Saitama Prefecture] Shibusawa MIX Open Innovation Program "Canvas" Begins Accepting Participant Applications
Saitama Prefecture has begun accepting applications for the "Canvas" open innovation program, part of its "Shibusawa MIX" innovation hub, aiming for co-creation between companies within the prefecture and those nationwide. This program promotes new business creation through company matchmaking and commercialization support.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 14:31
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Saitama Prefecture operates "Shibusawa MIX," an innovation creation hub based on three concepts: "creation and promotion of open innovation," "support for the creation and growth of startups," and "nurturing human resources responsible for innovation."
This year, to "create and promote open innovation," we will implement the "Canvas" open innovation program, aiming for new co-creation between companies within the prefecture and companies nationwide.
We await applications from companies that wish to take on the challenge of creating new businesses through co-creation with other companies!
*Open Innovation: A management method that creates new products and services by combining internal and external ideas and technologies.
1. Companies to be recruited
Large companies nationwide, and small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture, that wish to be matched with co-creation partner companies.
2. How to apply
(1) Application period
From Friday, May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026), to Sunday, May 31 (2026).
*If you apply by Friday, May 22, you can consult with the entrusted operator (eiicon Co., Ltd.) for idea refinement.
(2) How to apply
Access the URL below and apply from the entry form.
https://shibusawamix-canvas.eiicon.net/
(3) Program Briefing Session
The details of the program will be announced at the briefing sessions below.
A new business creation seminar and workshop will also be held on the same day, so please join us.
Date: Monday, May 18, Reiwa 8 (2026), 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM)
Location: Shibusawa MIX (ekism Saitama Shintoshin 5F, 4-262-18 Yoshikicho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City)
*Only Part 1 will be streamed online on the day.
Contents:
[Part 1]
Program explanation
Talk session: "Canvas Adopted Companies Speak! Recommendations for Utilizing Open Innovation Programs"
Speakers: Shigeharu Asagiri, President and CEO, Kyodo Shoji Co., Ltd.
Sanzaemon Murai, President and CEO, BioC Co., Ltd.
Shintaro Eguchi, eiicon Co., Ltd. (Moderator)
[Part 2]
Seminar/Workshop: "How to Proceed with New Business and the Potential of Open Innovation"
Speakers: Kazuhito Naritomi, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Japan Open Innovation Research Organization
Networking (exchange)
Fee: Free
Application method: Please apply using the form below by Friday, May 15.
URL: https://forms.gle/CojakUuMppdFYfpk6
3. Contact Information
Shibusawa MIX Open Innovation Program Management Office (eiicon Co., Ltd.)
Email: saitama-oi@eiicon.net
4. Others
The application requirements and program details are available on the website below.
"Canvas" website: https://shibusawamix-canvas.eiicon.net/
*Overview of "Canvas"
"Canvas" implements two programs to form co-creation projects between Saitama Prefecture companies and companies nationwide and provide support for commercialization.
(1) Open Matching Program
*This is the program currently accepting applications.
Overview:
We support the design of co-creation themes and the recruitment and matching of co-creation partner companies, with a view to forming co-creation projects between companies nationwide and companies within Saitama Prefecture.
Target:
Large companies nationwide, and small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture.
Support content:
〇 Organizing self-issues, matching support
We provide individual support for organizing your company's strengths and challenges and refining co-creation themes. In addition, we widely recruit partner companies through "AUBA," an open innovation platform operated by the entrusted operator (eiicon Co., Ltd.), and the prefecture's public relations, etc., and conduct matching.
(2) Incubation Program
*This is not the program currently accepting applications. Recruitment is scheduled to start in early August.
Overview:
We recruit co-creation projects formed with Saitama Prefecture companies, and for adopted projects, we provide accompanying support for the development and demonstration of new products/services, etc.
Target:
Projects formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture and large companies or small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.
Support content:
〇 Up to 5 million yen in support funds per project
We support expenses for demonstration, etc., towards commercialization for adopted projects.
〇 Various supports for project realization
We support commercialization through accompanying support such as consulting and mentoring by experts as needed.
Future Schedule
Keywords:
This year, to "create and promote open innovation," we will implement the "Canvas" open innovation program, aiming for new co-creation between companies within the prefecture and companies nationwide.
We await applications from companies that wish to take on the challenge of creating new businesses through co-creation with other companies!
*Open Innovation: A management method that creates new products and services by combining internal and external ideas and technologies.
1. Companies to be recruited
Large companies nationwide, and small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture, that wish to be matched with co-creation partner companies.
2. How to apply
(1) Application period
From Friday, May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026), to Sunday, May 31 (2026).
*If you apply by Friday, May 22, you can consult with the entrusted operator (eiicon Co., Ltd.) for idea refinement.
(2) How to apply
Access the URL below and apply from the entry form.
https://shibusawamix-canvas.eiicon.net/
(3) Program Briefing Session
The details of the program will be announced at the briefing sessions below.
A new business creation seminar and workshop will also be held on the same day, so please join us.
Date: Monday, May 18, Reiwa 8 (2026), 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM)
Location: Shibusawa MIX (ekism Saitama Shintoshin 5F, 4-262-18 Yoshikicho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City)
*Only Part 1 will be streamed online on the day.
Contents:
[Part 1]
Program explanation
Talk session: "Canvas Adopted Companies Speak! Recommendations for Utilizing Open Innovation Programs"
Speakers: Shigeharu Asagiri, President and CEO, Kyodo Shoji Co., Ltd.
Sanzaemon Murai, President and CEO, BioC Co., Ltd.
Shintaro Eguchi, eiicon Co., Ltd. (Moderator)
[Part 2]
Seminar/Workshop: "How to Proceed with New Business and the Potential of Open Innovation"
Speakers: Kazuhito Naritomi, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Japan Open Innovation Research Organization
Networking (exchange)
Fee: Free
Application method: Please apply using the form below by Friday, May 15.
URL: https://forms.gle/CojakUuMppdFYfpk6
3. Contact Information
Shibusawa MIX Open Innovation Program Management Office (eiicon Co., Ltd.)
Email: saitama-oi@eiicon.net
4. Others
The application requirements and program details are available on the website below.
"Canvas" website: https://shibusawamix-canvas.eiicon.net/
*Overview of "Canvas"
"Canvas" implements two programs to form co-creation projects between Saitama Prefecture companies and companies nationwide and provide support for commercialization.
(1) Open Matching Program
*This is the program currently accepting applications.
Overview:
We support the design of co-creation themes and the recruitment and matching of co-creation partner companies, with a view to forming co-creation projects between companies nationwide and companies within Saitama Prefecture.
Target:
Large companies nationwide, and small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture.
Support content:
〇 Organizing self-issues, matching support
We provide individual support for organizing your company's strengths and challenges and refining co-creation themes. In addition, we widely recruit partner companies through "AUBA," an open innovation platform operated by the entrusted operator (eiicon Co., Ltd.), and the prefecture's public relations, etc., and conduct matching.
(2) Incubation Program
*This is not the program currently accepting applications. Recruitment is scheduled to start in early August.
Overview:
We recruit co-creation projects formed with Saitama Prefecture companies, and for adopted projects, we provide accompanying support for the development and demonstration of new products/services, etc.
Target:
Projects formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (including startups) within Saitama Prefecture and large companies or small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.
Support content:
〇 Up to 5 million yen in support funds per project
We support expenses for demonstration, etc., towards commercialization for adopted projects.
〇 Various supports for project realization
We support commercialization through accompanying support such as consulting and mentoring by experts as needed.
Future Schedule
Keywords: