TMG x Startups: Collaborative efforts are underway!

Since December 2019, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been holding UPGRADE with TOKYO, a pitch event for products and services from startups aimed at solving administrative issues.
On April 26 of this year, we held an event titled UPGRADE with TOKYO After Pitch Meeting 2021, which brought together all 10 past winning companies, and we would like to introduce it to you!

What is the pitch event "UPGRADE with TOKYO"?

"UPGRADE with TOKYO" aims to overcome the various administrative issues faced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government by realizing co-creation by joining hands with startups that generate unprecedented, groundbreaking products and services.

For the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, collaborating with startups will solve current administrative issues, build future administrative infrastructure, and enhance our value as a world-class city.
For startups, collaborating with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government builds a track record and enhances their own corporate value.
Furthermore, using this opportunity for collaboration as a starting point, both the startups and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue to grow ever higher.
That is the sentiment embedded in the name "UPGRADE with TOKYO."

Startups recognized by the judges in the pitch review as contributing to the resolution of metropolitan government issues gain an opportunity to advance concrete negotiations with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government toward business collaboration and other initiatives.

After Pitch Meeting 2021: All winning companies gathered!

At the "UPGRADE with TOKYO After Pitch Meeting 2021," all 10 past winning companies from previous pitch events gathered. We invited Vice Governor Miyasaka and the experts who served as judges to hear from each company about the results and progress of their collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and to discuss the challenges and prospects for further promoting public-private collaboration in the future.

The participating startups are the following 10 companies.

At the event, the results of a survey targeting the 49 companies that have previously taken the stage at "UPGRADE with TOKYO" were presented.

According to this, regarding the 10 application themes so far, 97% responded that they were easy to understand. Also, regarding the sense of speed in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after winning, about 70% of all respondents answered "satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied". Furthermore, following their appearance at the pitch event, about 30% of respondents reported achievements such as increased inquiries or collaboration with other local governments!

On the other hand, improving awareness of the event and effective information dissemination, as well as enhancing follow-up after the event were also mentioned.

Vice Governor Miyasaka commented, in order to utilize the ideas and technologies of startups that view society from a unique perspective to solve metropolitan government issues, "We would like to provide maximum support so that as many companies as possible can reach the implementation stage.".

Implementing services from startup companies that won the event at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office!

At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in the free-address office on the 24th floor of the Main Building No. 1, we have introduced "Mamoru Biz" by Colorkrew Inc., the winner of the 4th event, and "WOSH" by WOTA Corp., the winner of the 5th event, and have begun implementation!

Mamoru Biz

"Mamoru Biz" is a "business concierge tool" that uses smartphones and QR codes to handle office schedule adjustments, equipment management, and more.

In the free-address office on the 24th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, QR codes are placed on each desk, and by scanning them with the "Mamoru Biz" app on a smartphone, staff members register the seat they are sitting in.

In a free-address environment, a situation arises where you don't know where anyone is. Even in such an environment, by using "Mamoru Biz," you can grasp who is sitting in which seat.

WOSH

"WOSH" is a "water-free handwashing stand" that uses a unique "autonomous decentralized water circulation system" to recycle and reuse water over and over again by treating domestic wastewater on the spot with a recovery rate of over 98%.

Because it can be installed without worrying about plumbing, we have placed it at the entrance of the 24th-floor office, and it is being used by visitors to the government building.

In this way, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is actively implementing the initiatives of startups that have won past pitch events, and we hope to expand these efforts into society while working together!

We are currently looking for companies to participate in the next pitch event!

Now, regarding this "UPGRADE with TOKYO," we are currently accepting applications from startups for the next pitch event!

The next event will be held with the theme of "Rinkai Fukutoshin (Waterfront City)" as part of the "Bay Area Digital Innovation City" initiative.

The Waterfront City is positioned in the "Tokyo Bay eSG Project" as a stage to lead the creation of "Future Tokyo", and we intend to promote the implementation of cutting-edge technology toward "structural reform of society".

We look forward to receiving applications from all startups!

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Moving forward, by deepening mutual understanding between startups and the administration and accumulating practical experience, we will build a robust collaborative style that leads to the resolution of diversifying administrative issues and enhance the Quality of Services (QOS) of the metropolitan government. Please stay tuned!