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NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) will begin recruiting partner companies for the fifth phase of its accelerator program "DraPla Innovation Lab" (hereinafter referred to as the Program) from August 1, 2025.

1. 1. Background of program implementation

We have pursued the "safety, security, comfort, and convenience" of our customers, and supported the movement of "people" and "goods" as a company that is responsible for the infrastructure that "connects" regions. In recent years, amid the evolution of technology and the diversification of values in society, we believe that we too need to bring new "value" to the movement of people, goods, and events, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
In order to create and realize new Expressway services, we launched the first accelerator program for a Expressway company in 2021 with the aim of accelerating transformation through co-creation between our company, which has many strengths, and business partners who are aiming for significant growth in various business areas. To date, we have conducted demonstration experiments with 23 partner companies. We are currently conducting demonstration experiments to realize new services, mainly with companies selected in the fourth round of applications.
(See the attached "Reference Materials" [PDF: 466KB].)

2. Program contents

This program aims to solve social issues, update the Expressway business, and create new businesses by working with co-creation partners who have new technologies and innovative business ideas and are eager to innovate for future Expressway and service areas/parking areas (hereinafter referred to as "SA/PA"), in order to solve social issues, update Expressway business, and create new businesses.

3. 3. Recruitment theme

In this program, we are seeking co-creation partners to work on four themes that seek to solve Expressway issues from a wide range of perspectives.

Four themes inviting a wide range of ideas for new Expressway experience value

1. Safety, Security, Comfort, and Convenience Update for the Next Generation Expressway
   The Expressway of NEXCO EAST is 3,943 km long from Hokkaido to Kanto, and is used by 3.02 million vehicles per day. While measures against aging are urgently needed after more than 50 years of construction, the rapid advancement of technology and the spread of self-driving cars and connected cars are becoming a reality, and we will continue to improve "safety and security" and "comfort and convenience" for decades to come. We will continue to improve "safety and security" and "comfort and convenience" for decades to come.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Achieving "safety and security" for the next generation Expressway (203X)
   • Providing “Comfort and Convenience” through New Mobility Experiences
   • Further improving the convenience of Expressway
   • Improving the efficiency and labor-saving of Expressway maintenance work
2. Further increasing the value of service areas and parking areas
   There are 329 SA/PAs in the eastern Japan area, which serve as places of relaxation for customers. They have always supported the local economy and contributed to revitalization by serving as hubs and nodes between regions that "connect" cities and regions, and regions with each other. In addition to existing as "refreshment spaces," SA/PAs will further enhance their value by enhancing their technology and services and providing new customer experiences.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Providing a new customer experience at SA/PA
   • Transforming SA/PA into a place where people gather
   • Creating a place to revitalize the local community
3. Strengthening regional cooperation and creating new businesses based on various assets
   Contact points and driving data with 3.02 million vehicles per day. Businesses such as real estate, finance, and travel. In the diverse and vast fields managed by NEXCO EAST, we will provide new customer experiences by utilizing technology and implementing solutions, and not only improve existing value, but also evolve and deepen into a business entity that provides further added value.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Promoting regional revitalization with SA/PA as hubs
   • Creation of "Mobility Opportunities" and Provision of "Mobility Experiences"
   • New ways to utilize various asset data
4. Sustainable business operations and contribution to the SDGs
   This is a responsibility that comes from being an infrastructure company that supports people's movement and the economy. We will achieve sustainable business operations in any era, including the realization of a carbon-neutral, carbon-free, and recycling-oriented society, measures against natural disasters, improvements to the living environment in local areas and along roads, and the establishment of operating methods that adapt to population decline and aging. Furthermore, we aim to build a scheme that contributes to the sustainability of society as a whole and the SDGs in cooperation with each stakeholder.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Achieving a carbon-neutral, decarbonized society
   • Realization of a sound material-cycle society
   • Stable supply of infrastructure functions

Four. schedule

This program will be implemented according to the following schedule.
As a result of verification in this program, we will consider making further investments for commercialization of initiatives that are judged to be of high value to continue.

• PoC: Abbreviation for Proof of Concept. concept verification
• If you apply by the early application deadline, you will receive a 30-minute feedback interview on your application, as well as the opportunity to reapply based on the feedback you received.
• The number of feedback interviews available is limited, so please apply early.

Five. Qualification requirements

• Being registered as a corporation (regardless of company size)
• Have a product or technology

6. Application method

The "E-NEXCO OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM 2025" will be published on NEXCO EAST DraPla Innovation website. Please apply via the following URL.
https://www.driveplaza.com/innovation_lab/

7. 7. Questions and inquiries regarding this program

　ご質問・お問い合せは、以下までお気軽にお問い合せください。
　プログラム事務局（株式会社eiicon内）　e-nexco-oip@eiicon.net