The challenges facing modern society are becoming increasingly complex and serious, making it difficult to find breakthroughs to resolve them through the pursuit of short-term profits or through conventional methods.
The SMBC Kyoto University Studio, a co-creation hub established in July 2024 through collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, is a new form of industry-academia collaboration that creates businesses that lead to solving social issues.
With a vision of "a workshop of cross-border co-creation that updates the "systems" and "norms" of society," we involve people from various fields, primarily researchers from financial groups and think tanks, and work together from research to implementation.
At this event, we will welcome as guests pioneers who have implemented their research results in society and rewritten what is considered "common sense."
The keynote speech was given by Dr.Masayo Takahashi of Vision Care Co., Ltd.will be speaking.
The talk session will feature a discussion on supporting companies aiming to commercialize university knowledge.Nobuhiro Yagi of Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.We will discuss the importance of cross-border and co-creative spaces to pioneer a new society.
Now in its second year of operation, the SMBC Kyoto University Studio is currently embarking on a number of challenges.
This "studio" has yet to produce any completed works, and we are currently in the midst of repeated trial and error with the aim of implementing them in society. This is why we would like to take this opportunity to deepen discussions with like-minded people about the role and potential of the SMBC Kyoto University Studio.
On the day, we will share the future vision of SMBC Kyoto University Studio, as well as the current status of ongoing projects.
<Examples of the society the project aims to create>
A society where developmental characteristics are accepted as part of individuality
A society where children can receive an education that will help them overcome life's challenges
A society where everyone can spend their final moments in a way that is satisfying and true to themselves
A society in which truly carbon-neutral decarbonization solutions are widespread
A society that realizes sustainable medical and nursing care through the power of AI
After the lectures and talk sessions, a poster exhibition will be held from 4:15 PM, as a venue-exclusive program. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with project representatives about the details of their research and future prospects. Please join us for this opportunity that can only be enjoyed at a physical venue.
We hope to combine our company's business fields with the activities of the SMBC Kyoto University Studio. We want to make an impact on society through co-creation. We are interested in the very nature of this new "workshop." We hope to work with you to take the next step forward.
Event Overview
Date and time: March 4, 2026 (Wednesday) 13:00-17:00
Lecture and talk session 13:00-16:15
Poster exhibition and networking event (only for those attending in person) 16:15-17:00
Location: [Real Venue] HOOPSLINK
Shin-Marunouchi Building 15th Floor, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6515
HOOPSLINK – Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation's business co-creation facility (Tokyo/Marunouchi)
[Online distribution] Zoom webinar
Organized by: National University Corporation Kyoto University Growth Strategy Headquarters SMBC Kyoto University Studio
Co-hosted by: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Japan Research Institute, Limited, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
Target audience: Companies, non-profit organizations, universities, etc. that want to update their "systems" and "norms" (especially those in companies responsible for new business development and innovation promotion, university faculty and staff in charge of industry-academia collaboration and incubation, organizations such as NPOs and NGOs working to solve social issues, etc.)
Capacity: 50 people at the physical venue, 200 people at the online venue (lottery will be held if there are too many applicants)
Participation fee: Free
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Deadline for application: In-person participation: Wednesday, February 25th; online participation: Tuesday, March 3rd, 5:00 PM
*The application deadline may change depending on the number of remaining seats.
Note
*If there are a large number of applications, a lottery may be held.
In addition, if there are a large number of applications for on-site participation, a lottery will be held and information may be distributed online.
In this case, the SMBC Kyoto University Studio Secretariat will contact you by Wednesday, February 25th, one week before the event.
〇For online streaming, the viewing URL will be provided by the day before the event.
*At this event, the organizers and media may take photographs, audio and video recordings for the purposes of recording, publicity and reporting.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform the reception desk or a nearby member of staff.
*Please note that the program may be subject to change without notice.
If you would like to cover this event, please contact the SMBC Kyoto University Studio Secretariat.
program
13:00-13:10 Opening
13:10-13:30 Part 1: What is the SMBC Kyoto University Studio?
13:30-14:20 Part 2: Keynote speech
14:20-14:30 Break
14:30-15:00 Part 3: Presentation by project representatives from SMBC Kyoto University Studio
15:00-16:05 Part 4: Talk session
16:05-16:15 Closing
16:15-17:00 Research poster exhibition and networking event by project representatives from SMBC Kyoto University Studio (only for those attending in person)
Speakers
Part 2 Keynote speech
President and CEO of Vision Care Co., Ltd.
Masayo Takahashi
Graduated from Kyoto University's Faculty of Medicine. Completed his doctoral studies in visual pathology at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, and worked as an assistant in the Department of Ophthalmology at the university's affiliated hospital before becoming a researcher at the Salk Institute in the United States in 1995. In 2001, he became an associate professor in the Department of Development at the Kyoto University Hospital's Center for Exploratory Medicine. In 2006, he joined RIKEN, where he led a retinal regenerative medicine research and development project, and in 2014 performed the world's first iPS cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cell transplant. In 2017, he established the Kobe Eye Center with the cooperation of Kobe City. In 2019, he left RIKEN and became President and CEO of Vision Care Co., Ltd. (current position). Since 2022, he has been an advisor to the Kobe City Kobe Eye Center Hospital Research Center (current position). His specialties are retinal degenerative diseases, macular diseases, and regenerative medicine research.
Part 3: Presentation by the project representative of SMBC Kyoto University Studio
〇Supporting people with developmental disabilities to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace
Associate Professor, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
Sayaka Yoshimura
Senior Development Manager, Center for Emergent Strategy, Japan Research Institute, Limited
Tomoyuki Kimura
〇Research, development and dissemination of educational approaches that overcome the cycle of poverty, inequality and abuse
Professor, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University / Director of the Collaboration Center for Educational Practice
Kanae Nishioka
Japan Research Institute, Ltd., Center for Emergence Strategy, Incubation Producer
Naoki Yamamoto
〇Support for sustainable decision-making and arrangements that preserve dignity for everyone during and after life
Professor, Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University
Satoshi Kodama
Senior Specialist, Center for Emergent Strategy, Japan Research Institute, Ltd.
Kanae Sawamura
Part 4: Talk session
President and CEO of Vision Care Co., Ltd.
Masayo Takahashi
Executive Officer and Head of Investment Department 1, Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.
Nobuhiro Yagi
He is the head of investment management for deep tech investments originating from academia. He has strengths in founding and commercializing companies based on the results of basic research, and has built a portfolio that includes Kyoto Fusioneering and LegalOn Technologies. He is also the founder of the Kyoto University Entrepreneurs Club ECC-iCAP. He has led new business creation at research institutes and pharmaceutical companies, and is currently engaged in education and research in chemistry and medicine. He holds a PhD in Pharmacy.
Executive Officer, Educational Development Division, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
Yusuke Shinozawa
After joining Leave a Nest in 2009, he led overseas training, media development, and the launch of TECH PLANTER. He is involved in new business creation, industry-academia collaboration, and investment development, mainly in the bio and marine fields. He currently serves as an executive officer and also serves as an outside director for several companies.
General Manager of Social Value Creation Promotion Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Kunihito Takaichi
He joined Sumitomo Bank (now Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) in 1998. After working in the Americas, he was engaged in business management and corporate planning in the Corporate Planning Department for many years. From January 2022 to March 2023, he served as head of the project team formulating the current medium-term management plan, and in October 2023, he was appointed General Manager of the Social Value Creation Promotion Department.
application
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Contact Information
National University Corporation Kyoto University Growth Strategy Headquarters SMBC Kyoto University Studio Office
smbc_ku-studio@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp