Keio Research Institute at SFC

* This laboratory has been completed.

Background

Keio University’s Shonan-Fujisawa Campus (SFC) has produced many fruitful research results during the 12 years since its foundation. It is necessary to start venture companies and deploy them as businesses using research results to more actively make contributions to society in the future. SFC must improve the framework to encourage new businesses based on research results obtained.

Challenges to be considered

1) Research on “seeds” identification
2) Research on office space for incubation
3) Research on the education of human resources
4) Research on manpower matching
5) Research on a consultation system
6) Research on funding support
7) Research on a teleconference system for incubation
8) Research on fostering venture communities

Research plan and expected results

In managing the consortium, the following eight projects will be prepared:
1) Research on “Seeds” inspection
This group conducts research on opportunities for “seeds” (potential ventures) within SFC in order to create a database. This database shall be used to seek a method to match “seeds” and their needs. In addition, a mechanism for obtaining patents will be a necessary development in the future.
2) Research on office space for incubation
Candidate sites for constructing office space will be found within SFC or in surrounding areas. Requirements for incubation shall be determined and summarized. A master plan will be prepared for the development plan of the neighborhood surrounding SFC as necessary.

3) Research on the education of human resources
Using SFC as a model case, this group investigates the curriculum necessary for the promotion of incubation. In particular, the Matsumoto Research Group develops materials for fostering venture entrepreneurs. The curriculum for fostering business minds in the early stages shall be developed through cooperation with integrated preparatory schools as necessary. Opportunities for a business plan contest shall be investigated.

4) Research on manpower matching
To promote meeting of many people that are able to contribute to the creation of a new business, a manpower database shall be established and operated. In particular, the system may be used for accumulating career information, strengthening the reliability of manpower and placing/receiving job orders. It will also conduct conciliation of internships and support for employment by accumulating information. Targets are current students and graduates. In addition, a contents distribution server will be available to allow viewing of contents in order to foster human resources for the field of contents creation.

5) Research on a consultation system
Starting new businesses requires consultation regarding business plans, finance, legal affairs, patents, human affairs and marketing. Using SFC as a model, a mechanism to match entrepreneurs with experts shall be evaluated. Also, candidates for experts will be sought. A portal site shall be created so that as much information as possible may be referenced.

6) Research on funding support
A funding support plan suitable for fostering venture businesses is being investigated. In particular, emphasis should be put on the “angel fund” mainly operated by graduates and funds operation plans by participating companies. In addition, this group will investigate a system that allows individual investors, mainly consisting of graduates, to search databases and to promote investment.

7) Research on a teleconference system for incubation
This research group will establish a teleconferencing system that will be used both at SFC and in Tokyo. The most important systems will be the attendance system, voting system, meeting minutes system, and sign-up system using electronic signatures for users such as boards of directors or general meetings of shareholders. Another new system will allow investors to be properly informed about the operation of companies.

8) Research on fostering venture communities
This research fosters venture communities to support new businesses. Current SFC students and graduates will be involved in the publication of online magazines, creation of mailing lists and creation of portal sites. Symposia shall be held as necessary.

Researchers, managers and professors