Digital Garage opens incubation center “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka City” *Digital Garage Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 4, 2024
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Digital Garage opens incubation center “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka City” *Includes an “Artist in Residence Studio” where Ryuichi Sakamoto’s favorite equipment has been relocated /
Launched as a new incubation hub connecting startups around the world* *Digital Garage Co., Ltd.* (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director, President Executive Officer, Group CEO: Hayashi
Iku (hereinafter referred to as DG) has recently opened a new incubation center* “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka City”* in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
We are pleased to inform you that we will open and begin operations from September 2024.
■ * As an incubation hub that connects startups around the world * DG in 2010 “Open Network
Since the establishment of DG Lab, we have worked to discover and cultivate promising startups and cutting-edge technologies from around the world, and implement them into DG Group’s businesses. In the process, we opened the incubation center “DG717” in San Francisco (2013) and the conference hall “Dragon” in the Shibuya Parco DG Building.
Gate” (2020), and now “DG CAMP
DG CAMP AKIYA will be located in Akiya, Yokosuka City as a new incubation center to replace “DG CAMP AKIYA” (2012-2024).
We are pleased to announce the opening of Yokosuka City*.
Taking advantage of Yokosuka’s location surrounded by the sea and hills, we have created a conference room called Dragon Gate with an expansive ocean view.
AKIYA” and 5 accommodation spaces, it has features that can be used for startup studios, hackathons, pitch events, etc. Also, this will be done in a separate release*
The “Artist-in-Residence Studio”* will also provide an environment where artists can create work while staying there. *
The “Ryuichi Sakamoto Network Studio Concept”* is scheduled to be announced separately by Shibuya City and related parties in February next year.
In the future, it will become an incubation hub that connects startups around the world, along with DG717 and Dragon Gate.
As DG’s unique global network, DG Global Incubation
Stream”, we will contribute to producing startups that represent the world.
■ *Holding an opening event*
September 4, 2024, “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
City” opening event was held to unveil the facility to guests with deep knowledge of technology and global incubation, as well as the media, as well as local representatives such as Shinjiro Koizumi, member of the House of Representatives, and Katsuaki Uechi, Mayor of Yokosuka City.
We invited startups that graduated from Network Lab, and also invited Joichi Ito (Digital Garage co-founder and director
Keynote by Architect), introduction of “DG Global Incubation Stream”, Onlab Alumni
We held programs such as Talk.
■ *Comments*
* Mr. Shinjiro Koizumi (Member of the House of Representatives) * Today is “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
Congratulations on opening “City”. As a Yokosuka citizen, I am happy that San Francisco, London, Shibuya, and Yokosuka/Akiya are all incubation hubs for startups from around the world. It’s exciting to think that many startups will use this facility to create new innovations. I hope that with this type of startup support, startups that will drive the economy in Japan will be born in the same way that they have been successful in the United States.
* Mr. Katsuaki Uechi (Mayor of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture) * “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
Congratulations on the opening of “City”. We are very happy to have another advanced base in Yokosuka. From here, you can enjoy a wide panoramic view of beautiful Sagami Bay and Mt. Fuji. Visitors will be stimulated by this wonderful environment and will come up with many ideas one after another.
Currently, Yokosuka City has a concept of “a city that supports challengers who are not afraid of failure.” We hope that many startups that bring innovation to society will spread their wings around the world from this facility.
We would appreciate it if you could provide us with your support in various ways for the future. Thank you very much for your support.
* Mr. Ken Hasebe (Mayor of Shibuya Ward, Tokyo) *
Digital Garage has already cooperated with us in various ways, including projects with Shibuya Mirai Design, support for
startup-related events, Hachipay, and collaboration with Sapporo City. This time “DG
CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
In response to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Network Studio Concept, Shibuya City is considering announcing a joint project by February next year. We hope to utilize communication networks and DAO based on the latest technology to collaborate with Digital Garage on projects such as “cooperation with studios in Japan and abroad” and “tribute concerts and software distribution.” I look forward to working with various stakeholders and passing on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s philosophy from Shibuya to the next generation from a medium-term perspective.
* Iku Hayashi (Digital Garage Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO)*
We have been incubating startups for the past 20 years, but recently, the startup scene in Japan has become more global, with Japanese entrepreneurs taking on challenges around the world, and conversely, overseas entrepreneurs launching IPOs in Japan. Now is the time to aim. “DG
CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
By positioning “City” as an incubation hub that connects startups around the world, we will contribute to the next generation of Internet communities globally by nurturing startups that are active on the world stage. We would like to connect the first penguins who challenge the sea of technology around the world from here, Yokosuka Akiya, “a town that supports challengers who are not afraid of failure,” to the world.
* Masato Okuma (Digital Garage Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer CBDO)*
“Open Network” started in 2010 as Japan’s first accelerator. Lab has supported over 150 startups and created multiple unicorns and listed companies. DG, which has been used by startups as a place to sharpen business ideas and practice pitches
With CAMP moving from Kamakura to Akiya and further scaling up, we will continue to support the growth of startups in more ways than ever, including pitch events, hackathons, and global conferences, and contribute to the startup community. We will also work with local communities to create a more locally-based startup ecosystem.
■ * “Artist in Residence Studio” plan also announced*
“DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka
In addition to opening “Artist in Residence Studio” on the same premises, we also announced plans to open an “Artist in Residence Studio” on the same premises, carrying on the wishes of Ryuichi Sakamoto.
For more information on the Ryuichi Sakamoto Network Studio Concept, please refer to our news release below.
* URL * * https://www.garage.co.jp/pr/release/2024090401/*
■ *Video*
You can watch the video of “DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka City”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgGECyzsVdc
■ *Facility exterior/interior*
■ * Facility overview *
* Name: * DG CAMP AKIYA Yokosuka City
* Address: * 4238-1 Akiya, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture * Access: * JR Yokosuka Line Zushi Station / Keikyu Zushi Line Shin-Zushi Station 20 minutes by bus
* Facilities: * Conference rooms, guest rooms, catering facilities * URL: * https://www.garage.co.jp/dgcampakiya/