Business Co-Creation Company Relic Launches 'Hokuriku Startup Runway' to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem in the Hokuriku Region

Relic Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Takao Kitajima; Representative Director and CTO: Ryo Oniwa), a business co-creation company, will officially launch the 'Hokuriku Startup Runway'—a collaborative platform aimed at fostering the startup ecosystem in the Hokuriku region (Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures)—on June 29, 2026, with support from Samurai Incubate Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kintaro Sakai). Ahead of the official launch, a kickoff event will be held on June 30 at 'Sketch Lab' in Toyama Prefecture.

Background

Within Japan’s national startup ecosystem strategy, efforts are underway to achieve polycentric growth by leveraging regional strengths. The Hokuriku region (Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui) has been designated as one of the 'NEXT Global Hub Cities.' This area hosts a concentration of global niche-top companies and research institutions with dominant market shares in specific industries. Additionally, initiatives to launch university-originated startups through the wide-area collaboration consortium 'Tech Startup HOKURIKU (TeSH)' are gaining momentum, indicating significant potential.

Relic is Japan’s No.1 business co-creation company (※1), having supported over 5,000 corporations—including leading large enterprises—in new venture development and open innovation. With one of Japan’s largest BTC (Business, Technology, Creative) organizations, Relic has the unique capability to execute end-to-end processes—from business ideation and implementation to growth and various exit strategies.

In the field of open innovation, Relic has established and operated JV/co-creation initiatives and the 'DUALii' co-creation scheme, directly invested in over 40 domestic and international startups, launched and managed VC funds, and provided support for corporate venture capital (CVC) establishment and operations. Furthermore, with bases across 18 prefectures nationwide, Relic actively contributes to regional revitalization, regional funds, and the development of locally driven startup ecosystems through partnerships with universities and research institutions.

By combining its extensive expertise and achievements in integrated innovation management with the support of Samurai Incubate Inc.—a company with a proven track record of launching 'Startup Runway' initiatives across Japan—Relic has established this platform to accelerate the formation of a unique innovation ecosystem in the Hokuriku region and drive the creation of unicorn companies from regional areas.

Initiatives of the 'Hokuriku Startup Runway'

This platform aims to bridge the gap between regional entrepreneurs and venture capital (VC) firms or financial institutions, reducing information disparities in regional areas. It seeks to build a robust support system that fosters knowledge sharing and syndicated investments by bringing together entrepreneurs, VCs, and regional banks.

Key activities include:

Establishment of a Communication Group for Participating VCs and Financial Institutions

A dedicated communication group will be used to facilitate case referrals, syndicated investment consultations, and co-hosted events, promoting close collaboration and communication across the region.

Hosting Events Across the Entire Hokuriku Region

Regular pitch events and seminars—such as 'Hokuriku STARTUP PITCH'—will be held for startups and entrepreneurs across the Hokuriku region to cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Operation of a Unified Website for Hokuriku-Based VCs and Financial Institutions

The platform will aggregate information on investment stages, target sectors, and unique characteristics of participating institutions, enabling entrepreneurs to access funding consultations and business refinement quickly and seamlessly.

For more details, please visit the official website.

Official Website

Participating Organizations (in alphabetical order)

Participating Regional Banks and VCs

Supporting Organizations

Endorsing Organizations

Orient Corporation

Chubu Economic Industry Bureau

Ishikawa Prefecture

Carbon Ventures Inc.

Tokyo Venture Capital Hub (operated by Mori Building Co., Ltd.)

Toyama Prefecture

Overseas Demand Development Support Organization, Inc.

J-Startup KANSAI

Fukui Prefecture

Samurai Incubate Inc.

Knocklawn Inc.

Hokkai Lab Inc.

Japan Finance Corporation

Vision Incubate Inc.

Fukui Capital Partners Inc.

Hokuhoku Capital Corporation

Hokuriku Bank, Ltd.

Relic Inc.

Planning and Management Secretariat of 'Hokuriku Startup Runway' / 2026 Lead Company

Relic Inc. (Lead Company)

Representatives: Representative Director and CEO Takao Kitajima / Representative Director and CTO Ryo Oniwa

Headquarters: Ebisu Garden Play Studio Tower 19F, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Corporate Website: https://relic.co.jp

Samurai Incubate Inc.

Representative: Representative Director Kintaro Sakai

Address: 4F, Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, 5-9-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Corporate Website: https://www.samurai-incubate.co.jp

About the Nationwide 'STARTUP RUNWAY' Initiative

'STARTUP RUNWAY' is an initiative designed to support startup growth by leveraging the unique characteristics and strengths of each region, with the goal of creating unicorn companies.

To date, 'Chugoku-Shikoku STARTUP RUNWAY' (September 2020), 'Chubu STARTUP RUNWAY' (May 2022), 'Tohoku STARTUP RUNWAY' (April 2024), 'Ryukyu STARTUP RUNWAY' (September 2024), 'Kyushu STARTUP RUNWAY' (May 2025), 'Hokkaido STARTUP RUNWAY' (June 2025), 'Kanto STARTUP RUNWAY' (September 2025), and 'Kansai STARTUP RUNWAY' (May 2026) have been launched. With the addition of 'Hokuriku STARTUP RUNWAY,' a nationwide support network covering nine regions will be established, further accelerating startup growth across Japan.

About the Deep Tech Innovation Center

Relic’s Deep Tech Innovation Center (DTIC) provides comprehensive support for commercializing deep tech, from technology evaluation and strategy formulation to prototyping, validation, and post-commercialization growth. DTIC offers end-to-end support—from identifying research seeds and market analysis to business planning, fundraising assistance, and growth support—having supported over 30 organizations and 100 projects, primarily involving universities, research institutions, corporate R&D departments, and financial institutions. DTIC also provides secondary investments and due diligence services for financial institutions. As a specialized organization dedicated to 'societal implementation of technology,' DTIC aims to expand technological possibilities and drive the creation of new ventures.

Learn more

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The Reality of Deep Tech Commercialization: Relic’s Challenge Against the Disappearance of 60% of Technologies

https://prtimes.jp/story/detail/7bZ38jIK3eB

About Business Co-Creation Company Relic

Relic is a 'business co-creation company' that partners with leading Japanese corporations to go beyond ideation in new ventures, open innovation, AX, and DX—executing through to monetization, core business integration, spin-offs, and other exit strategies. By overcoming the unique barriers and constraints of large enterprises through its proprietary 'Deshima Co-Creation Scheme®,' where Relic becomes the lead entity, and leveraging one of Japan’s largest BTC organizations, Relic executes seamlessly from strategy to implementation and growth. As an entrepreneurial collective that has independently launched diverse businesses and startups exceeding ¥10 billion in revenue, and as a team of experts covering AI, hardware, and deep tech, Relic offers integrated innovation management—including proprietary products and investments from its managed VC/CVC funds. As the leading company in new venture development with the No.1 domestic market share (※), and the only unique co-creation partner that has engaged in the development of over 5,000 businesses and joint ventures/JVs across 18 prefectures nationwide.

※1: 2024, 'Market Research on Boutique Consulting in New Business Development,' Relic Inc. and Digital Impact Inc., https://relic.co.jp/press-release/54696/

Relic Inc.

Company Name: Relic Inc. Representatives: Representative Director and CEO Takao Kitajima / Representative Director and CTO Ryo Oniwa Headquarters: Ebisu Garden Play Studio Tower 19F, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Founded: August 2015 Business Activities: Incubation tech, business production/new venture development support, open innovation (startup investment, VC fund management, CVC establishment/operation support, joint ventures/co-creation), innovator talent development support, regional revitalization/regional innovation, innovation workplace services Corporate Website: https://relic.co.jp Services: https://relic.co.jp/services/