What STATION AI does

STATION Ai株式会社 (DBA: STATION AI; legal name: STATION Ai株式会社) is a Nagoya-based open innovation hub operator and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SoftBank Corp., co-founded with Aichi Prefecture in 2021 and launched at scale in October 2024. The company runs Japan's largest open-innovation facility at 1-2-32 Tsurumai, Showa-ku (Nagoya), spanning approximately 23,600 square meters across seven floors. The platform connects ~1,000 startups, 400+ startup tenants, 40+ corporate sponsors, 30+ venture capital firms, and several universities (Nagoya University, Nagoya Institute of Technology) through co-located workspaces, acceleration programs, and event programming. STATION AI does not build AI products itself; rather, it operates the IoT-enabled, robot-friendly physical infrastructure and the programmatic layer (AI BOOST PROGRAM with SoftBank and NVIDIA, ACTIVATION Lab, SKIP, STATION Ai Catapult, and Tongali GAP Fund) that produces co-creation outcomes — 140 co-creation projects and 1400+ events as of late 2025.

The company's core technology asset is its smart-building infrastructure: real-time space utilization visualization, IoT building management, mobile robot service guidance, and an "Autonomous City Concept" featuring modular movable spaces. Proprietary facility features support robotics demonstrations (e.g., CuboRex crawler platform) and large-scale proof-of-concept deployments (e.g., Toyota Motor's Town+Mobility POC, Nets Toyota Toyama voice dialogue AI pilot, Toyota City Hall smart mobility collaboration). Beyond the core hub, the building contains a Tech Lab (equipment lending), a 7th-floor aparthotel (Minn STATION Ai Nagoya, rooms for up to 14 guests), a 24-hour fitness gym, a nursery, restaurants, 354 sqm event hall, and meeting rooms.

Revenue is generated through five streams: (1) subscription office memberships (private offices, fixed seats, coworking; ¥200-250K/year), (2) one-time facility rentals (event spaces, conference rooms, meeting rooms, luggage storage), (3) professional-services fees for accelerator/partner programs (AI BOOST, SKIP, ACTIVATION Lab, Catapult, SKIP open innovation support), (4) hotel/hospitality revenue via third-party-operated Minn hotel and on-site F&B tenants, and (5) paid guide tours (¥55K-165K). Distribution is omnichannel: direct-to-enterprise for SKIP/partners, self-serve online booking for events and drop-in coworking, and ecosystem channels via 40+ corporate sponsors and 30+ VCs. The company's expansion roadmap includes the STATION Ai Data Foundry (planned for July 1, 2026) — a dedicated manufacturing-focused physical-AI data collection center — and continued AI BOOST PROGRAM cohorts with NVIDIA.

Name

STATION AI

Legal name

STATION Ai株式会社

Website

https://stationai.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

STATION AI operates Japan's largest open-innovation hub in Nagoya, a 23,600 sqm SoftBank/Aichi-supported facility connecting startups, corporate partners, VCs, and universities through co-located offices, accelerator programs, and event programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Office Membership Fees: Monthly fees for office space usage including private offices, fixed seats, and coworking spaces. Includes access to fitness gym, nursery facilities, and member-only lounges. Various plan tiers available with point packs for additional services.
2. Event Space and Meeting Room Rentals: Rental revenue from event spaces (354sqm, 252 capacity), large conference rooms (103sqm), medium/small meeting rooms. Also includes the Community Living space (123.5sqm) and option services like setup/decoration support.
3. Startup Support Programs: Revenue from acceleration programs including AI BOOST PROGRAM, STATION Ai Catapult, ACTIVATION Lab, and SKIP for partner companies. Programs provide investment support, mentoring, and growth acceleration services.
4. Hotel and Hospitality: Minn STATION Ai Nagoya aparthotel on 7th floor with rooms accommodating up to 14 guests, plus various restaurant and cafe operators within the facility.
5. Guide Tours: Charged facility tours at ¥55,000 (1-15 people), ¥110,000 (16-30 people), ¥165,000 (31-40 people) for project overview and facility tour experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

STATION AI operates Japan's largest open innovation hub in Nagoya, providing a 23,600 sqm, 7-floor integrated facility that combines private offices, coworking spaces, a Tech Lab, event and meeting rooms, an aparthotel (Minn STATION Ai Nagoya), restaurants, a fitness gym, and a nursery. It runs multiple acceleration and open innovation programs (AI BOOST PROGRAM, ACTIVATION Lab, SKIP, STATION Ai Catapult, Tongali GAP Fund STEP2) that connect startups with partner corporations, VCs, and universities to foster co-creation and startup growth.

Product overview

STATION AI operates as a comprehensive open innovation hub ecosystem rather than a single software product. The core offering is the physical STATION Ai Hub facility (Japan's largest open innovation hub in Nagoya, 23,600 sqm, 7 floors) that connects approximately 1,000 domestic and international startups with partner companies, VCs, and universities. This physical platform is complemented by multiple acceleration programs including AI BOOST PROGRAM (AI startup support), ACTIVATION Lab (entrepreneur training), SKIP (open innovation for enterprises), STATION Ai Catapult (VC matching), and Tongali GAP (deep tech support). The facility provides workspace services (private offices, coworking, Tech Lab), event/meeting room rentals, hotel accommodation (Minn), restaurants, fitness, and nursery services. The ecosystem enables open innovation through community building, matching support, growth acceleration programs, and various facilities designed to foster collaboration between startups and established companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STATION Ai Hub Japan's largest open innovation hub located in Nagoya, Tsuruma. Approximately 23,600 sqm across 7 floors connecting startups, partner companies, VCs, and universities to foster new business creation through open innovation.
• AI BOOST PROGRAM An acceleration program for AI startups supported by SoftBank and NVIDIA, aimed at helping Japanese AI startups scale and grow their businesses.
• ACTIVATION Lab Entrepreneur and new business training program designed to nurture entrepreneurs and new business creators, with cohort-based delivery (e.g., 6th cohort May–October 2025).
• SKIP (Open Innovation Support Program) Partner-focused open innovation support program (STATION Ai Kinetic Innovation Program) that assists companies in developing human resources for open innovation and supporting startup collaboration to drive existing business growth and create new businesses.
• STATION Ai Catapult Program that enables startups to meet VCs from across Japan through structured pitch and matching cohorts (e.g., 8th Batch April–July 2026).
• Tongali GAP Fund Program (STEP2) Deep tech startup creation support program for universities and research institutions, co-organized with Tongali and offering GAP Fund support for university-originated startups.
• Event & Meeting Room Rentals Rental spaces including event space (354 sqm, capacity 252), large conference rooms (103 sqm, 2 rooms), medium rooms (21–32 sqm), small rooms (10–14 sqm), and exchange living space (123.5 sqm). Available to members and the general public via online booking.
• Office Spaces Flexible workspace options including private offices (secured spaces for teams), fixed seats, Japan's largest-class coworking spaces, and Tech Lab fixed seats with equipment lending services.
• Tech Lab Laboratory facility for manufacturing prototypes, evaluation, and consultation services, with equipment lending available for member startups.
• Minn STATION Ai Nagoya Hotel Stay-type apartment hotel on the 7th floor with spacious rooms and long-stay facilities, accommodating up to 14 guests, designed to accelerate innovation through a unique accommodation experience.
• Restaurants & Cafes Multiple dining options including Mukahan, mimosa, Mughal Palace 4th Branch, Ohayo Saigon, Don Monogatari, Tripot cafe, and &NAGOYA, providing diverse culinary experiences for visitors and members.
• Fitness Gym 24-hour fitness facility available to office members, supporting work-life balance for startups and businesses.
• Nursery Facility Childcare services enabling parents to work and participate in events with peace of mind, supporting startup members with families.
• Guide Tours 60–90 minute paid facility tours for organizations (¥55,000 for 1–15 people, ¥110,000 for 16–30 people, ¥165,000 for 31–40 people, tax included) showcasing STATION Ai operations and partnership opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 140 co-creation projects generated (as of November 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Suntory Beverage Solution (サントリービバレッジソリューション)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntroduced 'President's Treat Vending Machine' enabling cross-corporate communication through complimentary beverage service when two members simultaneously use security cards. Addresses remote work communication decline.
• YOUTRUST (ユートラスト)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWork-specific SNS operator collaborating on the '#ユートラストはじめました' program. STATION Ai supports YOUTRUST user engagement in Chubu region through facility tours and entrepreneur development programs.
• Nagoya University (名古屋大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected for Deep Tech Startup International Expansion Program (D-Global) through ammonia synthesis technology. University partnership for technology commercialization and startup creation.
• Tongali (Nagoya University Startup Ecosystem)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of GAP Fund Program (STEP2) supporting deep tech startup creation from universities and research institutions. Joint initiative for university-originated startup cultivation.
• 40+ Premium and Program SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors supporting various programs including ACTIVATION Lab and SKIP. Provide networking opportunities, potential customers, and co-marketing activities.
• WellBearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for 'Open Innovation M&A Seminar' scheduled for July 16, focusing on M&A strategies from open innovation perspective.
• Japan L'Oréal (日本ロレアル)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner with 206 connections facilitated through STATION Ai support for open innovation initiatives.
• Chubu Electric Power (中部電力)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company beginning open innovation journey with initial relationship-building activities at STATION Ai.
• Nagoya Institute of Technology (名古屋工業大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for student entrepreneurship support and technology commercialization through collaborative programs.
• Inuyama City (犬山市)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner hosting 'Hometown Innovation Contest' to engage startups in regional revitalization projects.
• HERALBONY (ヘラルボニー)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt partnership providing 152 artworks from 47 artists throughout the facility, creating an inspiring environment for visitors and members.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus located in Paris, offering office space, acceleration programs, and a massive startup community under one roof. STATION Ai's positioning as Japan's largest open innovation hub with integrated programming makes Station F its closest global analog in scale and concept.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play operates global innovation platforms running accelerator programs and corporate-startup matching with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. STATION Ai's SKIP program, AI BOOST PROGRAM, and corporate sponsor network closely parallel Plug and Play's venture clienting model.
• CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center): CIC operates innovation campuses combining coworking, labs, and event spaces with venture clienting services that connect startups to corporate members. STATION Ai's model of integrating workspace, programs, and corporate-startup matching directly mirrors CIC's approach in markets like Boston, Cambridge, and Tokyo.
• CIC Tokyo: CIC Tokyo is the Japan-based campus of Cambridge Innovation Center, providing coworking, labs, and innovation programs in Tokyo. It serves as STATION Ai's most direct domestic competitor in the integrated innovation hub category, with overlap in startup programs and corporate matching services.
• WeWork: WeWork is a global coworking and flexible office operator offering private offices, coworking spaces, and event venues to startups and enterprises. STATION Ai competes in the same flexible workspace category while layering on startup programs and corporate matching, making WeWork a direct competitor for office membership revenue.

Emerging players

• Techstars: Techstars is a global startup accelerator network running mentorship-driven programs across multiple industries. While Techstars focuses more narrowly on accelerator cohorts, it competes with STATION Ai's programs like STATION Ai Catapult for high-quality startup applicants.
• Antler: Antler is a global early-stage venture firm that runs founder-matching and residency programs worldwide, including Japan. Antler's residency and pre-seed investment model overlaps with STATION Ai's startup support programs targeting founders from ideation through Series A.
• MassChallenge: MassChallenge operates global startup acceleration programs with a focus on early-stage entrepreneurs and corporate partnerships. Its zero-equity accelerator model and corporate matching services overlap with STATION Ai's ACTIVATION Lab and SKIP programs.

Broad incumbents

• Google for Startups: Google for Startups operates a global network of startup campuses, accelerators, and partnerships supporting early-stage companies. As a broad incumbent in the startup support category, Google for Startups represents both a potential partner for STATION Ai's AI BOOST program and a competitor for top-tier startup mindshare.

Regional players

• Plug and Play Japan: Plug and Play Japan operates Plug and Play's accelerator and corporate-startup matching programs in the Japanese market. As a direct regional competitor in Japan's innovation ecosystem, it competes with STATION Ai for both startup applicants and corporate partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/STATIONAi_JP
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@stationai_official
• Facebookfacebook.com/stationai.jp
• Instagraminstagram.com/stationai_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments14 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STATION AI