (IKOMA LOCAL BUSINESS HUB) to support those making new challenges in the city. Since its launch in Reiwa 5 (2023), approximately 380 people from within and outside the city have participated.

■New Features of Ikomado

While Ikomado primarily focused on startups and business use (seminars, information sessions, co-working, office use), the newly opened Ikomado Motomachi will also feature a kitchen facility for those who wish to challenge themselves in the food and beverage industry. A major feature is the ability to gain experience in full-scale store operations while minimizing initial costs, leveraging the prime location in front of Ikoma Station.