eiicon Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Ayuko Nakamura, hereinafter "eiicon"), which operates Japan's largest open innovation platform "AUBA", has been entrusted for the third consecutive year with the operational tasks for the "Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest 'UNITE'" (hereinafter "this project") by Shizuoka City.

Shizuoka City, eiicon, and Shizuoka Shimbun aim to solve the social issues faced by Shizuoka City by "creating new societal mechanisms" through co-creation between the region and startups.

We have begun accepting co-creation ideas from startups nationwide today, July 8, 2026.

Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest "UNITE 2026"

Organizer: Shizuoka City

Operator: SBS & eiicon Shizuoka Co-Creation Consortium "SHIZUCO"

(Shizuoka Shimbun Co., Ltd., eiicon Co., Ltd.)

https://shizuoka-city.eiicon.net/unite2026/

Shizuoka City x Shizuoka Shimbun x eiicon Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest "UNITE 2026"

About the Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest "UNITE 2026"

Seeking co-creation mechanisms and ideas for 18 social issue themes presented by the government, as well as a free theme for open proposals.

Shizuoka City's vision is to be a "leading city in solving social issues and transforming regional companies." The city promotes the creation of new collaborative social systems by leveraging the "new knowledge" of startups with innovative technologies, services, and ideas, and the "power of the local community." As one of these initiatives, the "Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest" has been held since fiscal year 2024, and 12 teams have advanced to the demonstration phase of co-creation projects by last year.

This year's project, "Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest 'UNITE 2026'," aims to further accelerate co-creation by seeking co-creation ideas for creating mechanisms that lead to the resolution of social issues, not only from the social issue themes presented by Shizuoka City but also from a free theme where startups can freely propose solutions to Shizuoka City's challenges. Based on the selected co-creation ideas after screening, the region and startups will work together to solve issues and achieve social implementation.

This year, we are also seeking companies and organizations within Shizuoka City that possess fields and will work together to address Shizuoka City's challenges as regional partners.

□ Features of This Project

Regionally Involved Program

UNITE is a co-creation program where the departments presenting social issues actively think alongside startups and work with enthusiasm towards social implementation.

By having many departments participate across the board, recruiting from a wide range of fields, and involving not only the government but also regional businesses and organizations, we aim for social implementation that is more feasible.

Program that Steadily Leads to Social Implementation

To ensure steady social implementation beyond mere demonstration experiments, we have established a system that allows for demonstration efforts over a sufficient period of one year. We provide demonstration support funds that can be used for necessary verification, and offer multifaceted continuous support for business development, thereby supporting the creation of sustainable businesses alongside the resolution of social issues.

□ Project Flow

Startups that pass the first screening will form co-creation teams with the region and plan for demonstrations. Subsequently, teams that pass the second screening will aim for social implementation through verification in a demonstration phase of up to one year.

□ "UNITE 2026" Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest Application Themes

We are seeking co-creation business proposals that offer solutions to 18 specific issues presented by Shizuoka City plus a free theme.

【Tourism】

・Towards becoming a destination city where visitors can enjoy from night to morning and want to stay (Tourism and International Affairs Division)

・From "waiting information centers" to "welcoming information centers" – Expanding travel satisfaction and consumption through human proposal capabilities (Tourism and International Affairs Division)

【Environment】

・Creating a new system to transform abandoned bamboo forests into regional resources – Challenging sustainable bamboo forest management (Environment and Symbiosis Division)

・Creating a Shizuoka City-originated model to pass on the value of solar power generation facilities to the next generation (GX Promotion Division)

・Achieving sustainable forest management through smooth consensus building with forest owners (Forest Management Division)

・Creating value and promoting the use of "Okushizu" wood to achieve forest circulation (Forest Management Division)

・Establishing a system to quantitatively evaluate the results of nature positive (natural regeneration) initiatives in the Southern Alps (Environment and Symbiosis Division)

【Disaster Prevention】

・Towards a city where everyone can be involved in shelter management – Creating a system to support from training to disaster situations (Crisis Management Division)

・From "knowing about disaster prevention" to "acting on disaster prevention" – Shizuoka City where everyone can evacuate without hesitation (Crisis Management Division)

【Agriculture】

・Now is the last chance to revive Shizuoka tea – Towards a sustainable tea-producing region that nurtures next-generation successors (Agricultural Policy Division)

【Employment and Industrial Promotion】

・Establishing new recruitment methods that connect companies and students by leveraging the appeal and strengths of local companies (Commerce and Labor Policy Division)

・Making Shizuoka City an even more attractive city. Creating an environment for digital-related companies to locate (Industrial Infrastructure Development Headquarters)

【Urban Infrastructure and Town Development】

・Implementing new schemes to revitalize idle real estate in Shizuoka's central urban area (Urban Planning Division)

【Children and Education】

・Creating a town where children with developmental concerns and their parents can connect to safe and reliable places without feeling isolated (Disability Welfare Planning Division)

・Digitizing food information for school lunch DX. Building a "Shizuoka City Model" that protects lives and fosters a sustainable and rich food culture (School Lunch Division)

【Construction】

・Smartening design and estimation. Strengthening the future of construction. – Achieving labor saving, optimization, and quality assurance in design supervision work (Technology Policy Division)

・Realizing a "chosen construction industry" where everyone can thrive through the specialization of construction sites (Technology Policy Division)

【Sports】

・Creating multiple region-benefiting businesses utilizing sports resources (Sports Promotion Division)

【Free Theme】

We broadly seek co-creation business proposals that solve Shizuoka City's social issues, beyond the themes listed above!

End

□ Program Information Session (Online)

At the information session, we will explain the details of this project and points for application.

If you are even slightly interested, please feel free to apply from the link below.

"UNITE 2026" Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest Program Information Session

・Date and Time: July 10, 2026 (Fri) 14:00 - 15:00

・Venue: Online * A viewing URL will be provided to those who apply.

・Participation Fee: Free

・Organizers: Shizuoka City, SHIZUCO (Shizuoka Shimbun Co., Ltd., eiicon)

・How to Apply: Please apply from the URL below.

https://shizuokacity-unite2026.peatix.com

* Application Deadline: July 9 (Thu) 23:59

* Participation in the information session does not affect the selection process.

□ Future Schedule (Planned) * Schedule is subject to change.

July 8, 2026: Entry begins * This press release

July 10, 2026: Project Information Session (Online)

August 7, 2026: Application Deadline

Mid-August to Early September 2026: First Screening (Document Review & Interview)

September 9, 2026: Notification of Results

Co-creation Team Formation (Kick-off)

Formation of co-creation teams comprising Shizuoka City officials, regional stakeholders, and startups

(Co-creation team activities thereafter)

Mid-September to Early November 2026: Virtual Construction & Project Planning Phase

November 11, 2026: Second Screening (Pitch Session) @ Shizuoka City

Co-creation teams will present their future co-creation plans to the judges.

Mid-November 2026 to January 2027: Demonstration Phase

March 15, 2027: Mid-term Presentation @ Shizuoka City

April 2027 - March 2028: Continued Incubation Period

March 2028: Results Presentation

April 2028 onwards: Social Implementation Phase

* Depending on the project content and demonstration experiment results, budget allocation by the city may be considered.

"UNITE 2026" Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest Application Page

https://shizuoka-city.eiicon.net/unite2026/

□ Inquiries Regarding This Project

"UNITE 2026" Operations Office (Operator: SHIZUCO, Contact: Sonohara, Yamanaka)

Mail: shiz-unite(@)eiicon.net

* Please convert "(@)" to "@" and include "Inquiry about Shizuoka City Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest UNITE" in the subject line.

□ Reference: Previous Year

Shizuoka City x Startups to Solve Social Issues: Mid-term Report on "UNITE 2025" Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest (SHIZUOKA Business Compass) https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bc.at-s.com/kiji/feature_unite10&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1782203332212967&usg=AOvVaw3oUeMB7zLMmVdn4hj1Hbeq

Results Presentation Pitch Article: Shizuoka City Holds Second Screening for Social Issue Solving Business Contest with Startups (Nikkei) https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCC073XT0X01C25A1000000/

Report https://tomoruba.eiicon.net/articles/5615

Seven Teams Advanced to the Demonstration Phase (Business Plan Name, Company Name, Shizuoka City Department in Charge)

1【Environment】Building a Sustainable Waste Collection System – Achieving a "Beautiful Shizuoka Forever" (Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. x Collection Operations Division)

2【Agriculture】Sustainable Shizuoka Organic Agriculture Model Created Through "Production x Distribution x Consumption" (Sakanato Co., Ltd. x Agricultural Policy Division)

3【Agriculture】Making Shizuoka City a "Tea Producing Region Chosen by the World" Through Global Expansion Support (ShipMate Inc. x Agricultural Policy Division)

4【Disaster Prevention】Towards a Safe and Secure Shizuoka City by Creating a Highly Practical System for Supporting Vulnerable Individuals During Evacuation (Kensetsu System Co., Ltd. x Welfare General Affairs Division)

5【Urban Infrastructure】Redefining Underutilized Resources from Shizuoka – A "Delicious Future" Nurtured by Sewage Sludge (Quantaris Lab Inc. x Sewerage Planning Division, Agricultural Policy Division)

6【Environment】Formation of a Sustainable and Highly Profitable Next-Generation Reforestation Model Using Symbiotic Microbes (Endophyte Co., Ltd. x Forest Management Division)

7【Town Development】"Preserving the Charm of Kambara and Yuhi's Towns for the Future – Designing a Model of Relationships and Systems to Turn Vacant Houses into Regional Resources" (Tsubame Production LLC x Housing Policy Division, Shimizu Ward Office Kambara Branch, Shimizu Town Development Promotion Division, Historical and Cultural Affairs Division)

"UNITE 2025" Knowledge and Regional Co-creation Contest (Government Issue Dissemination Type)

https://www.city.shizuoka.lg.jp/s2859/startup_unite2025_01.html

eiicon Company Overview https://corp.eiicon.net/

Company Name: eiicon Co., Ltd.

Representative: Ayuko Nakamura, President and CEO

Establishment Date: April 3, 2023

Headquarters: 2F Toranomon 36 Mori Bldg., 3-4-7 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo * Relocated to this address on April 1, 2026

Tokai Branch: Inside STATION Ai, 1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi

Shizuoka Base: Inside THE ZAZA CITY HAMAMATSU Central Building B1F FUSE, 100-1 Kaji-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka

Kanagawa Base (Inside WeWork Ocean Gate Minatomirai): 8F Ocean Gate Minatomirai, 3-7-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Kansai Base (Inside Startup Plaza Hyogo): KiP, 56 Naniwa-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo

Okinawa Base 1 (Inside Lagoon KOZA / KSA Works): 1-7-8 Chuo, Okinawa City, Okinawa

Okinawa Base 2 (Inside Have a good day): 18-4 Higashi, Naha City, Okinawa

Singapore (eiicon Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.): 20 Anson Road, #11-01 Twenty Anson, Singapore 079912

Business Activities: Operation of the open innovation platform "AUBA", event planning and support services, sourcing services, etc.

eiicon Co., Ltd. supports business creation through its open innovation (OI) support tailored to the business phase of companies, utilizing Japan's largest open innovation platform and hands-on consulting specializing in OI.

What is Open Innovation?

An innovation methodology proposed by Henry W. Chesbrough (USA) in 2003, which "creates innovative new value by combining internal and external media and technologies within a company." It is a method that advocates for actively incorporating external collaborations, not just relying on internal resources.

Services Offered by eiicon

Japan's Largest Open Innovation Platform "AUBA"

A web platform specializing in open innovation, the largest in Japan, with over 39,000 cumulative registered companies. It provides an ALL IN ONE system for business creation, enabling discontinuous growth and business survival. AUBA is a service for intentionally creating innovation. ISO 56001 certified.

https://auba.eiicon.net/

Global Co-creation Platform Supporting and Accelerating International Co-creation (Overseas Companies x Japanese Companies)

"AUBA for Global"

An open innovation platform that supports and accelerates approaches from overseas companies and organizations aiming for co-creation with Japanese companies and organizations. It provides support through innovation advisors, including connections with Japanese companies and organizations registered on "AUBA" and applications for acceleration programs operated by eiicon and AUBA for companies and local governments. Many overseas companies and organizations, primarily in Southeast Asia, are registered, accelerating encounters between overseas and Japanese companies and aiming to create an environment where cross-border co-creation can occur more intentionally.

https://corp.eiicon.net/forglobal

Full Support Service "AUBA Enterprise"

Our consultants, experienced in supporting business creation including internal new business and open innovation projects, design fully customized support tailored to each company's challenges and needs. We support business creation through services ranging from business strategy support to creating opportunities for actual partner co-creation, team building support, and new business creation support, tailored to the company's phase.

https://corp.eiicon.net/service/enterprise

Media to Vitalize Business "TOMORUBA"

A "media to vitalize business" for business professionals who create businesses. It delivers information on funding, funding provision, joint research, and know-how for creating businesses from startups, SMEs, and large corporations across various industries and regions, as well as local governments and universities.

https://tomoruba.eiicon.net/

Major Awards

In December 2022, received the Excellence Award at the "4th Japan Service Awards" for its innovative and excellent service.

https://service-award.jp/result04.html

In February 2023, received the Commissioner's Award of the Japan Sports Agency at the "5th Japan Open Innovation Awards" for its initiatives in open innovation, including matching and co-creation between sports teams/organizations nationwide and partner companies through acceleration programs.

https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/stmain/20230120oip.html

* The information posted is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that it may be subject to change without notice.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: プレスリリース
  • Organizations: SBS&eiicon Shizuoka Co-Creation Consortium “SHIZUCO”