On July 31, 2025, the JICA Co-Creation and Innovation Program “QUEST” Idea Competition was held at Tokyo Innovation Base in Chiyoda Ward, in Tokyo, and STATION Ai in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
A total of 20 pitches were presented by diverse actors from Japan and overseas, showcasing their co-creation project proposals. The three judges actively engaged in Q&A sessions, leading to lively discussions.
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As a result, the projects selected through the final judging have been determined as follows.
■ “QUEST” Idea Competition: 9 Selected Organizations (in random order) *One organization withdrew after being selected.
| Name of Organization | Country | Business Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Agrabah Ventures Inc./ Naga College Foundation, Inc. | Philippines, Malaysia, etc. | Community-driven seaweed farming generates carbon credits and supports global climate mitigation. |
| FiberCraze Corporation・Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC) | Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. | Development of high-performance fiber products specifically for the prevention of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. |
| Certified non-profit organization to support children’s development, Hattatsu Wanpaku Kai・Fvital Inc. | Vietnam | Development of human resources utilizing expertise in developmental support and AI-based video analysis technology. |
| SHEAPURE LTD / Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University/ Across Tohoku Co., LTD. | Nigeria | Introduction of supercritical fluid technology (SFT) to traditional shea butter production. |
| Generous inc.・MITAS Medical Inc. | Bangladesh | Establishment of a remote cardiac rehabilitation and disease prevention system using IT systems for ECG and pulse measurement and data management. |
| SetsuroTech Inc.・Sumitomo Corporation | Mongolia | Development of a high-value-added cashmere-producing goat through the breeding improvement of Mongolian cashmere goats. |
| SAKA NO TOCHU Co., Ltd.・BIOME Inc. | Ecuador | Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Enhancement Project in the Galápagos Islands through Coffee Agroforestry and Scientific Ecosystem Monitoring |
| Kyushu University・Guan Inc.・Roi Jai Rak Project | Thailand | Solving global food issues using new seed modification technology based on epigenomics. |
| National Insitute of Technology,Kagawa College・Mongol Kosen College of Technology | Mongolia | Japan-Mongolia Space Education Project: International Joint Education with CubeSat Materials and Stratospheric Balloon Experiments |
■ Upcoming Schedule
PoC (Proof of Concept): August to December 2025
Exit Strategy Planning & Demo Day: January 2026
We sincerely appreciate the overwhelming number of applications we received.
“QUEST” is planning to host a Demo Day, which will be open to the public, in January 2026.
We warmly invite you to participate and continue supporting JICA’s programs and events to promote co-creation aimed at solving societal challenges.
■ Contact Information
QUEST Secretariat
quest-info@tohmatsu.co.jp