SmartCityX

What SmartCityX does

SmartCityX, founded in August 2020 and operated by Scrum Studio Inc. (a venture vehicle of San Francisco-based Scrum Ventures), is a global open innovation program that connects international startups with large Japanese corporations and municipal governments to co-create smart city solutions. The program runs on an annual cohort cadence (February to December) organized around thematic tracks — initially Consumer Products/Services, Mobility, Smart Buildings, Connectivity, and Sustainability, expanded in Year 3 (2023) to include Metaverse and Regional Wellness — and offers startups mentorship, workshops, business-development support, match meetings with corporate partners, and capstone demo-day and conference events without requiring equity participation or relocation.

Underlying infrastructure is light: a public-facing Wix-hosted website (en.smartcity-x.com), an Airtable-based application portal, and social/PR distribution through X, LinkedIn, and PR Newswire. The platform does not expose APIs, SDKs, or AI-specific tooling; "technology" is fundamentally a facilitation and community-orchestration layer rather than a software product. Program outputs to date have included nine Year 2 co-creation projects and 36 Year 3 co-creation ideas, with marquee examples such as Japan Post and Innoviz's LiDAR-based road digitization, Japan Airlines and Hakuhodo's experiential NFT marketplace, Suzuki and LOOVIC's voice-navigated elderly mobility solution, and an AI/IoT crowd-monitoring system (CMAP) for evacuation shelters.

The business model is professional services / program-based: SmartCityX generates value by intermediating between capital-rich Japanese enterprise and municipality buyers and globally distributed startup sellers of innovation. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed, but the "no equity" stance implies monetization is sponsorship-, fee-, or parent-subsidy-driven from Scrum Studio Inc., which also runs adjacent vertical studios (SPORTS TECH TOKYO, Food Tech Studio - Bites!, Well-BeingX). Customer concentration is structurally bimodal — a small number of large Japanese corporate anchors on one side and a long tail of startup applicants/cohort participants on the other — and the program counts 95, 96, and 134 startups selected across Years 1, 2, and 3 respectively, with applications drawn from 18-40 countries each cycle.

Name

SmartCityX

Legal name

SmartCityX (Program operated by Scrum Studio Inc.)

Website

https://en.smartcity-x.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SmartCityX, operated by Scrum Studio Inc., is a global open-innovation program that annually connects 95-134 international startups with large Japanese corporations and municipalities to co-create smart city, mobility, metaverse, and regional wellness solutions. The program runs cohort-based, no-equity engagements culminating in demo days and conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open Innovation Program Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIANAJ

Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Housing, Urban Planning & Community Development

SECONDARYBPADALAL

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYBPABAGAG

Smart Building Software Platforms (IWMS/CAFM Integration, Digital Twin, Command Center)

Business & Public Services/Facilities Management & Building Services/Building Automation, Energy Management & Smart Building Services

SECONDARYBPADAEAL

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Development & Technical Assistance

Keywords

• Open innovation program
• Smart city solutions
• Startup facilitation services
• Corporate innovation partnerships
• Business co-creation

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Open Innovation Program Services: SmartCityX operates as a facilitation platform connecting startups with corporate partners and municipalities. The program is organized by Scrum Studio Inc. and powered by Scrum Ventures. Revenue generation is not explicitly disclosed but appears to come from facilitating connections and business co-creation projects between participants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SmartCityX operates a global open innovation program that connects startups from around the world with large Japanese corporations and local governments to co-create smart city solutions across themes such as Mobility, Metaverse, Regional Wellness, and Lifestyle Transformation. The program provides startup application screening, mentorship, workshops, business matchmaking sessions, and culminates in Demo Day and SmartCityX Conference events without requiring equity from startups. It is delivered through annual cohorts (Year 1 in 2020-2021, Year 2 in 2021-2022, Year 3 in 2023), facilitating concrete collaborations such as the Japan Post x Innoviz LiDAR road-digitization project and the Japan Airlines x Hakuhodo experiential NFT marketplace.

Product overview

SmartCityX is a global open innovation program operated by Scrum Studio Inc. that connects startups from around the world with Japanese corporations and local governments to co-create smart city solutions. The program offers startups access to mentorship, business development opportunities, and direct introductions to decision-makers without requiring equity participation or relocation. Program outcomes have included various technology initiatives such as the Experience-Based NFT project, Japan Post's LiDAR road digitization, mobile healthcare clinics, and AI-powered disaster management systems. The program runs annually with thematic focus areas that have evolved from initial categories (Consumer Products/Services, Mobility, Smart Buildings, Connectivity, Sustainability) to include Metaverse and Regional Wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartCityX Open Innovation Program An annual global open innovation program that connects startups from around the world with large Japanese corporations and local governments to co-create smart city solutions, providing mentorship, workshops, business development support, and culminating Demo Day and Conference events without requiring equity participation or relocation from startups.
• SmartCityX Startup Application Platform A self-serve online application system (built on Airtable) that lets startups worldwide apply to participate in the SmartCityX program across the four main application focus areas, used to screen and select each annual cohort.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 15 promising collaborations facilitated between startups, Japanese corporations, and cities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• TV Asahi CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Media company that joined as partner in Year 3, bringing expertise in metaverse and digital content. Participated in panel discussions on metaverse business trends with Japan Airlines and Japan Post.
• Panasonic Holdings Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Electronics conglomerate joining as partner in Year 3, bringing expertise in consumer electronics and smart home technologies.
• Japan Airlines CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Major airline partner in SmartCityX, collaborating on mobility and tourism innovation. In Year 2, worked with Hakuhodo on experiential NFT marketplace converting regional goods and services into NFTs. In Year 3, worked with YAMADA Co., Ltd. on accessible tourism using walking support gear 'futto'.
• East Japan Railway CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Major railway partner collaborating on mobility and transportation solutions. In Year 2, worked with Oyla on 3D LiDAR and camera sensor fusion for railroad station platform safety. Working on hygiene station concepts with Lion Corporation.
• Japan Tobacco Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Tobacco company participating as partner in SmartCityX program, contributing to business co-creation initiatives across various smart city themes.
• Lion CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Consumer products company partner. In Year 1, collaborated with ExaWizards on 'hygiene station' concept to visualize hygiene data at train stations using East Japan Railway infrastructure.
• Suzuki Motor CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Automotive partner. In Year 3, collaborated with LOOVIC Corporation on mobility solutions for elderly using handle-type electric wheelchair 'Senior Car' with voice navigation service, conducting demonstration experiments in Hamamatsu City.
• Woven by Toyota (Woven Planet Holdings)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Mobility technology company and Community Partner, bringing expertise in autonomous driving and mobility platforms to the program.
• Japan Post Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Logistics partner and Community Partner. In Year 2, partnered with Innoviz Technologies on digital map creation using LiDAR sensors on delivery vehicles. Also worked with Sol Chip on smart postbox IoT concept.
• Hakuhodo Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Advertising agency and Community Partner. Collaborated with Japan Airlines on experiential NFT marketplace project converting regional goods and services into NFTs for visitors.
• Amazon Web Services Japan K.K.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2023Resource Partner providing cloud infrastructure and technical support for startups in the program through AWS Activate program for startups.
• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Partner facilitating international trade and investment. Invited 10 advanced overseas startups from CEATEC to SmartCityX Global Startup Discovery event.
• CIC Japan LLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub and Resource Partner providing workspace and ecosystem support for program activities.
• Government of Catalonia Trade & Investment OfficesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Partner facilitating connections with startups from Catalonia region through ACCIÓ trade and investment office.
• Liil VenturessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Partner providing venture capital perspective and startup ecosystem connections.
• Fukui PrefecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Observer/Partner addressing regional issues including safe mobility, community vitality, and sustainable infrastructure. Participated in telematics project for traffic safety.
• Mie PrefecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner working on sustainable infrastructure, next-generation mobility, and digital residents. Hosted mobile clinic demonstration in Toin Town.
• Shibuya WardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner in Tokyo collaborating on disaster prevention applications and smart city solutions.
• Kaga CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner in Ishikawa Prefecture working on digital residents and next-generation healthcare initiatives.
• Ishikawa PrefecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner joining in Year 3 to address regional challenges through smart city technologies.
• Kashima CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner working on road maintenance solutions and regional development projects.
• Ibaraki PrefecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner joining in Year 3 to participate in smart city innovation initiatives.
• Yokohama CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor city partner in Kanagawa Prefecture joining as Observer municipality for regional revitalization projects.
• Kanagawa PrefecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal Partner joining in Year 3 to collaborate on smart city development initiatives.
• Osaka Chamber of Commerce and IndustrysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic organization partner working on regional development and business co-creation projects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Techstars: Global accelerator running time-boxed cohort programs that match early-stage startups with mentors, corporate partners, and investors. Comparable in program structure and corporate-startup matchmaking model.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global corporate innovation and accelerator platform that matches startups with large enterprise partners across multiple verticals and geographies. Directly comparable to SmartCityX in connecting corporates with startups through cohort-based programs.
• Scrum Ventures: US-Japan based seed-stage VC that operates Scrum Studio Inc., the parent operator of SmartCityX. Runs adjacent vertical open-innovation studios (SPORTS TECH TOKYO, Food Tech Studio - Bites!) that follow the same playbook as SmartCityX.
• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator running cohort-based programs that match founders with corporate partners and follow-on capital. Similar cohort cadence and corporate-startup collaboration model to SmartCityX.
• Startupbootcamp (by Rainmaking): Global accelerator network running industry-specific cohort programs with corporate partners. Comparable program structure and corporate-startup facilitation focus.
• MassChallenge: Global no-equity accelerator running cohort programs that connect early-stage startups with corporate partners, mentors, and pilots. Similar in zero-equity model and corporate-startup match focus.

Regional players

• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japanese governmental trade and investment promotion body and a Resource Partner of SmartCityX. Runs its own programs (e.g., CEATEC startup curation) that overlap with SmartCityX's role of bringing foreign startups into Japan.
• Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ): Japanese public-private innovation fund that supports technology ventures and ecosystem building. Comparable as a Japan-focused innovation intermediary, though more capital-oriented and broader in scope.

Broad incumbents

• Woven by Toyota (Woven Planet): Toyota's mobility innovation arm and a Community Partner of SmartCityX. Operates its own corporate innovation and venture programs focused on autonomous driving and smart mobility, competing for the same Japan corporate-mobility mandate.
• 500 Global (500 Startups): Global venture firm and accelerator running cohort-based programs with corporate partners across multiple geographies. Overlaps with SmartCityX in startup-enterprise matchmaking and global cohort design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Smartcity_x
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartcityx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about SmartCityX