Bangalore, 16 December 2024: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industries’ ICONN Platform, successfully hosted the ICONN-NINJA (Next INnovation with JApan) Demo Day on December 9, 2024, at The BHIVE, MG Road, Bengaluru. This event marked the culmination of the first cohort of the program in India, a platform that connects Japanese corporate giants with Indian startups to drive innovation and address global challenges. The event was also live streamed globally, allowing innovators, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to participate and witness groundbreaking solutions. The ICONN-NINJA program was conducted under JICA’s technical cooperation of the “Project of Sustainable Global Business Breakthrough Ecosystem (SGBBE)” launched in September 2023 between JICA and the Government of India.
Three leading Japanese corporates—DENSO, Murata, and NEC—served as challenge owners for the first cohort of the program, defining the key challenges for the participating startups. These companies worked closely with the startups to develop solutions addressing AI-driven software development, optimizing field operations, creating collaborative solutions for societal problems, and advancing healthcare services. Over the past few months, the startups collaborated with these corporates, culminating in the presentation of Proof of Concept (PoC) solutions at the Demo Day.
The event began with opening remarks by Mr. MATSUNO Issei, Representative of JICA India, stated, “The ICONN-NINJA Program is a testament to the power of collaboration between India’s dynamic startup ecosystem and Japan’s technological expertise. By bringing together Indian startups and Japanese corporates, we aim to foster innovative solutions that address pressing challenges, not only within local markets but also on a global scale. JICA’s most important mission in India is to promote co-creation and interactions between Japan and India for future innovation. JICA is dedicated to support Japanese industries eager to work with India through JICA’s various programs side-by-side.”
Ms. Madhu Vasanthy, Senior Director at CII, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the synergy between India’s entrepreneurial spirit and Japan’s technological expertise. The panel discussion featured Ms. Vasanthy, Mr. Tsuyoshi Morimoto (DENSO), Mr. Rajesh Gopalakrishna (Murata), Mr. Gautham Sivaramakrishnan (Blume Ventures), and Mr. Nobuyuki Yasukawa (NEC), sharing insights on impactful partnerships. The day’s agenda also included startup presentations from DENSO, Murata, and NEC.
The ICONN-NINJA Program consists of two distinct tracks: the Acceleration Program and the Open Innovation Program. The Acceleration Program focuses on early-stage startups, offering a 2–3-month phase where challenge owners select 2–3 startups for guidance and mentorship. At the end of the program, these startups will pitch their PoC proposals to the challenge owners. The Open Innovation Program invites revenue-positive startups with established products and customers to pitch their ideas, with challenge owners selecting up to three startups to present at the Demo Day. Both programs offer numerous benefits, including access to fresh ideas, talent, and emerging technologies. They also reduce risks, validate market potential, and foster long-term relationships between corporates and startups, positioning both for sustained success.
In collaboration with the CII Center of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups (CIES) and Deloitte Tohmatsu, Japan, JICA has been providing crucial market access support to Indian entrepreneurs through the NINJA Program. By connecting startups with industry leaders like DENSO, Murata, and NEC, the program drives innovation and fosters sustainable growth. This partnership empowers startups and helps corporates stay ahead in a fast-evolving market. With continued support and cross-border collaboration, the program is set to make a lasting impact on global industries, contributing to a more innovative and sustainable future.