Open Network Lab is a Tokyo-based incubator backed by Joi Ito (the director for MIT’s Media Lab) and two Japanese internet juggernauts, Digital Garage and NetPrice.com. They have just concluded the fifth batch of their acceleration program and they held a Demo Day event on Tuesday. Startups presented their apps and services, which will be going live pretty soon. Let’s take a look at some of the ideas which have come out this innovation cradle in Tokyo.
- WHILL type-A, by WHILL – chosen as the best in the batch
- Sparta
- Onegai Company, by Actcat
- Mashroom.fm
- Smakul, by Hungry
- Jam, by Rena
1. WHILL type – A (by WHILL – chosen as the best in the batch)
This vehicle helps individuals with physical disabilities move more easily, and reach locations beyond their regular comfort level. The team has developed Whill with the aim of making its users feel better. It’s designed in compliance with Japanese traffic laws, and allows users to drive on public roads without a driver’s license.
This product has come from Campfire, Japan’s Kickstarter-like crowdfunding site, where they fundraised about $13,000. With the money, they plan to produce the first 100 units and put them up for sale in December. The team includes engineers who previously worked at Nissan Motors, Sony, and Olympus.
The WHILL Team and their prototype.
2. Sparta
Sparta is a Photoshop-like platform that allows 3D graphic artists to easily operate a point cloud (3D coordinate) system without learning programming skills. Using only a tablet and a pen, artists can create their works. The startup plans to monetize the service by charging licensing fees from to users, providing a storage option and sharing revenues at an asset store, which would also let users to sell their art/designs online. This product raised about $7,300 on Campfire from 86 people, and 43 of those purchased the service. The development team includes computer graphics engineers who previously worked in visual effects for movies.
3. Onegai Company, by Actcat
This smartphone app allows you to post a task that you want other users to do for you. By leaving a comment for you, someone can get rewards that can be used to buy ice cream, smartphone peripherals, etc. The team launched the app just a month ago but have already acquired more than 28,000 users. It’s currently available on the iTunes app store and Google Play.
4. Mashroom.fm
This web service is intended for music-lovers in the US. For example, if you upload your guitar track, you can overlap it on top of other tracks (using other instruments) which other users have posted. Thus the service allows you to arrange a jam session in the app regardless of where you are. The team is working on partnering with instrument manufacturers and others in the music industry.
Mashroom targets music-loving consumers in the US.
5. Smakul, by Hungry
This smartphone app helps local merchants develop their own website optimized for smartphone browsing. You don’t need a desktop or laptop, but by simply entering your business’s phone number, the app will automatically put together a business profile, including things like your location. You can generate your website in this way through this very simple procedure. A survey says 85 percent of people who have visited merchant websites have given up their browsing when they find no smartphone-optimized version. Impressively, the team has acquired more than 100 merchants since their launch just a week ago.
6. Jam, by Rena
This smartphone app allows you to invite your friends to a party or gathering. For a given event, the app helps you invite friends with the push of a button. The development team conducted a survey which showed that people often wanted to invite their friends out, but felt the process was cumbersome because their contacts are stored across several different apps and services such as Facebook, e-mails, and Twitter. The app allows you to send them all a message regardless of which app their details are stored in.
Jam helps you invite your friends to go hang out.
Meanwhile, the Open Network Lab has launched two new incubation spaces. One is in its headquarters in Ebisu, and the other in Kamakura. Its Kamakura space has a facility with 24 desks and a great view of the ocean. It’s a great environment where entrepreneurs can concentrate and cultivate new, innovative ideas. These facilities are basically open for the alumnus and current startups, but visitors can drop in too. These are another must-visit spots for entrepreneurs who will travel to Tokyo.
Open Network Space in Daikanyama
Open Network Space in Kamakura
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