Calling All Innovators

If you are interested in becoming a part of Japan’s largest smart city, then now’s your chance! Due to the Smart East Proof of Concept (PoC) Program, innovators from around the world are applying to be selected for this distinguished opportunity. The December 2019 deadline for applications is fast approaching, so be sure to send your proposal soon.

 

Smart East’s Goals

 

This isn’t just a smart city; it’s a smart city with a purpose. Fukuoka Smart East aims to sustainably develop a central city area while solving a range of urban development challenges and social issues. These issues include the nation-wide concerns of declining birthrates and an aging society, among others.

 

Fukuoka has been ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities several times. Now, it strives to provide even more enhanced support to its residents in the hope that other areas of Japan will follow suit. The Smart East team is in search of cutting-edge technological innovations that are not just forward-thinking but will also improve the lives of our residents and visitors.

 

What Is the PoC Program?

 

The PoC Program seeks out innovative ideas and technologies in a few key areas, including mobility, health, sharing, living, shopping, manufacturing, logistics, education, working, energy, and safety. The PoC Program is built to find the latest technological innovations that can be introduced into this planned smart city. These innovations must contribute to creating a more comfortable and first-rate place for people to live, work, and enjoy. 

 

PoC Program applications will be evaluated on their innovativeness, opportunity for commercialization, marketability, social impact, and the possibility of conducting an on-site demonstration near to the Hakozaki area. 

 

Benefits of Participation

 

By participating in the PoC Program, innovators will be able to conduct valuable real-world tests of their technology or service. This opportunity will allow them to verify that the technology is functional, useful, and a viable solution for the problem they are addressing. These assessments are often challenging to conduct before a full launch, which is why Smart East is providing a complete testing ground for PoC Program participants.

 

Applicants should note that they do not need to have a market-ready product in order to get involved in the PoC Program. As long as the technology can be demonstrated and works correctly, it will be considered for future use. 

 

In addition to getting to road-test their technology, PoC Program participants will be included in an official Fukuoka city press release which they can use to promote their product or service in the future.

 

How to Apply

 

To apply, please email your proposal to info@fukuoka-dc.jpn.com by the end of December, 2019. The proposal must include an outline of the PoC, what the purpose of the technology is, and its potential impact on society, including any social issues that you are trying to solve. Proposals should relate to at least one of the aforementioned key areas and cover all of the evaluation criterion listed above. Each proposal should be no longer than 2,000 words (approximately five pagesin A4 or letter-size paper).

 

It is important to note that being accepted into the PoC Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Fukuoka Smart East project. Demonstrations and further evaluations will be required to determine if the technology is a good fit. All expenses related to demonstrating the technology, including transportation, will be borne by the applicant.