The global business contest 「NEC Innovation Challenge」 (hosted by NEC), in which BIRD INITIATIVE Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masamitsu Kitase; CEO: Ron Konno) participates as operational support, recruited innovative product and technology concepts from global startup companies across three themes: 「Healthcare & Life Sciences,」 「Metaverse,」 and 「Carbon Neutrality.」 During the application period from October 14 to December 4, 2022, 324 applications were received.
Ten startup companies that went through the phases of primary screening, interview screening, and mentoring participated in the final event held online on March 10, 2023. Following each company's pitch, the final judging determined the winners of the BIRD INITIATIVE Award, NEC Award, NEC X Award, and NOFF Award (NOFF: NEC Orchestrating Future Fund).
「NEC Innovation challenge」Award Winners
■ BIRD INITIATIVE Award
Hands-on support from experts at our co-creation R&D startup studio (business, technology, intellectual property, fundraising, etc.)
【Award-Winning Startup】
・Company name (country): Energiency (France)
・Theme: Carbon neutral
Overview: Energy visualization service for the manufacturing industry that visualizes energy consumption in real time and suggests energy/CO2 reduction measures
■ NEC Award
Opportunities to explore collaboration with NEC and a prize of US$20,000 to accelerate collaboration
【Award-Winning Startup】
・Company name (country): DeepBrain AI (South Korea)
・Theme: Metaverse
Overview: A platform service that automatically generates human avatars by learning from video data of real people.
■ NEC X Award
Opportunities to participate in the NEC X Venture Studio program (hands-on support from experts in NEC's advanced technologies, funding, business, technology, fundraising, etc.)
【Award-Winning Startup】
• Company Name (Country): WeWALK (United Kingdom)
・Theme: Healthcare & Life Sciences
Overview: A smart white cane service that guides walking routes while recognizing obstacles
■ NOFF Award
An opportunity to discuss investment from NEC Orchestrating Future Fund (NOFF), an ecosystem-based CVC fund
【Award-Winning Startup】
・Company name (country): Threedy (Germany)
・Theme: Metaverse
Overview: A platform service that models CAD data in 3D and manages it on the cloud
BIRD INITIATIVE will use its participation in the NEC Innovation Challenge as an opportunity to further promote co-creation with startup companies and accelerate and promote innovation on a global scale.
■ NEC Innovation Challenge website
https://nec.agorize.com/ja/challenges/nec-innovation-challenge/
■ Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter
BIRD INITIATIVE Inc. Contact point https://bird-initiative.com/service-inquiry/