Enabling Integrated Management of Crucial Data, Including Design, Contracts, and Intellectual Property, Along with 3D Data
San Francisco, US, June 12th, 2024 – Final Aim, Inc., the leading smart contracts platform for design and manufacturing, is pleased to announce a platform collaboration with Autodesk, Inc., a global leader in 3D design and engineering software.
This collaboration facilitates more streamlined and integrated management of data such as designs, contracts, and intellectual property, which is essential for introducing generative AI into design and manufacturing. By leveraging our proprietary smart contract technology, we ensure authenticity, providing a safe and secure environment for implementing generative AI into the design workflow.
Furthermore, this platform collaboration has been featured on Autodesk’s globally owned media “Design & Make.”
Founded in December 2019, Final Aim established its US headquarters in 2022 and has been developing a design management platform tailored to new design development and IP management using generative AI.
In January 2024, Final Aim announced a design for electric mobility in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. By utilizing generative AI, we have accelerated the traditional design process and successfully ensured the authenticity and intellectual property of the design process, intermediate products, and final data through our proprietary smart contract platform.
Example interface of our newly developed platform
Electric mobility design in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. using generative AI
Autodesk is a global leader providing software for designers, engineers, architects, construction professionals, manufacturers, 3D artists, and production teams. In recent years, Autodesk has invested in and developed advanced technologies, including generative AI, through initiatives and projects like “Autodesk AI” and “Project Bernini.”
By integrating our design management platform with Autodesk’s platform, we have enabled the smooth and integrated management of 3D data widely used in the design and manufacturing fields. As generative AI is introduced in various aspects of creation and manufacturing, we address the unavoidable management issues of intellectual property and authenticity with our unique smart contract technology, ensuring a safe and secure implementation of generative AI.
Promoting safe and secure generative AI design with guaranteed authenticity through collaboration with Autodesk’s platform
About Final Aim, Inc.
Final Aim has been driving the global adoption of smart contracts technologies in industrial design and manufacturing. In April 2022, the company established its headquarters in the United States. In September of the same year, Final Aim was accepted into “Berkeley SkyDeck,” a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. In February 2023, it was also chosen as “The Most Likely to Become the Next Unicorn” within the Berkely SkyDeck program. In June, the company won the “Japan-US Innovation Awards – Innovation Showcase,” a co-program by the Japan Society of Northern California and the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center. In September, it was specially exhibited at “TechCrunch Disrupt 2023” and was selected by the Silicon Valley accelerator “Alchemist X,” which is highly regarded in the enterprise field.
In 2024, the company launched the pilot version of its platform, “Final Design,” which preserves data authenticity and provides new value to design.
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters – Delaware, US / Subsidiary – Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Legal supervision of contract management and execution using blockchain and smart contracts in the design and manufacturing industry.
Tokyo, Japan, May 25th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is pleased to announce that Uchida & Samejima Law Firm (Representative Partner Masahiro Samejima), which specializes in technology and intellectual property, is supervising our blockchain platform for industrial design and manufacturing.
The supervision of Uchida & Samejima Law Firm will contribute to the effectiveness and future development of managing and executing complex contracts, such as design contracts, that arise in the design and manufacturing industry using blockchain and smart contracts.
About The Blockchain Platform “Final Chain”
In industrial design and manufacturing, there exist complex and high risks in managing and executing contracts, such as proper handling of intellectual property rights, managing and processing payments for multiple layers of subcontractors, and more.
Particularly for large companies, correctly managing and executing the tens of thousands of contracts that arise annually entails significant administrative costs, legal risks, and potential loss of opportunities.
Based on this background, Final Aim has developed the blockchain and smart contract platform “Final Chain.” It is actively working towards addressing the challenges of contract management and execution in the design and manufacturing industry.
The platform reduces administrative costs and risks by achieving transparency, traceability, immutability, and automation in contract management and business processes carried out by designers and manufacturers. Furthermore, it allows them to focus on value creation in their core activities, such as design and manufacturing.
Since our blockchain platform “Final Chain” was announced in November 2021, we have been experimenting and pursuing practical utilization with companies such as Sony Design Consulting, Panasonic, with operations spanning the United States and Japan, and Autodesk, a global leader in 3D CAD software.
Legal Supervision by Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
To further develop and expand our blockchain platform’s functionality, we will continue to receive supervision from Uchida & Samejima Law Firm in intellectual property rights and legal affairs.
Located in Tokyo, Japan, Uchida & Samejima Law Firm excels in seamlessly integrating intellectual property and legal services, including formulating and executing intellectual property strategies and handling IT-related legal matters such as contract drafting and resolution of system disputes. The firm provides intellectual property and legal support to many clients, from large corporations to startups, universities, government agencies, and research institutions.
Moreover, the firm’s strength lies in its ability to provide technology-oriented legal solutions based on the understanding of technology and business possessed by each of its attorneys, utilizing their intellectual property and legal affairs skills.
Leveraging these strengths is our primary objective of receiving supervision from the Uchida & Samejima Law Firm for our blockchain platform.
With the rich knowledge and track record of Uchida & Samejima Law Firm in managing and executing contracts and intellectual property rights in the design and manufacturing industry, we will advance the supervision based on their expertise.
About Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
Uchida & Samejima Law Firm has the “Technology Law” concept, which involves leveraging technology and law seamlessly to drive businesses forward strategically.
Since its establishment, the firm has provided legal services to realize Technology Law, including advice that combines intellectual property strategies and practices. They have supported various companies, including startups with superior technology and ideas, small and medium-sized enterprises that demonstrate a presence in manufacturing, and leading Japanese corporations. Many of the firm’s attorneys have backgrounds in science and engineering and experience working in intellectual property departments and patent law firms as patent attorneys.
As a result, they can handle a wide range of technical areas, including life sciences, chemistry, materials, machinery, electronics, semiconductors, software, IT, and more.
Firm Name: Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Affiliation: Tokyo Bar Association
Member Organization: LawExchange International
Services:
– Intellectual property and technology-related disputes (patent litigation, product liability, and other disputes involving technology)
– IT system-related legal affairs and dispute resolution (copyright, subcontracting agreements, quasi-delegation contracts)
– Outsourcing services for intellectual property departments and legal departments (primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises and startups)
– Intellectual property management advisory services (primarily targeting large corporations)
– Corporate legal affairs (general legal services including company law, corporate restructuring, bankruptcy filing, labor issues, debt recovery, etc.)
Website: https://www.uslf.jp/
About Final Aim
Final Aim has been driving the global adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts, in industrial design and manufacturing. In November 2021, the company announced the beta version of its blockchain platform, “Final Chain.”
In April 2022, they established a headquarters in the United States. In September of the same year, Final Aim was accepted into “Berkeley SkyDeck,” a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. In February 2023, they were chosen as “The Most Likely to Become the Next Unicorn” within the program.
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters, US / Subsidiary, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for design and manufacturing
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, February 24th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce that the company has collaborated with FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, Panasonic Design Center of Panasonic Corporation to launch the “Removing Microaggression Products (RMP) Project.”
The project aims to create the future of purchasing experience born from an original concept of product traceability, focusing on “empathy” through personal information that conveys humanity rather than the conventional information of nationality, material, etc.
Panasonic utilized Final Aim’s blockchain technology and the platform “Final Chain” to realize the concept of tracing and connecting the information between manufacturers and users, creating product value and purchasing experience never before.
As a launch campaign, the project team will set up a pop-up store, “MADE IN > MADE BY – RMP Project POP-UP STORE,” for a limited time from March 3rd to 5th at Reload Shimokitazawa. A limited number of 100 original shirts will be sold on-site. Customers can get in touch with the new purchasing experience trace and connect with the manufacturers using Final Aim’s blockchain platform.
Today, the world calls for the importance of “traceability,” in which companies disclose information such as the place of production, production methods, and quantitative data to measure environmental impact. Soon, the nationality, gender, age, etc., of manufacturers may also be disclosed, and it may become a common custom for consumers to make purchasing decisions based on such transparency.
In this context, Panasonic and the team propose the future of purchasing experience realized from unique traceability concept. It is a purchasing experience that begins with “empathy.” It is an experience that fosters emotion through information utterly different from the place of production and environmental impact figures, but through “the life, tastes, and emotions of the creators and makers.”
What if my favorite musicians are the same as the material manufacturer?
What if I can find a common way of spending holidays with the production manager?
What if I know the salesperson’s dream and want to support them?
Usually, we unconsciously purchase products based on biases such as the country of production. Through the project, the team aims to free consumers from prejudices by connecting the products’ backgrounds, such as emotions and humanity like above.
About “Removing Microaggression Products (RMP) Project”
The project aims to remove microaggressions (prejudices born subconsciously) that underlie products of various genres through the empathy gained by receiving personal and emotional information from the creators and makers.
For the first theme, the project selected “Fashion.” The team collaborated with an all-inclusive fashion brand, “SOLIT!” and developed an original shirt, “SOLIT Broad Shirts – RMP Project model –” that users can easily trace the personal and emotional information of the creators and makers.
Additionally, the technology that connects manufacturers and users has been developed in collaboration with Final Aim. The team utilized the platform “Final Chain,” which uses blockchain and smart contracts, also known as Web3 technology.
About The Original Shirt “SOLIT Broad Shirts – RMP Project model –”
The shirt (¥10,000/Tax excluded) can be purchased at the pop-up store from March 3rd to 5th, 2023, or through SOLIT! website (https://solit-japan.com/).
The Technology that Connects Manufacturers and Users
From the input through an original website answered by buyers of the original shirts, the manufacturers and buyers will be connected through the blockchain platform “Final Chain.” The team expects users to enjoy the personal and emotional information of the producers and find out with whom each empathizes.
Project Teams
This project is led by FUTURE LIFE FACTORY in Panasonic Design Center of Panasonic Corporation, with Final Aim providing the blockchain platform and technical advisory, and McCann Alpha, SOLIT, and Paragon participating as collaborators.
A design studio that takes a creative approach based on human values and social issues and applies insights to mold a future vision. The studio explores the future of new types of businesses and ponders how we’ll live in the world of tomorrow, drawing on ideas not simply derived from conventional concepts.
McCann Erickson is the flagship agency of the McCann Worldgroup, the only genuinely international advertising agency capable of independent media planning and buying. Since its establishment in 1960, McCann Erickson Inc. has been working with major corporations, both Japanese and foreign-affiliated. McCann Alpha, established in 2021, is a creative partner organization focused on business co-creation. The partner currently works with Panasonic and many other companies on projects ranging from 0 to 1 to 10, including services, products, and brands.
Solit is a company that develops using inclusive design to realize an “all-inclusive economy” where everyone can accept differences and coexist healthily. As a first step, the company has developed a semi-personalized fashion brand, “SOLIT!” that is easy to put on and take off and allows customers to choose their favorite size and length for each body part, regardless of disability, sexuality, body shape, etc. The brand won the GOLD Award at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022, one of the world’s top three design awards.
PARAGON DIGITAL DESIGN is the digital solutions team of Paragon Inc. It is a digital solutions team of PARAGON Corporation, which has been in business for 51 years and is committed to creating unique products in the digital domain under the spirit of “paragon,” which means “gem” and “model.”
About the blockchain platform, “Final Chain”
Final Aim has been driving the adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts, globally in the industrial design and manufacturing industries.
Since its blockchain platform release, the company has collaborated with industry leaders: Panasonic USA, a design division in New York; AUTODESK, a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software; Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry. In August 2022, Final Aim announced a partnership with Sony Design Consulting and Sony Computer Science Laboratories for its blockchain technology application. Alongside the development and collaboration, the company applied for three patents internationally.
Furthermore, Final Aim was accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck, a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. It has been elected and awarded “The Most Likely to Become The Next Unicorn” at its program “Global Innovation Showcase.” Final Aim has also been accepted into Plug and Play Japan, the world’s leading accelerator/venture capital.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters, US / Subsidiary, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for design and manufacturing
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, January 6th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce that the company has been accepted into the Winter/Spring 2023 Batch Mobility accelerator program in Plug and Play Japan KK (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Phillip Vincent). Through the program, the company will leverage the opportunity to collaborate with various major corporations.
Final Aim has been driving the adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contract, globally in the industrial design and manufacturing industries. In November 2021, the company released its Web3 platform “Final Chain” private beta, the industry-first solution with decentralized and distributed technologies such as blockchain, smart contract, digital tokens, and IPFS. And in April 2022, the company established a corporation as its headquarters in the United States. Furthermore, in September 2022, the company was accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck, a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator.
About “Plug and Play Japan” and The Accelerator Program
Plug and Play Japan is the world’s leading accelerator/venture capital. It is a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley; 45+ leading companies of each sector participate in the programs as official corporate partners. Its major expertise is “supporting corporate partners creating innovation,” “cross-industrial accelerator programs,” and “startup investment,” making the best use of our extensive global network. Plug and Play Japan supports the co-creation and collaboration between Japanese/international startups with innovative technology/ideas and industry-leading corporations, enabling them to generate innovation.
The accelerator programs provided by Plug and Play Japan accelerate innovation by connecting its corporate partners with Japanese and international startups. Through these programs, corporate partners can connect with participating startups with technologies and services that could accelerate their innovation activities. Startups have the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of major corporations. Summit (so-called Demo Day) is the final step of the accelerator program, where startups give pitches outlining their results from the program. It’s an excellent opportunity to get the latest updates on innovative technologies, meets cutting-edge startups, and develop new business partnerships.
Through the accelerator program by Plug and Play Japan, Final Aim will further expand its business and technology to the industrial design and manufacturing industries by gaining know-how and networking opportunities with target enterprises.
Plug and Play Japan Overview
Company Name: Plug and Play Japan KK
Founded: 2017/7/14
Address: Shibuya Center Place 3F 1-16-3, Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Phillip Vicent
Website: http://japan.plugandplaytechcenter.com/
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, August 17th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) and Sony Design Consulting Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Yutaka Hasegawa) today announced that they had started proof-of-concept for Sony’s contactless IC card-type hardware wallet in the Web3 field.
In recent years, Web3 technology has emerged globally, referred to as the next generation of the decentralized Internet. This megatrend created new industries and use cases such as DeFi and GameFi, and the application has even expanded to the Metaverse.
On the other hand, application to traditional industries has yet to be seen, and we consider there are unexplored areas like design and manufacturing.
Since its foundation in 2019, Final Aim, Inc. has been conducting research and development on blockchain technology with the mission to drive the adoption of Web3 technologies to not just people in finance with high IT literacy but also to the mass, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, and generation.
Furthermore, the company has launched a Web3 beta platform, “Final Chain,” and applied for three patents internationally.
Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. has been developing hardware wallet technology not just for payment but for all kinds of use cases which the technology includes mutual authentication/encrypted communication by applying Sony’s expertise in contactless IC card technology cultivated over many years.
In addition, this hardware wallet can securely generate and store a private key with a highly reliable tamper-proof module within the IC card. (Press release in 2018, patent application in 2019)
Since November 2020, Final Aim and Sony Design Consulting have formed joint research to explore design methodology and practices that ensure the rapid growth of startups’ business and equity financing.
To further expand our partnership scope and strengthen our joint forces, we have started the proof-of-concept in the Web3 field for the IC card-type hardware wallet with tokens issued by Final Aim.
Overview of the Partnership
In this proof-of-concept partnership, we will research and analyze the application of tokens by the IC card-type hardware wallet and the potential development of tokens and protocols in the design field.
1. Test token issuance by Final Aim and the application of the hardware wallet by Web3 technology.
2. Verify potential development of protocols by Web3 technology that utilizes the IC card-type hardware wallet in industrial design and digital manufacturing domains.
3. Explore blockchain technology with the hardware wallet application in other areas such as the Metaverse.
Role of Sony Design Consulting
Sony Design Consulting will provide the IC card-type hardware wallet, supporting design, and blockchain technology to conduct the proof of concept with the perspective of applications in a secure environment.
Role of Final Aim
Final Aim will provide its Web3 platform “Final Chain” that utilizes blockchain and token issuance, pushing forward its protocol development for design and digital manufacturing domains.
Screenshots of Web3 beta platform “Final Chain”
About Sony Design Consulting
Company Name: Sony Design Consulting Inc.
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Director: Representative Chief Executive Officer, Yutaka Hasegawa
Business Description: Design consulting / Design management / Design service / Other related services
Website: https://www.sonydesignconsulting.com/
Since its foundation in 2020, Sony Design Consulting has provided consulting and design services such as visioning, branding, product design, UI design, and solution to various entities like corporates, startups, and government offices. Under the mission statement, “Discovering the potential, Leading to the possibility,” the company will serve all kinds of projects, not just design and joint research but also PoCs, to uplift design quality, support business management by design, and strengthen and organizing design role in industrial property rights.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Since its foundation in 2019, the company has launched a beta platform, “Final Chain,” the industry-first solution with decentralized and distributed technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, digital tokens, and IPFS, bringing full ownership and authenticity to designers and manufacturers in design planning, development, and production. With its Web3 platform, the company has collaborated with industry leaders such as Autodesk, Inc., a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry, and EYEMETRICS JAPAN, the world’s first eyewear brand originated in Switzerland that personalizes the design by 3D scanning each user’s face.
In April 2022, the company established a corporation in the US to expand its business, finance, legal, accounting, and strengthen its Web3 technology, including protocols and fungible/non-fungible tokens.
Introducing our latest collaboration on driving the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
New York, US, July 6th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is pleased to announce the collaboration with Panasonic Design New York to develop a new community platform in the Web3 era, has been featured in the Design Magazine AXIS.
Panasonic’s design department in New York has been working on numerous research and development, and one of the ongoing projects is the “Lifestyle Community Plan in the Web3 Era.” Final Aim has been supporting its Web3 technological development to revitalize the brand’s community; for example, CLUB Panasonic holds eight million members (as of June 2022).
The magazine’s feature, “A New Era of Industrial Design,” covered the story of Panasonic and Final Aim’s collaboration from community concept to potential ideas and planning that would accelerate the diversification of relationships between brands, people, and surroundings. This plan includes studying future visions of e-commerce like the metaverse with a function that allows the user of the Utility Token linked data to 3D print to update or customize Panasonic’s products. The combination of 3D printing and blockchain technology permits the exclusivity and authenticity of design, further providing incentives to user-posted 3D data. The team is also working on the potential implementation of an autonomous distributed community in the future.
Design Magazine AXIS was first published in 1981, and its contents related to the design industry have been distinguished from general magazines with unique and high-quality content. Since its first publication, the magazines have been highly favored by designers worldwide involved in business, service, and product development, as well as highly influential figures and opinion leaders.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Presenting our innovative process of design & prototyping by Autodesk’s 3D design software and Ultimaker’s 3D printer, and the final design ownership & authenticity is managed by our web3 beta platform, Final Chain.
Frankfurt, Germany, November 18th, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) today announced the company has collaborated with Autodesk, Inc. (HQ: San Rafael, California, United States), a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, at “Formnext 2021” – the world’s largest exhibition for additive manufacturing in Frankfurt, Germany.
Location: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Date: November 16 – 19, 2021
Booth: Hall 12.0, C22 – Autodesk booth
The designers at Final Aim use Autodesk Fusion 360 and 3D printers in everyday projects such as mobilities, robots, and consumer products. All through the process from concept to production, it helps project teams to enable rapid design iterations and quickly visualize and formalize appealing industrial designs.
At the Autodesk booth, visitors will be able to see the innovative process of the initial design and prototyping phase in one of our latest projects – an autonomous delivery robot in Singapore.
For reference, from the prototyping aspect, the process can also be read online in the Customer Success Story by Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry: https://ultimaker.com/learn/yasuhide-yokoi-and-final-aim-inc
Innovative design process of an autonomous delivery robot by Autodesk Fusion 360 and Ultimaker S3 has caught great attention
Ownership & authenticity of essential project files such as 3D design data are managed by “Final Chain” – Beta platform by Final Aim to drive adoption of web3 technologies for design & manufacturing.
Our beta platform Final Chain aims to drive the adoption of web3 technologies for designers and manufacturers who need decentralized and distributed systems like blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS technologies to achieve full ownership and authenticity of designs and manufactured products.
The 3D design data of the 3D printed models displayed at the Autodesk booth are all managed on this beta platform. Thanks to decentralized and distributed features, the designer can achieve and maintain product design ownership and authenticity in a more resilient, efficient, and secure way.
Streamlined user experience such as IPFS file management,
3D previews and blockchain certification
The beta platform launch is by private invite only; users interested in beta user participation, please contact at: contact@final-aim.com
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and technology
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Kumamoto & Tokyo, Japan, August 20th, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is pleased to announce the company’s Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer Yasuhide Yokoi has been appointed as a mentor at a startup acceleration program by Kumamoto City – “HIGO CANVAS.”
“HIGO CANVAS” is an acceleration program by Kumamoto City, that aims to discover, mentor, and promote future entrepreneurs that would create new industries.
The program also focuses on community development that supports entrepreneurship and new business creation.
By putting emphasis on entrepreneurs and startup companies as a community, and bringing in supporters and mentors from both in and outside Kumamoto City, the activity ultimately aims to build an environment where new industries continuously evolve.
The acceleration program will organize supports and events that align with the City’s cultural context, such as “Creative” and “Leading-edge Technology.”
Final Aim is a startup with a mission in creating new businesses in a global market through our zero-to-one support with innovative design and technology. Our efforts have been seen in those great collaborations, for example with Sony, OTSAW, a Singapore-based robotics startup, and Tier VI, a leading autonomous mobility startup.
Inspired by the ambition of Kumamoto City and the accelerator program “HIGO CANVAS,” Final Aim joined forces to provide our knowledge and know-how in startup development. With our support and mentor, we will push forward the entrepreneurship, innovation, and industry creation from Kumamoto City local to global.
About Kumamoto City Acceleration Program “HIGO CANVAS”
Host: Kumamoto City (Economic Tourist Bureau, Industrial Part, Industry Promotion Section, New Industry Support Room)
Supporters: Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza / Kumamotonichinichi Shimbun
Operations: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
Website: https://higo-canvas.com/
Contact: higo.canvas@gmail.com
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and technology
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, August 19th, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to launch a new collaborative project “RePLAMO.”
In collaboration with Specified Nonprofit Corporation, Green Bird (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Keisuke Fukuda), an organization that has been organizing cleanup activities all over Japan and worldwide, we are revealing a new project and its first design: a brand new model kit made from collected plastic waste.
Alongside the launch, Green Bird is now inviting participants to new beach cleanup events combined with the experience of making this memorable model kit from collected plastic waste.
A special website is now available for details and purchase: https://replamo.jp
In recent years, the awareness of environmental measures is becoming higher from global policies like ESG criteria to local activities such as banning plastic straws and extra charging on shopping bags. However, the improvement of the global environment and ecosystem is yet limited.
Since its establishment, Green Bird has been challenging the issue of plastic waste for more than 19 years by collecting litter from cities, rivers, and oceans. To further push forward its vision of “Creating the opportunity for kids who will build a future to think about plastic waste in a positive and fun way,” Green Bird stood up to launch a new project “RePLAMO,” in collaboration with supporting organizations and members.
Final Aim is a startup with a mission in creating new businesses in a global market through our zero-to-one support with innovative design and technology. Our efforts have been seen in those great collaborations, for example with Sony, OTSAW, a Singapore-based robotics startup, and Tier VI, a leading autonomous mobility startup.
Inspired by Green Bird’s strong ambition towards the new environmental and sustainable challenge, Final Aim joined forces to provide our industrial design support and turned project ideas into reality – a plastic model kit made from collected plastic waste.
Downloadable image materials for press and media:
URL: https://bit.ly/3hBEmkM
PASS: RePLAMO
“RePLAMO” Product Description
The first model kit is “Sea Turtle.”
Currently, plastic waste is causing harm and death to sea turtles. It is being said that 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean, and approximately 50% of the sea turtles are mistakenly eating plastic for food.
The product color comes in three themes: green, blue, and random. Since the material is made from collected waste, every turtle is unique as no single texture and pattern are the same as others.
Part of the sales will be donated to the Green Bird activity.
How “RePLAMO” is Made – Innovative and Sustainable Process
The material of “RePLAMO” is waste plastic collected through litter collection activity in cities and beaches. The model is carefully crafted and manufactured through litter washing, milling, molding, and post-processing.
Project Background
Specified Nonprofit Corporation, Green Bird
Representative Director: Keisuke Fukuda
Green Bird has been organizing activities under the concept, “A clean town makes for a good society.” The circle of activities has widened to 80 locations in Japan and worldwide, and the total participants per year are now up to 30,000 members. In terms of specific ocean environmental issues, Green Bird has been holding many family events, and further launched a new project this March – “RETTER” that transforms waste into attractive products such as coasters.
Aligned with this context, together with the project members below, we launched “RePLAMO” to create simple and enjoyable experience opportunities for kids to think about environmental issues.
Project Members
“RePLAMO” is a project that produces new value by combining environmental protection with creativity. Green Bird partnered with RABBIT (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, CEO Fusanari Masuda), CHERRY (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Akinori Suzuki), and Final Aim (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) to start off the project.
With the concept of “A clean town makes for a good society,” a specified nonprofit corporation that organizes cleanup activities. It was established in Harajuku Omotesando and has spread across the nation and worldwide. https://www.greenbird.jp/
Focusing on art direction as the key area, the company realizes essential and timeless branding and communication design by production and framework design. https://rabbitinc.info/
Grow connections, not just expressions. The company realizes optimal connections between brands and the world through ideas from borderless thinking and frameworks. https://chrry.jp/
A startup with a mission in creating new businesses in a global market through its zero-to-one support with innovative industrial design and technology. https://final-aim.com/
Supporter
Project RePLAMO is open to welcome new supporters and sponsors. For more information on the product and project, please contact below.
replamo@greenbird.jp
Contact Information
Specified Nonprofit Corporation, Green Bird
Tel: +81-3-5469-5318
Mail: replamo@greenbird.jp
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and technology
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, July 1st, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) and Sony Design Consulting Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Yutaka Hasegawa) today announced the launch of “hdw4 (How Design Works For)” to publish and promote joint research for creative and design support for startups.
In recent years, there has been strong growth in startups worldwide and it is becoming more critical for startups today to design, develop and manage with a comprehensive approach. However, there remains a gap in startup business management and its design development caused by missing consolidated understanding or knowledge in every phase from theory to practice.
Having this as a challenge we share, since November 24th, 2020, Sony Design Consulting and Final Aim have formed joint research to explore creative and design development methodology and practices that ensure rapid growth of startups business and equity financing.
We proudly announce the launch of “hdw4 (How Design Works For)” to publish and promote joint research for creative and design support for startups.
To share proper design understanding and fill any lacking in their current awareness of design for startups, we will be publishing our latest research insight on theories and practices on a regular basis. We commit ourselves to being a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, business owners, investors who support startup finance, and designers who engage in product or service design development.
Through this joint research and “hdw4”, the partnership aims to promote aggressive investment to design, and contribute to a resilient and sustainable ecosystem for startups.
Major Research and Publication Agenda
1. Explore and clarify the impact and effectiveness of design development in startups.
2. Propose effective design approaches and practices for startup growth.
3. Establish an industrial standard of contracts and fees optimal to design in startups.
“hdw4” Logo
“hdw4” Website
About Sony Design Consulting
Company Name: Sony Design Consulting Inc.
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Director: Representative Chief Executive Officer, Yutaka Hasegawa
Business Description: Design consulting / Design management / Design service / Other related services
Website: https://www.sonydesignconsulting.com/
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and technology
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com