Business Development Office

For Japanese industry to sustain its competitive edge in the global arena, an emphasis on basic research with a high degree of originality is indispensable. However, sometimes academic circles do not value researchers working for industry in cutting-edge fields of science and technology. With our leading position in basic research, it is RIKEN’s responsibility to change this situation, and to support collaborative research with industry.
The RIKEN Research Cluster for Innovation presents a new model for collaboration between academia and industry with the intention of returning the fruits of research to society quickly and efficiently. Our Business Development Office is in charge of promoting collaborative research by implementing various strategies, such as creating matching funds and establishing collaborative research centers. Our goal is to set up collaborative research projects with industry in a better organized, more strategic manner. We provide a unique service by negotiating directly with management planning departments of corporations in order to start new joint projects that embody RIKEN’s spirit.

Research Subjects

• Moving from individual and RIKEN knowledge to "social wisdom"
• Building a research framework linking RIKEN and industry
• Stimulating strategic joint research (open innovation)
• Expanding the "baton zone" for joint research and technology transfer between industry, academia and government