The article about "MONO Inc. MONO Inc.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Consultation Center for New Business Location conducted an interview with Eiichi Goto, Representative Director, and Masae Saito, Executive Vice President (Location: Koto-ku, Tokyo) of MONO Corporation, which operates the Asia Start-up Office MONO, and published the interview on its website on March 13, 2024. The interview was published on March 13, 2024 (Wednesday) on the website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Corporate Location Consultation Center.

Eiichi Goto, Representative Director of MONO Corporation (right) and Masae Saito, Executive Officer and Deputy Representative Director of MONO Corporation (left)

Advanced coworking spaces that expand the possibilities for manufacturing

Coworking spaces supporting startups are popping up all over Tokyo. One such space is the Asia Startup Office MONO ("MONO"), located in the Rinkai Fukutoshin area of Tokyo's Koto-ku, and since its establishment in 2013, it has attracted many tenants from Japan and abroad and achieved various results, backed by several strengths that make it significantly different from other facilities.

We interviewed a representative of MONO, Inc., the operator of MONO, about its features not often seen in other coworking spaces, what you can do here after moving in as a tenant, and the benefits you can enjoy.

A one-of-a-kind environment with support from both the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

First of all, we asked you about the background of your company's establishment.

There are two main reasons. First, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government designated the Tokyo waterfront subcenter as an "Asian Headquarter Special Zone" along with the areas around the main terminal station and Haneda Airport as part of the International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone following the enactment of the "National Strategic Special Zone Act" in 2013. This special zone is a project to attract Asian business headquarters and R&D centers to Tokyo through a variety of preferential measures, including taxation. MONO was also selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Port and Harbor as a project to promote the development of a MICE center in the Tokyo waterfront subcenter.

Another background is the boom of 3D printers, which have dramatically advanced manufacturing at the startup and individual levels. The year 2013 was a turning point for the 3D printing industry, and it is said to have been a catalyst for the boom.

In 2013, 3D printers and other digital processing machines were recognized as familiar machines, and it was said that the way of manufacturing would change drastically. Not only large corporations, but also small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and individuals can make full use of machines to engage in high-quality manufacturing - in other words, the digital fabrication era has arrived, and this has greatly encouraged the establishment of MONO" (Goto).

In addition, within walking distance of MONO are the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute (TMITRI), which provides technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises in Tokyo, and AIST, one of Japan's largest public research institutes, giving the tenants the unique advantage of having both support through MONO's bridge.

In addition, MONO also provides financing through cooperating financial institutions. For example, MONO is eligible for the Koto-ku Special Business Start-up Support Program, which offers half off the registration and license tax, an expanded line of credit if necessary, and compensated interest. In addition, we provide startup support in all areas, including technical and management support by cooperating manufacturing and development companies, SME diagnosticians, lawyers, etc., business publicity, business negotiations, and investment opportunities through business introductions at industry-academia-government collaboration forums," said Goto.

A variety of startup support information and materials are available in the facility.

Many top-runner companies have left the facility

Now, let's take a look at the actual facility. The most notable feature of the facility is the workshop, which is equipped with a wide variety of digital fabrication equipment, as well as electronic fabrication, woodworking, metal cutting, bending, and other equipment. In principle, residents can use these facilities free of charge for design verification, prototyping, and small-scale production. Many of the startups currently residing in the facility say that "the ability to use a full range of equipment free of charge is a major attraction of MONO.

Another advantage of MONO is the wide variety of spaces available to meet the needs of its users. Private offices with locks, dedicated desks, booths, free seating, and a variety of other workspace options are available.

Some companies have taken full advantage of this environment and achieved success. For example, Japan 3D Printer Co. The company started with about 10 employees, but has now grown to about 50 employees and offers total solutions, including 3D printer selection, materials consulting, data redesign for 3D printers, and installation training. Ltd., which aims to realize a world where people can live with characters under the vision of "Living with Characters," CACH Corporation, which develops IoT-related devices and software and offers a monitoring system that makes it affordable and manpower-saving to detect abnormalities in infrastructure and facilities, and the company's own "Gatebox" company, which provides a "Gatebox" system that enables users to live with their characters. CACH Corporation, which develops IoT-related devices and software, and Bone Rex Corporation, which provides business creation support and designs internal new business systems, are also companies that were born, grew, and spread their wings at MONO," says Goto.

The MONO Workshop is equipped with nearly 20 types of machine tools, including 3D printers, laser cutting machines, CNC cutting machines, and 3D scanners.

A large work space is also available in the workshop.

Advantages of Koto-ku, Rinkai Fukutoshin Location: Easy access to cutting-edge technology development thanks to the government's environmental improvements

Lastly, we asked about the advantages of MONO's location in Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo's Rinkai subcenter.

I would like to reiterate the advantage of having an environment conducive to start-ups. The first is the benefit of the "Rinkai Fukutoshin Aomi District Plan" by Koto Ward. This plan aims to create a "town centered on tourism and exchange" as a lively and attractive exchange area, and a "town for research and development and industrial creation" by guiding research and development and industrial creation facilities centered on the Telecom Center and the University Village for International Research and Exchange, which in turn will have a positive impact on the residents of MONO. We believe this will have a positive impact on the residents of MONO.

Next is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Port and Harbor, in its "Smart Tokyo Implementation Strategy," has been working since February 2020 to create a "Digital Innovation City (DIC)" in the waterfront subcenter to promote the "implementation of digital technology" and the "concentration of startups. As part of these efforts, we have begun to provide support for connecting startups that wish to implement projects for the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in Rinkai Fukutoshin with the area, making it an environment that facilitates demonstration experiments in e-sports, VR, automated driving, 5G, drones, and motion capture, for example. (Mr. Goto)

In addition to the excellent facilities within the facility, MONO is blessed with an excellent surrounding environment, making it possible to pursue even greater originality in manufacturing.

Creative space. The greenery in the foreground on the left and right is "iG," an indoor greening system produced and commercialized in MONO's workshop by Daiwa Lease Co.

Collaboration with overseas educational institutions and incubation facilities is also in progress.

Outline of the facility

Facility Name ： Asia Startup Office MONO

Location ： 14F, East Wing, Telecom Center Building, 2-5-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Facility management and operation: MONO Co.

Establishment ： March 2013

Support: Co-working space with a workshop to support engineers, designers, start-ups, etc.

　　　　　　　　 Co-working space with a workshop to support engineers, designers, startups, etc.

Website ： https://mono.jpn.com/

Information Source

Tokyo Metropolitan Enterprise Location Consultation Center

Home Page： https://ilsc.tokyo/

What is the Tokyo Metropolitan Consultation Center for Companies Location?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Corporate Location Advisory Center provides free consultation for companies and sole proprietors in search of a "location" to establish or expand their business. We will ask you about your desired conditions and make a simultaneous inquiry to private real estate businesses that handle offices, stores, factories, and business sites.

We also provide information on public property information and support systems of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and municipalities in Tokyo.

(The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Business Location Consultation Center is operated by the Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government.)

Articles

Interviews with companies that have located and are active in Tokyo and persons in charge of corporate support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's municipalities are posted on the website of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Consultation Center for Investors in Business Location.

URL: https://ilsc.tokyo/voice/042.html