What is SmartCityX

SmartCityX is a global community of stage-agnostic startups representing numerous geographies and industry categories coming together with iconic Japanese corporate brands and industry thought-leaders -- united by a common vision for helping make cities more livable, resilient, and sustainable.

Why Now?

SmartCityX is reimagining and redesigning the ethos of urban centers, as the COVID-19 crisis has exposed the urgency to implement transformative solutions that bridge socio-economic, demographic and political divides. Commonly referred to as "Society 5.0" in Japan, this places a particular emphasis on developing technologies that foster economic growth and business revitalization, as well as address aging populations, labor shortages and emerging industries. We believe that fully integrated 'smart' solutions need to not only leverage technological innovation, but also incorporate behavioral analyses, social science and strategic objectives.

The Opportunity - The program, which does not require equity participation or relocation, gives startups unprecedented access to revenue-generating opportunities and decision-makers across the public and private sectors, including policy experts and members of academia. Recognizing the importance of growth capital, SmartCItyX will also lean into the investment community -- helping curate 1-1 conversations with leading venture sources that are disrupting the status-quo.

Uniqueness

Project Overview

・Partners:

Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co.,Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd, Woven Planet Holdings, Inc., SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO.,LTD., NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION, Nihon Unisys, Ltd., Hakuhodo Incorporated, East Japan Railway Company

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・Supporters: 

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. JCB Co., Ltd., SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION, DeNa Co., Ltd., Lion Corporation

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・Partner Municipalities:

Mie Prefecture, Shibuya City, Fukui Prefecture, Kashima City / Kashima Antlers F.C. Co., Ltd., The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry  

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・Resource Partners:

Amazon Web Services Japan K.K., CIC Japan G.K., Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO) 

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・Powered by: Scrum Ventures

・Program length: August 2020 to May 2021.

・Schedule (tentative) :　

Startup application: August 26, 2020 - November 30, 2020 　

Startup selection: December 2020 - January 2021 　

Mentoring and business development: February 2021 - May 2021 　

Demo Day: May or June 2021

・SmartCityX places an emphasis on six core verticals:

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1) Consumer Product & Service

2) Mobility

3) Smart Building

4) Energy, Resource & Sustainability

5) Connectivity & Infrastructure 

6) Social Innovation