Aichi Startup Center

The Aichi Startup Center was newly established on the second floor of STATION Ai, a startup support center developed by Aichi Prefecture.

Aichi Prefecture has long been home to many entrepreneurs who have developed the prefecture's industries. In order to understand the encounters and ideas they had, and how they overcame adversity and created innovation, we aimed to create an exhibition that would provide timeless ``!'' encounters that would inspire creativity and give hints for the future for those about to start their own businesses and the children of the next generation through encounters with the beliefs, spirit of challenge, and displays of these entrepreneurs.

The museum is divided into four zones and introduces a wide range of topics, from the roots of Aichi's industry to the challenges faced by the many entrepreneurs with ties to Aichi. The museum also features experiential displays that make full use of video, AI, and other digital technologies, providing a sensory and moving learning experience for everyone, from children to adults.

In addition to the digital displays, we have also set up a library with books selected to accompany the facility's content.

With the intention of leading these various displays contents, which combine digital and analog, beyond time and space into the future, we have realized a flexible, streamlined spatial concept design by incorporating the three elements that created Aichi - wood, water, and earth - into the spatial components.

1) Obtain cooperation and understanding for this displays from over 50 companies with ties to Aichi Prefecture, and collect information related to the content of displays.
2) displays must be appropriate for STATION Ai, a base for the highly sensitive innovators of the future.
3) As the facility is located within a park, we will explore ways of displays that will interest children and school groups.
There were more requests than this.

Regarding ①, we were able to share our common objectives and displays rules with each company at an early stage by holding simultaneous online information sessions for the target companies.
In addition, by setting up a dedicated contact point for each target company, we are creating a system that also takes hospitality into consideration, and by building an online platform where information and progress can be shared, we are able to collect displays information appropriately and efficiently.
Regarding ②, when introducing founders, the majority of facilities generally display vast amounts of information on graphic panels and use concept design that exude a sense of grandeur and history. However, we took on the challenge of creating a spatial concept design that respects the past while also conveying a future-oriented concept, and actively incorporating new technologies such as the digitization of information, the latest sensing technology, and AI.
Finally, for ③, we create learning opportunities by incorporating visual content that children can intuitively understand, as well as interactive and experiential content. We also create worksheets for each grade, from elementary school to junior high school, and incorporate mechanisms to deepen learning according to the level of knowledge.