Building a bridge between the startup ecosystems of Asia and Okinawa to foster innovation.

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and the Japan Southeast Asia Innovation Platform (JSIP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at supporting startup communities in Okinawa and Asia. Through this partnership, they seek to strengthen the startup ecosystem and accelerate innovation in Okinawa and across Asia. The collaboration will involve co-organized seminars, mentoring OIST-based startups by JSIP, joint branding and marketing efforts, and supporting startup growth through industry-academia collaboration.

JSIP is a community platform for the launch and growth of new, Japanese business ventures in Southeast Asia. Centered in Singapore, it unites experts from Japan and the rest of the world to foster cross-industry collaboration, creating a solid foundation for rapid business expansion throughout the region.

The signing of this MOU is expected to further energize the startup ecosystem in Okinawa, marking a significant step towards extending the pioneer spirit of Okinawa to the rest of Asia and beyond.

【Goals of the MOU】

Planning and organizing joint seminars: Co-hosting seminars for startups in the Asia region to introduce the latest trends in technology and business.

Mentoring by JSIP: JSIP will provide mentoring to OIST-based startups to help them address their challenges.

Joint branding and marketing: Leveraging both parties’ networks and resources to support startup branding and marketing.

Other related matters: Implementing various measures to accelerate startup growth through industry-academia collaboration.

【Comments】

• Gil Granot-Mayer, OIST Executive Vice President for Technology Development and Innovation: ” The signing of this MOU is a crucial step towards accelerating the growth and innovation of startups in Asia, while unlocking the potential of Okinawa. This collaboration will further strengthen Okinawa’s startup ecosystem, significantly contributing to the region’s economic development. OIST aims to become a hub for innovation, fostering a startup ecosystem rooted in Okinawa and expanding throughout Asia.”

• Takaki Nakamura, Founder of JSIP’s management team: “We are honored to partner with OIST, a cutting-edge academic and research institution that attracts top global talent. This collaboration will serve as a foundation for bridging the startup ecosystems of Southeast Asia and Okinawa, fostering new innovations and embodying JSIP’s vision of building ‘innovation infrastructure’ that connects Japan and Southeast Asia. Our team is excited about the upcoming collaboration.”