• COSMOS INITIA Co.,Ltd.
  • TAKENAKA CORPORATION
  • Tokyu Group
  • Tokyo Tatemono Co.,Ltd.
  • West Japan Railway Company
  • Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.
  • Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
  • Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Open Network Lab Resi-Tech 2nd Batch! Starts August, 2020.

Vision

Bringing Innovation to Cities and Lifestyles

Open Network Lab Resi-Tech promotes open innovation and assists promising startups in all stages working on products and services that help allow people to enjoy affluent lifestyles. It leverages the Digital Garage Group’s global network and experience supporting startups in all stages, in collaboration with major, Japanese companies that lead the real estate, construction, and lifeline industries.

Theme

Priority themes for Open Network Lab Resi-Tech 2nd Batch

Lifestyles

Cities with seamless mobility

  • MaaS
  • Automated driving
  • Urban planning
  • Mobility sharing
  • Effective usage of vacant car (and bicycle) parking spaces

Lifestyles and work styles not dependent on locations

  • Remote working
  • Teleworking
  • Telecommunications
  • Connectivity
  • xR (AR, VR, MR, SR, etc.)
  • Short distances between workplaces and homes
  • Living in multiple locations
  • Decentralization
  • Real estate subscription services

Tangible things, people, intangible things, knowledge, places, time, etc.
Effective usage of diverse resources

  • Sharing economy
  • Circular economy
  • Reducing food waste
  • Utilizing vacant homes/rooms (including hotels)

Smart home systems that can be installed in existing residences and provide value to consumers

  • Renovation and customization to create smart homes
  • Communication technologies (5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, other near-field communication)
  • Next-generation communication technologies (LPWA, etc.)
  • Position information, sensing

Safety and security

Residences and cities where everyone can live safely and securely

  • Environment
  • Elderly people, children, disabled people, sick and wounded people
  • Parenting
  • Universal design
  • Elderly monitoring, safety confirmation, vital sign sensing, emergency assistance
  • Public safety, crime prevention
  • Disaster planning, evacuation, emergency supplies
  • Daily life resources, energy
  • Building maintenance and management, large-scale repairs

Health

Residences and cities where people can live healthfully

  • Allergies (seasonal allergies, etc.)
  • Infectious diseases
  • Lifestyle diseases
  • High-quality sleep
  • Health maintenance
  • Measuring physical fitness

Comfort and high productivity
Workplaces

  • Stress reduction
  • Relaxation
  • Mindfulness
  • Improving productivity
  • Creativity
  • Improving motivation
  • Improving concentration
  • Well-being

Data platforms

Gathering and managing urban data, providing feedback to cities and individuals

  • Behavioral information
  • Traffic information
  • Facility information
  • Weather information
  • Real-time data
  • Public data
  • Personal information and its protection
  • Information banks
  • Smart cities, city OS

Real estate

House hunting for residences that fit your lifestyle and values

  • Optimizing real estate transactions
  • Personalization
  • Recommendations
  • Suggestions

Digital, more efficient real estate work (contracts, transactions, management, etc.)

  • Information integration
  • Automation, greater efficiency, and simplification of transactions, contracts, and procedures
  • Transparent transactions and management (real estate asset management, etc.)
  • Communication between residents and real estate/management companies

Other

Cities with high usability for foreign nationals, from sightseeing to living

  • Multilingual services
  • Regional information
  • Facility information
  • Traffic information
  • Information provision
  • Credit approval
  • Guarantor agents

New, urban entertainment

  • Creativity
  • XR
  • Events (markets, etc.)
  • Urban outdoor life
  • Making urban environments into theaters
  • Public art
  • Sports
  • Esports
  • Communities

Commercial facilities that provide values other than the consumption of intangible/tangible things

  • Experiences
  • Online Merges Offline (OMO)
  • New retail

* The above themes are examples. We accept a wide range of entries for products, services, and business models that will help resolve social issues and create new value related to daily life.

PROGRAMS

Simultaneous co-creation with multiple major industry players by leveraging partner assets

Open Network Lab Resi-Tech includes the Accelerator Program, which provides support from the development of products that meet market needs to actual implementation, and the Open Innovation Program, which creates new business models using existing products. The major features of both these programs are that participants can utilize the assets of partner companies, can carry out simultaneous proofs of concept with multiple major players that are industry leaders, and can take part in the co-creation of new businesses. Digital Garage connects startups with partner companies to provide support in various stages and mentoring leveraging the expertise it has developed through Open Network Lab.

MENTORING

MENTORING

Opportunities will be provided as necessary to receive advice on services and products by inviting specialists, investors, and established entrepreneurs in various fields from Japan and abroad. Highly experienced helpers will work with participating teams to offer support such as business theories and verification, product refinement, and presentations.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

This program provides chances for startups in the same stage to form connections, and also to receive advice from established entrepreneurs who have moved into the next stages, as well as experts and multiple companies in various fields.

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

This program supports businesses by forming an ecosystem where startups can build relationships with major, excellent companies, something that is not easy to do.

BENEFITS

BENEFITS

Many partner companies cooperate to offer an environment where startups in all stages can step up their speed and work on their businesses. Various benefits are available, including infrastructure, back-office work, and analysis and recruiting tools.

FUNDING

FUNDING

Funding for participating startups will be considered in certain cases.
* Funding is not guaranteed. It will only be provided in cases with agreement from both parties.

PoC COST

PoC COST

Assistance is provided for expenses to carry out proofs of concept in the program as required.
* This is not a definite guarantee.

Value

Accelerator Program

Marching with influential, key figures in the industry

The real estate industry has a complex structure, and there are many cases in which startups cannot get in touch with suitable employees when approaching major real estate companies. Major real estate companies serve as partners in this program, so key figures at these companies facilitate introductions with employees in suitable departments. Startups with no connections do not have to struggle to set up meetings because they can immediately access the employees they need to speak with.

Multifaceted, speedy product verification

When startups carry out proofs of concept with major companies, the preparatory period is usually around six months to one year. However, in this program the time span is just three months from planning to implementation. And because startups can use the assets of partner companies, they can verify their products in environments that more closely resemble actual implementation. Moreover, startups can simultaneously carry out proofs of concept with multiple major real estate companies in the same time period, and can expect to receive wide-ranging, high-quality feedback.

Supports smooth collaboration with major companies

Co-creation between startups and major companies is often hindered by challenges such as different corporate cultures, communication errors, and insufficient resources. This program provides aid for actual proof of concept expenses* and support from Digital Garage to resolve these problems and carry out proofs of concept in a short time period. Participants may also have more opportunities to receive financial assistance after the program ends.**

* Support varies depending on the proof of concept.
** This is not a definite guarantee.

Open Innoavation Program

Cross-industry program for greater business opportunities

Because Resi-Tech is Japan’s only consortium of major, excellent companies in the real estate and construction industries, participants can propose and execute cross-industry business ideas incorporating multiple major industry players—something that cannot be accomplished in other programs.

Share resources and expertise with companies participating in the consortium

Partner companies and Digital Garage offer their resources and expertise to realize cross-industry business ideas proposed by startups. Startups can efficiently create their business ideas by accessing resources that are hard to obtain on their own.

Build a co-creation track record with top industry players

Startups, as well as their products, earn greater trust by building co-creation track records with major, excellent companies that are well known in the real estate and construction industries. This provides greater confidence to startups and also helps with their future sales activities.

Alumni

Over 150 program alumni active in various industries and regions

Feedback from Startups

Yper, Inc.

Tomoharu Uchiyama

Open Network Lab Resi-Tech supports startups that are taking on the challenge of creating new real estate services and urban development through the power of 5G wireless communications and the IoT. I believe Resi-Tech is an extremely meaningful program for startups that are hoping for the chance to build track records through test runs with major companies, to further promote their services to the world, and to further update their products. I hope you will consider applying to the next batch!

Third, Inc.

Jun Inoue

The real estate industry is like a black box; it’s hard to know what’s going on from the outside. That is why I recommend this program to companies that want to learn about this industry and verify if their products are a good fit. Because developers are usually in competition with each other, there are no chances except this program for them to get together and collaborate. And if you can create something that exceeds expectations, it is fully possible that it may be adopted by all of the companies. I don’t think there are many opportunities like this one.

Startups* Partially excerpted from all programs

Schedule

* Please note that changes may be made due to the impacts of COVID-19 or other reasons.

Application

Program Open Network Lab Resi-Tech 2nd Batch
Deadline Noon on 2019/6/11 (Thu)
Participation Requirements
  • The applicant (the “Applicant”) should be a corporation.
  • If research results, patents or other intellectual property rights (the “IPs”) are to be used in the business of the Applicant, the Applicant shall have the rights to use the IPs in its business and shall not infringe the rights of any third party by such use of the IPs.
  • The Applicant for the Open Network Lab Resi-Tech “Accelerator Program” shall have skills to validate and develop the Applicant’s product through proof of concept during the period of the program which is approximately three (3) months and to demonstrate the results of such proof of concept (at least to issue the interim report of such proof of concept). The Applicant for the Open Network Lab Resi-Tech “Open Innovation Program” shall have skills to plan the validation of the marketability for the creation of new value and/or the exploitation of new market through co-creation with sponsors of the program during the period of the program which is approximately three (3) months and to demonstrate the results of such co-creation (at least to issue the interim report of such co-creation). The Open Network Lab Resi-Tech “Accelerator Program” and the Open Network Lab Resi-Tech “Open Innovation Program” shall be hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Program”.
  • If the Applicant has received investment by third party(ies), the Applicant shall have obtained prior consent from such investor(s) to the Applicant’s participation in the Program.
  • The Applicant’s business shall not violate public policy.
  • The Applicant, or any of its directors, officers, employees or stakeholders shall not be a part of anti-social forces, and shall not have any relationship with anti-social forces.
Terms of participation
  • During the period of the Program (the “Program Period”), the Applicant shall attend events relating to the Program held by Digital Garage, Inc. (“Digital Garage”).
  • The Applicant shall agree that the result of the coordination for use the assets of the sponsors of the Program with Digital Garage or any of its group companies (collectively “Digital Garage Group”) and the sponsors of the Program (scheduled to be conducted a few times from April to the beginning of June) will be taken into consideration thorough the process of screening.
  • If the Applicant cannot conduct the final report of the result of the proof of concept or the co-creation of the Program during the Program Period, the Applicant shall agree that the Applicant should conduct such final report in a manner specified by Digital Garage even after the Program Period.
  • When Digital Garage Group would like to invest in the Applicant, the Applicant shall agree to have a discussion with Digital Garage Group.
  • The Applicant shall agree that its activities may be posted on the websites or other media designated by Digital Garage Group in addition to the official website of Open Network Lab.
  • The Applicant shall appoint the project manager (the “PM”) for participating the Program. During the Program Period, the Applicant shall ensure that the PM shall concentrate on the business that they have undertaken to conduct in the application for the Program.
  • During the Program Period, if the Applicant are considering a business alliance with or receive investments from a third party, the information shall be shared in advance with Digital Garage to enable appropriate support under the Program, and if Digital Garage deems necessary, the Applicant shall have discussions with Digital Garage.
  • The Applicant shall submit additional documents for screening or investing by Digital Garage and/or Digital Garage Group, if requested by Digital Garage and/or Digital Garage Group.
  • In addition, the Applicant shall comply with other obligations including those regarding the application procedures. Furthermore, the Applicant shall agree to the terms and conditions of participation to be separately designated by Digital Garage.
Application Steps
  1. Apply via entry form
  2. Review submitted documents Application is evaluated based on product (idea), market and team
  3. 1st Interview Either an online or face-to-face interview will be set
  4. Final Interview Presentation is conducted face-to-face to our staff, directors, and enterprise partners
  5. Program starts

FAQ

Partners

A consortium of industry-leading partner companies

Enterprise Partners

  • COSMOS INITIA Co.,Ltd.
  • TAKENAKA CORPORATION
  • Tokyu Group
  • Tokyo Tatemono Co.,Ltd.
  • West Japan Railway Company
  • Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.
  • Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.
  • Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

DGLAB Partners

  • kakaku.com
  • KDDI
  • DAIWA
  • TIS
  • RESONA
  • SAISON

Partner Message

COSMOS INITIA Co.,Ltd.

Manager
ICT Promotion Section, General Affairs Group, General Affairs and Human Resources Department

Takahiko Kameda

Our mission is “Next GOOD to customers and society. Value that is one step ahead, through thinking that is one step ahead.” We provide “value that is one step ahead” to customers and society. The real estate industry, including residential real estate, has a growing need for digital transformation that will bring more affluent lifestyles. I look forward to creating new value with everyone through technology.

TAKENAKA CORPORATION

Manager
Technology producing, Technology Department Head Office

Yasutomo Matsuoka

I look forward to ideas and solutions related to the building lifecycle (design, construction, maintenance/management, and repair), that are useful to the people who live in cities. I hope to bring new innovations to the industry through co-creation with Resi-Tech partner companies by combining the knowledge and business opportunities of our company—which is an “integrated engineering firm for urban creation”—with the new technologies and ideas of startups.

Tokyu Group

Senior Staff
Future Design Lab

Takahiro Fukui

Just like the last batch, I hope to leverage the Tokyu Group’s broad range of business domains and assets to resolve industry issues in real estate and related fields. To do this, I would like to take on the challenge of business co-creation with startups while collaborating with partner companies. I hope this will lead to valuable initiatives for everyone involved in this unique consortium-type program.

Tokyu Land Corpolation

SENIOR STAFF MEMBER
Planning Strategy Department
Digital Transformation Promotion Office

Shuichiro Ebe

Our corporate group creates and proposes lifestyles beyond the bounds of physical frames. With a dedication to making sincere efforts to resolve social issues through our business activities, we have continually provided new value to customers and society. We do business in a wide range of fields centered on real estate, and I believe integration with digital technologies is an important theme. Let’s create new business models combining advanced technologies and services with our company’s business domains.

Tokyo Tatemono Co.,Ltd.

Manager
Corporate Planning Department

Yoshikazu Furusawa

I participate in Resi-Tech because I want to make people’s lives more affluent through technology. I think “making lifestyles more affluent” refers of course to residential aspects, but also to initiatives in daily life as a whole, including work and leisure. I also believe we must be aware of resolving social issues, not only of striving for business growth. I look forward to implementing this program with a free way of thinking so we can provide better lifestyles to people!

West Japan Railway Company

Business Development Headquarters
Director of Urban Development Department

Takafumi Tani

In our real estate business, we carry out sustainable urban development to create places where people want to live and visit. Our vision is making contributions to development in regions and along train tracks. I hope that we can help come up with solutions to social issues in this program, and also to develop brand-new products, services, and mechanisms to create towns where new lifestyles are produced, rather than just responding to changes that occur.

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

Manager
ICT&Innovation Planning Dept.

Masakazu Tanaka

Our Group is involved in the “hard” aspects of highly user-friendly urban and real estate development, and also in efforts to create “mechanisms” for collaboration with diverse stakeholders in cities such as individuals, groups, schools, and companies. I hope to propose businesses from various angles related to lifestyle-related urban and environmental development in the broad sense, without being bound by the existing real estate business framework.

Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.

Manager
Housing Business Headquarters
Metropolitan Apartment Business Division
Business Promotion Group

Shinsuke Gaga

We create residential environments in tune with the changing times, and my hope is to provide customers with “Safety and Comfort” and “Dream and Excitement,” which is our corporate philosophy. To that end, I wish to accomplish things we cannot achieve as a single company or Group together with the new people we meet through the program.

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Project Manager
Business Development Group
Venture Co-creation Department

Keiichiro Koumura

I am participating for the second time, after the 1st Batch, and I am continually exploring new visions for cities and urban development. I look forward to taking on challenges with startups in fields other than real estate and construction, without being limited by existing definitions and images.

FAQ

Application-Related Questions

I am a minor or a student; can I still apply?
Minors can apply, but establishing a company is a requirement. Minors must have consent from their parent or guardian to apply.
Can I submit applications documents in English?
Please submit applications either English or Japanese.
I can’t speak Japanese; can I still apply?
You may apply as long as you speak English.
It looks like some of the Open Network Lab mentors are from overseas, but I can’t speak English.
No worries! Open Network Lab staff will translate as necessary.
Are teams with multiple services eligible to apply for the program?
Yes, however due to the limited time we can provide each team during the interview process, it will be necessary to talk about each service within a fixed amount of time. Therefore, the time to promote and appeal each service will be shortened.
I submitted an application to the last program. Can I apply again?
Yes, you can.
Can I apply if I am receiving funding from another company?
Yes, however, you must obtain agreement from the funding company.
Are there any limits on participation based on fundraising status?
No, there are no limits based on past fundraising amounts.
Are there any limits on startup stages?
No. If you have an idea related to one of the themes, you can apply regardless of your current stage.
Which program should I apply to?
If your entry is aimed at the introduction/implementation of a product or service, please apply to the Accelerator Program. If you are aiming to create a new business with the Digital Garage Group or a supporting partner, please apply to the Open Innovation Program.
* We may suggest changing your desired program based on the content of your entry.

About the Interview Process

Will the interview be conducted in Japanese?
We can interview in either Japanese or English.
Is it required for all team members to be present during the interview?
No, any number of team members may participate provided that they are able to describe the service and answer any questions that may be asked.
Can we receive feedback on the application results?
Due to the large quantity of applications, we do not give out feedback on application results.
Are the interviews held in Tokyo?
Yes, we plan to conduct interviews in Tokyo. You can also be interviewed online if an in-person interview is difficult.

About Program

Do we have to stay at Tokyo during the program?
No. You can join the program even online, especially if you are living outside of Tokyo.
Does it cost anything to participate in a program?
No, participation is free. However, we will discuss expenses for proofs of concept implemented during the program as necessary.
Do I have to receive funding to participate in a program?
No, this is not necessary. Funding may be provided in some cases if desired with agreement between the participating startup and Digital Garage or a Group company
Do I have to carry out a proof of concept if I am chosen?
Assets from Digital Garage or a partner company are required when implementing proofs of concept. Digital Garage will also provide support, but in some cases no proofs of concept will be carried out if we cannot come to an agreement.

Please contact us for other questions.

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