The global business contest 「NEC Innovation Challenge 2023,」 targeting startups worldwide, received a total of 537 applications across four themes: LLM (Large Language Model), healthcare, smart cities (child monitoring, smart retail), and urban agriculture (effective use of agricultural waste, sustainable pest control), and continued the screening process. The final event was held on January 30–31, 2024, and winners of various awards, including the NEC Award, were determined. BIRD INITIATIVE selected Dronamics, which develops innovative logistics services using unmanned aerial vehicles.
Twelve startup companies selected through each screening phase of 「NEC Innovation Challenge 2023」 participated in the online final event. Following each company's pitch, the final judging determined the winners of the NEC Award, BIRD INITIATIVE Award, NOFF Award (NOFF: NEC Orchestrating Future Fund), and AGRI-TECH INNOVATOR Award. Going forward, we will promote the creation of innovation that opens up the future through co-creation with startup companies, including the award winners.
【Award-Winning Startup】 ～Winner of Both BIRD INITIATIVE Award and NOFF Award～
・Company Name (Country): Dronamics (UK)
・Theme: Smart City
・Overview: Drone aviation service that realizes long-distance cargo delivery at low cost and in a short period of time
Reason for BIRD INITIATIVE Award Selection
We have selected Dronamics, which is developing innovative initiatives in the smart retail field, in this business contest.
Dronamics' proposed logistics service using unmanned aerial vehicles has the technology to enable long-distance transportation of a certain volume of cargo, and is expected to achieve clear differentiation from competitors in the logistics industry. As evidence of this, the company has a flight track record in Europe and is evaluated as having extremely great potential for future business expansion in Japan. Our company has a track record of commercializing BitQuark and Intent Exchange, which provide innovative technologies in logistics and drone business, in April last year, and we believe we can contribute to Dronamics' commercialization in Japan.
In addition, through the support program provided by our company, Dronamics will be able to form alliances with major domestic corporations and develop new customers in its business expansion in Japan. This is expected to open new horizons for the drone logistics business in the Japanese market.
We will use this selection as an opportunity to collaborate with Dronamics and aim to build an innovative business model that shapes the future of logistics.
NEC Award
Provision of collaboration consideration opportunities with NEC and up to 2.2 million yen in PoC (Proof of Concept) funding
【Award-Winning Startup】
・Company Name (Country): Rey Assurance (Indonesia)
・Theme: Healthcare
・Overview: Provides a digital platform connecting medical institutions, patients, and insurance companies
AGRI-TECH INNOVATOR Award
Provision of PoC (Proof of Concept) usage rights utilizing Kawasaki City Agricultural Technology Support Center
【Award-Winning Startup】
・Company Name (Country): Mushroom Material (New Zealand)
・Theme: Urban Agriculture
・Overview: Develops polystyrene foam material based on mushroom stems
BIRD INITIATIVE will use its participation in this 「NEC Innovation Challenge 2023」 as an opportunity to further promote co-creation with startup companies and accelerate and drive innovation on a global scale.
■ NEC Innovation Challenge 2023 Site
https://nec.agorize.com/ja/challenges/nec-innovation-challenge-2023
■ Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter
BIRD INITIATIVE Inc. Contact Window https://bird-initiative.com/service-inquiry/