[eiicon Co., Ltd.] [Aichi Prefecture, etc. × eiicon] “Aichi PITCH CONTEST” sponsored by the Aichi Shopping Street Festival 2024 Executive Committee
2024” will be held! We are looking for business ideas from all over the country to create the future of shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.) in Aichi Prefecture!
*eiicon Co., Ltd.*
Press release: August 26, 2024
**
[Aichi Prefecture, etc. × eiicon] “Aichi PITCH CONTEST” sponsored by Aichi Shopping Street Festival 2024 Executive Committee
2024” will be held! We are looking for business ideas from all over the country to create the future of shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.) in Aichi Prefecture!
*A large number of shopping districts, large stores (department stores, etc.), local governments, chambers of commerce, etc. in Aichi Prefecture participate, and prizes of up to 1 million yen will be awarded to the best ideas! The secretariat will also provide strong support for regional implementation! *
eiicon Co., Ltd., which operates Japan’s largest open innovation platform “AUBA” Head office location: Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ayuko Nakamura;
From August 26, 2024 (Monday), the Aichi Shopping District Festival 2024 Executive Committee (Aichi Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association Federation, Nagoya City Shopping District Promotion Association Federation, Chubu Department Store Association, General Composed of the Japan Shopping Center Association Chubu Branch, Aichi Prefecture Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation), and the Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association (hereinafter referred to as
As a commemorative project for the 60th anniversary of Aimachi PITCH CONTEST, a business idea contest “Aimachi PITCH CONTEST
2024 ~Business Plan Contest to Create the Future of Shopping Districts and Large Stores (Department Stores, etc.)~ (hereinafter referred to as this Contest) will be held, and from the same day, nine themes will be presented from local shopping districts and large stores
(Department Stores, etc.). We have begun soliciting business ideas from all over the country that will continue to drive the
revitalization of commerce in the Aichi Prefecture region.
This contest is the first initiative between eiicon and Aishoren. eiicon will strongly support the overall operation of this contest, from planning, design, and operation to PR strategy.
https://eiicon.net/about/aimachi-pitchcontest2024/
Aichi Prefecture x eiicon “Aimachi PITCH CONTEST 2024” sponsored by Aichi Shopping Street Festival 2024 Executive Committee
The main shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.) participating in “Aimachi PITCH CONTEST 2024” are as follows.
* □Participating shopping streets *
* (Nagoya city) *
* Sakaemachi Shopping District, Oshikiri-cho Shopping District, Nakata Hondori Shopping District, Ozone Shopping District, *
* Shibata Shopping Street, Fujigaoka Central Shopping Street, Osu Kannon Street Shopping Street, Hirokoji Meieki Shopping Street, * * Hibino Shopping District, Toko Shopping District, Ganmichi Shopping District, Takiko Shopping District, Ogashira Bridge Shopping District, *
*Meikodori Shopping District, Endonji Shopping District, etc.*
* (Outside Nagoya)*
* Ichinomiya City Honmachi-dori 3-chome Shopping Street, Anjo City Connected Shopping Street, *
* Katsukawa Ekimae Dori Shopping District (Kasugai City), Chuo Dori Shopping District (Seto City), *
* Kariya Ekimae Shopping District, Kariya City, Hagiwara Shopping District, Ichinomiya City, Handanakamachi Shopping District, * * Komaki City Eastern Shopping District, Sakuramachi Hondori Shopping District (Toyota City), *
*Ooodori Shopping District (Kariya City) and others *See the website of Aichi Prefecture Commercial Distribution Division/Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association Federation*
* □Participating large stores (department stores, etc.) *
*Department store Matsuzakaya Nagoya store/Nagoya Parco*
*/Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi/Lasik/Hoshigaoka Mitsukoshi*
*/JR Nagoya Takashimaya*
*/Meitetsu Department Store Main Store*
*Shopping malls, etc.*
* Apita Inazawa store, Apita Nagakute store, Apita Nagoya Airport store * */LaLaport Nagoya Minato AQULS/LaLaport Aichi Togo*
*/Aeon Mall Toyokawa, Aeon Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden, etc.*
* Other department stores and shopping malls near Aichi Prefecture * * Matsuzakaya Shizuoka store *
* /Toki Premium Outlets, Dai Nagoya Building, etc. *Daimaru
Matsuzakaya Co., Ltd., Nagoya Mitsukoshi Co., Ltd., UNY Co., Ltd., Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.*
* ・JR Tokai Takashimaya Co., Ltd., Meitetsu Department Store Co., Ltd., Aeon Mall Co., Ltd. See each company’s website *
*In no particular order, as of August 26, 2024
* □Concept *
Aichi Prefecture is a thriving commercial prefecture with many shopping streets, which have grown together with local department stores to form unique communities.
However, as lifestyles and consumer needs have changed in recent years, the challenges have become more diverse.
Through this contest, we hope to create a dream in which the prefecture’s shopping districts will continue to play a leading role in commercial revitalization, as “supporters of the local
community,” and large-scale stores (department stores, etc.) as “the core of local commercial agglomeration.” We are looking for business ideas!
* □Benefits of participation *
* 1. Prize money *
Prizes of up to 1 million yen will be awarded to business contest winners. It can be used for business development for social implementation in shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.) in Aichi Prefecture.
☆1 million yen Aichi Prefectural Governor’s Award, 1 million yen Aishoren Chairman’s Award, and other special prizes provided by sponsors.
* 2. Utilize assets owned by participating shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.)*
A chance to utilize the assets and ideas of over 100 shopping streets and large stores (department stores, etc.) participating in this contest in the prefecture.
* 3. Accompanying support from the secretariat and mentors * The secretariat and mentors will regularly conduct business idea mentoring.
* □Application qualifications *
Those who have ideas and plans that contribute to the revitalization of shopping districts and large stores (department stores, etc.) in Aichi Prefecture.
(Students in and outside of Aichi prefecture, business owners and employees of startups, etc., and those who have the intention of starting a business in the future are preferred)
*Does not apply to corporations or individuals.
* □Recruitment theme * *Please be sure to check the contest site for details.
*Shopping street theme*
More than 100 cooperatives in Aichi Prefecture are members of the Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association Federation. In order to continue to be a “leader of the local community” in the prefecture, we are soliciting business ideas and plans that aim to revitalize existing businesses as well as attract new businesses, such as utilizing vacant stores.
*1. Responding to changes in consumer behavior *
Updating customers’ consumption experience, activating communication that connects shopping streets and customers,
Strengthening the appeal of shopping streets and disseminating information, etc.
*2. Utilization of vacant stores *
Discovering new businesses, understanding available vacant stores, creating new value for vacant stores, etc.
*3. Shortage of human resources, securing and creating human resources * Lack of successors, securing human resources, training employees, etc. *4. Improve efficiency and productivity of complicated operations * Improvement of back office work efficiency, efficiency of
ordering/inventory management, etc., application support for various subsidy programs,
Multilingual support for inbound tourists, etc.
*5. Revitalizing the city through regional collaboration *
Collaboration with large local stores (department stores, etc.), strengthening collaboration between shopping districts,
Improving business efficiency and reducing the burden of shopping street festivals, etc.
* Large store (department store, etc.) theme *
Large stores within the prefecture (department stores, etc.) have issues that are common to shopping districts, as well as issues that are unique to department stores. In order to continue to be the “core of local commercial agglomeration” within the prefecture, we are soliciting business ideas and plans that will revitalize existing businesses and lead to a new future.
*1. Responding to changes in consumer behavior *
Updating customer consumption experience, activating communication that connects department stores and customers,
Utilization of networks such as department stores, promotion of appeal, etc. *2. Responding to effective facility operations *
Lack of human resources, securing human resources, design that is easy for anyone to use, efficient building maintenance, etc. *3. Creation of new business models for department stores, etc. * Utilization of empty space, brand appeal/improvement, inbound response, etc. *4. Expanding into new commercial areas through regional collaboration * Creating new attractions through regional collaboration, improving convenience through regional collaboration,
Enclosure of students and young people, etc.
* □Screening criteria *
We have set screening criteria for social implementation, including setting the issue, impact on shopping districts within the prefecture, large stores, and local areas, and feasibility. Evaluate your business plan from six perspectives.
* ・Targets/Tasks* Are clear targets and tasks organized?
* ・Solution* Is the solution to the problem unique and has unique value? * ・Regional affinity/impact* Is the project capable of contributing to the prefecture’s shopping districts, large stores, and regional revitalization?
*・Scalability* Is it possible to expand horizontally, such as whether similar initiatives can be carried out at shopping districts and large stores within the prefecture?
* ・Business model* Is the business profitable?
* ・Feasibility* Whether you can commit to realizing the system and business plan.
* □Schedule *
August 26, 2024: * Entries start * This press release
*《Program briefing session (held online)》*
Monday, September 9, 2024 17:00-18:30
* “Aimachi PITCH CONTEST 2024” *
In addition to a detailed explanation of the content of this contest, we will hear from the real voices and needs of people in charge of shopping districts and large stores (department stores, etc.) who are willing to cooperate. If you are interested, please join us. At the end, we will be open to questions and answers.
If you are even slightly interested, please feel free to apply and participate. Participation application URL: https://peatix.com/event/4078983 September 22, 2024: * Early application deadline *
*For those who enter by the early deadline, the secretariat will provide advance feedback.
October 11, 2024: *Application deadline*
October 21, 2024:
* First screening results notification * Late October 2024: * Second screening results (online pitch screening) and result notification * Early November to mid-December 2024:
* Brush up phase * *Main contents of the brush up phase
・Consolidate business plans with secretariat mentors and external mentors, It is intended for brushing up pitch.
November 16th and 17th, 2024:* Aichi Shopping Street Festival 2024* ・It is assumed that you will exhibit at a special booth, etc. We will contact those who passed the screening for further details.
December 16, 2024: *Final review*
(Pitch contest: Business plan will be presented to the judges) Since then, *Follow-up of award winners has been carried out for implementation*
* □Sponsor companies/organizations * (as of August 26, 2024) *Listed in alphabetical order
* Diamond * Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Store Co., Ltd. Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store
Chubu Electric Power Power Grid Co., Ltd. Nagoya Branch
Nagoya Mitsukoshi Co., Ltd.
Uny Co., Ltd.
*Platinum*
*Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. Chubu Branch*
*Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. Chubu Branch*
JR Tokai Takashimaya Co., Ltd.
Toho Gas Co., Ltd.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Meitetsu Department Store Co., Ltd.
* Gold * Obayashi Corporation
Nagoya Horse Racing Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Ltd.
*Silver*
Aichi Prefecture Credit Guarantee Association, Seto Shinkin Bank, Nagoya Bank, Ltd.
Japan Street Light Manufacturing Co., Ltd., FamilyMart Co., Ltd. Aoumi Shinkin Bank, Maruei Galleria
*Bronze*
Aichi Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative Association, Chunichi Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Toyota Home Aichi Co., Ltd.
Others
* □ Sponsored * ・Aichi Shopping District Festival 2024 Executive Committee *1 * □ Management * ・eiicon Co., Ltd.
*1: Aichi Shopping District Festival 2024 Executive Committee: Aichi Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association, Nagoya City Shopping District Promotion Association, Chubu Department Store Association, Japan Shopping Center Association Chubu Branch, Aichi Prefecture Chamber of Commerce and Industry Composed of the Federation of Chambers.
* □Questions and inquiries regarding this contest *
“Aimachi PITCH CONTEST
2024 ~ Business Plan Contest to Create the Future of Shopping Districts and Large Stores (Department Stores, etc.) ~” Management Office (Managed by eiicon Co., Ltd.)
Mail: aimachi-pitchcontest2024 (@) eiicon.net
*Please change (@) to @.
* ■Click here for details and entry *
https://eiicon.net/about/aimachi-pitchcontest2024/
* ■Aishoren Overview * http://www.aishoren.jp/
Organization name: Aichi Prefecture Shopping District Promotion Association Federation
Head office location: 15th floor, Aichi Prefectural Industrial Labor Center, 4-4-38 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Chairman: Meiji Tsuboi
Establishment date: 1964 (predecessor Aichi Prefecture Shopping Street Federation was established in 1949)
Number of members: 125 (107 shopping district promotion associations, 6 cooperatives, 12 development associations)
* ■eiicon Company Profile * https://corp.eiicon.net/
Company name: eiicon Co., Ltd.
Head office location: 3F, Sumitomo Real Estate Iidabashi Building 2, 2-2-23 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Ayuko Nakamura, Representative Director and President Establishment date: April 3, 2023
Business content: Operation of the open innovation platform “AUBA”, consulting to support new business creation, event planning and management, sourcing services, etc.
eiicon Co., Ltd. is one of Japan’s largest open innovation platforms and hands-on consulting specializing in open innovation, and supports commercialization with business creation support and OI support tailored to the business phase of the company.
*What is open innovation*
2003 (USA) Henry W.
An innovation methodology proposed by Chesbrough that “creates innovative new value by combining internal and external media and technology.” This is a method of insisting that companies should not only rely on internal resources but also actively collaborate with outside companies.
*Services developed by eiicon*
*Japan’s largest open innovation platform “AUBA”*
Japan’s largest web platform specializing in open innovation, with over 32,000 registered companies. Business creation ≒ All mechanisms to realize discontinuous growth and business survival
Provided IN ONE. AUBA is a service for intentionally creating innovation. https://auba.eiicon.net/
* Complete escort support service “AUBA Enterprise” *
Our experienced consultants who support business creation, including in-house new businesses and open innovation projects, design fully customized support according to the concerns and needs of each company. We support commercialization with support tailored to the company’s phase, from support for business strategy to support for creating specific meeting places and team-up for actual co-creation with partners, and support for new business creation.
https://corp.eiicon.net/service/enterprise
* “TOMORUBA”, a media that revitalizes business *
“Media that revitalizes business” for business people creating businesses. We deliver various information on fundraising, funding, joint research, etc., as well as know-how information for creating businesses, from startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and major companies in all industries across the country to local governments and universities.
https://tomoruba.eiicon.net/
*Major awards*
In December 2022, we received the Excellence Award at the 4th Japan Service Awards for our innovative and excellent service.
https://service-award.jp/result04.html
In February 2023, through a series of open innovation initiatives such as matching and co-creation of sports teams/organizations and partner companies nationwide through the acceleration program, the 5th Received the Sports Agency Commissioner’s Award at the Japan Open Innovation Awards.
https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/stmain/20230120oip.html
*The information posted is as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.