The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and the Japan Southeast Asia Innovation Platform (JSIP) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster startup communities in Okinawa and throughout Asia. This partnership aims to enhance the startup ecosystem and drive innovation in both regions. The collaboration will feature co-hosted seminars, mentorship for OIST-based startups provided by JSIP, joint branding and marketing initiatives, and support for startup development through industry-academia collaboration.
JSIP is a community platform dedicated to launching and growing new Japanese business ventures in Southeast Asia. Based in Singapore, it brings together experts from Japan and around the globe to encourage cross-industry collaboration, providing a strong foundation for rapid business expansion throughout the region. The MOU signing is anticipated to further invigorate Okinawa's startup ecosystem, marking a pivotal move in extending Okinawa's pioneering spirit to Asia and beyond.
The MOU aims to achieve several key goals. First, it involves planning and organizing joint seminars to showcase the latest trends in technology and business to startups across the Asia region. Additionally, JSIP will offer mentoring to startups based at OIST, providing support to address their specific challenges. The agreement also includes joint branding and marketing efforts, utilizing the networks and resources of both parties to enhance startup visibility and growth. Furthermore, the MOU outlines the implementation of various measures to accelerate startup development through industry-academia collaboration.
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, CEO of CrossCapital and a member 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".
