We have launched the “KIBINOVE×HAGIHARA Co-creation PoC Program 2026,” a hands-on product development program for students, in collaboration with Organization for Research and Innovation Strategy, Okayama University.

Based on the concept of “Step beyond and create (HAMIDASE AMIDASE),” this co-creation program encourages students to take on the challenge of product planning using our technology from their own ideas of “what they truly want”. Through this program, students can practically experience manufacture process, from idea generation, prototype, quality verification, consideration of sales strategies, and also sales through e-commerce channels.

The program has been implemented through KIBINOVE, a platform where companies and Okayama University collaborate to pursue the creation of new value. Through exposure to free-thinking ideas and fresh perspectives of students, we hope to identify new product ideas and market needs, that cannot realize only our own company.

In the first session, participating students brought ideas together under the theme “Products they would genuinely be willing to pay for,” and developed concepts while exploring the underlying needs and issues in depth. Lively discussions were held on a wide range of themes, including disaster preparedness, outdoor activities, and storage products, resulting in many unique ideas born from students’ perspectives.

In the second session, a factory tour was held at our headquarters plant. Participating students observed the manufacturing processes for products such as blue sheets, as well as processing technologies for products including cloth sheets and mesh sheets, had firsthand experience of the manufacturing site. After the factory tour, the students took part in group work, while deepening their understand of our technologies to further develop their ideas.

Going forward, interim presentations will be held to select the idea for next stage PoC (Proof of Concept), which is prototype development and also marketing discussion. Students and our employees will work together to refine their ideas and take on the challenge of creating new value.

We will continue to create opportunities for engagement with students through industry-academia collaboration and also contribute to the creation of new value and the development of local communities through co-creation with the next generation of talent.