This article reports on the results of the ecosystem construction demonstration project for supporting regional social challenge-solving companies. This article introduces the business results report published by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Entrepreneurship and New Business Promotion Office on May 12, 2025, for the "Ecosystem Construction Demonstration Project for Supporting Social Challenge-Solving Companies in Regions (Regional Demonstration Support through Ecosystem Survey Project)" for FY2024.
This project implemented regional demonstration projects in 20 regions nationwide, conducting business model analysis of local zebra companies and organizing key points for advancing regional challenge-solving projects. Zebra companies refer to enterprises that work on solving social challenges while balancing sustainability and profitability, having business models contrasting with unicorn companies that pursue rapid growth. They are expected to achieve both regional economic revitalization and social challenge solving through business development rooted in regional characteristics and challenges.
As project results, a "Business Results Report" (12.9MB) and summary version (3.2MB) were created, summarizing results of regional demonstration projects in 20 regions, business model analysis of local zebra companies, and key points for promoting regional challenge-solving projects. Additionally, an "Impact Measurement and Management Tool for Promoting Regional Social Challenge-Solving Projects" (13.7MB) was developed, providing practical guidelines for regional business operators to measure and manage their social impact.
The 20 regional demonstration organizations participating in the demonstration project are diverse, ranging from the General Incorporated Association Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido to Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. covering all of Okinawa Prefecture. In Miyagi Prefecture, Wasshoi Lab Co., Ltd. and zero to one Co., Ltd. participated, while in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club Co., Ltd. operated around 5 municipalities including Odawara City. Activities were conducted in diverse regional characteristics including Nozawa Onsen Village in Nagano Prefecture, Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, Noto region in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kyoto City and Tango region in Kyoto Prefecture, Takahama Town in Fukui Prefecture, Ota City and Ama Town in Shimane Prefecture, Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture, Kuma River basin in Kumamoto Prefecture, island areas and entire prefecture in Kagoshima Prefecture, and Miyakojima City and entire prefecture in Okinawa Prefecture.
Impact reports from each regional demonstration organization are also individually published, with file sizes ranging from 1.2MB to 216.9MB, detailed records of specific initiative content, results, challenges, and future prospects in each region. These reports are expected to be utilized as valuable reference materials for similar project development in other regions.
The Impact Measurement and Management Tool provides practical frameworks for organizations working on regional challenge-solving projects to quantitatively and qualitatively measure the impact their activities have on regional society and connect to continuous improvement. The article concludes that these results are expected to contribute to promotion of regional challenge-solving projects nationwide and development of sustainable regional economies.