Japan's ASICS selects 3 proposals through accelerator programme

ASICS solicited ideas from startups for products and services that will use its technology and brand to contribute to create value together to shape the future of sports.

Seven finalists made their final pitch to the jury on Demo Day, with the finalists selected through 2 rounds of screening steps - the first written and the second interview sessions, after which they spent approximately two and a half months working with the ASICS team to brush up their business collaboration proposals. On Demo Day, the four ASICS executives selected three collaboration proposals, based on overall assessments of vision and feasibility. ASICS and the selected startups will together conduct test-marketing and demonstrations and also draft business partnership plans, ASICS said in a press release.

“ASICS Ventures is accelerating the realisation of innovation that bolster the achievement of VISION2030, which is ASICS Group’s long-term vision toward 2030, through investing in and partnering with startups that have innovative technology, service, and human resources. Throughout this program, we are very happy that we have been discussing collaboration ideas with startups for over 2 months and passionate presentations were made by each startup at Demo Day. We are going to continue to take on a challenge by collaborating with startups that have unique technologies and ideas going forward,” Akihiro Mori, president and representative director of ASICS Ventures, said.

One of the strategies in ASICS' 2023 medium-term management plan is to realise a sustainable society through our business activities. ASICS aims to support the physical and mental health of people around the world as well as sport-friendly environments. The business activities of the three winning companies are considered appropriate for a rapidly changing society and environment, and ASICS is confident that the proposed collaborations will support the creation of lifestyles that are fulfilling both mentally and physically.

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