By connecting startups and innovators from around the world to local businesses, Japan’s second city Osaka aims to open a new gateway for business and trade this autumn, that will be of great benefit to UK firms.
Global Innovation Forum (GIF) 2023 is a multi-week event: the online exhibition opens on 20 September, allowing visitors to browse the many startups and innovations that are being showcased; then, on 19 October there are opportunities for overseas innovators to do virtual live pitches, with simultaneous interpretation into Japanese; lastly, on 8 and 9 November, the organisers will set up one-to-one business meetings for potential partners, with English-Japanese-English interpretation provided.
The aim of GIF is to generate valuable new partnerships in the following technologies: augmented, visual and mixed reality; robotics; digital transformation; agri-tech; food tech; health tech; new materials; green tech, carbon neutrality and new energy. These carefully-selected areas are all ones that the Japanese government has identified as being vital to Japan’s future, as it seeks to become the very first country to prove that it is possible grow its economy even as its population declines in number. Their application goes far beyond Japan, though – by partnering with receptive, dynamic businesses in one of the world’s most advanced nations, this is potentially an opportunity for UK innovators to turbo-charge their businesses, and launch new waves of exports to fast-growing markets around the world.
As an extra incentive, the virtual pitch winner, chosen by the audience, will receive will receive an invitation to visit Osaka, including flight and hotel accommodation, travel restrictions permitting.
A brainchild of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) and Osaka Business & Investment Centre (O-BIC), this event is an accessway to the OCCI’s thirty thousand members, which includes many large global companies, as well as corporate venture and open innovation businesses. Four hundred GI community members are already seeking opportunities to collaborate with innovators from overseas.
This opportunity is free for successful applicants – including a virtual “booth” at the exhibition, individual advisory support, and interpretation.