Open Incubation Center

The Open Incubation Center (OIC) is in the planning phase. The goal is the have the physical venture incubator established in central Tokyo by the end of 2010. Our vision for the OIC is to have it run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. To establish a wide base of supporters and to avoid any type of conflict of interest, the OIC will be run as a non-profit organization.

The OIC will be a place where an entrepreneur can work to establish their business in a motivating environment, side-by-side with other start-up companies instead of on a stand-alone basis. Workspaces will be designed in an open fashion to foster communication and collaboration among the tenants, allowing for easy rearrangements which will cater to the unique needs of venture start-ups. Private meeting rooms will be available as well so the various tenants can feel secure discussing confidential matters. The facility will be accessible 24/7, situated in a convenient location with restaurants, convenience stores and public transportation in the neighborhood. OIC office space leasing will be on a month-to-month basis, allowing for full flexibility for the tenant entrepreneurs.

The key advantage of the OIC is that it is a venture incubator run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. The management team consists of accomplished entrepreneurs who know firsthand what it takes to build a successful company. The major objective of our team is to facilitate communication and collaboration among the tenants, bring in experienced guest speakers on a regular basis, organize networking events, provide help to access funding in addition to other important professional services.

Furthermore, all companies within the OIC will be invited to discuss business issues, ask for advice or discuss new ideas with the entrepreneurs running the incubator. Ventures based in the incubator pay only the rent for their office space. If they decide to use any third party services they will benefit from group-discounted rates.

To facilitate international exposure, a small proportion of the companies based in the facility will be foreign companies entering the Japanese market. For the Japanese companies this structure simplifies access to informal advice regarding international markets and greatly contributes to the overall experience of being based in the OIC. These foreign companies will greatly benefit from obtaining a better understanding of the local market and from unique networking opportunities with Japanese entrepreneurs.

The OIC’s success will strongly depend on a balanced mix of companies within the incubator.

  • Early-stage Japanese ventures
  • Foreign companies entering the Japanese market
  • A Focus on ventures with innovative technologies and business models as well as those ventures targeting the world’s most urgent social and environmental problems
  • OIC inclusive concept
    • No pre-defined acceptance criteria
    • Decision on a case-by-case basis
    • Preference given to start-ups which contribute to the OIC’s concept

If you are interested in supporting the OIC or getting involved in the project, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.