Tokai Startup Conference 2018

Nagoya University President Matsuo giving the opening address

Panel discussion including facilitator Mr. Takamura

Panelists exchanging opinions on revitalizing entrepreneurs in the Tokai region

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the "Tokai Startup Conference 2018" (sponsored by Tongali, Chubu Open Innovation College, and Chubu New Business Council) held at Midland Hall, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, our representative Masakazu Kono took the stage at the panel discussion "Startups x Existing Companies: The Future of New Business Creation." "Tokai Startup Conference 2018" was held to commemorate the selection of the "Toka-EDGE (Tongali) Program", with Nagoya University as the main school, as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Next Generation Entrepreneur Development Project (EDGE-NEXT). At the beginning, Mr. Seiichi Matsuo, President of Nagoya University, gave an opening address on behalf of the organizers, followed by a keynote speech by Mr. Kenichi Ohmae entitled ``Startup and Innovation.'' At the subsequent symposium, a panel discussion entitled ``Startups x Existing Companies: The Future of New Business Creation'' was held to encourage and enliven the creation of ventures from the Tokai region. Mr. Noriyasu Takamura (Serendip Consulting Co., Ltd.) was the facilitator, Mr. Masahiko Maeda (CV Company), Mr. Koichi Wada (Mitsubishi Corporation), Mr. Hiroyuki Takashima (APTJ Corporation), Mr. Yuki Nagae (Truetting Co., Ltd.), and Zaiman. The discussion started with Mr. Shinmei (Nagoya University) and our company Kono as panelists. Discussions were held from a variety of perspectives, focusing on strategies to revitalize entrepreneurs in the Tokai region, with a focus on the role of universities, the diversity of university knowledge and the need to build a venture ecosystem, and the importance of having a particularly passionate passion for starting a business. It was an opportunity for the approximately 300 participants to deepen their understanding. ■What is the Toka-EDGE (Tongali) Program? The “Tongali Project” is an entrepreneurship education program conducted by Nagoya University for students. From education to development and support, we provide systematic support to ensure the sustainable creation of new businesses. Through this project, we are contributing to the revitalization of industry and job creation in the Nagoya and Tokai regions, as well as working to build a global venture ecosystem. Official website: http://tongali.aip.nagoya-u.ac.jp/ ■Next Generation Entrepreneur Development Project (EDGE-NEXT) Next Generation Entrepreneur Development Project (Exploration and Development of Global Entrepreneurship for NEXT EDGE-NEXT is a program promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology with the aim of developing human resources who take on the challenge of starting businesses and creating new businesses based on the research and development results of universities and other institutions, and building a venture ecosystem among related parties and institutions, based on the results and challenges obtained through entrepreneurial education that has been undertaken at universities around the country. Five lead institutions have been selected for EDGE-NEXT: Tohoku University, the University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyushu University, and Waseda University, and the project period is five years from 2017 to 2021. Official website: http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/jinzai/edge/1346947.htm