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Source: ASICS Global – The Official Corporate Website for ASICS and Its Affiliates
ASICS hasn’t slowed down on their investment into tech to lift the company to new heights. After launching the Accelerator program (linked below) the company then invested resources into the teams participating before awarding the companies with contracts to collaborate in an initiative they’ve labeled Road to 2020.
ASICS Enters Start-up Investment Territory with AAP | ASICS Accelerator Program
The theme for applications for this program was “ROAD TO 2020”, and application enrollment began from March 2019. Startups submitted their business collaboration proposals for products, services, and contents that could contribute to business opportunities for ASICS in 2020.
Eight finalists made their final pitch to the Jury on DEMO DAY, with the finalists selected through 2 rounds of screening steps – the first written and the second interview sessions, after which they spent approximately one and a half months working with the ASICS team to brush up their business collaboration proposals.On DEMO DAY, the four juries – three ASICS executives and one representative from operating partner Spiral Ventures Japan LLP – selected four collaboration proposals, based on overall assessments of “vision” and “feasibility”. The proposals will be test-marketed for business opportunities for 2020.
I am bringing attention to this because of SOLEcial Studies the program created by Dee Wells and Sean Williams. The course of study has to implement a component that will inspire brands based here in the U.S. to offer a similar opportunity for a more diverse pool of talent. The problem is many startups in the sneaker industry deal with the fashion and design aspects as opposed to the technical aspects of the industry. Recently Nike hosted the Harlem Fashion Row Retreat where clothing company founders were able to learn about different aspects of the industry.
If I’m not mistaken adidas is working in Paris on an incubator with Station F, but I haven’t seen any other information on incubators outside of the work that ASICS is doing in its home base of Japan. There is considerable opportunity here, but only if there are teams capable of competing in what should be local, regional and national level events around sustainability and technology in the sneaker industry.
Check out the list of winners from ASICS AP:
＜Grand Prize＞
Elyza, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative: Yuya Soneoka)
Proposal: Development of a sales/demands forecasting system using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies
ASICS’ Comments: We think Elyza’s technology would be synergetic in many ways as their system can be applicable to various use cases in addition to forecasting sales/demands.
＜Grand Prize＞
no new folk studio Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative: Yuya Kikukawa)
Proposal: Joint development of smart running shoes that can measure foot movement while running
ASICS’ Comments: An outstandingly fun and novel idea that can be integrated with ASICS products.
＜Award of Excellence＞
biima, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative: Yoshihiko Tamura)
Proposal: Interactive sporting fun for children under 10 and their parents
ASICS’ Comments: We would like to work together starting from developing services to encourage kids to participate in sports, which is in line with ASICS’ founding philosophy.
＜Award of Excellence＞
Runtrip, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Eiichiro Omori)
Proposal: Proposal for creating a running community connecting local workers
ASICS’ Comments: We would like to work together leveraging Runtrip’s knowhow to build a running community that connects the spirits of participating runners
ASICS will work together with the four startups on test marketing, aiming to offer the products in ASICS owned stores in Japan, facilities, and events by 2020.
