A co-program by the Japan Society of Northern California and the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center has selected the company.

San Francisco, US, June 19th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce the company has been selected as the “Innovation Showcase” company in the “Japan – US Innovation Awards,” co-hosted by the Japan Society of Northern California and the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center.
Final Aim will exhibit in correspondence with the award, and the Co-Founder & CEO, Masafumi Asakura, will speak at the symposium on July 20th, 2023, at Stanford University.

Program URL: https://www.usjinnovate.org

The jointly organized program “Japan – US Innovation Awards” by the Northern California Japan Society and the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford University selects and honors companies that have made an impact and excelled in both the United States and Japanese markets. Each year, one “Emerging Leader” from the United States, one from Japan, and five “Innovation Showcase” companies are recognized and awarded. Past awardees include startups such as Dropbox, Tesla, Mercari, ABEJA, and Preferred Networks. Last year, GITAI and Kyoto Fusion Engineering were among the recipients, and the awards are widely recognized as a platform for achieving global success.

Specifically, the “Innovation Showcase” recognizes up to five Japanese startup companies built around exciting new technologies and innovative business ideas with the potential for major worldwide impact. The startups are selected from a pool of over 100 nominees through stringent review, discussion, and voting by the Innovation Advisory Council of the Awards Program, a distinguished 45-person committee of venture investors, successful entrepreneurs, company executives, and academic experts in the US and Japan.

As the reasons for our selection, the following factors were taken into account:

– Despite being an early-stage startup, Final Aim achieved collaborations with major design and manufacturing enterprises such as Sony and Panasonic, leveraging blockchain technology.

– Significant business development in the United States, such as the establishment of a US headquarters in April 2022; accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck, a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator, and being awarded “The most likely to become the next unicorn”; collaboration with Autodesk, the leading 3D CAD software company based in San Francisco; partnership with Design Panasonic in New York.

– Uniqueness and potential scalability of the company’s cutting-edge technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts to address challenges in the design and manufacturing industry, such as design contracts and intellectual property rights.

In correspondence with the award, the co-program will organize the annual “Japan – U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium” on July 20th, 2023, at Stanford University. Final Aim has been invited to exhibit, and the Co-Founder & CEO, Masafumi Asakura, will speak at the symposium.

About 2023 Japan – US Innovation Awards Symposium
The Innovation Showcase will take place at the Innovation Awards Symposium on July 20th, 2023. Registration for the Symposium is open and includes admission to the program, a buffet lunch, and access to networking.

Date: Thursday, July 20th, 2023, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, Stanford University (326 Galvez Street, Stanford, CA 94305-6105)
Event URL: https://www.usjinnovate.org/agenda-2023/
Event registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-japan-us-innovation-awards-symposium-tickets-600756848907

About Japan Society of Northern California
Since its founding in 1905, the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) has advanced U.S. – Japan mutual understanding in a global context. The Society offers an array of programs and networking opportunities for people and organizations in the Bay Area with a strong interest in Japan. It is the go-to place for U.S. – Japan insights, opportunities, collaboration, and networking. The Society is a dynamic link connecting the world-renowned innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem of San Francisco/Silicon Valley to a resurgent Japan.
URL: https://www.usajapan.org/

About Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center
The US-Asia Technology Management Center (US-ATMC) is industry-funded at Stanford University under the Stanford Global Studies initiative. Established in 1992, the US-ATMC conducts education and research into innovation and emerging business trends in technology-intensive industries. Its courses and public programs provide Stanford students and the Silicon Valley community with knowledge and analytical capabilities important to global success in high-tech fields in the 21st century.
URL: https://asia.stanford.edu/

About Final Aim
Final Aim has been driving the global adoption of blockchain and smart contracts technologies 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 – Delaware, US / Subsidiary – Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of blockchain and smart contracts technologies for design and manufacturing
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, April 4th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce that “RePLAMO,” which the company designed and launched in collaboration with Specified Nonprofit Corporation, Green Bird (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Keisuke Fukuda), won the “Social Products Award 2023.” Furthermore, out of 70 products/services awarded, our product was selected as a “Special Jury Award.”

For more than 20 years since its establishment in Harajuku/Shibuya, Green Bird has organized litter collection volunteer 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, including the US and Europe. The total number of participants per year is now up to 30,000 members, especially among college students and young professionals. The grass-roots activities over the years have gained a solid reputation and have been donated by global brands like Coca-Cola and Yogibo.

Green Bird website: https://www.greenbird.jp/

To further push forward its vision to unreached audiences, especially kids and their parents, Green Bird launched a new project, “RePLAMO,” in 2021. Inspired by its strong ambition, Final Aim collaborated to provide its industrial design know-how. It turned the project vision into a reality through innovative design and process – a model kit made from plastic waste actually collected by kids.

“RePLAMO” Special website: https://replamo.jp

The model kit is made from collected plastic waste and can be assembled into a sea turtle.
Since the material is made from actual waste, every turtle is unique, as no single texture and pattern are the same as others.

The model is carefully crafted and manufactured through litter collection activity in cities and beaches through washing, milling, molding, and post-processing. By letting kids and parents experience the whole process and presenting them with one-and-only tangible output, the project aims to educate and enlighten the issue of environmental sustainability like no other.

Since its launch in 2021, the project and its activity have spread consistently and are well-known for being awarded the “Social Products Award 2023 – Special Jury Award.”

About Social Products Award 2023

Organized by the Association for the Promotion of Social Products (ASPS), the award intends to highlight excellent “social products” that contribute to realizing a sustainable society and evaluate both social and commercial aspects of the products and services. The first award dates back to 2012; this year was its 10th anniversary.
The judging is based on the following points: “Sociality,” which refers to consideration for the environment, people, and local communities; “Product/Service Value,” which includes functionality, quality, usability, and design; and “Story,” which consists of the development background and thoughts behind.

ASPS website: https://www.apsp.or.jp/socialproductsaward/

Comment from the jury:
New cases of manufacturing using marine plastic waste are rising around the world. In this context, commercializing a series of processes in which the trash one picked up and returned by an original form of products with a new value is groundbreaking. Involving children and their families in this activity also includes environmental education, and it will change consumer behavior.

Pop-up gallery:
Celebrating the award, the Association will hold an exhibition with details below.
Location – Ginza Mitsukoshi, 9th floor, Ginza terrace
Date – 12th to 18th, April, 2023
URL: https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/ginza.html

“RePLAMO” Project movie

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, 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.

Pop-up Store Details

Future of Purchasing Experience Through Empathy, “MADE IN > MADE BY – RMP Project POP-UP STORE”
URL: https://panasonic.co.jp/design/flf/events/rmpproject_madeby/
Date/Time: March 3rd to 5th, 2023 / 10 am – 7 pm
Location: Reload Shimokitazawa (https://reload-shimokita.com/), Entrance Hall (3-19-20 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031)
Fee: Free

Project Concept

Concept Movie YouTube URL：https://youtu.be/I7NK0a7O5hE

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.

Project URL: https://panasonic.co.jp/design/flf/works/rmpproject/

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.

About FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, Panasonic Design Center, Panasonic Corporation
https://panasonic.co.jp/design/flf

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.

About McCann Alpha, McCann Erickson Japan Inc.
https://www.mccannwg.co.jp/

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, Inc.
https://solit-japan.com/

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
https://www.paragon.co.jp/

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

Contract management and execution are complex and risky.
Specifically for designers and manufacturers, in addition to difficult and sensitive terms in the contract, it becomes more complicated as intellectual property, subcontractors, and payment management play a critical role.
For example, whose and which intellectual property in work and when it was transferred is impossible to search and trace via the current contract format and existing solution. These become further complicated when layers of players, administrators, stakeholders, and subcontractors interact with separate agreements and payment terms.
This administrative complexity is universal to the design and manufacturing industry. However, if not managed and executed well, not only is it inefficient and costly, there is a risk of accusation and lawsuit at worst – unfortunately, not uncommon in the industry.

Current problems of design & manufacturing contract management

With this background, Final Aim builds a blockchain platform to answer one question:

“How can we make the contract management and execution frictionless so that designers and manufacturers can focus on their true value creation?”

Delaware, US, February 1st, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (CEO Masafumi Asakura and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) today announced that the company utilized its blockchain platform in a furniture design project by the creative agency CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO./Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. (Kikuro Tani, Chairman & Representative Director) and the forestry tech startup iforest, Inc. (Koumei Maruyama, Co-Founder & CEO).

The project aims to rediscover and enhance the value of local forest resources by developing product designs that tell the local story. The team selected Hakuba Village as an initial area for launch. It released an original furniture design – also designed by Final Aim – in which the wood is cut from and manufactured locally in the village.

Modular design that integrates aesthetics, functionality, and scalable usage

Flexible design that could be generated as chairs and tables with various size

Patented design that could instantly be assembled and customized

Like general design and manufacturing projects, the team and the designer created and agreed on a design contract. Specifically, the contract states which designs in the design proposal documents the client can manufacture and commercialize. The agreement was also tailored as a license contract defining the starting date and limiting the time available for commercial use. Furthermore, the contract represents the intellectual property – also legally design patented – remains to the original designer and restricts the client to edit, resell or sub-license to other subcontractors.

Though the contract generation and agreement proceeded smoothly, properly managing and accurately executing the contract is challenging for the team, with limited administrative resources and various stakeholders, including the manufacturers.

Design and manufacturing with numerous stakeholders and subcontractors

“Traceable, transparent, and automatic” – Contract management and execution by blockchain, smart contracts, and token.

The project utilized Final Aim’s blockchain platform as a POC study to overcome the challenges. Firstly, upon public blockchain and distributed storage, the team implemented the platform for ample file storage for all critical evidence. The project manager, designer, and manufacturers used the platform for sharing on a remote daily basis.
Then, the platform generated an NFT as a utility token that bundles all the essential files (approved proposals, design renderings, final 2d drawings, final 3d files, etc.) and ownership evidence (owner, date, time, patent filings, etc.) stated in the contract. Furthermore, the smart contracts originally built behind the token resembles the essential elements of the contract terms, such as the token transfer limit and automatic expiration. The platform supported the token transfer to the client’s digital wallet upon agreement and fee transaction.

The blockchain platform utilization made complicated and messy management traceable, opaque subcontracting/sublicensing transparent, forgetful and risky payment and license expiration automatic. As a result, the platform unlocked significant benefits and derisked the team and the project with limited time and administrative resources.

Actual project screenshots of the blockchain platform used in the project

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, and 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

Joint project with the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village and Shinto Tsushin

Nagano, Japan, January 20th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce the start of proof-of-concept (POC) with the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village (Kita-Azumi, Nagano, Representative Director, Hideki Ito) and Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. (Nagoya, Aichi, Chairman & Representative Director, Kikuro Tani).
Hakuba Village, located at the foot of the Northern Alps in northern Nagano Prefecture and surrounded by magnificent mountains, is a one-of-a-kind “mountain resort.”
Significant numbers of people from all over the world visit the village to enjoy the Northern Alps’ extraordinary nature during the winter when you can ski and snowboard in all seasons.
The village’s history as one of Japan’s major international mountain resorts dates back more than 100 years. Ever since the British mountaineer Walter Weston first visited Hakuba in 1894, it became a must-go for any mountain and ski lover.

The joint project aims to apply Web3 technologies such as blockchain, smart contract, and tokens to explore best practices to maximize its rich heritage, assets, and communities.

POC Overview – “Non-Fungible HAKUBA”

The goal of the POC is to collect photos of Hakuba Village during this winter season, record the photo shooting information (time, location, etc.) associated with the images to the blockchain, and publish them on a special website. Non-fungible tokens (NFT) will be issued as certificates to photo contributors.

POC Title: “Non-Fungible HAKUBA”
POC Schedule: Until mid-February 2023 (Invitation only)
Campaign site: March 2023 (URL TBA)

Photo archive and campaign site supported by our blockchain technologies

As a technology partner, Final Aim will conduct a technical verification on its blockchain platform “Final Chain” private beta. The technology area covers comprehensively from protocol selection, smart contract, token usability, original API development, and UI/UX design.

The POC is positioned as a first step to consider using Web3 technologies in Hakuba Village. Based on the knowledge gained through this POC, the team plans to visualize various actions in Hakuba Village, such as sightseeing and lodging experiences with low environmental impact. In the long term, the village aims to offer incentives to enjoy nature more through the level of contribution, thereby reducing the ecological impact of Hakuba Village, especially in the tourism industry.

About the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village
The Commission aims to pool the wisdom of Hakuba Village and tourism businesses such as Hakuba mountain range lodge operators, inn operators, cableway operators, transportation companies, commerce and industry, guide associations, hot springs, finance companies, and agricultural cooperatives. It also aims to promote tourism-related initiatives and revitalize the local economy by attracting tourists and promoting international tourism while using Hakuba Village’s rich natural environment.
Website: www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp

About Shinto Tsushin and CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO.
CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO. is an in-house project team of an advertising company, Shinto Tsushin. The studio has been working to solve social issues by connecting local communities and companies under the theme of “Brightly Changing the World with the Circular Economy. Specifically, in Hakuba Village, the studio has held “GREEN WORK HAKUBA” four times and has been in charge of the project’s start-up, overall production, and creative work.
Company Name: Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. / CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO.
Business Description: Support for regional revitalization and new business creation based on the circular economy
Website: https://cdstudio.jp/

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, 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

The company gets selected for Startup City Acceleration Program by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

Berkeley, US, September 15th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce that the company has been accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck Batch 15 IPP, one of the world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerators.
In this program, the company has been selected as a deep tech cohort in the Startup City Acceleration Program run by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), together with the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan.

Final Aim has been driving the adoption of Web3 technologies globally in the design and digital 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 contracts, digital tokens, and IPFS, bringing full ownership and authenticity to designers and manufacturers in design planning, development, and production,
And in April 2022, the company established a corporation as a headquarter in the United States.

Since then, with its Web3 platform, the company has collaborated with industry leaders: Panasonic, including the USA and Japan design division; Autodesk, a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software; Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry; EYEMETRICS JAPAN, the world’s first eyewear brand originated in Switzerland that personalizes the design by 3D scanning each user’s face.
And in August 2022, Final Aim announced a partnership with Sony Design Consulting for the IC card-type hardware wallet, which the Sony Computer Science Laboratories has been developing for all kinds of use cases. The technology includes support by mutual authentication/encrypted communication cultivated over many years by applying Sony’s expertise in contactless IC cards.

About Berkeley SkyDeck

Berkeley SkyDeck is one of the world-renowned startup accelerators at the University of California, Berkeley.
The university ranks among the world’s top universities, including 4th in the “US News & World Report.” Berkeley has often been cited as one of the universities that have produced most entrepreneurs, such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and founder of Softbank Masayoshi Son.

Named in Forbes as a top-five US university accelerator, SkyDeck combines hands-on mentorship with the vast resources of its research university. SkyDeck is the only accelerator that provides funding for its startups via a public-private partnership, providing returns directly back to UC Berkeley from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, a dedicated investment fund supported by top institutional VCs like Sequoia and Mayfield.
SkyDeck startups have raised more than $1.47 billion in aggregate. Participating startups have access to SkyDeck’s 360 advisors, 70 industry partners, and a network of more than 510,000 UC Berkeley alumni.
https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/

Furthermore, in the field of blockchain, which Final Aim defines as our core technologies, by industrial leading media “CoinDesk,” the university has ranked 3rd in the world and the top in the US.

“The Top Universities for Blockchain by CoinDesk 2021”
https://www.coindesk.com/learn/2021/10/04/the-top-universities-for-blockchain-by-coindesk-2021/

This accelerator will hold the program online and offline for four months and host UC Berkeley students as internships. At the end of the program, the startups will present at SkyDeck’s Demo Day, where over 100 investors and venture capitalists will attend.

UC Berkeley campus

About JETRO Startup City Acceleration Program

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works with the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan to develop a startup ecosystem and promote global business development.
The organization cooperates with top global accelerators to support each startup’s needs, maximizing possibilities and opportunities such as international level of top mentor networks and matching global venture capitals and business partners.

JETRO has selected Final Aim in the deep tech cohort to push the startup’s financing, business expansion, and partner alliances to the global level.
Through this opportunity, Final Aim will further strengthen its Web3 business and technologies in the design and digital manufacturing domain by acquiring know-how, networks, and industrial knowledge.

UPDATE (March 1st, 2023) : Final Aim receives “Most Likely to Become the Next Unicorn” at Berkeley SkyDeck Batch 15 IPP Global Innovation Showcase!

After months of the intensive program, the accepted startups participated in the “Global Innovation Showcase” and pitched in front of 140 people, including prominent SkyDeck advisors, mentors, and investors. At the end of the showcase voting, Final Aim was elected as the startup that could become the next “Unicorn.”

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.

Design Magazine AXIS:
https://www.axisinc.co.jp/english/service/society#design-magazine

For purchase:
Amazon – t.ly/gH-b

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