NTT DATA selected Barcelona-based startup Gestoos as the Champion of the Open Innovation Contest 7.0 based on its AI solution that enables content and services to be operated simply with hand gestures. The winning proposal was chosen during the contest’s Grand Finale at NTT DATA headquarters in Toyosu, Tokyo on March 22. NTT DATA will collaborate with Gestoos to develop a concrete business plan based on the winning proposal.
In addition to the winning prize, an Audience Award was presented to ftcash (Mumbai) and Judges Awards were presented to FOMOpay (Singapore) and SightCall (San Francisco) by NTT DATA representatives on the judging panel.
Finalists of Grand Finale
Archive
*Links and other information on this page are not updated.| Result | Company name / Solution | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| PayBox Provides an advanced end-to-end Mobile Payment Collection Platform for groups and individuals. https://www.payboxtech.com/ | Provides an advanced end-to-end Mobile Payment Collection Platform for groups and individuals. https://www.payboxtech.com/ | |
| Institute of Software CAS Provides an emergency system that detects accidents or sudden illnesses through behavioral recognition technology in smart homes. | Provides an emergency system that detects accidents or sudden illnesses through behavioral recognition technology in smart homes. | |
 | FOMO Pay Pte. Ltd One-stop QR code payment solution which enables the enterprise to accept a full suite of payment methods such as mVisa, NETS Pay, WeChat Pay etc. https://www.fomopay.com/ | One-stop QR code payment solution which enables the enterprise to accept a full suite of payment methods such as mVisa, NETS Pay, WeChat Pay etc. https://www.fomopay.com/ |
 | ftcash Lending for SMEs using digital payment platform and alternative data. http://www.ftcash.com/ | Lending for SMEs using digital payment platform and alternative data. http://www.ftcash.com/ |
| Cinnamon Cognitive Document Reader including AI-OCR solutions that reads a variety of documents and extract information, just like human information processing. http://cinnamon.is/en/ | Cognitive Document Reader including AI-OCR solutions that reads a variety of documents and extract information, just like human information processing. http://cinnamon.is/en/ | |
| COEUS Solutions that can identify a suspicious person by analyzing videos of human body language and interpreting behavioral patterns. https://tjmvogel.wixsite.com/horus | Solutions that can identify a suspicious person by analyzing videos of human body language and interpreting behavioral patterns. https://tjmvogel.wixsite.com/horus | |
| Emvisage Fast, flexible platform to digitise and deliver work. https://www.emvisage.com/ | Fast, flexible platform to digitise and deliver work. https://www.emvisage.com/ | |
| Zoom.ai Provides solutions that automate scheduling, profiling and document generating through a chat system. https://zoom.ai/ | Provides solutions that automate scheduling, profiling and document generating through a chat system. https://zoom.ai/ | |
| SightCall Provides solutions that support inspection in property insurance claims processing while using video technology with AR. http://www.sightcall.com/ | Provides solutions that support inspection in property insurance claims processing while using video technology with AR. http://www.sightcall.com/ |
 | GESTOOS AI solutions that capture the details of human physical gestures and allow for the operation of content and services through movement. http://gestoos.com/ | AI solutions that capture the details of human physical gestures and allow for the operation of content and services through movement. http://gestoos.com/ |
| Electronic Identifica VideoID is the first and only technology combining video streaming with machine learning and AI to identify people in seconds from any device and through any channel. http://www.electronicid.eu/ | VideoID is the first and only technology combining video streaming with machine learning and AI to identify people in seconds from any device and through any channel. http://www.electronicid.eu/ | |
| LOQR The one-stop digital identity, authentication and access management platform for large companies operating in regulated vertical markets. https://loqr.io/ | The one-stop digital identity, authentication and access management platform for large companies operating in regulated vertical markets. https://loqr.io/ | |
| Callsign Callsign derives identity by applying AI to raw session data - to effect authentication and access. https://www.callsign.com/ | Callsign derives identity by applying AI to raw session data - to effect authentication and access. https://www.callsign.com/ | |
| DATAHOLICS An AI bureau that works with public data from social media and web to provide scores for such as Marketing, Fintech, Insurtech and Cyber Security. http://www.dataholics.io/eng/ | An AI bureau that works with public data from social media and web to provide scores for such as Marketing, Fintech, Insurtech and Cyber Security. http://www.dataholics.io/eng/ | |
| GIPS TECH Solutions that fully utilize geomagnetism, motion sensors, beacons, and Wifi to enable precise indoor navigation. http://www.gipstech.com/ | Solutions that fully utilize geomagnetism, motion sensors, beacons, and Wifi to enable precise indoor navigation. http://www.gipstech.com/ |
Overview of The Grand Finale
| Date and time | 22nd March, 2018 13:30-20:30 |
|---|---|
| Venue | NTT DATA Headquarter 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-6033 https://www.nttdata.com/jp/ja/corporate/profile/guide/map.html |
| Judges |
|
| Special session | Panel discussion : collaboration cases with startups and NTT Data |
| Agenda |  |
| Entry for the pitch day | Invitation only. |
- Objective
- To form “triple win” business alliance among startups, NTT DATA group and our clients (major corporations).
- Challeges
NTT DATA is seeking innovative business proposal that combines with NTT DATA ‘s existing service/solutions and is attractive to NTT DATA’s clients (major corporations).
- Major keywords
of challenges - FinTech, IoT, energy, insurance tech, healthcare tech, BPM, Digital Archives, big data, digital marketing, blockchain, Open API, personal data, AI, cyber security, virtual/augmented reality, or robotics
- When to enter
- Application begins 26th July 2017, Wednesday, 15:00 JST
Deadline has been extended to October 16th, 2017, 09:00 (JST)
- Who can enter
- Incorporated start-ups with advance technology
- How to enter
- Step 1: Select the venue and challenge
- Step 2: Submit application form
- Step 3: Submit detailed business plan (PDF/within 10 pages/less than 3MB) via the specified form
- Screening criteria
- ・Synergy with NTT DATA
- ・novelty, feasibility, competitive advantage, growth potential, business scale, user needs, etc.
- Contact
- NTT DATA office in JAPAN
E-mail：oibi@kits.nttdata.co.jp
- ApplicationJul 26th, 2017-Oct 16th, 2017
- Step1：Select the venue and the challenge
- Check the information on this site and select a venue and a challenge. You can select 3 challenges maximum related to your plan, but select only one venue.
- Step2：Send the entry form in.
- Fill in the entry form given below and send it in. Before you entry, you need to read and accept the requirements and our privacy policy. If your entry is accepted, you will receive an entry acceptance notification in the mail.
- Step3：Prepare a detailed description of your business plan and send it in the specified form
- Submit a detailed description using the description submission form specified in the entry acceptance notification mail.
Note: The detailed description must be a PDF file no longer than 10 pages. The file size must not exceed 3 MB.
- First-stage
screeningOct-Nov 2017 - Step4：First-stage screening by written entry examination, interview, etc.
- Applications will be evaluated in this period. Select applicants will be invited for an interview with respective “challenge” provider – online or face-to-face.
- First-stage
- “Pitch Day”
in each cityDec 2017-Feb 2018 - Step5：Final screening picting at each venue
- The “Pictch Day” will be held at each venue. The regional winner will be invited to “Grand Finale” in Tokyo.
- “Pitch Day”
- “Grand finale”
March 22nd, 2018 - Final：Final Selection of the champion of the world contest.
- The regional winners will gather at NTTDATA Headquarter building in Tokyo, give their pitch and the best one will be selected as the Grand Final Winner.
- “Grand finale”
The Grand Finale winner will receive a three-month in-kind contribution to support the development of their proposed new business.
The winner of each contest venue will get the chance to pitch at the Grand Finale in Tokyo with support by NTT DATA.
- The winner of
the Grand Finale The Grand Finale winner will be able to take the most of a three-month in-kind contribution to support the development of their proposed new business.
NTT DATA covers travel and accommodation (2 weeks) expenses for two people during the collaborative project with the challenge providing team at the targeted market.
- Dr. Shuichiro Yamamoto
- Professor, Software Science and Technology Group,
Department of Information Engineering,
Nagoya University
- Dr. Shuji Honjo
- Managing Director
Honjo International 
- Dr. Koji Osawa
- Managing Director & Co-founder
Global Catalyst Partners
Global Catalyst Partners Japan
- Yasushi Kondo
- Managing Director
NTT Docomo Ventures, Inc.
- Hiro Nishiguchi
- Co-founder and Executive Managing Director
Japan Innovation Network,
Senior Innovation Advisor for UNDP
- Tim Romero
- Host
Disrupting Japan
“Let’s change the world together.”
The global community is facing a variety of challenges, including poverty, hunger, health, hygiene, education, gender and national inequality, energy, climate change, destruction of nature, and peacekeeping. In order to solve these challenges, open innovation will play greater roles than ever so that people throughout the world can work together across national borders in advanced technology and new business models to create solutions.
NTT DATA originally started as a public corporation to play a role in the Japanese communication infrastructure. Since the transformation to a private corporation, we have played an essential role in the ICT social infrastructure as the leading system integrator in Japan. Currently, we promote ICT business in over 50 countries across the world.
NTT DATA has the ICT social infrastructure it has developed, startups have innovative technologies and business models as well as entrepreneurial spirit, and our clients such as major corporations, government agencies and financial institutions have social infrastructure services. In order to solve these challenges listed above, we can create solutions that will serve as the new social infrastructure to make the world more sustainable by combining these resources and forming the “triple win” business alliance.
On 26th July, we will start accepting applications for Open Innovation Contest7.0.
We are open to business ideas, applications related to the challenges posted by NTT DATA group companies across the world. We will hold regional contest in 15 cities.
In this contest, NTT DATA can provide three kinds of value to startups.
1. NTT DATA’s client networks
NTT DATA has clients at 260 bases in about 50 countries across the world, including major corporations, public institutions and financial institutions that support the global community. If we are to discuss joint business with you, we would like you to leverage these networks of our clients.
2. NTT DATA’s solutions for the ICT social infrastructure
NTT DATA, due partly to its origin as a Japanese public corporation, provides a variety of ICT social infrastructures. For example, in the Japanese market, over 700 financial institutions use the Internet banking service “ANSER.” Using ANSER may increase the leverage 700 times in size. This is just one example out of many solutions and platforms across the world; they are looking forward to working with you.
3. NTT DATA’s funding
There is a reason why this contest does not have a cash award for the winner. NTT DATA is truly serious about working together, through this contest, to create the new solution business that transforms the world. To do that, we believe we need to have a proposal first, then discuss the business together and determine the necessary funding. Therefore, while the necessary funding will come later, NTT DATA is ready to provide it. This is the major difference from other business contests.
Please check the challenges we have identified and submit your application accordingly. We look forward to seeing your solution that can be the first, innovative and new social infrastructure in the world.
Let’s change the world together!
- Dr. Shuji Honjo
- Managing Director
Honjo International
Dr. Honjo provides business consulting to Japanese and U.S. companies, focusing on new business development. He is Advisor to Japanese and U.S. companies such as 500 Startups, Net Service Ventures, and Kozo Keikaku Engineering. He is also Visiting Professor at Tama Graduate School of Business.
He is active in entrepreneurial education and community development, as a mentor with Founder Institute, Shido Next Innovator, Fukuoka Prefecture etc. He led the Japanese Miniter’s project to promote medical ventures in 2016.
He founded and represented the Tokyo office of General Atlantic LLC. He was Assistant to Chairman and Group Strategy Manager of CSK/SEGA Group, a leader in enterprise IT and digital entertainment in Japan. He has extensive consulting experiences with BCG in Tokyo and CSC in California.
Dr. Honjo has Ph.D. in International Studies from Waseda University, MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and BS from the University of Tokyo.
Website: http://www.honjo.biz/en
- Dr. Koji Osawa
- Managing Director & Co-founder
Global Catalyst Partners
Global Catalyst Partners Japan
Dr. Osawa has over thirty years of experience in investment and management of high-tech companies in Japan, the U.S. and Asia. He co-founded Global Catalyst Partners (GCP) in 1999 and Global Catalyst Partners Japan (GCP-J) in 2014.
GCP is a venture capital fund established in Silicon Valley that invests primarily in early stage companies active in the areas of IT sector. GCP has established three funds with a total amount of over $300M. Dr. Osawa also founded GCP-J in 2014 that focuses investment opportunities primarily in Japan.
Prior to GCP, he was at Mitsubishi Corporation, the largest trading firm in the world, for 14 years, starting in 1985. He was Division Manager of Mitsubishi International Corporation (Palo Alto Office) from 1993 through 1999. He was responsible for business development with high-tech companies in Silicon Valley in the areas of semiconductors, communications and software.
Dr. Osawa is on the board of Verient, Fuller, Hospitality ONE, Axismotion, Veeple and Vanguard Industries.
He also works closely with SoundHound.
He serves on the Board of Directors of several NPOs: Global Catalyst Foundation, Digital Divide Data and Keizai Silicon Valley.
Dr. Osawa received a BS in Electronics from Keio University, Japan and Ph.D. in Engineering from Tohoku University, Japan.
- Yasushi Kondo
- Managing Director
NTT Docomo Ventures, Inc.
United States Certified Public Accountant, SME management consultant, and holds a U.S. MBA.
Has worked in the IT industry and venture community of the U.S. West Coast for more than 10 years after serving at companies such as Microsoft in the U.S. and a venture company in Silicon Valley. Has been in his current position since July 2016. Specializes in software technology as well as investments and M&A financing.
- Hiro Nishiguchi
- Co-founder and Executive Managing Director
Japan Innovation Network,
Senior Innovation Advisor for UNDP
Mr. Hiro Nishiguchi is co-founder and Executive Managing Director of Japan Innovation Network (JIN) . He is also Senior Innovation Advisor for UNDP.
JIN is a non-profit innovation accelerator for a multinational company in Japan. JIN assists member companies to implement innovation management and deliver innovation results through an innovation acceleration program.
JIN and UNDP also manage an open innovation platform: SHIP (SDGs Holistic Innovation Platform) globally. SHIP is a platform which connects various stakeholders such as public, private, civil and academic sectors.
JIN and METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) run an innovation 100 committee which is a community of CEOs who are committed to innovation activities within their organizations.
Prior to JIN, he was Executive Managing Director of Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Japan’s largest public-private investment fund with $20 billion investment capacity, and was a Worldwide Partner at Mercer. He worked as an officer at the World Bank Group in Washington DC.
He holds MBA from Kellogg Management School at Northwestern University and BA from Sophia University.
- Tim Romero
- Host
Disrupting Japan
Tim Romero is a Tokyo-based entrepreneur, podcaster and author who has started four companies and led Japan market entry for others since coming to Japan more than 25 years ago.
Tim hosts the Disrupting Japan podcast and is deeply involved in Japan's startup community as an investor, founder and mentor.
