Aichi Prefecture x eiicon: "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Manufacturing SMEs Launched!!
Aichi Prefecture and eiicon have partnered to launch "MONO INNOVATION AICHI," a new business creation program for manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This program targets Aichi Brand companies and those in basic industries, supporting new business creation through open innovation to promote sustainable growth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 09:09 (22h 37m after Collected)
eiicon Inc. (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ayuko Nakamura; hereinafter "eiicon"), which operates "AUBA," Japan's largest open innovation platform, has been commissioned by Aichi Prefecture to run the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" (hereinafter "MONO") new business creation program for manufacturing companies.
"MONO INNOVATION AICHI" (hereinafter "this program") officially launched today, May 11, 2026.
On the same day, applications opened for companies within Aichi Prefecture wishing to engage in new business creation through this program.
■ About the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Manufacturing Companies
Aichi Prefecture has, since fiscal year 2003, certified companies with unique technologies and products that boast global recognition as "Aichi Brand Companies" to widely disseminate their products and technologies and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
However, in recent years, the environment surrounding manufacturing companies has changed significantly due to factors such as responses to carbon neutrality, advancements in DX, diversification of consumer needs, and changes in the global business environment.
In this context, for Aichi Brand companies and other manufacturing SMEs to achieve sustainable growth, they are required to not only extend existing products and technologies but also to expand into new markets leveraging their strengths and to engage in new business creation.
Based on this background, this project supports new business creation for Aichi Brand companies and other manufacturing companies within the prefecture, starting from their core technologies.
Furthermore, it will accelerate business creation by utilizing open innovation methods, including collaboration with external companies.
■ "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Manufacturing Companies
□ About Participant Recruitment
We are recruiting manufacturing companies within Aichi Prefecture to participate in the new business creation program.
・Application/Details URL: https://forms.gle/szB95GnqeY5s35Dc9
*Application Deadline: June 15, 2026 (Monday)
【Eligible Companies for Support】
Companies falling under either of the following:
(1) Aichi Brand Companies
(2) Manufacturing SMEs* related to basic industries* (must have headquarters or factories/manufacturing bases in the prefecture)
*Basic industries: Refers to transportation equipment excluding automobiles, electrical equipment, general machinery/precision instruments, metal products, plastics, etc. However, even companies manufacturing automotive parts are eligible for this program if the sales of said business account for less than 50% of their total sales.
*SMEs: Refers to companies, excluding small and medium-sized enterprises, with 2,000 or fewer regularly employed workers.
【Participation Conditions】
・Internal decision-makers (management, business leaders, etc.) must have approved participation in this program.
・Decision-makers (1 person) and practical staff (2-3 people) must be able to participate as much as possible in the seminar/workshop phase for plan formulation (scheduled for 4 sessions) and individual consultations (bi-weekly) during the execution phase.
【Other】
・Participation Fee: Free
*Participants are responsible for various expenses incurred in participating in this project, such as communication fees and travel expenses.
・Number of adopted companies: Approximately 10 companies
□ About the Program Briefing Session
A briefing session for this program will be held for companies considering or wishing to participate.
On the day, there will also be lectures and seminars that clearly explain the necessity of new business and the process of business creation through open innovation. Please feel free to join!
・Application/Details URL: https://forms.gle/E21ZgWodVmaTX5L67
*Application Deadline: May 28, 2026 (Thursday) Noon
*Participation Fee: Free
【Event Outline】
・Date: May 29, 2026 (Friday) 14:00-16:00
・Venue: "STATION Ai" Large Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (M3F)
1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya (6-minute walk from Tsurumai Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, 2 stops from Nagoya Station)
【Contents on the Day】
① Keynote Speech: "The Next 10 Years of Manufacturing - Why New Business Now?"
Speaker: Yutaka Shinohara, Representative Director and President, Everconnect Inc.
② New Business and Open Innovation Seminar:
"Blueprint for New Business for Manufacturing Companies Tackling it for the First Time"
Speaker: Tatsuaki Ito, Executive Officer, Tokai Branch Manager, eiicon Inc.
③ Explanation of the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program
④ Networking (Interaction time for participants)
*Contents are subject to change without notice.
"MONO INNOVATION AICHI" (hereinafter "this program") officially launched today, May 11, 2026.
On the same day, applications opened for companies within Aichi Prefecture wishing to engage in new business creation through this program.
■ About the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Manufacturing Companies
Aichi Prefecture has, since fiscal year 2003, certified companies with unique technologies and products that boast global recognition as "Aichi Brand Companies" to widely disseminate their products and technologies and strengthen industrial competitiveness.
However, in recent years, the environment surrounding manufacturing companies has changed significantly due to factors such as responses to carbon neutrality, advancements in DX, diversification of consumer needs, and changes in the global business environment.
In this context, for Aichi Brand companies and other manufacturing SMEs to achieve sustainable growth, they are required to not only extend existing products and technologies but also to expand into new markets leveraging their strengths and to engage in new business creation.
Based on this background, this project supports new business creation for Aichi Brand companies and other manufacturing companies within the prefecture, starting from their core technologies.
Furthermore, it will accelerate business creation by utilizing open innovation methods, including collaboration with external companies.
■ "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Manufacturing Companies
□ About Participant Recruitment
We are recruiting manufacturing companies within Aichi Prefecture to participate in the new business creation program.
・Application/Details URL: https://forms.gle/szB95GnqeY5s35Dc9
*Application Deadline: June 15, 2026 (Monday)
【Eligible Companies for Support】
Companies falling under either of the following:
(1) Aichi Brand Companies
(2) Manufacturing SMEs* related to basic industries* (must have headquarters or factories/manufacturing bases in the prefecture)
*Basic industries: Refers to transportation equipment excluding automobiles, electrical equipment, general machinery/precision instruments, metal products, plastics, etc. However, even companies manufacturing automotive parts are eligible for this program if the sales of said business account for less than 50% of their total sales.
*SMEs: Refers to companies, excluding small and medium-sized enterprises, with 2,000 or fewer regularly employed workers.
【Participation Conditions】
・Internal decision-makers (management, business leaders, etc.) must have approved participation in this program.
・Decision-makers (1 person) and practical staff (2-3 people) must be able to participate as much as possible in the seminar/workshop phase for plan formulation (scheduled for 4 sessions) and individual consultations (bi-weekly) during the execution phase.
【Other】
・Participation Fee: Free
*Participants are responsible for various expenses incurred in participating in this project, such as communication fees and travel expenses.
・Number of adopted companies: Approximately 10 companies
□ About the Program Briefing Session
A briefing session for this program will be held for companies considering or wishing to participate.
On the day, there will also be lectures and seminars that clearly explain the necessity of new business and the process of business creation through open innovation. Please feel free to join!
・Application/Details URL: https://forms.gle/E21ZgWodVmaTX5L67
*Application Deadline: May 28, 2026 (Thursday) Noon
*Participation Fee: Free
【Event Outline】
・Date: May 29, 2026 (Friday) 14:00-16:00
・Venue: "STATION Ai" Large Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (M3F)
1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya (6-minute walk from Tsurumai Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, 2 stops from Nagoya Station)
【Contents on the Day】
① Keynote Speech: "The Next 10 Years of Manufacturing - Why New Business Now?"
Speaker: Yutaka Shinohara, Representative Director and President, Everconnect Inc.
② New Business and Open Innovation Seminar:
"Blueprint for New Business for Manufacturing Companies Tackling it for the First Time"
Speaker: Tatsuaki Ito, Executive Officer, Tokai Branch Manager, eiicon Inc.
③ Explanation of the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program
④ Networking (Interaction time for participants)
*Contents are subject to change without notice.