Concept Movie

Experience the value of QUEST
in just 90 seconds.

News

Issues

The 4 Challenges
 of Social Businesses

#1 Assets, But No Ideas

Many companies and universities have assets but struggle to create ideas that meet both local needs and ensure profitability in social business

#2 Ideas, But No Assets

Startups often have innovative ideas to solve social challenges, but their limited assets make it difficult to scale these solutions.

#3 Both Assets and Ideas, But No Roadmap

Even with strong assets and ideas, many projects stall due to a lack of the unique approach required for success in social business

#4 Everything in Place, But Lacking Funds

Some have it all – ideas, assets, and a clear strategy. But without enough funding, they can’t test and validate their solutions properly.

Solution

JICA Co-Creation × Innovation
Program “QUEST”

JICA and Deloitte Tohmatsu Group will support collaborative project creation with
hands-on assistance in matching, business ideation, PoC, and exit strategies.

Business Matching Support

We provide matching services to help create co-creation business opportunities.

Hands-on Support by Experts

Our consultants support the entire process – from ideation and PoC planning/execution to exit strategies such as fundraising.

Funding Support up to 3M Yen

We offer financial support of up to 3 million yen per project to cover PoC-related costs.

Cases

JICA has numerous support cases related to co-creation.

NEC XON × South Africa Startups

in South Africa

  • JICA supported NEC XON, a subsidiary of NEC, in matching with local startups and planning and operating PoCs through the NINJA Accelerator Open Innovation Program in South Africa.
  • They selected local startups Agrilogiq and Locstat for a three-month pilot project.
  • As a result, NEC XON officially adopted these two startups as vendors, fostering innovation.
See Details

AERONEXT × Newcom

in Mongolia

  • Aeronext, through JICA Biz, is exploring the drone market in Mongolia. To establish the market, they formed the “Mongolia New Smart Logistics Promotion Working Group” with Newcom Group, Seino Holdings, and KDDI SmartDrone.
  • JICA supports by providing numerical elevation models for flight planning from the local land surveying agency.
See Details

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers x Shizenjuku Terakoya

in Japan

  • JICA’s entrepreneurship support project BLUE and Shizenjuku Terakoya have launched “BLUE-GLOCAL GUNMA.”
  • This six-day program targets former overseas volunteers and others interested in regional entrepreneurship, business development, and succession, helping them inventory their experiences and gain necessary knowledge and wisdom.
See Details

PROCESS
Project FLow

Co-Creation Theme Pitch
Launch JICA QUEST Community
Feb-Mar 2026

  • Co-creation Theme Pitch Events (held at three locations): Aichi 3/9, Fukuoka 3/16, Tokyo 3/30
    JICA-led Co-creation Theme Pitch event, roundtable discussions, and networking sessions
  • Online information sessions: 2/26, 3/3, 3/5, 3/23
    Explanation of the background and overview of QUEST 2026
  • QUEST Community launch: March 2026

     

Application & Selection
Applicatio: 1 Apr-31 May
Selection: 1 Jun-Mid Jul

  • Document and interview screening for co-creation ideas.

PoC (Proof of Concept)
Exit Strategy
Aug-Dec 2026

  • Formulation of PoC plan.
  • Implementation of on-site PoC.
  • Formulation of the Exit Strategy Based on PoC Results.

*PoC (Proof of Concept): A process and evaluation conducted to verify whether a new idea or business is feasible and capable of achieving its intended effects or outcomes.

Demo day
Jan 2027

  • PoC Results Reporting

– Contact us –

Please feel free to contact us at any time
if you are interested in this program.

Contact form

 - Public Relations Partner -

Disclaimer: Please note that the content and details of the project are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or to improve the quality of the program. Information provided through this project may not be disclosed or used for commercial purposes without prior approval from the organizers. While we take all necessary precautions to ensure safety in the event of emergencies such as natural disasters, we cannot be held responsible for any personal or financial loss incurred during participation. We kindly ask participants to arrange their own insurance coverage as needed.

QUEST Program Office:
Mail: quest-info@tohmatsu.co.jp
Office Hours: 9:30 - 18:30 JST (Weekdays only)