NX Group opens applications for NX-Tech HUB Open Innovation Program 2026
NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri), as part of an initiative being pursued through the NX Global Innovation Investment Limited Partnership, will begin accepting applications on Monday, September 28, for the NX-Tech HUB Open Innovation Program 2026 – the second phase of a program for co-creation with startups – in collaboration with AUBA, an open innovation platform operated by eiicon, Inc. (President and CEO: Ayuko Nakamura).
■Background of program
The NX Group has supported societal development since its founding by connecting people, businesses, and communities through the transport of goods. With the environment surrounding logistics undergoing significant changes, new initiatives are needed to strengthen the Group’s business competitiveness and enhance the value it provides. This program aims to create new value by bringing together the NX Group’s business infrastructure and on-site challenges with cutting-edge technologies and ideas from startups.
■Program overview
Item | Details |
| Organizer | Corporate Venturing Division NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. |
| Operational support | eiicon, Inc. (operator of the AUBA open innovation platform) |
| Call for proposals |
|
| Focus areas | Solutions and ideas that utilize cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and data utilization |
| Eligibility | Applicants must be a registered legal entity with a product, technology, or service (company size is not a factor) |
| Schedule | September 28, 2026: Call for entries opens October 13, 2026: Early application deadline*1 October 26, 2026: Final application deadline November 2026: Document and interview screening December 23, 2026: Pitch selection event (selection of participating companies) January 2027: Start of demonstration trials*2 Spring 2027: Announcement of results Spring 2027 and beyond: Consideration of full-scale implementation |
*1 Individual interviews will be conducted prior to the selection process for companies that apply
by the early application deadline.
*2 Selected business ideas will undergo pilot testing with support from a dedicated secretariat.
■Reference: Co-creation results from Phase 1 (conducted in 2025)
In Phase 1, two projects were selected from approximately 60 applications, and efforts are currently underway to move toward full-scale implementation.
・AYUMI BIONICS Co., Ltd.: Measurement of physical and mental functions and behavioral improvement for older workers using AI motion analysis technology (helps reduce occupational accident risk)
・Cloud Shift Co., Ltd.: Automated and multilingual creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) using AI agents
The NX Group is working to create new value by going beyond the scope of logistics to pursue DX and GX and enhance the sophistication of its services. This program is an important step toward realizing innovation that transcends the logistics industry, and the Group hopes to provide new value to society and its customers and realize a sustainable future through co-creation with external partners.
■Website for the program
https://eiicon.net/about/nipponexpress-holdings2026/
■Profile of investee company
| Company name | : | eiicon Co., Ltd. |
| Head office location | : | 2F, Toranomon 36 Mori Building, Toranomon 3-4-7, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Date established | : | April 3, 2023 |
| Representative | : | Ayuko Nakamura, President and CEO |
| Business activities | : | Operation of the AUBA open innovation platform, event planning and support services, sourcing services, etc. |
| Website | https://corp.eiicon.net/ |