PLATINUM SPONSOR

Introduction

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) was established in April 2001 through the merger of The Sakura Bank, Limited and The Sumitomo Bank, Limited. Following this, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) was established in December 2002.
SMBC’s advantages include having one of Japan’s strongest customer bases, speedy strategy implementation, and a wide variety of financial services offered via the network of leading SMFG companies. In cooperation with other SMFG companies, SMBC provides customers with highly sophisticated, comprehensive financial services.

Start-up Businesses

Many of the SMEs, who are our core customers, suffer from a lack of human resources, funds and networks despite their excellent technologies. Supporting them in resolving their business challenges using our network of start-ups and growing industries in addition to our partnership with influential external institutions serves as our business opportunities, and will eventually allow us to contribute to society through the development of what the government calls a “virtuous circle of creating venture businesses” and the revitalization of the Japanese economy.

GOLD SPONSOR

Introduction

Our vision is “Create Quality Lifestyles through Intelligent Sport Technology”. We produce sporting goods including performance athletic footwear and apparel, and products to deliver healthy and comfortable life for people. Also, we provide fashion brand “Onitsuka Tiger”. Recently, we expand service businesses for a wide range of users, such as the nursing care service for old aged people specializing in functional training, and services with IoT technology.

Start-up Businesses

We are convinced that IoT technology is necessary to develop advanced products and services, and deliver new experiences for customers. Through supporting 500 Startups Pre-Accelerator Program, we want to construct the new value in a sport scene and a health care service with you, who are talented for IoT technology.

Introduction

SRC Group aims to contribute to the local community. From the very beginning we have been working across the business involved in the “City”, “enterprise” and “people” for 28 years. Our company activities have encouraged and helped the local communities’ lifestyle and mobility. And higher mobility helps stimulate the economy. Active economy benefits companies and shops, and the local community becomes more prosperous.
SRC Group wants to be the most loved and valuable company in Kobe. Over the past 28years we have strived to contribute to a more affluent community development and happier life.

Start-up Businesses

SRC Group goal is to build a rich relationship with the local communities through our business. And we aim to foster highly influential business people who contribute to and support the local community.
As part of this effort, we not only educate our own employees, but we also support entrepreneurs who have high aspirations and ideas. In order to achieve this, SRC Group provides them with sufficient funds and know-how knowledge.
We decided to also sponsor the”500 startups” because it aligns with our way of thinking ,as well as, our activities.

SILVER SPONSOR

Introduction

Nomura is an Asia-headquartered financial services group with an integrated global network spanning over 30 countries. By ‘Connecting Markets East & West’, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Retail, Asset Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com

Introduction

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC was established in 1968 as the first nationwide audit firm in Japan.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC is among the nation’s leading professional services firms and provides audit, consulting, enterprise risk services, IPO support services, and financial advisory services. These services are delivered to many clients including multi-national enterprises and major Japanese business entities through over 5,700 professionals including about 3,200 Certified Public Accountants in nearly 40 cities of Japan for the sound development of the economic society.

Introduction

Kobe Institute of Computing, Graduate School of Information Technology is a professional graduate school located in the international city of Kobe. KIC has the goal of “Development of advanced ICT human resources having human strengths and quality”, fostering human resources who can solve social issues using ICT technology, from the local to the global level, and can provide leadership for that.
At KIC’s campus in the Kitano district of Kobe, students from Japan, many African, Asian and Middle-East developing countries are working together daily on solving social problems.

Start-up Businesses

More and more KIC students want to start up their own business by using ICT for social development, and finding solutions by the methods of innovation that they have learned. These students are from developing countries in Africa, Middle East, Asia etc. and from Japan. KIC believes that by participating in start-up support projects, students will also gain understanding and accelerate their own projects, contributing to the development of the global society.