Work Design Lab Signs Partnership Agreement with Tokyo's Startup Support Hub 'Tokyo Innovation Base'

Work Design Lab (headquartered in Chuo Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takashi Ishikawa), a general incorporated association aiming to realize a society filled with vibrant working adults, announces the signing of a 'TIB Partner Agreement' with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This partnership supports the public-private collaboration for 'Tokyo Innovation Base' (TIB), a major startup support hub being developed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Moving forward, Work Design Lab will leverage its network of over 260 partner members—including local governments and businesses—to connect startups gathering at TIB with regional enterprises nationwide, promoting new collaborative projects that transcend organizational and regional boundaries.

Background and Purpose of Participation

TIB, operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is a major hub where startups and their supporters from Japan and abroad gather and interact. It grandly opened as a space where diverse individuals connect and foster innovators who advance society through groundbreaking ideas and technologies.

Work Design Lab has previously created numerous co-creation initiatives with local companies and municipalities through the redesign of 'work and working styles' in urban areas. In this initiative, Work Design Lab will serve as a hub linking urban startups with regional resources across Japan, contributing to the enhanced functionality of TIB as an innovation node. This effort aims to develop the ecosystem of Tokyo and Japan as a whole, going beyond the interests of individual companies.

Collaboration and Specific Actions

Leveraging Work Design Lab’s expertise and network, the following initiatives will be implemented to drive the creation of globally competitive startups from Tokyo and realize mutual values of sustainable coexistence and co-prosperity.

Activation of Exchange between Regional Businesses and Startups

Practical workshops will be held to match technologies and ideas from startups gathered at TIB with challenges faced by local governments and regional enterprises across Japan.

Event and Meetup Organization

Events will be planned and operated to support the ambitious challenges of startups and partner organizations, with a focus on nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Professional Mentoring

Collaborating with diverse ecosystem players, multifaceted professionals from various industries within Work Design Lab—actively practicing side jobs—will support startup growth and organizational development from multiple angles.

Past Activities and Events at TIB

① [Hosted Event] Tokyo Underground Lounge Vol.2 MUSIC / BUSINESS / BRAZIL CULTURE

Date: January 29, 2026 (Thu) 18:00–21:00

Venue: 1F CAFE & BAR, Tokyo Innovation Base

The second edition of a networking initiative centered on cultures such as 'music' and 'art'—rarely featured in typical business contexts—to facilitate interaction among startups and TIB stakeholders. This time, a Brazilian-style tea house 'Boteco' appeared at TIB for one night only. Alongside local cuisine and music, a professional photographer provided cultural commentary, and a venture capital firm supporting expansion into Brazil was invited. The event created new touchpoints and communities for global business through an unconventional lens.

② [Event Participation] Frontline of Startup Talent Utilization: Expanding Organizational Possibilities through Secondments and Side Jobs

Date: February 18, 2026 (Wed) 18:00–20:00

Venue: 1F SQUARE-2, Tokyo Innovation Base

A Tokyo Metropolitan Government-related event focused on 'external talent utilization (secondments and side jobs)' to support startup growth. Startups and experts embracing diverse talent gathered to share practical know-how. Representative Director Ishikawa moderated the panel discussion 'Mastering Side Job Talent Utilization in Startups: Realities of Requirement Setting and Bottleneck Resolution,' leading discussions for executives and HR professionals struggling with talent acquisition.

③ Tokyo Underground Lounge Vol.3 MUSIC / BUSINESS / DEI

Date: March 3, 2026 (Tue) 15:00–21:00

Venue: 1F SQUARE-2, Tokyo Innovation Base

The third installment of a culture-driven networking initiative. In cooperation with JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association), music and cutting-edge technology were combined from a DEI perspective. The event featured Fujitsu’s 'Ontenna' device that allows users to feel sound through their body, AI-powered real-time VJing, and a talk session with deaf table tennis athletes. The event created a borderless space for sharing multisensory and organization-transcending experiences, fostering serendipitous encounters that spark innovation.

About Work Design Lab

Work Design Lab envisions 'a society filled with vibrant working adults, where children can dream of the future by seeing such adults,' and has undertaken multiple projects for companies and local governments across Japan. It also operates a cross-company community for new business developers and study groups for side-job practitioners. Approximately 260 members, primarily corporate employees in the Greater Tokyo Area, all actively practice side jobs.

<Organization Overview> Organization Name: Work Design Lab, General Incorporated Association Representative: Takashi Ishikawa, Representative Director Established: August 2013 Address: 5F, Tokiwa Building, 4-3-8 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, MONZ SPACE URL: https://work-redesign.com/ Business Activities: Promotion of social experiment-type and problem-solving projects; public-private collaboration initiatives; human resource services; consulting; community-building support

<Contact for Inquiries>

Work Design Lab, General Incorporated Association Contact: Public Relations Email: [email protected]