UPCYCLE Technologies Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) has been selected as a participating company and named a finalist in SOCIALX ACCELERATION PROGRAM GUNMA 2026, organized by Gunma Prefecture.
The program aims to address challenges faced by municipalities across Gunma Prefecture through public-private collaboration, leveraging companies’ technologies and business solutions. Finalists are provided with opportunities to develop their proposals through workshops and mentoring by professionals experienced in public-private collaboration.
Sawa Takami, Business Development Manager at the Company, is scheduled to present at the final judging event on January 22, 2027. She will introduce the Company’s business proposal for addressing regional challenges through the recovery and utilization of organic waste using its proprietary catalytic low-temperature carbonization technology.
About SOCIALX ACCELERATION PROGRAM GUNMA 2026
The program is an acceleration initiative focused on green innovation, carbon neutrality, the circular economy, and nature-positive solutions. It aims to address regional and social challenges in Gunma Prefecture while supporting sustainable business growth.
A key feature of the program is its approach to developing business solutions based on challenges identified by local municipalities. These challenges cover a range of areas, including food waste reduction and resource circulation, renewable energy adoption, and environmental conservation.
Rather than focusing solely on presenting business ideas, the program encourages companies to explore opportunities for demonstration projects and practical implementation through co-creation with municipalities, creating both regional value and new business opportunities.
Developing Business Proposals Through Mentoring
Finalists are offered workshops focused on designing demonstration projects and approximately three months of mentoring by professionals specializing in public-private co-creation. The program also provides opportunities to exchange ideas with municipalities and local businesses, helping participants refine their proposals based on actual regional needs.
The Company develops solutions to reduce the volume of organic waste, including food and agricultural residues, and recover valuable resources through its proprietary catalytic low-temperature carbonization technology. By treating waste close to where it is generated and exploring the use of recovered materials as fuel and soil improvement materials, the Company aims to establish locally integrated resource circulation systems.
Through the program, the Company plans to explore how its technology can address challenges identified by municipalities in Gunma Prefecture, particularly those related to food waste and resource circulation. Mentoring will help refine the proposed applications and assess their feasibility in response to local needs.
Public-Private Co-creation Through the Reverse Proposal Model
Another distinctive feature of the program is its use of the “Reverse Proposal” model developed by Social X Inc., a framework designed to facilitate co-creation between companies and local governments.
Under this model, companies present social challenges or themes they wish to address, and municipalities respond with proposals for potential initiatives and co-creation. By combining the strengths and resources of both parties, the model seeks to create opportunities for demonstration projects and new business development.
Companies receiving awards at the final judging event are expected to receive support for matching with municipalities in Gunma Prefecture through the Reverse Proposal model, as well as assistance in developing potential demonstration projects. This provides a pathway for testing business solutions in local communities and advancing their practical implementation.
Scheduled to Present at the Final Judging Event on January 22, 2027
The final judging event is scheduled to take place on January 22, 2027, at NETSUGEN, the public-private co-creation space on the 32nd floor of the Gunma Prefectural Government Office.
Sawa Takami, the Company’s Business Development Manager, is scheduled to present a business proposal refined through the mentoring process. The proposal will focus on utilizing local organic waste resources to reduce waste management burdens while promoting effective resource recovery and utilization.
Through its participation in the program, the Company aims to deepen its understanding of challenges faced by local municipalities and develop resource circulation models suited to regional needs. Guided by its vision of “Building Infrastructure that Transforms Waste into Resources,” the Company will continue working toward the practical implementation of its technology through public-private co-creation.
