[Aichi Prefecture x eiicon] Recruitment Begins for Diverse Players in Aichi Prefecture including Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Financial Institutions, and Educational Institutions!
Aichi Prefecture and eiicon have begun recruiting 'Regional Partners' such as local governments and financial institutions to form a prefecture-wide startup ecosystem. Through the 2026 co-creation program and events, they aim to strongly support local problem-solving and the creation of new industries.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 11:09 (7 min after Collected)
eiicon Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Ayuko Nakamura), operator of 'AUBA,' Japan's largest open innovation platform, has been commissioned by Aichi Prefecture to implement various support measures promoting co-creation with startups as part of its startup ecosystem development efforts. This year, support will be provided through the 'AICHI CO-CREATION STARTUP PROGRAM 2026,' offering year-round practice and learning, and community events tailored to the specific needs of regional organizations. In line with this, recruitment has started for 'Regional Partners' (municipalities, support agencies, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, educational institutions, etc.) wishing to participate in this project.
### About Aichi Prefecture's 'Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Services'
Aichi Prefecture formulated the 'Aichi-Startup Strategy' in October 2018 (revised March 2025), identifying innovation triggered by startups as an urgent challenge for maintaining and developing industrial competitiveness. The strategy aims to build a startup ecosystem across the entire prefecture by fostering collaboration between 'STATION Ai,' the prefecture's open innovation hub (opened October 2024), and 'STATION Ai Partner Hubs' in various regions.
This year's 'Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Services,' managed by eiicon, will provide support ranging from building regional collaboration systems to creating 'STATION Ai Partner Hubs' for local governments, financial institutions, and other entities in Aichi. We will provide practical year-round support tailored to each organization's phase—from those engaging with startups for the first time to those aiming to create and implement co-creation projects rooted in regional issues.
### Overall Support Structure
The 'AICHI CO-CREATION STARTUP PROGRAM 2026' provides integrated support, from basic understanding of startup collaboration to providing matching opportunities and promoting co-creation projects, based on each organization's prior efforts and regional collaboration status. Specifically, two courses are available: the 'Connect Course' for beginners and the 'Create Course' for those aiming to drive practical co-creation projects. Furthermore, community events will be held four times a year to facilitate information sharing, networking, and the creation of new co-creation opportunities for anyone interested in startup collaboration.
### Overview of the Two Courses
Groups can choose between two courses based on their experience and the status of their regional collaboration system. The 'Connect Course' targets beginners, providing necessary know-how and experience through basic knowledge acquisition and practice. The 'Create Course' requires participation from three or more organizations and provides the expertise needed to create businesses that take root in the region through startup co-creation.
### Community Event Overview
Four community events will be held annually on the themes of 'Collaboration' and 'Co-creation,' connecting local governments, support agencies, and companies within and outside Aichi. Through seminars, knowledge sharing, and case presentations, these events will deepen understanding of startup co-creation and promote networking and new opportunities.
### About Aichi Prefecture's 'Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Services'
Aichi Prefecture formulated the 'Aichi-Startup Strategy' in October 2018 (revised March 2025), identifying innovation triggered by startups as an urgent challenge for maintaining and developing industrial competitiveness. The strategy aims to build a startup ecosystem across the entire prefecture by fostering collaboration between 'STATION Ai,' the prefecture's open innovation hub (opened October 2024), and 'STATION Ai Partner Hubs' in various regions.
This year's 'Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Services,' managed by eiicon, will provide support ranging from building regional collaboration systems to creating 'STATION Ai Partner Hubs' for local governments, financial institutions, and other entities in Aichi. We will provide practical year-round support tailored to each organization's phase—from those engaging with startups for the first time to those aiming to create and implement co-creation projects rooted in regional issues.
### Overall Support Structure
The 'AICHI CO-CREATION STARTUP PROGRAM 2026' provides integrated support, from basic understanding of startup collaboration to providing matching opportunities and promoting co-creation projects, based on each organization's prior efforts and regional collaboration status. Specifically, two courses are available: the 'Connect Course' for beginners and the 'Create Course' for those aiming to drive practical co-creation projects. Furthermore, community events will be held four times a year to facilitate information sharing, networking, and the creation of new co-creation opportunities for anyone interested in startup collaboration.
### Overview of the Two Courses
Groups can choose between two courses based on their experience and the status of their regional collaboration system. The 'Connect Course' targets beginners, providing necessary know-how and experience through basic knowledge acquisition and practice. The 'Create Course' requires participation from three or more organizations and provides the expertise needed to create businesses that take root in the region through startup co-creation.
### Community Event Overview
Four community events will be held annually on the themes of 'Collaboration' and 'Co-creation,' connecting local governments, support agencies, and companies within and outside Aichi. Through seminars, knowledge sharing, and case presentations, these events will deepen understanding of startup co-creation and promote networking and new opportunities.