JICA Co-Creation and Innovation Program, “QUEST,” aims to address global social challenges through innovation and collaboration. QUEST seeks to foster innovative co-creation business projects by engaging a diverse array of actors, including corporations, local governments, civil society, and academia, to collectively contribute to solving social issues. Without limiting the target countries or regions, selected business plan will receive JICA and Deloitte’s support for Proof of Concept (PoC) trials, and development of sustainable exit strategies.
At the launch event, JICA representatives will provide an overview of the program and host guest sessions, inviting Mr. Shinada from Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, Mr. Nour El-Assal from Tagaddod (Egyptian SAF startup), Mr. Kavikrut, Ms. Ravala, Ms. Sharma from T-Hub (largest incubation centre in India) and Mr. Surya Prakash from Deeploop Technologies tomore to introduce initiatives and co-creation needs in Africa and India as case examples.
Event Details
| Event Name | JICA Co-Creation and Innovation Program “QUEST” Launch Event in Tokyo |
| Date and Time | Thursday, May 8, 2025, 5:30PM–8:15PM (JST) |
| Mode | Hybrid (Online and In-Person)
*Simultaneous interpretation available |
| Venue | Room1 3F, Ariake Central Tower Hall & Conference（Ariake Central Tower, 3-17-18 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063） |
| Program |
“International Brain Circulation with Universities in Developing Countries: Collaboration with Japan’s Industry, Academia, and Government” ・Mr.Daisuke Ueda, Deputy Director General, and Group Director for Higher Education and Social Security, Human Development Department, JICA
“Co-Creation Map between Japanese Companies and Overseas Startups through Project NINJA” ・Ms. Miho Kano, Advisor, Private Sector Development Group, Team 2, Economic Development Department, JICA
“Towards a Mine Free World: Technology Development for Mine Action” “Co-creating Solutions for Forced Displacement” ・Ms.Ayako Oi, Senior Director of Office for Peacebuilding, Governance and Peacebuilding Department, JICA
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| Target Participants | Private Sector (large corporations, SMEs, startups, financial institutions)
Academia (universities, technical colleges, research institutes) Civil Society (NGOs) Public Sector (government agencies, local governments) |
| Participation Fee | Free |
| Capacity | On-site Participation: 150, Online Participation: 150
*If the number of applications exceeds the capacity, participants will be selected by a random draw. |
| Application for participation | Please register from 【5/8 THU】 JICA Co-Creation and Innovation Program “QUEST” Launch Event
* Each registration must be completed individually. The registration process uses the services of SHANON Inc. Your submitted information is protected by SSL encryption. Registration Deadline: Noon on Tuesday, May 6 (JST) |
JICA Co-Creation × Innovation Program “QUEST” Program Overview
- Program Objective：
The QUEST program aims to Foster organic collaboration among various stakeholders to create innovative co-creation business ideas/projects that address social challenges.
- Target Participants：
- Private Sector (large corporations, SMEs, startups, financial institutions)
- Academia (universities, technical colleges, research institutes)
- Civil Society (NGOs)
- Public Sector (government agencies, local governments)
- Target Areas：
Projects that address social issues are not confined by country or region.
- Main Activities：
- Facilitation of strategic matching among the companies/organizations to develop co-creation business ideas/projects.
- Conducting an idea competition to select co-creation business ideas/projects.
- Implementation of Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives in target countries, with up to 10 projects selected.
- Development of exit strategies.
- Values Provided：
- Facilitation of participant matching for the development of co-creation ideas/projects.
- Expert consultancy for ideation, PoC planning and execution, and exit strategy development (including fundraising).
- Financial support of up to 3 million yen per project for PoC expenses.
- Future Schedule：
- Launch-Event: (Tokyo: May 8, Nagoya: May 15)
- Matching Event:（Tokyo: June 3, Nagoya: June 9）
- Open Call for Participants:（Open Call Period: June 23, Notification of Document Screening Results: July 22）
- Idea Competition:(Presentation Screening: July 31, Notification of Selection: Early August)
- Proof of Concept (PoC):（Duration: August to December 2025）
- Exit Strategy Development & Demo Day:（January 2026）
We invite you to join us in this exciting initiative to drive positive social impact through innovation and collaboration.
