Tokyo, Japan, November 24th, 2020 – 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 they are partnering to conduct joint research on creative and design support for startups.

In recent years, there has been strong growth in startups worldwide, including US and Japan. More venture capitals, corporate venture capitals, and institutional investors are offering financial supplies to startups, and startup promotional supports are now widely available by accelerators, incubators, media, co-working space owners, and governmental offices.

Furthermore, in addition to the software industry, startups are expanding to various domains such as the hardware industry including IoT, robotics, autonomous mobilities, and aerospace, to the intellectual property industry in contents and entertainment sectors. It is critical for startups today to develop and manage with a comprehensive approach.

While a comprehensive approach is accelerating its need, 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, Final Aim and Sony Design Consulting have formed joint research to explore creative and design development methodology and practices that ensure rapid growth of startups business and equity financing.

This partnership aims to get rid of various gaps in startup development and design, promote aggressive investment to design, and contribute to a resilient and sustainable ecosystem for startups.

Major Research 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 industrial standard of contracts and fees optimal to design in startups.

Publication of the Joint Research Activity
The team will launch an exclusive website for this joint research with regular publication of progress and result. Organizing events are in our scope to encourgae open discussion in presentation and workshops. Details will be announced upon progress.

Sony Design Consulting

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