"FUTURE LENS," a Program Aimed at Promoting Solutions to Social Issues Through Co-creation with Local Social Entrepreneurs, Launches
Applications Open in Mid-December 2024
PRESS RELEASE
2024.11.18
Leveraging expertise in social environment design to help visualize potential social issues and to visualize and systematize the business value of social enterprises
Nikken Sekkei Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Atsushi Omatsu; hereinafter "Nikken Sekkei") will launch the co-creative social environment design program "FUTURE LENS" together with Zebras and Company (Yomi: Zebra and Company, Head Office: Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEOs: Yohei Azakami and Yoshitaka Tabuchi; hereafter Z&C). The entry period is scheduled for mid-December 2024 ~ mid-January 2025.
Additionally, for this initiative, we have published a dialogue article featuring Yohei Azakami, President of Z&C, Atsushi Omatsu, President President and CEO of Nikken Sekkei, and Yurie Kibi, who operates the co-creation platform "PYNT," which is a pioneering initiative. URL：https://note.com/nikken/n/ne9b086872123
Additionally, for this initiative, we have published a dialogue article featuring Yohei Azakami, President of Z&C, Atsushi Omatsu, President President and CEO of Nikken Sekkei, and Yurie Kibi, who operates the co-creation platform "PYNT," which is a pioneering initiative. URL：https://note.com/nikken/n/ne9b086872123
What is the collaborative social and environmental design program "FUTURE LENS"?
This program was designed as a mechanism to share these social entrepreneurs’ “Future Lens”—their perspective on the future—with society by “systematizing” the value of their initiatives, which are rooted in their local communities, and “visualizing” social issues they are among the first to identify.A key feature of this program is that, in addition to providing funding for pilot studies, Nikken Sekkei’s PYNT team and Z&C offer ongoing support.
“The value of the projects undertaken by local social entrepreneurs has not been quantified.”For challenges such as “I want to structure the issues to take my business a step forward” or “I don’t know how to expand into the community,” we respond by leveraging Nikken Sekkei’s perspective on social and environmental design—which involves connecting expertise and people, coordinating stakeholders, and taking concrete steps to implement solutions in the community—along with our technical capabilities in visualization, quantification, and system development.
By leveraging the experience and expertise Nikken Sekkei has cultivated over more than 120 years, combined with Z&C’s ability to build businesses that address social issues and its capacity to support project implementation, we aim to advance initiatives that contribute to solving social issues.
“The value of the projects undertaken by local social entrepreneurs has not been quantified.”For challenges such as “I want to structure the issues to take my business a step forward” or “I don’t know how to expand into the community,” we respond by leveraging Nikken Sekkei’s perspective on social and environmental design—which involves connecting expertise and people, coordinating stakeholders, and taking concrete steps to implement solutions in the community—along with our technical capabilities in visualization, quantification, and system development.
By leveraging the experience and expertise Nikken Sekkei has cultivated over more than 120 years, combined with Z&C’s ability to build businesses that address social issues and its capacity to support project implementation, we aim to advance initiatives that contribute to solving social issues.
<Pre-registration/Application Period>
・Scheduled for mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025
<Number of Participating Organizations>
・Approximately 3 organizations (planned)
<Amount and Duration>
・Up to 5 million yen per organization per year
・Generally a two-year term (however, a decision on continuation will be made annually based on performance reports and other factors)
<Ongoing Support>
・The PYNT team, composed of Nikken Sekkei employees, will provide ongoing support for the program
*As a general rule, support is limited to activities related to this program
*In addition to Nikken Sekkei employees, employees from PYNT’s co-creation partner companies (non-Nikken Sekkei personnel) may participate.
*Further details are scheduled to be announced on the official website around mid-December.
・Scheduled for mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025
<Number of Participating Organizations>
・Approximately 3 organizations (planned)
<Amount and Duration>
・Up to 5 million yen per organization per year
・Generally a two-year term (however, a decision on continuation will be made annually based on performance reports and other factors)
<Ongoing Support>
・The PYNT team, composed of Nikken Sekkei employees, will provide ongoing support for the program
*As a general rule, support is limited to activities related to this program
*In addition to Nikken Sekkei employees, employees from PYNT’s co-creation partner companies (non-Nikken Sekkei personnel) may participate.
*Further details are scheduled to be announced on the official website around mid-December.
Why Nikken Sekkei is launching 'FUTURE LENS'
Nikken Sekkei, which aims to evolve into a social environment design platform, will work to solve increasingly complex social issues by engaging not only internal staff but also companies, universities, andgovernment agencies, and NPOs—to address increasingly complex social challenges. The company launched “PYNT,” a collaborative space designed to promote open innovation, on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Consequently, in addition to strengthening matchmaking with partners who share our sense of purpose, developing tools, and implementing initiatives to enhance the clarity of our projects, we have launched this “FUTURE LENS” program to “support social implementation starting from the initiatives of social entrepreneurs with ties to local communities.”
Nikken Sekkei has been involved in urban planning and community development—as exemplified by the Shibuya Redevelopment Project and the Umeda Phase 2 District Development—and has worked to visualize and quantify challenges in order to build consensus among numerous stakeholders.Through this program, we aim to leverage these strengths, along with PYNT’s platform and network, to visualize the business challenges faced by local social entrepreneurs and systematize the value of their initiatives, thereby vigorously advancing the social implementation of solutions to these challenges.
Nikken Sekkei has been involved in urban planning and community development—as exemplified by the Shibuya Redevelopment Project and the Umeda Phase 2 District Development—and has worked to visualize and quantify challenges in order to build consensus among numerous stakeholders.Through this program, we aim to leverage these strengths, along with PYNT’s platform and network, to visualize the business challenges faced by local social entrepreneurs and systematize the value of their initiatives, thereby vigorously advancing the social implementation of solutions to these challenges.
Why Z&C Is Collaborating with Nikken Sekkei on “FUTURE LENS”
Since founding Z&C in 2021, we have aimed to create a society where the concept of “Zebra Companies—businesses that balance economic viability with social responsibility”—is consciously implemented and spreads throughout the business world. To this end, while investing in and providing management support to Zebra Companies, we have collaborated with local governments, government agencies, andcompanies of all sizes, and NPOs—across various sectors—to “build an ecosystem for Zebra Companies.”
The fact that we are using the power of business to solve challenges traditionally addressed by the public sector—while reducing administrative costs and creating sustainable initiatives—is beginning to be viewed as a form of “mutual aid.”
However, even though we use the single term “Zebra Companies,” the social issues they confront are diverse—ranging from “seeking regional sustainability,” “building an inclusive society through women’s health issues,” “climate change countermeasures and the restoration of marine biodiversity,”and “bridging the boundaries of researchers’ wisdom to generate fundamental innovation.” Understanding each of these individually requires a vast amount of foundational knowledge and an grasp of underlying structures. “Visualizing” the underlying structures driving these initiatives is no easy task, and because the systematic approaches needed to change these structures are complex, it is sometimes difficult to convey their significance concisely.
Through our current collaboration with Nikken Sekkei, we aim to use the “FUTURE LENS” program to visualize and systematize the value that local “Zebra Companies” have been unable to fully convey until now, and we hope to work together to build a better future for both cities and regions.
The fact that we are using the power of business to solve challenges traditionally addressed by the public sector—while reducing administrative costs and creating sustainable initiatives—is beginning to be viewed as a form of “mutual aid.”
However, even though we use the single term “Zebra Companies,” the social issues they confront are diverse—ranging from “seeking regional sustainability,” “building an inclusive society through women’s health issues,” “climate change countermeasures and the restoration of marine biodiversity,”and “bridging the boundaries of researchers’ wisdom to generate fundamental innovation.” Understanding each of these individually requires a vast amount of foundational knowledge and an grasp of underlying structures. “Visualizing” the underlying structures driving these initiatives is no easy task, and because the systematic approaches needed to change these structures are complex, it is sometimes difficult to convey their significance concisely.
Through our current collaboration with Nikken Sekkei, we aim to use the “FUTURE LENS” program to visualize and systematize the value that local “Zebra Companies” have been unable to fully convey until now, and we hope to work together to build a better future for both cities and regions.
What FUTURE LENS aims for
Leveraging Nikken Sekkei’s expertise and collaborating with local social entrepreneurs, we are working to create mechanisms aimed at solving broader social issues.Furthermore, by applying the insights and experience gained through this program—including skills that enhance our ability to identify latent needs in daily life—to the cities of the future, we will pioneer social and environmental design and realize the creation of new value in future cities.
Regarding the future plans for 'FUTURE LENS'
The selection process and schedule are tentatively set out below.
*Details are scheduled to be announced in December.
① Program Information Sessions
We will hold two information sessions for this program on December 18 and 19, 2024.
Please register and view details via the Peatix link below. We hope you’ll join us.
https://futurelens.peatix.com
② Pre-registration / Official Application
Scheduled from mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025
*We plan to send information regarding the information sessions, deadlines, and other details to those who have completed pre-registration.
*After pre-registration, please submit your application documents via email to complete your application.
③ Notification of Screening Results
Scheduled for around the end of January 2025
④ Review Panel (Pitch)
We plan to hold pitch evaluations for companies that pass the document screening from around the end of February to the end of March 2025.
*The event is scheduled to take place at Nikken Sekkei’s headquarters or online.
⑤ Notification of Selection Results
Scheduled for late March to early April 2025
*Details are scheduled to be announced in December.
① Program Information Sessions
We will hold two information sessions for this program on December 18 and 19, 2024.
Please register and view details via the Peatix link below. We hope you’ll join us.
https://futurelens.peatix.com
② Pre-registration / Official Application
Scheduled from mid-December 2024 to mid-January 2025
*We plan to send information regarding the information sessions, deadlines, and other details to those who have completed pre-registration.
*After pre-registration, please submit your application documents via email to complete your application.
③ Notification of Screening Results
Scheduled for around the end of January 2025
④ Review Panel (Pitch)
We plan to hold pitch evaluations for companies that pass the document screening from around the end of February to the end of March 2025.
*The event is scheduled to take place at Nikken Sekkei’s headquarters or online.
⑤ Notification of Selection Results
Scheduled for late March to early April 2025
Comments from Those Involved
Mr. Yohei Azagami, Representative Director, Zebras and Company, Inc.
I am delighted to be able to present the results of the discussions I’ve had with the team at Nikken Sekkei—discussions sparked by my role as a judge for the 2023 “EI Award,” which recognizes outstanding in-house programs at Nikken Sekkei—regarding how the company engages with local communities to provide insights for the cities and societies of the future.
Through my work building an ecosystem for “Zebra Companies,” I have observed that many local businesses possess the characteristics of Zebra Companies, and I have sensed the potential in their community-building efforts to demonstrate new forms of community life and ways of engaging with nature and agriculture.
However, I’ve observed that many local Zebra companies—even those engaged in highly meaningful and valuable initiatives—struggle with the complexity of the challenges they face and the solutions they develop. As a result, many find it difficult to “convey their business activities concisely” or “visualize the value of what they’ve accomplished.” I believe “FUTURE LENS” will serve as a powerful tool to support these community-building efforts.
Through my work building an ecosystem for “Zebra Companies,” I have observed that many local businesses possess the characteristics of Zebra Companies, and I have sensed the potential in their community-building efforts to demonstrate new forms of community life and ways of engaging with nature and agriculture.
However, I’ve observed that many local Zebra companies—even those engaged in highly meaningful and valuable initiatives—struggle with the complexity of the challenges they face and the solutions they develop. As a result, many find it difficult to “convey their business activities concisely” or “visualize the value of what they’ve accomplished.” I believe “FUTURE LENS” will serve as a powerful tool to support these community-building efforts.
President and CEO, Representative Director, Nikken Sekkei, Ltd. Atsushi Omatsu
Since its founding in 1900 (Meiji 33), Nikken Sekkei has spent approximately 120 years working as a “company that designs social environments” to meet a wide range of client needs.While we have been involved in numerous urban development projects centered on the Tokyo metropolitan area, there are certain sentiments and challenges specific to local communities—ones that are often difficult to perceive from within Tokyo—that can be felt with remarkable clarity when we take a close look at those “regions.”
We launched the “FUTURE LENS” project with the aim of revitalizing such communities, engaging with them more deeply and thoughtfully, and creating “new options for the future of our towns.”By co-creating initiatives that draw not only on Nikken Sekkei’s resources and employees but also on external partners, we hope to quantify the value of these communities—something we haven’t been able to do before—and create opportunities to further enhance that value.
Furthermore, we met Zebra & Company during the conceptual phase and deeply resonated with their concept of balancing economic viability and social impact. We’ve engaged in in-depth discussions about mechanisms for solving social issues and fostering co-creation, drawing on examples of Zebra companies that have established connections with their communities.I am very pleased that we were able to create an implementation program together while incorporating this approach into Nikken Sekkei’s project and deepening our understanding of the future role of companies and their contributions to the local economy.
We launched the “FUTURE LENS” project with the aim of revitalizing such communities, engaging with them more deeply and thoughtfully, and creating “new options for the future of our towns.”By co-creating initiatives that draw not only on Nikken Sekkei’s resources and employees but also on external partners, we hope to quantify the value of these communities—something we haven’t been able to do before—and create opportunities to further enhance that value.
Furthermore, we met Zebra & Company during the conceptual phase and deeply resonated with their concept of balancing economic viability and social impact. We’ve engaged in in-depth discussions about mechanisms for solving social issues and fostering co-creation, drawing on examples of Zebra companies that have established connections with their communities.I am very pleased that we were able to create an implementation program together while incorporating this approach into Nikken Sekkei’s project and deepening our understanding of the future role of companies and their contributions to the local economy.
About Nikken Sekkei
Nikken Sekkei is a professional services firm specializing in architectural and civil engineering design and supervision, urban design, and related research, planning, and consulting services. For 120 years since its founding in 1900, Nikken Sekkei has been committed to creating value through "social environment design," which aims to solve both explicit and implicit social issues, in order to meet the demands of society and the diverse needs of its clients. To date, it has been involved in various projects in Japan, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East, and in recent years has expanded into India and Europe.
About Zebras and Company, Inc.
Under the theme “Different Scale, Different Future” (If we have a new yardstick, new growth will emerge and a new future can be created), we are a company that provides investment and management support with the goal of creating a “kind, healthy, and joyful society” where everyone can take on the challenge of solving social issues and achieving sustainable, healthy corporate management.Through investment and management support, collaboration with government agencies and financial institutions, and research and outreach regarding “Zebra Companies,” we are systematizing Zebra-style management. Our goal is to create a world where the concept of “Zebra Companies” is implemented across all businesses, thereby expanding the possibilities for new business models.
Contact information regarding this matter
株式会社日建設計 広報室 Tel. 03-5226-3030 e-mail：webmaster@nikken.jp
SHARE
