Subsidiary TechShop Japan Enhances Programs to Accelerate Maker Movement
QUANTUM will work to generate innovation in manufacturing
its wholly owned subsidiary TechShop Japan Limited today announced their
collaboration with QUANTUM Inc., a subsidiary of TBWAHAKUHODO Inc., to create
new business opportunities in TechShop Tokyo’s DIY membership-based workshop.
Together, TechShop Japan and QUANTUM will increase the customer base and
strengthen education programs, expanding their services for corporations,
individuals and students.
This initiative is based on an agreement for
Fujitsu to transfer a 15% stake in TechShop Japan to TBWAHAKUHODO.
Background
Since opening in April 2016, TechShop Japan has
hosted events and workshops with more than 3,000 visitors. The company also has
more than 700 members that include large corporations, startups, creators,
individuals and students. They have engaged in collaborative projects and
launched new businesses, contributing to an ecosystem of co-creation. TechShop
Japan and QUANTUM have now decided to collaborate in order to expand such
systems and accelerate innovation.
Initiatives through this Collaboration
As a strategic partner of QUANTUM that
endeavors to generate new businesses, TechShop Japan will develop a variety of
programs rolling out from the first half of fiscal 2017.
1. Corporate/Business Programs
TechShop Tokyo will serve large corporations and
startups through consulting, project design and incubation to support new
businesses and product/service development. It will offer a manufacturing
workshop program for professionals and creators skilled in advertising and web
design. TechShop Tokyo will also offer courses on team building through
manufacturing and prototyping training.
2. Programs for Individuals
TechShop Tokyo will offer a workshop program for
individual manufacturers on “Instructables”, the largest
manufacturing community site in the U.S., where users can share ideas and
information on relevant processes and materials.
TechShop Tokyo will also offer a STEAM
education(1) program to provide programming and manufacturing experience for
middle school and high school students.
Comments from the Companies
Akihiko Imai, President & CEO, TBWAHAKUHODO
Inc.
TBWAHAKUHODO has generated numerous advertising
and communication ideas using the tool DISRUPTION, which can find
unconventional visions. We are extremely pleased about QUANTUM becoming our
strategic partner and hope our synergy with TechShop Japan will bring
DISRUPTION; to life, transcending the boundaries of traditional advertising and
communications.
Mitsuru Takamatsu, President and CEO, QUANTUM
Inc.
As a startup studio, QUANTUM is promoting to
create new businesses through co-creation between large companies and startups.
By providing programs that invoke familiarity with manufacturing, the company
will improve people’s lives through business and product development.
(1) STEAM education
STEAM stands for Science, Technology,
Engineering, Art and Math. This is a form of education that instill interests
in technology and manufacturing among children, thereby developing their skills
for creating innovation in the future.
About TechShop, Inc. and TechShop Japan Limited
TechShop is a membership-based, open-access DIY
workshop with nine locations around the U.S. It was established in 2006 as a
driving force behind America’s maker movement. From December 2014, TechShop,
Inc., Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Laboratories of America, Inc. launched
“TechShop Inside! – Powered by Fujitsu” as an initiative to promote
the maker movement in the U.S. Subsequently investments made by Fujitsu led to
the October 2015 establishment of TechShop Japan, which in April 2016 opened in
Minato, Tokyo’s ARK Mori Building as TechShop Tokyo, the first TechShop in
Asia.
About TBWAHAKUHODO Inc.
TBWAHAKUHODO is a full-service agency that has
grown rapidly in the ten years since its founding. TBWAHAKUHODO has won
numerous awards including Advertising Age’s ‘International Agency of the Year’
in 2012 and Campaign Asia-Pacific’s ‘North Asia Creative Agency of the Year’ in
2010 and 2011, and ‘Japan Creative Agency of the Year’ in 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015 and 2016 as well as ‘Japan Digital Agency of the Year’ in 2016.
About QUANTUM Inc.
QUANTUM is a startup studio for both corporate
innovation and startups, which spun off from its parent company TBWAHAKUHODO
in 2016. From its creative diversity through engineering, design, and business,
QUANTUM offers joint product/business development, corporate accelerator
programs, and innovation/strategic partnership consulting for its partners.
About Fujitsu Ltd
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and
communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology
products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support
customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of
ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited
(TSE:6702; ADR:FJTSY) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41
billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please
see http://www.fujitsu.com.
* Please see this press release, with images,
at:
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/
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