ANCHOR KOBE Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Diverse Commemorative Events Including 'ANCHOR 5th Anniversary FES'

ANCHOR KOBE, a business exchange hub operated by Kobe Shimbun Co., Ltd., held the 'ANCHOR 5th Anniversary FES: From Five Years of Encounters to the Next Challenge — Starting from the Unknown Side of Someone You Thought You Knew' on June 4, 2026, to commemorate its fifth anniversary. The event welcomed around 80 participants, including startups, corporations, support organizations, creators, and students. Through art workshops, lunch networking, puzzle-solving workshops, short pitches, and permanent exhibitions, attendees engaged in cross-industry and cross-role exchanges. Opened on April 26, 2021, ANCHOR KOBE has now entered its sixth year, evolving into an innovative, AI-driven co-creation facility and continuing its journey of new challenges. ■ Full House: 80 Attendees Join a Co-Creation Event Connecting Five Years of Encounters to Future Challenges Since its opening, ANCHOR KOBE has nurtured new connections by bringing together diverse people and ideas. This fifth-anniversary event aimed not only to celebrate past encounters but also to transform those relationships into future challenges and co-creation opportunities. Unlike typical networking events, it featured multiple participatory programs. In the morning, an art workshop invited participants to explore self-expression by engaging with open-ended questions. At noon, the 'Lunch Table – Casual Lunch Gathering' provided a relaxed setting for natural conversations over meals. Food and coffee vendors added to the laid-back atmosphere throughout the venue. Later in the lunch session, the 'Ultra Quiz' introduced surprising personal facts about members in a quiz format, helping participants learn more about each other’s activities and personalities in a fun way. In the afternoon, a puzzle-solving workshop enabled team-building through collaborative problem-solving, allowing first-time acquaintances to work together toward common goals. Oda, ANCHOR KOBE's Overseas Coordinator, leading the art workshop. Participants collaborating during the puzzle-solving workshop. In the latter half of the event, 'Lightning Pitches' by startups and 'Workwear Pitches' by corporate members were held. In the Lightning Pitches, 20 companies introduced their businesses or initiatives in one minute, conveying both the appeal of their ventures and the personalities of their representatives within a tight timeframe. In the Workwear Pitches, company representatives wore their actual work uniforms or attire to present not only their business activities but also on-site efforts and personal interests. Additionally, the venue featured permanent content such as mini exhibition booths, a Connect Map, and community introductions, creating pathways for post-event networking and collaboration discussions. Minezawa from Mines speaking during the Workwear Pitch. The 5th Anniversary FES was themed around 'discovering the unknown side of someone you thought you knew,' emphasizing connection points for future challenges rather than being just a celebratory event. Participants shared feedback such as, 'I naturally connected with people I don’t usually talk to,' 'I found companies I’d like to consult with after the pitch,' and 'new connections emerged in ANCHOR’s uniquely diverse atmosphere.' Moving forward, ANCHOR KOBE will continue to serve as a community space where diverse challengers—startups, companies, universities, researchers, students, and freelancers—intersect, generating new business creation and co-creation opportunities from Kobe. Participants forming the letter 'A' of 'ANCHOR KOBE' with their hands to celebrate the milestone. ■ April Ceremony: A Formal Celebration of the Milestone Prior to the festival, a 5th Anniversary Ceremony was held on April 24, attended by around 100 guests from Kobe City and partner organizations, celebrating this significant milestone. To mark the beginning of the next five years, Professor Hiroaki Kageyama from the Graduate School of Science and Technology Innovation at Kobe University delivered a keynote speech titled 'Thinking Together About Kobe’s Innovation Ecosystem.' He emphasized the importance of spaces where diverse industries’ 'people, things, and capital' intersect, expressing high expectations for ANCHOR KOBE’s role in this ecosystem. Following this, two panel discussions were held, focusing on ANCHOR KOBE’s key initiatives for FY2026: 'Artificial Intelligence (AI)' and 'Global Collaboration.' Active discussions generated insights into business growth strategies. Later, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony was held, formalizing ANCHOR KOBE’s collaboration with overseas co-creation facilities and startup support organizations. This included agreements with the Taoyuan City Government Youth Affairs Bureau and Taipei Entrepreneurs Hub (Startup Island Taiwan), marking the sixth and seventh such partnerships since last year. Yuko Tokunaga, Director of Kobe Shimbun Co., Ltd., which operates ANCHOR, reaffirmed her commitment: 'We aim to create the “next move” that allows each company to grow beyond regional boundaries, starting right here in Kobe.' Following the ceremony, five AI-related startups from Taoyuan City delivered pitches, followed by active networking among participants. Panelists and moderators for the discussion sessions were as follows: · Panel Discussion ① 'The Current State of AI Social Implementation in Kobe — Talent, Frontlines, and Ecosystem' Takahiro Hota, Special Professor, Department of Medical System Innovation, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University 　　　　　　Takashi Wada, Representative Director, Kyokuden Electric Co., Ltd. 　　　　　　Yuta Ueki, Section Chief, New Industry and Science & Technology Division, Kobe City Economic and Tourism Bureau Taiki Takami, AI Technical Coordinator, ANCHOR KOBE · Panel Discussion ② 'Discussing the Future of International Collaboration Among Korea, Taiwan, and Kobe! Asia Co-Creation Ecosystem Talk' Mayuko Maezukami, Manager, Global Business Division, UD IMPACT 　　　　　　Chia-Ling Hou, Director, Youth Affairs Bureau, Taoyuan City Government 　　　　　　Be Seungho (David), Director, BIG Impact Inc. 　　　　　　Kaya Shinohara, General Manager, ANCHOR KOBE Gaku Oda, Overseas Coordinator, ANCHOR KOBE Professor Kageyama delivering the keynote speech. Director Tokunaga (center) after the MOU signing. Participants forming the number '5' with their hands to celebrate the milestone. 【ANCHOR KOBE】 Opened: April 26, 2021 Established and Facility Prepared by: City of Kobe Operated by: Joint venture of Kobe Shimbun Co., Ltd. and PwC Aarata LLC Membership: Seven types — Corporate (Special, Regular, Startup), Individual (Regular, Student, Morning Activation, Evening/Weekend/Holiday) Monthly Fees: ¥5,500–¥165,000 (additional entrance fee applies; non-refundable upon cancellation) Corporate Regular Member: ¥27,500 (with economic organization discount), Individual Regular Member: ¥16,500 (inclusive of tax) Event spaces and meeting rooms (both paid) are available to non-members. We encourage you to utilize our accessible, scenic space. ■ Official Website https://anchorkobe.com/ Kobe Sannomiya Hankyu Building, 15F, 4-2-1 Kanadacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0001 TEL (078) 325-1414　EMAIL: contact@anchorkobe.com