【Aichi Prefecture × eiicon】"MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Companies Launched!!

eiicon Co., Ltd. (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 implement the "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" new business creation program for manufacturing companies.

"MONO INNOVATION AICHI" (hereinafter "this program") officially launched today, May 11, 2026.

Starting today, applications are being accepted from companies within Aichi Prefecture that wish to engage in new business creation through this program.

About "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 competitiveness as "Aichi Brand Companies" to widely promote the prefecture's manufacturing 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, the advancement of DX, diversification of consumer needs, and changes in the global business environment.

In this context, for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, including Aichi Brand Companies, to achieve sustainable growth, it is necessary to not only extend existing products and technologies but also to leverage their strengths to expand into new markets and create new businesses.

Based on this background, this project supports new business creation for manufacturing companies in the prefecture, including Aichi Brand Companies, starting from their core technologies.

Furthermore, it aims to accelerate business creation by utilizing open innovation methods, including collaboration with external companies.

"MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program □ About Participant Recruitment

We are recruiting companies from Aichi Prefecture's manufacturing sector to participate in the new business creation program.

・Application & Details URL: https://forms.gle/szB95GnqeY5s35Dc9

*Application Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026

【Eligible Support Companies】

Companies falling under any of the following:

(1) Aichi Brand Companies

(2) Small and medium-sized manufacturing companies 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 equipment, 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.

*Medium-sized companies: Refers to companies with 2,000 or fewer regularly employed workers, excluding small and medium-sized enterprises.

【Participation Conditions】

・Internal decision-makers (management, business leaders, etc.) must have approved participation in this program.

・One decision-maker and 2-3 practical staff members should be able to participate as much as possible in the planning phase seminars/workshops (scheduled for 4 sessions) and the individual consultations in the execution phase (bi-weekly).

【Other】

・Participation Fee: Free

*Participants are responsible for all incidental expenses incurred for participating in this project, such as communication fees and travel expenses.

・Number of Selected Companies: Approximately 10 companies

□ About Program Briefing Session

We will hold a briefing session for companies considering or wishing to participate in this program.

On the same day, there will also be lectures and seminars that clearly explain the necessity of new businesses and the process of business creation through open innovation. Please feel free to join us!

・Application & Details URL: https://forms.gle/E21ZgWodVmaTX5L67

*Application Deadline: Thursday, May 28, 2026, noon

*Participation Fee: Free

【Event Outline】

・Date: Friday, May 29, 2026, 14:00-16:00

・Venue: "STATION Ai" Large Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (M3 floor)

1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya City (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 Decade of Manufacturing – Why New Business Now?"

Speaker: Mr. Yutaka Shinohara, Representative Director and President, Everconnect Inc.

② New Business & Open Innovation Seminar:

"Blueprint for New Business for First-Time Manufacturing Companies"

Speaker: Tatsuaki Ito, Executive Officer, Tokai Branch Manager, eiicon Co., Ltd.

③ Explanation of "MONO INNOVATION AICHI" New Business Creation Program

④ Networking (Participant interaction time)

*Contents are subject to change without notice.

□ Future Schedule (Planned)

May 11 (Mon) Aichi Prefecture