On 25 July, Akita Prefecture held a kick-off event for their new AKISTA Platform, which offers support for start-ups in the prefecture. The initiative aims to build a network of supporters from within and outside the prefecture to encourage the creation and growth of start-ups.

This is part of the prefecture’s is plan to develop an ecosystem to nurture start-ups over the next 10 years. As part of this, four companies that are expected to grow in the future and serve as role models for start-ups in the prefecture were selected as AKISTA Certified Start-ups. The four companies selected are S, Konohoshi, Liberty Gate, and Local Power, which will receive intensive support.

Notably, the managers of these four companies include not only local residents but also migrants from outside the prefecture.

(Photo Credit  ©️National Institute of Technology,Akita College)