SDGs Day – Public Event, The startups present themselves in this event to the crowd.
2023.06.06
On March 18, 2023, “SDGs Day 2023,” an exchange event featuring startup companies and city residents taking on the challenge of solving global SDG issues, was held at the plaza in front of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Kobe headquarters. This event was planned to enable citizens to gain a sense of new values and interact with each other while imagining the future through presentations of SDG-related initiatives by startups, companies in the city, students, and others. The event was held as a presentation of the results of the “SDGs Challenge,” a support program for start-ups implemented jointly by Hyogo Prefecture, the City of Kobe, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The 14 companies selected for the program in 2022 gave pitches (short presentations) and delivered their findings to the audience. SDGs Day 2023 was also a grand event, with talk sessions and performances by local businesses, government officials, students, bands and others. Here is a report on the day’s events.
Timetable
13:20- OpeningAct Steelpan Orchestra “Fantastics
13:40 Opening Talk
13:50- Free Talk “What is Sustainability?
14:00- Startup Presentation Theme: SUSTAINABILITY
Ripplenity Inc. , AC Biode Inc., Altalena, ZESST by Almatech, Techno-labo Inc.
14:15- Performance: Lion dance by Kobe Chinese School
14:20- Talk session “What is Development?
14:35 – Startup Presentation Theme: DEVELOPMENT
SUN Corporation, Dots for Corporation, NUProtein Corporation, Redge,inc.
14:45- Talk session “What does “Challenge” mean?
15:00- Startup Presentation Theme: CHALLENGE
BABY JOB Corporation、 Nousha Corporation, CAREN, eminess, Liquitous, Inc.
15:15- Talk Session “Realization of SDGs and Entrepreneurship
University students participating in Kobe City’s “KOBE Wakamono(Youth) Community Entrepreneurship Experience Program” and high school students participating in Hyogo Prefecture’s “Prefectural Entrepreneurship Support Education Program” will take the stage.
15:45 Finale: Performance by the Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra
Opening of the SDGs Day event was done by the steelpan band “Fantastics”. This musical band uses a steelpan, a percussion instrument made from used drum cans. The light tones filled the venue, creating an uplifting festive atmosphere.
The event had three themes: “Sustainability,” “Development,” and “Challenge”. In addition to startup pitches related to each of these themes, talk sessions were held between speakers from companies, students, and government officials of Hyogo Prefecture. The talk sessions were where residents of Hyogo from different backgrounds and ages shared their perspectives on “What are the SDGs?.”
The talk session on the theme of “Sustainability” featured Hironobu Kubota, Vice President of Shushinkan Corporation, known for its sake “Fukuju”. He spoke about how Shushinkan developed Japan’s first carbon-zero sake.
This was then followed by pitches from five start-up companies that participated in this year’s SDGs Challenge.
Aiming to reduce clothing loss with a platform that allows stylists to select clothes on hand.
CircuLite: Upcycle nuisance ashes into adsorbents, antibacterial agents, etc.
Visualization of the carbon footprint from food production to consumption and disposal, support for CO2 reduction
ZESST, a hydrogen-powered, fast, comfortable, zero-emission hydrofoil vessel, will revolutionize the decarbonization of marine transportation.
Creating a mechanism to connect garbage drifting areas and cities using “buoy,” a product made of 100% marine plastic waste
In between the following activities, there also was a moment for cultural exchange with a dynamic performance by the dancing lion team of the Kobe Chinese School.
In the introductory theme of “Development” Hideo Kawamoto, president of Juchheim Corporation, a long-established Baumkuchen company, soon to be in business for a century in city of Kobe also gave a talk. This company continues to take on the challenges of passing great taste to the next generation.
At the event, delicious Baumkuchen baked by the company’s AI-equipped “THEO” Baumkuchen oven was distributed to attendees which looked as if they had been baked and prepared by artisans. The participants experienced Juchheim ‘s serious claim that “sweets have the power to bring peace to the world” while taking a bite of Baumkuchen.
In the “Development” session, four companies that offer services and products globally made pitches.
<Startup Presentations>
Providing Japanese language education application “Know Japan, Love Japan. Providing Japanese language education through apps to live life on your terms.
Providing a digital platform using a wireless network in a village in Africa
NUProtein, Inc. synthesizes edible wheat germ proteins for cultured meat and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Medical device management education system for Asia and Africa using Japanese clinical engineering technology and Science Education System
All of the startups were clear about their aim “Whose and what problem do we want to solve”. Each of the startups’ pitches reflected their passion for making the world a sustainable place.
As the second half of the event progressed to the second half, it was apparent that more and more people were showing interest in it. The crowd grew bigger and you could hear the whispers from the audience like “ Oh, look! how interesting are the topics these companies are working on!”.
Mr. Masao Imanishi、 Deputy Mayor of Kobe City、 also participated in the talk session on the theme of “Challenge”. He discussed it with the local student who will be going to university in the coming spring. The student asked “What kind of support does the City of Kobe provide to those who take on challenges that have never been challenged before?.” The Deputy Mayor answered firmly, “I am sure there will be failures in the process of taking on challenges, but we would like to provide continuous support to those who take on the challenge of further growth, using their experience as a source of inspiration, failure should not stop you from challenging and stop us from supporting”.
Next Five startup companies made their pitches amid their challenges
Working to solve social issues related to child-rearing through diaper subscriptions service, etc
Aims to optimize the distribution of agricultural products by developing a commercial distribution system that connects farmers and consumers.
Provides a short-term curriculum of psychotherapy and self-reflection for the prevention of mental illness.
Supporting women’s changing minds and bodies affected by hormonal balance through food.
Bringing the DX of democracy to life with “Liqlid,” an online citizen participation consensus-building platform.
The event wrapped up with a talk session on “Entrepreneurship” – making bold changes on one’s own to realize the SDGs. Speakers included Hideki Takemura, Director of Hyogo Prefecture’s Department of Industrial and Labor Affairs, and high school and university students who participated in Kobe City’s “KOBE Wakamono(Youth) Community Entrepreneurship Experience Program” and Hyogo Prefecture’s “Prefectural Entrepreneurship Support Education Project”.
As for how to create the future of Hyogo Prefecture, he said, “Entrepreneurship is necessary for everyone, and the important thing is whether or not you want to make the world a little better today and taking positive action. If we all take action in our respective areas of expertise, the dreams and thoughts of individuals from all walks of life will come together and the SDGs will be attained,” he said enthusiastically.
A student who used to be absent from school due to his poor mental health stated and asked for more involvement in an educational project to support students in the same situation, based on his experience. He also expressed his wish that the number of students who can act for the benefit of society would increase.
The finale of the event was a performance by the Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra, which ended this event with sense of oneness.
In the talk session with the students which was joined by Mr. Waki , the CEO of a baby diapers subscription company. He also made a pitch today and shared his enlightenment from the journey with the SDGs Challenge which he found to be very encouraging. He also mentioned that it gave him a push to revise what it really means to work for sustainability, including the values such as ESGs and SDGs. And through it, he was reminded of the importance of spreading these values.
The app is in its development, in which the stylist styles your clothes for you, CEO of Ripplenity, Ms.Kobayashi also shared that she is keen to spread how her app can help with utilizing and making the most of the clothes you already own. This shall contribute to decreasing global textile waste(clothing waste). She also shared her vision of spreading the word along with a story with a cheerful attitude saying, “We haven’t officially launched the app yet, but we would like to spread the app by establishing a story about what value we can deliver to people through the app.
This event reflected the enthusiasm and passion of Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City supporting the startup companies by promoting their businesses. It was also insightful as lots of pitches coveyed the efforts of companies that are taking steps to change the world for the better. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about the perspectives of the students and citizens who will create the future of Hyogo.
All the services and products mentioned and introduced on SDGs Day are to be part of our daily life in the near future. If various forms of support and understanding can be extended to prefectural residents and citizens, it will pioneer an exciting future. The event provided an opportunity for everyone to realize the meaning and significance of undertaking challenges.