The launch events for JICA’s Co-Creation × Innovation Program “QUEST” were held on May 8, 2025 in Tokyo and May 15, 2025 in Aichi. Over the two days, more than 300 participants from Japan and overseas gathered, making the events a great success.
At the Tokyo event, Talk Session ① titled “Global Innovation from Africa—African Business Models Going Global” featured Mr. Satoshi Shinada from Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, Mr. Nour El-Assal, Co-founder & CEO of Egyptian startup Tagaddod (one of their portfolio companies), and Mr. Tomohiro Nagasaki from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank’s Impact Equity Investment Department. They discussed the latest innovation trends in Africa.
Talk Session ②, “India’s Startup Ecosystem and Open Innovation Opportunities,” welcomed Mr. Kavikrut, CEO of T-Hub (India’s largest incubation center), who presented on innovation cases and co-creation needs in emerging countries. Many participants discovered new possibilities in emerging market business and the latest innovation trends.
In Talk Session ③, Mr. Daisuke Ueda, Deputy Director General, and Group Director for Higher Education and Social Security, Human Development Department, JICA, spoke on “International Brain Circulation with Universities in Developing Countries—Collaboration with Japanese Academia, Industry, and Government.” Ms. Miho Kano from the Private Sector Development Group, Economic Development Department, JICA, presented “Co-Creation Map of Japanese Companies and Overseas Startups through Project NINJA.” Ms. Ayako Oi, Senior Director of JICA’s Office for Peacebuilding, JICA, gave a presentation on “Challenges and Co-Creation in Peacebuilding.” These sessions deepened understanding of JICA’s approach to co-creation in the fields of academia-industry-government collaboration, private sector development, and peacebuilding.
Afterward, active discussions and networking took place among the participants.
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On May 15, 2025, the “JICA Co-Creation × Innovation Program QUEST Launch Event” was also held at STATION Ai (Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture), one of Japan’s largest open innovation hubs. The event attracted about 70 participants onsite and about 80 participants online, ending on a high note.
The next matching event is scheduled for June. Through QUEST, JICA will continue to accelerate co-creation with companies, local governments, educational institutions, and civil society organizations both in Japan and overseas.