CIC Japan (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Denise Medlenka) held a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to report on the achievements of its first year of operation, announce the appointment of a new General Manager, and present its growth strategy for the second year.

In its first year since opening, CIC Fukuoka has grown beyond a mere workspace to become Fukuoka's largest innovation hub, a "ecosystem" where startups, large corporations, government, universities/research institutions, and investors converge. Succeeding Kunihiko Shimizu, who led the startup phase, Masanori Torigoe has been appointed as the new General Manager, poised to accelerate further community expansion and innovation creation. (Left) Current General Manager Kunihiko Shimizu (Right) New General Manager Masanori Torigoe

First Year Trajectory: Towards Fukuoka's Largest Ecosystem Where Diverse Players Interact Current General Manager Shimizu reported on the first year's achievements, stating that the total number of resident companies reached an exceeding expectation of 135 within just one year of opening. Of these, 74 companies, over half, are startups, forming a unique and vibrant ecosystem. Furthermore, the community has grown to be rich in diversity, with a significant participation from female entrepreneurs (16 companies) and international companies (19 companies). In terms of active community exchange, CIC hosted over 200 internal events annually and organized "Thursday Gathering," which attracted over 7,800 participants cumulatively, achieving an extremely high NPS (Net Promoter Score) of 55 (Excellent). Additionally, through comprehensive partnership agreements (MOUs) with Fukuoka City and Fukuoka Prefecture, establishing a strong support system, and large-scale events like "Ramen Tech," along with global events with Asian countries, CIC is creating waves of innovation connecting the region with the world. *Data as of March 2026.

Transition to New Structure: Next Growth Strategy and National/Global Expansion The newly appointed General Manager, Torigoe, announced the growth strategy for CIC Fukuoka's "next stage." Currently established

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  • Source: PR TIMES
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