i-NNO Inc. CEO
About us
Shimonoseki Startup Anchor (SSA) is a new initiative by Shimonoseki City aimed at supporting local startup companies, fostering the next generation of business leaders, and promoting regional revitalization while cultivating a startup culture.
SSA's Vision
Realizing "Shimonoseki: A New Model City for Regional Revitalization" through the Integration of Local Resources and Startups.
We aim to build a sustainable startup ecosystem by integrating Shimonoseki's local resources and businesses with the technology and mindset of startups. Through this, we will drive social transformation from the region and revitalize the local economy.
SSA's Mission
Solving regional challenges through the power of startups while accelerating the DX and growth of local industries.
By incorporating the innovative technologies and unique ideas of startups into the region, we promote increased productivity and the creation of new businesses, strengthening the economic foundation that supports the region’s sustainable growth. Beyond supporting startups, we actively assist local businesses in pursuing "second entrepreneurship" and embracing digital transformation (DX), driving innovation in existing industries and fostering new competitive advantages. Through the promotion of pilot projects addressing regional challenges and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, we aim to build an ecosystem that generates new value and business models.
Value
Six Core Values of Shimonoseki Startup Anchor (SSA):
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Embracing Challenges
We continuously take on new ideas and approaches with courage, without being confined by existing frameworks.
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Action-Oriented
We prioritize taking swift action and learning from real-world experiences, ensuring that plans do not remain just ideas but lead to tangible results.
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Fearless in Failure
We see failure as a stepping stone for growth, embracing trial and error to continuously refine and pursue the best solutions.
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Respect for Diversity
We collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, embracing different perspectives to drive co-creation and innovation.
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Adaptability & Agility
We quickly respond to changing environments and new information, implementing flexible approaches tailored to each situation.
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Future-Oriented
We focus not only on short-term results but also on actions that contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for the region.
Goals of Shimonoseki Startup Anchor
30・30 + 1 Initiative
Creating 30+ startups and new businesses by 2030, driving regional innovation and sustainable growth.
We are building a hub in Shimonoseki that fosters an ecosystem where solving regional challenges and driving economic growth go hand in hand. The “+1” in our 30・30 + 1 initiative represents our ambition to nurture at least one startup that advances to the IPO stage from this ecosystem. This is not just about the number of startups created—it’s about cultivating a standout company from the region that can thrive on a national and global scale, serving as a symbol of success and inspiration.
Strategy Point
Six Pillars for Building the "Foundation" and "Mindset" Needed to Create Startups
To overcome challenges faced by Shimonoseki as a regional city—such as labor shortages and underutilized local resources—and to foster innovative businesses, it is essential to create an environment that increases both "those who take on challenges" and "those who support them." SSA is dedicated to establishing the foundation for startup creation in Shimonoseki and cultivating a "culture of challenge" (startup mindset) through six strategic initiatives.
1. Talent Development (Entrepreneurship Education)
- Innovation Lab – Inviting experts in AI, blockchain, robotics, and entrepreneurs to expose participants to cutting-edge technologies and perspectives.
- Liberal Arts Lab – A program rooted in liberal arts, including philosophy, physics, arts, and history, fostering broad and deep thi
- Design Thinking Lab – Teaching problem-solving through design thinking and branding perspectives to enhance creative problem identification skills.
2. Funding & Investment Support
- Providing diverse financing options for startups.
- Hosting investor meetup events to connect startups with funding sources.
- Establishing an investment platform leveraging local resources.
- Strengthening hands-on, long-term support for entrepreneurs.
- Establishing an investment platform leveraging local resources.
- Promoting investor education and fostering a regional investment culture.
3. Community and Network Formation
- Implementation of Seminars and Events
- Promotion of Interregional Collaboration
- Formation of Communities Utilizing Digital and Data
- Strengthening Cooperation with Overseas Partners
- Utilizing Flexible Connections with Major Cities
4. Open Innovation for Business Matching and Proof-of-Concept Promotion
- Establishment of an Open Innovation Platform
- Hosting Business Matching Events
- Creation of Regional Issue-Solving Projects
- Support for Proof-of-Concept Initiatives
- Sharing and Dissemination of Successful Case Studies
- Implementation of Co-Creation Workshops
5. International Collaborations
- Promoting exchange with overseas startup ecosystems
- Developing and providing practical support for overseas market entry programs
- Enhancing technological and cultural exchanges
- Communication programs
- Driving innovation through the creation of joint projects
6. Support through Design and Digital
- Programs to master digital and design tools
- Forming a network of experts in design and digital
- Providing a system that allows startups to utilize and form the best teams for each project
- Building brands using design
- Developing marketing strategies using digital technology
Roadmap
Shimonoseki City plans to implement the following measures by 2027 as part of a phased approach, aiming to achieve the vision of "creating 30 startups and new businesses in 30 years":
- 2025
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Phase 1:
Foundation Building and Momentum Creation Stage- Implementing policies based on support strategies, such as entrepreneurship education programs
- Forming a community and branding and promoting policies
- Creating new businesses through matching local and startup companies
- Surveys related to facility development
- 2026
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Phase 2:
Growth Promotion and Ecosystem Construction Stage- Expanding new businesses through matching local and startup companies
- Concept and facility design for startup support facilities
- Preparing for the establishment of an independent organization to promote regional startups
- 2027
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Phase 3:
Ecosystem Expansion and Autonomous Operation Stage- Expanding the startup ecosystem
- Developing and expanding collaborative projects through matching local and startup companies
- Opening startup support facilities
- Preparing for the establishment of an independent organization to promote regional startups
Shimonoseki City
Startup Strategy
Project
member
Project members advancing the startup culture in Shimonoseki
Advisor
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i-NNO Inc. CEO
Keisuke Sone
Keio University Graduate School of Media Design CEO of StartupMate Inc.
Yui Ohsaki
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Keio University Graduate School of Media Design CEO of StartupMate Inc.
Yui Ohsaki
Ambassador
Figma Japan Inc. Country Manager
Hiroaki Kawanobe
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Figma Japan Inc. Country Manager
Hiroaki Kawanobe
Graduated from Shimonoseki City University’s Faculty of Economics and joined Kanematsu Electronics. Earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of Victoria in Canada before serving as GM of Brightcove Korea, later becoming SVP and Representative Director & President at the headquarters. Appointed Country Manager of Figma Japan in 2022.
X-TANK Consulting CEO
YoshiAki Ito
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X-TANK Consulting CEO
YoshiAki Ito
Having achieved numerous rapid V-shaped recoveries as a CxO at companies such as Dell, Adidas Japan, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Currently, he is active as the CEO of X-TANK Consulting. In addition, he was selected as one of the '100 People Creating the Next Generation' by Nikkei Business in 2015, and is a highly regarded entrepreneur and executive both domestically and internationally."
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship,Babson College. Co-founder Executive Advisor, Venture Café Tokyo.
Yasuhiro Yamakawa
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Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship,Babson College. Co-founder Executive Advisor, Venture Café Tokyo.
Yasuhiro Yamakawa
Teaches entrepreneurship and failure studies to undergraduate and MBA students at Babson College. Serves as a startup consultant and board member for ventures both in Japan and abroad.