General Incorporated Association D&T (Location: Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Representative Director: Masayuki Kudo), of which Dooox Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Ryosuke Kuboji) is a director, will hold the event "TOKAI NEXT" on Sunday, July 12, 2026, with the support of Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture. This event aims to connect startups with local companies and government bodies to foster demonstration experiments and social implementation. Under the theme "Turning Regional Challenges into Opportunities, Making Tokai Village a Town that Nurtures Startups," the event aims to create a platform for new innovation originating from Tokai Village through pitches and networking sessions by 8 startup companies.

Background and Purpose of the Event

Tokai Village is home to advanced scientific technology, but it also faces various regional challenges and aims to improve the quality of life (QOL) for its residents. TOKAI NEXT views these challenges and needs as "opportunities" and seeks solutions by connecting the advanced technologies of startups with the voices of the region, aiming to enhance the region's appeal.

"TOKAI NEXT" aims to solve the regional challenges of Tokai Village. Going beyond the conventional one-way approach of "startups solving regional problems," Tokai Village will provide a venue for demonstration experiments and a network, fostering a relationship where the region and startups collaborate to solve problems. The event will share the concept of building a demonstration experiment ecosystem promoted by General Incorporated Association D&T and promote the creation of a cooperative structure that integrates local governments, residents, local companies, and startups.

The pitches will be developed along two axes: "Solving Regional Challenges" and "Improving Life and QOL." It is a day to discover seeds of technology, connect with new partners, and test and nurture them in Tokai Village. This is the first step.

Event Overview

Item

Details

Name

TOKAI NEXT

Concept

Turning Regional Challenges into Opportunities, Making Tokai Village a Town that Nurtures Startups.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities. Towards the Next Future, from Tokai Village.

Date and Time

Sunday, July 12, 2026, 13:00 - 15:30

(Networking Reception: 15:40 onwards, Dissolution: 17:00)

Venue

Tokai Village Industry and Information Plaza (i-Vil) Multipurpose Hall

(1-1-1 Higashi-Sanchome, Funabashi-Ishikawa Station East, Tokai Village, 319-1118)

Access

Approximately 3-minute walk (approx. 130m) from the East Exit of JR Joban Line "Tokai Station"

Scale

Approximately 250 participants

Organizer

General Incorporated Association D&T

Support

Tokai Village

Application

Advance registration required (via participation form)

Apply here

Three Key Points of the Day

1. Encountering Technology — Startup Pitches

Startups from diverse fields such as food tech, medical/healthcare, disaster prevention/AI, and space/aerospace will present. Each company will propose solutions using their technology and plans for demonstration experiments (future visions) in response to "challenges that truly need solving," which General Incorporated Association D&T has previously surveyed in Tokai Village. By focusing on real regional issues rather than just a showcase of technology, the event aims to connect with solutions in fields directly related to daily life, such as disaster prevention, healthcare, and food.

2. Connecting with Partners — Networking Reception

A place for networking where startups, local companies, and government bodies gather. Attendees who are interested after hearing the pitches can express their desire for a "meeting" with the company on the spot. During the networking reception, individual one-on-one meetings can proceed directly, allowing for concrete consultations and the first step towards collaboration on the same day. Encounters that transcend positions will ripple into industry-academia-government collaboration, new businesses, and revitalization of the regional economy.

3. Starting Action in Tokai Village — Towards Demonstration Experiments and Social Implementation

Aiming to build a "demonstration experiment ecosystem" that positions Tokai Village as a field for demonstration experiments and expands the results to surrounding areas. Rural areas, in particular, have the power to bring new technologies into society. Believing in this potential, we aim to connect these encounters not as one-off events but as sustainable town development and innovation originating from rural areas.

Event Program (Tentative)

Time

Content

13:00

Opening Remarks and Explanation of Purpose

13:10

Address by Representative Director

13:15

Address by Vice Speaker of the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly

13:25

Address by Guests (Tokai Village Mayor, etc.)

13:40

Introduction of General Incorporated Association D&T

13:50

Introduction of Presenting Companies

14:00

Break

14:10

Startup Pitches (8 Presenting Companies)

15:40

Closing Remarks

15:50

Networking Reception

17:00

Dissolution

*Content is subject to change.

Examples of Presenting Companies

Company Name

Field

Byte Bites Inc.

Food/Food Tech

PolePosition Inc.

DX/Generative AI

Quick Inc.

Disaster Prevention/AI

Genics Inc.

Medical/Robotics

Milk. Inc.

Medical/Healthcare

Minato Rocket Inc.

Space/Aerospace

Amateras Space Inc.

Space/Healthcare

*Presenting companies are subject to change.

Participation Application

Advance registration is required. Please apply through the participation form.

Apply here

About the Organizing Company

General Incorporated Association D&T Representative Director: Masayuki Kudo (SUNKING Representative) Location: 1-22-1 Namegawa-Honmachi, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Established: July 2025 Business Activities: Based in Hitachi City, we provide support and create an environment for strengthening collaboration between companies with high technology and skills and startups with potential ideas and knowledge, and for generating synergy with various stakeholders. We aim to create new innovations that are recognized globally by developing an environment and system for startups to conduct demonstration experiments and supporting companies in developing new businesses.

Dooox Inc. Representative: Ryosuke Kuboji, Representative Director Headquarters: 2F co-lab Gotanda with JPRE, Gotanda JP Building, 8-4-13 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Established: June 2021 HP: https://dooox.co.jp/ With the "world we aim for" of "breathing challenges," we support new challenges in society in various ways. Centered around "Special Mission President's Office®," which supports companies' new challenges and "urgent but important areas," we deploy multiple services that accelerate new "Do"s, such as "Special Mission Town Development Office" which creates self-sustaining regional revitalization projects from scratch with local people nationwide as protagonists, "Special Mission India Office," "Special Mission AI Office," and "Special Mission AI Intensive Dojo."

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event