ReGACY Innovation Group

What ReGACY Innovation Group does

ReGACY Innovation Group Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-headquartered innovation management and venture commercialization firm founded in February 2022 by Koichi Naruse. The company integrates management consulting methodology with venture capital approaches to provide end-to-end co-creation support — from exploration through commercialization to monetization — for legacy Japanese corporates, prefectural and municipal governments, universities, and startups. ReGACY's core products are accelerator and open-innovation programs operated on behalf of clients, including Panasonic Accelerator by Electric Works Company (6-year flagship), Triangle Ehime (digital implementation, 5-year operating secretariat), Takehara DX, Sendai Startup Studio, Iwata City Co-creation Project, Sapporo Deeptech Bridge Program, Chiba Deep Tech Startup Creation Support, Izumisano Startup Support Program, and Chiyoda Co-Creation Challenge. Underlying capabilities include program design, startup sourcing and curation, on-site program management (with dedicated staff in regional offices), CVC establishment consulting, and co-investment in portfolio startups (Blossom Energy, ATOMica, ESREE Energy). The firm also operates a China subsidiary in Shenzhen for Japan-Asia cross-border innovation collaboration via BEYOND Expo and the Japan Tech Forum, and in April 2026 launched Absolute Boyfriend (Zettai♥Kareshi), a LINE-based AI companion service for personal financial planning.

ReGACY's revenue model is primarily professional-services-based, with fees earned through contracted program management, consulting, and project work for corporate and government clients, supplemented by equity returns from startup co-investments. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; programs are funded via government budgets or corporate open-innovation line items, and some offer co-creation subsidies (e.g., up to ¥1 million per project in Iwata City; up to ¥30 million per project in Triangle Ehime General Category). GTM combines direct enterprise and public-sector sales, event-driven cross-border business matching (BEYOND Expo), and community-led demo days and program websites. Customers span technology/electronics (Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba), construction (Shimizu), transportation (Keio, Nankai), energy (Chugoku Electric Power Network), banking (MUFG, Mizuho), and more than 11 prefectural/municipal governments across Japan, with a 900+ program cumulative track record and ~200 researchers supported.

Name

ReGACY Innovation Group

Legal name

ReGACY Innovation Group Co., Ltd.

Website

https://regacy-innovation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ReGACY Innovation Group is a Tokyo-founded (2022) innovation management firm that designs and operates accelerator programs and open-innovation consulting for Japanese corporates, prefectural/municipal governments, universities, and startups, integrating management consulting with venture capital methodology across the full commercialization lifecycle.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Innovation Consulting

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Open innovation services
• Accelerator program management
• Corporate innovation consulting
• Startup ecosystem support
• Regional innovation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Innovation Program Design and Management: ReGACY designs and operates accelerator programs, open innovation challenges, and DX promotion projects on behalf of corporate clients and local government agencies. Revenue is earned through contracted program fees, management fees, and success-based compensation tied to program outcomes.
2. Startup Investment and Co-investment: ReGACY makes direct investments in startups through its ecosystem activities (e.g., investment in ESREE Energy, Blossom Energy). Returns come from equity appreciation and exit events.
3. Consulting and Strategy Services: The company provides innovation strategy formulation, implementation management, CVC establishment support, and organizational design services to large corporations and municipalities. Fees are charged on a project or retainer basis.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ReGACY Innovation Group designs and operates open-innovation programs (corporate accelerators, municipal DX projects, university commercialization tracks) on behalf of large Japanese corporations and local governments, providing end-to-end co-creation support from exploration through commercialization and monetization. The firm combines management consulting methodology with venture capital practices to curate startup cohorts, run program operations, and co-invest in selected startups.

Product overview

ReGACY Innovation Group is a comprehensive innovation company that provides end-to-end co-creation support integrating management consulting and venture capital methodologies. The company operates across multiple accelerator programs and support services including: Panasonic Accelerator by Electric Works Company (for well-being and energy management); Izumisano Startup Support Program (circular economy focus); SENDAI Startup Studio and SSLP (startup launch support); Takehara DX (Deep Tech and Digital Tech); Iwata City Co-creation Project; Chiba Prefecture Deep Tech Startup Creation Support; Sapporo Deeptech Bridge Program; Triangle Ehime (Japan's largest digital implementation project); and Sendai Healthcare Startup Demonstration Promotion Center. The company also developed 'Absolute Boyfriend' (Zettai♥Kareshi), a LINE-based AI service for personal financial planning. Additionally, ReGACY has invested in deep tech ventures including Blossom Energy (Japan's first thermal storage boiler) and ESREE Energy (gravel heat storage technology). The portfolio includes various deep tech products such as Ambient Power Generation™, TIISA® super-insulating material, and waveguide-based wireless power transfer technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Panasonic Accelerator by Electric Works Company Joint accelerator program with Panasonic Electric Works setting co-creation themes in well-being and energy management, promoting demonstration and commercialization with selected startups for social implementation.
• Takehara DX Accelerator program jointly operated with Takehara City selecting startups with deep tech and digital tech solutions to address regional issues and create new industries, with selected startups physically based in Takehara City.
• Triangle Ehime Ehime Prefecture's digital implementation acceleration project, one of Japan's largest by a local government, promoting regional digital-technology adoption with subsidy support up to ¥30 million per project.
• Sendai Startup Studio One-stop startup support center operated jointly with ATOMica for Sendai City, providing integrated consultation and individualized assistance through industry-academia-government-finance collaboration.
• SENDAI Startup Studio Launch Program (SSLP) Short-term intensive support program for entrepreneurs in early business stages featuring boot camps, hands-on commercialization work, and expert mentorship as part of the Sendai Startup Studio.
• Izumisano Startup Support Program Startup accelerator program focused on the circular economy and resource recycling theme, connecting startups with local businesses in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture and supporting business verification through demonstrations.
• Chiba Prefecture Deep Tech Startup Creation Support Program Nine-month intensive support program for researchers in deep tech fields with promising technological seeds, providing mentoring, business model development, IP strategy support, and funding assistance.
• Sapporo Deeptech Bridge Program Joint program with Sapporo City supporting bio and medical deep tech startups with up to ¥1 million per company for demonstration and collaboration costs alongside ongoing commercialization support.
• Iwata City Startup Co-creation Project Co-creation subsidy program supporting SMEs and startups in Iwata City through demonstration experiments and prototype development with local companies, including subsidies up to ¥1 million per project.
• Chiyoda Co-Creation Challenge (Chiyoda CCC) New business creation support program for SMEs in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, using open innovation methods to connect SMEs with external partners for solving sales expansion and new business creation challenges.
• Sendai Healthcare Startup Demonstration Promotion Center Initiative supporting social implementation of startups utilizing digital technologies to solve challenges in medical and nursing care fields, creating demonstration opportunities and providing fundraising support.
• Absolute Boyfriend (Zettai♥Kareshi) LINE-based AI companion service for personal financial planning and life organization, featuring three AI boyfriend characters with different personalities providing financial consultation, expense tracking, and goal setting through conversational interface.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 900 business development programs conducted and more than 200 researchers supported nationwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Iwata City, Shizuoka PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026ReGACY launched a co-creation subsidy and support program with Iwata City, offering up to ¥1 million per collaborative project for startups co-developing with local SMEs. ReGACY also serves as 'Industrial Innovation Manager' for Iwata City.
• ATOMica Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 April 2026ReGACY and ATOMica were jointly awarded the contract for Sendai City's 'Startup Studio Promotion Services' — operating a one-stop support hub for startup creation. Both companies co-manage the Sendai Startup Studio. ATOMica also jointly serves as secretariat for Miyazaki Prefecture's 'hinata STARs' project.
• Panasonic Corporation (Electric Works Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026ReGACY co-hosts the 'Panasonic Accelerator by Electric Works Company' program, selecting and supporting startups for co-creation themes in well-being and energy management. This is a flagship multi-year program entering its sixth year in 2026, with demo days and award presentations. Awards given include President's Award (ANACITY), Accelerate Award (T2 Co., Ltd.), and Excellence Award (Wavelogy Co., Ltd., Engate Co., Ltd.).
• Izumisano City, Osaka PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2025ReGACY and LIA launched the 'Izumisano Startup Support Program' in FY2025 with the theme of 'circular economy/resource recycling economy.' Five startups were selected and conducted demonstration projects with local companies. The program continues in FY2026.
• BEYOND ExpocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021ReGACY has been a global partner of BEYOND Expo since 2021, acting as a bridge for innovation between Japan and Asia. It co-hosts the 'Japan Tech Forum' and invitation-only business matching sessions at the event in Macau, facilitating connections between Japanese companies/governments and Asian startups.
• Local Innovation Association (LIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIA is a group company of ReGACY Innovation Group. Together, they implement accelerator programs with local governments (e.g., Takehara DX, Izumisano Startup Support Program). LIA leads Japan's progress by creating innovation schemes in collaboration with central government, local governments, and industry-academia-government-finance-civilian stakeholders.
• Shimizu CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates the 'SHIMZ NEXT' accelerator program to identify global co-creation partner companies for Shimizu Corporation's innovation initiatives. 16 global co-creation partner companies have been determined for the program.
• Toshiba CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts 'Toshiba OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM' to source and develop startup technologies aligned with Toshiba's strategic priorities. Participating companies are selected through a public call.
• Sharp CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program with Sharp Corporation aiming to realize a 'Game Changer' through co-creation with startups, leveraging Sharp's technology assets and ReGACY's startup ecosystem.
• Keio Electric Railway Co., Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts 'KEIO OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM' with Keio Electric Railway, focused on 'Railway Business Transformation' and 'Mobility/Town Creation.' The program supports startups working on transportation and community innovation.
• Chugoku Electric Power Network Co., Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts open innovation program 'Co-Creation with Network' to solve regional issues and develop new businesses in the Chugoku region. The first commercialization from this program was 'Aqua Shift,' a small-scale decentralized water supply service.
• Panasonic ChinamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY and Panasonic China select collaborative partners to accelerate open innovation under the philosophy of 'China for China, China for Global.' ReGACY holds networking events with Panasonic China and Shenzhen Angel Fund to promote open innovation.
• Makuake Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO of Makuake participated as a panelist at Japan Tech Forum at BEYOND Expo 2026, discussing strategies for entering the Japanese market with innovative hardware from China and Asia.
• IVS (Independent Venture Spirits)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLed a Japanese VC and startup delegation of over 30 members to BEYOND Expo 2026, participating in the Japan Tech Forum and business matching sessions organized by ReGACY.
• Hong Kong Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated as a delegation in the Japan Tech Forum co-hosted by ReGACY at BEYOND Expo, contributing to cross-border innovation exchange between Japan and Asia.
• SwiftLinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY launched a global co-creation program through a business partnership with SwiftLink, expanding its international startup collaboration network.
• AEON MALL (China)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY supports the AEON MALL China Accelerator Program, connecting the retail ecosystem with innovative startups for co-creation opportunities.
• Takehara City, Hiroshima PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-implements 'Takehara DX' accelerator program since FY2023. 15 startups have been selected and are actually staying in Takehara City, conducting demonstrations with local businesses. The program aims to create industrial clusters and generate jobs.
• Ehime PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY has been selected as the operating secretariat for 'Triangle Ehime' for the fifth consecutive year since the project's 2022 launch — Japan's largest digital implementation acceleration project with ~1,500 applications and 115+ projects created.
• Sendai City, Miyagi PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY operates the 'Sendai Startup Studio' as a one-stop support hub for startups, commissioned jointly with ATOMica. The studio provides business consulting, acceleration programs, expert networks, and networking events. A dedicated Healthcare Startup Demonstration Promotion Center is also operated.
• Chiba PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY jointly implements the 'FY2026 Deep Tech Startup Creation Support Project' with Chiba Prefecture, targeting technological seeds from universities and research institutions. Selected participants receive approximately nine months of intensive mentoring support.
• Sapporo City, HokkaidomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY operates the 'Sapporo Deeptech Bridge Program 2026' for bio and medical deep tech startups. This is the third year of collaboration. Two selected companies receive up to ¥1 million each for demonstration and collaboration costs.
• Fukui PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts 'CO-FUKUI Future Technology Utilization Project' to solve local issues using advanced technology, selecting companies for demonstration experiments. Multiple cohorts have been run since 2023.
• Saitama PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-implements 'Open Innovation Saitama' program promoting open innovation among companies in Saitama Prefecture, selecting and supporting startups and SMEs.
• Miyazaki PrefecturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY and ATOMica jointly serve as secretariat for the startup creation and growth promotion project 'hinata STARs' with Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Chiyoda Ward, TokyomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY operates 'Chiyoda Co-Creation Challenge (CCC),' a new business creation support program for SMEs in Chiyoda Ward. About 4 cases are selected per year, with support from problem identification through to implementation.
• Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY is involved in multiple Tokyo Metropolitan Government programs: 'Be Smart Tokyo' smart service implementation promotion project, 'University-based Startup Creation Support Project,' and '5G technology utilization type development promotion project' (GO BEYOND DIMENSIONS TOKYO).
• Tokyo University of SciencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to build a university-based startup creation model in the life sciences field through the TOKYO SUTEAM partnership project. ReGACY conducts interviews and provides business development support.
• Kumamoto UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKumamoto University and ReGACY jointly launch the 'URA Co-Creation Accelerator Program' to support the commercialization of on-campus research seeds and create R&D startups.
• Hiroshima National College of Technology (KOSEN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates 'KOSEN Incubate Committee (KIC),' a technical college student entrepreneurship development project. The program expanded to 18 teams from 12 schools in 2023 and continues with inter-college certified subjects.
• Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the 'Beyond the Border 2026' business creation support program, aiming for future mobility and town creation in partnership with Nankai Electric Railway.
• NOF CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-academia contract research type open innovation program in the electronics field, with NOF challenging the creation of innovative materials and selecting companies for the program.
• Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts 'KUMIHIMO Tech Camp with Murata,' a business co-creation project soliciting ideas using Murata hardware, fostering innovation in connected device applications.
• Keikyu CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewed 'KEIKYU ACCELERATOR PROGRAM' to a constant recruiting model, promoting new themes for mobility and town creation with ReGACY as the operating partner.
• Tawaramoto Town / Nara Chuo Shinkin BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReGACY signed a partnership agreement with Tawaramoto Town, Nara Chuo Shinkin Bank, and Tawaramoto Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry to revitalize the region through new industry creation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Accenture Japan: Global consulting incumbent with a major Japanese practice covering innovation consulting, technology transformation, and corporate venture services. Competes with ReGACY on innovation strategy mandates at Japanese enterprises.
• Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting: Large Japanese consulting arm of Deloitte that offers innovation strategy, CVC advisory, and open innovation program design as part of broader management consulting portfolio. Overlaps ReGACY's consulting and strategy services but as part of a much larger practice.

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Japan: Japanese arm of global Plug and Play accelerator; directly competes with ReGACY in operating corporate accelerator programs for large Japanese enterprises (Sumitomo Mitsui, Mitsubishi Corporation, etc.) and connecting them with global startups. Similar business model of program operation plus equity participation.
• Sunbridge Inc. Japanese innovation services and venture capital firm that supports corporate open innovation, startup acceleration, and government regional revitalization programs. Comparable operator-accelerator-investor model.
• Creww Inc. Japan's largest open innovation platform; runs corporate-startup matching programs for major Japanese corporates (including Panasonic, with whom ReGACY also works) and operates government innovation initiatives. Same target market of legacy Japanese organizations seeking startup partnerships.
• Alpha Drive Inc. Japanese innovation consulting and venture building firm; provides corporate innovation programs, new business incubation, and CVC advisory to major Japanese corporates. Closely comparable mix of consulting methodology and venture-style execution that ReGACY positions itself with.
• ATOMica Inc. Japanese startup studio operator jointly partnering with ReGACY on Sendai Startup Studio and hinata STARs (Miyazaki); runs regional one-stop support hubs for entrepreneurs. Peer in the same accelerator-as-a-service and public-sector commissioning model.
• SUNDRED Inc. Japanese venture builder supporting corporate innovation and startup partnerships, particularly for regional government and large enterprise transformation. Directly comparable in operating accelerator programs and consulting on open innovation strategy.

Regional players

• Innovation Dojo / IVS (Independent Venture Spirits): Japan-focused startup events organization that runs IVS conferences and startup delegations (including BEYOND Expo). While primarily an events business, it operates in adjacent territory around Japanese startup-corporate engagement.

Emerging players

• Impact Hub Tokyo: Tokyo-based social innovation hub that runs accelerator programs and supports impact-driven startups; comparable in providing cohort-based acceleration services to early-stage ventures, with overlap in startup ecosystem engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RegacyInnovGr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about ReGACY Innovation Group