Theme
Product / Service
Device / Health Care / etc...
Digital Marketing
Mobile Apps / SNS / DX / IoT/ AI etc...
Schedule
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Kick off
Aug. 17, 2018We will begin accepting application. Please use the application form provided on this website. -
Briefings
Aug. - Sep., 2018Briefing sessions will be held in five cities, including Tokyo. Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Taipei. Click here for more information. -
Deadline
Oct. 08, 2018All applications must be submitted by 23:59 on October 8, 2018. -
1st selection
Middle of Oct., 2018In the first round all submitted documents will be reviewed. Applicants moving on to the next round will be notified. -
2nd selection
Middle of Nov., 2018The second round consists of live presentations given in front of a panel of judges. The venues will be located in Osaka and Fukuoka. -
Brush-up
Dec., 2018In this stage, applicants who passed the previous rounds will have a chance to refine their proposals with the help of Toppan staff members. -
Final selection
Middle of Jan., 2019The final round consists of live presentations given in front of a panel of judges, from both inside and outside Toppan. It will be held in Osaka and Fukuoka -
Incubation program
Beginning of Feb., 2019The Grand Finalists will get the opportunity to have their plan further refined to enable a deeper level of collaboration with Toppan. -
Debriefing session
Middle of Feb., 2019Outside stakeholders will be invited to a debriefing session of this program in Fukuoka where the awards, including Grand Finalist, will be presented.
Application summary
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Application Prerequisites
- Non-Japanese company with an already developed product or service
- Must be considering business in Japan
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Judging Criteria
- Toppan is able to re-sell or re-distribuite this product or service
- Product or service is innovative
- Product or service has market growth potential
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Assumed collaboration types
- Sales Partnership
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Awards*
- 1 x First Prize (¥500,000)
- 5 x Runner Up Awards (¥100,000)
- * Awards listed are the total for both the Startup and Global catagories.
Messages from Past Winners
Qurate
There are two main reasons I’d recommend Toppan as a business partner. First, Toppan has a lot of client relationships in Japan, with a sales team that has a lot of experience. As a startup, having that kind of help is invaluable. The second reason is that the Toppan staff who manage Toppan co-necto respect startups and treat them like partners. I think that’s a very important point in doing business together.
We’re really excited to soon be able announce the project we’ve been collaborating on with Toppan. Stay tuned!
VesCir
It’s our absolute pleasure to recommend Toppan Printing’s co-necto Open Innovation Program. We are one of the award-winning team in 2017 and the partnership has been around a year since then. We thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Toppan, and came to know them as a truly valuable asset while making decisions related to the Japanese local market. Their knowledge of local market and expertise in cross-industry network was a huge advantage to us. Any team planning to enter the Japanese market should come join the grand event!
Novigo
There were so many learning opportunities and chances to exchange ideas through this program. Networking with other companies participating in co-necto, help refining our business plan, etc.. Not only did it motivate us, but it really made us step up our game as a startup. Currently we are receiving support in different ways like, technical advice and resource provision. We're steadily making step by step progress toward making our project a reality. I highly recommend this program university researchers or even anyone who just likes making things! Let's all leap to the world with "co-necto" together!
Q&A
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When is the application period?
The application period begins on August 17 and ends on October 8, 2018 at 23:59.
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What languages can I apply in?
Please apply in Japanese or English.
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Is it possible to submit applications for multiple products or services?
Multiple entries are also possible.
If your products or services are diverse enough to warrant more than one application submission, please do so. -
Do I have to have completed development of my product or service?
At this time submissions are limited to applicants with completed products and services.
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Can I enter without attending a briefing session?
Yes.
Considerations
- Applicants are responsible for all entrance fee.
- We can not respond to individual inquiries concerning details and results of examination contents.
- Intellectual property rights such as patent rights of the contents of the application belong to the applicant.
- For the intellectual property of the proposal contents to be submitted, please apply after the applicant has surely protected the rights.
- Please be sure to confirm whether you infringe the copyright of a third party beforehand.
Join our program
Please fill in the linked form. We will contact you a later date from the co-nect secretariat.
Partners
Host
Sponsor
Support
Contact
contact us: co-necto@toppan.co.jp