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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/blog_anna_2_837cd2adad.jpg" alt="blog anna (2).jpg">Moon Creative Lab, in collaboration with Mitsui &amp; Co., HR &amp; General Affairs division, proudly participated in Mitsui’s 2024 Mission, Vision, Values + Diversity &amp; Inclusion (MVV + D&amp;I) Month initiatives. This is our second time collaborating with Mitsui &amp; Co., to promote D&amp;I at the company on a wide scale. Our mission was to enhance inclusion for Mitsui’s global workforce, culminating in a highly successful MVV + D&amp;I workshop conducted in both English and Japanese.With over 400 participants joining from around the globe, the workshop focused on the theme of "surprising commonalities" to build relationships and foster unity within our diverse teams.&nbsp;<h3>The Power of Commonality in Diversity and Inclusion</h3>While recognizing and embracing our differences is essential in any discussion about diversity and inclusion, we decided to highlight the often-overlooked power of commonalities. By discovering unexpected similarities, we aimed to break down psychological barriers and enhance empathy among colleagues, ultimately encouraging collaboration.For example, finding out in conversation that they have a dog of the same breed can bring them closer together. It reminds people that there are many more commonalities than people think. This ultimately contributes to building psychological safety that allows people to actively express their opinions and share ideas, leading to better team performance.&nbsp;<h3>Engaging and Inclusive Workshop Design</h3>In our interactive exercise, participants were randomly divided into groups of four and tasked with uncovering surprising commonalities for 15 minutes. To spark conversations, we encouraged everyone to share unique experiences, hobbies, and aspects of their lives. Some talked about their hidden talents, introduced unusual hobbies, or said they are actually afraid of something! This approach worked very well with participants who were meeting each other for the first time and led to many different discoveries.&nbsp;<h3>Discovering Unique Connections</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image2_0d5a3c4f0e.jpg" alt="image2.jpg">The results were remarkable. Participants uncovered a wide range of surprising commonalities, such as:&nbsp;- A shared fear of heights. - Having all four wisdom teeth removed. - Growing up with three siblings. - Experiencing bee stings. - Losing baggage at airports.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Positive Feedback and Future Applications</h3>Feedback from the survey was overwhelmingly positive, with comments like:&nbsp;- “I enjoyed connecting with colleagues across the world.” - “Language does not matter when finding commonalities.” - “Discovering commonalities helped me connect with people quickly.”&nbsp;The enthusiasm didn’t stop there. We received numerous requests for workshop materials from participants eager to replicate the activity within their own teams. Recognizing the value of this exercise, we created a toolkit that is now available exclusively for all Mitsui &amp; Co., employees to ensure everyone has access to this powerful method of fostering inclusion.&nbsp;I tested this activity with my core team and co-facilitator before the workshop. When my co-facilitator and I discovered we both had accidentally stapled our fingers before, and members of my team and I had all eaten crocodile, the process of finding a surprising commonality was a fascinating experience. It made me realize that even with our diverse backgrounds, we still share unexpected similarities. Finding these unique things in common helped me feel more connected to my team and built empathy within the group.&nbsp;<h3>Conclusion</h3>Our MVV + D&amp;I workshop demonstrated that finding common ground, even in the most surprising ways, can be a simple yet powerful tool for promoting inclusion and unity. By continuing to explore and embrace our shared experiences, we can build stronger, more empathetic teams across our global organization.&nbsp;Moon Creative Lab has been striving to be the leading company that thrives on D&amp;I, and we hope that we can continue to make positive contributions to Mitsui &amp; Co., and beyond. Moon’s studio in Omotesando, Tokyo also hosts various events, so please&nbsp;<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1OHQANbcgR9q4ky5Q4M6wMQcxaid">subscribe to our newsletter</a> and check our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-creative-lab">LinkedIn</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/page/1">Moon Stories Blog</a> and for updates.&nbsp;Author: Anna Hiraoka - Senior Learning and Development Specialist

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Design_x_AI_featured_image_f9a7ab1683.jpg" alt="Design x AI featured image.jpg">In August, Moon held its very first series of Design x AI Workshops at both our Tokyo and Palo Alto studios. These workshops are designed to help understand and utilize emerging AI technologies to build stronger, more creative business ideas.&nbsp;&nbsp;For these first two workshops, participants gathered in person at Moon’s studio in Tokyo or Palo Alto. The day started with our Design x AI team covering the fundamentals of LLMs, including its strengths and weaknesses, and discussing the ethics surrounding the use of generative AI. Participants then learned how to use AI beyond the back-and-forth prompting of chatbots, building their own complex LLM systems that they can use in their work.&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Design_x_AI_Nic_3145b233a8.jpg" alt="Design x AI Nic.jpg">Some of the participants were completely new to learning about and working with AI, while others seemed to be more familiar with it. But regardless of their AI knowledge, everyone was eager to learn and build. Lots of conversations even continued after the workshop was over, filling our studios with lively discussions and insightful perspectives.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I liked that there were so many opportunities to ask questions and develop a really good understanding of the content. The presented content was very clear and simple, and at the same time, it became clear through the answers that Nic and Daniel [facilitators] were really knowledgeable far beyond what they presented,” said one participant in the Palo Alto workshop.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Design_x_AI_Rika_a47694e804.jpg" alt="Design x AI Rika.jpg">Some participants were very focused on taking what they learned about LLMs and applying that to the specific needs of their company’s department. “In each workshop, the group experienced an ‘aha’ moment: a moment where they understood that LLMs are statistical models, trained on the Internet, that predict the next word in a sequence of words. For many participants, understanding this technical fact and considering how it impacted the utility of LLMs as tools was a huge unlock,” said&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nic@mooncreativelab.com">Nic Schumann</a>, Moon engineer and workshop facilitator.&nbsp;“Our premise for the workshops was that understanding – even in broad terms – how LLM’s work, helps designers and business-builders make much better informed decisions about where to apply the technology and where not to,” Nic added.&nbsp;Of course, the AI landscape is rapidly evolving with new tools and technologies being introduced constantly. With Moon’s Design x AI Workshops, we can learn and explore these new resources together and apply them to better, more innovative business creation.&nbsp;<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1viPhBVoDSl6EqouYB4Ckhwcxaid">Stay connected</a> to receive updates on more workshops and events to come.&nbsp;

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<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:2550/3300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/havier_blog_b6c53fccc0.jpg" alt="havier-blog.jpg" width="2550" height="3300"></figure>Author: Javier Mata is a workshop designer and facilitator specializing in learning development and instructional design. With extensive experience creating both in-person and digital content for HRD and MBA programs, he also led a team developing digital content for a business microlearning platform within the corporate arm of a leading organization known for its MBA programs, corporate education, and venture capital initiatives. Passionate about fostering growth and innovation, he engages participants at Moon through dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that drive real-world impact. His interests lie in business innovation, design, and strategy.<hr>As a facilitator at Moon, I’ve worked with multiple people in early stage business creation who rush into creating solutions without fully understanding the problem. The result? Missed opportunities and wasted time on ideas that don’t have the stickiness needed to win in the market.&nbsp;Many jump straight to solutions, only to find they're addressing weak or irrelevant problems. Others drift further and further away from solving the actual problem they started out with. This article is my response to that trend. I’ll walk through some guidelines to deeply explore the problem space, identify problems that are painful, scalable, and meaningful–so you're not just solving any problem, but the&nbsp;right one.&nbsp;<h3>What Makes a Problem Worth Pursuing?</h3>Not all problems are created equal. To ensure your efforts go toward a problem that truly matters, there are three criteria you should consider when exploring the problem space:&nbsp;<h4>1. It Should Be Painful</h4>The more painful a problem is, the more people will beg for a solution. Pain is opportunity’s best friend. When something creates friction, loss, or inconvenience, people will pay to make it disappear.&nbsp;Example: SmartHR, a Japanese startup, identified a pain point for businesses: tedious HR processes and compliance with labor laws. By offering cloud-based solutions to automate payroll, tax filing, and other HR tasks, SmartHR alleviated administrative burdens, becoming a widely adopted solution in Japan. And let’s face it—if you're the one making HR paperwork disappear, you’ll be everyone’s hero.&nbsp;What you can do: Interview potential users, run surveys, or observe pain points in forums or social media groups to gauge the level of discomfort. Focus on issues that make people’s lives tangibly worse — those are the ones they’ll pay to solve.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>2. It Should Be Scalable</h4>Solving a painful problem is one thing. Solving a painful problem for&nbsp;millions of people? Now that’s where the real magic happens. The more widespread the issue, the larger your potential market.&nbsp;Example: Slack started as an internal communication tool for Tiny Speck, a game development company. However, Tiny Speck quickly pivoted Slack into a solution that addressed a much bigger problem: ineffective workplace communication. Slack became a must-have for organizations of all sizes. When you're solving a problem that can serve both small teams and large enterprises, you know you've hit the scalability jackpot.&nbsp;What you can do: Use tools like Google Trends, industry reports, or keyword research tools to analyze how many people are searching for or affected by the problem. Survey a diverse audience across different regions or demographics to validate demand. If the problem is widespread and growing, you're in a scalable space.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>3. You Should Care About It</h4>If you don’t care about the problem, you’ll throw in the towel the minute things get tough. Passion isn’t just a bonus — it’s what keeps you in the game when the obstacles pile up. You’ve got to be so invested in the problem that you’ll fight through the mess to see it solved.&nbsp;Example: Leila Janah, founder of Samasource was deeply empathetic to the struggles of underserved communities. After witnessing poverty firsthand, she became passionate about creating digital work opportunities to help people lift themselves out of it. Despite repeated rejections from investors, her empathy and commitment kept her going, resulting in real change for thousands. Like Leila, you need a problem that speaks to your empathy and gets you out of bed before the coffee kicks in.&nbsp;What you can do: Journal about your personal connection to the problem. Ask yourself: "Would I still work on this if it took years to solve?" If the answer is no, it might not be the right fit. Choose a problem you care about emotionally or personally to keep your motivation strong through tough times.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Common Pitfalls in Problem Solving</h3>Even when you’ve found a great problem, the path to solving it is littered with potential missteps. Here are the pitfalls I often see that you need to sidestep:<h4>1. The Real Problem Isn’t What You Think</h4>Sometimes, what looks like the problem is just a surface-level symptom of something bigger. It’s easy to jump to conclusions and tackle what seems obvious, but often, the real issue lies deeper. Focusing on the wrong problem leads to ineffective solutions, wasted time, and missed opportunities.&nbsp;Example: Instagram started as a check-in app called Burbn, allowing users to check in at various locations and share photos. However, the founders quickly realized that users didn’t care about check-ins, and they struggled to differentiate Burbn in a crowded market. What users really wanted was a simple, visually appealing way to share photos. By pivoting to solve this deeper need, Instagram became a social media powerhouse. Turns out, when you give people what they actually want, they tend to stick around.&nbsp;What you can do: Apply the "5 Whys" method to dig deeper into the problem. Each time someone identifies a problem, ask “Why is this happening?” five times. This will help you uncover the core issue that needs solving, rather than just treating the symptoms.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>2. The Solution in Search of a Problem</h4>It’s easy to get dazzled by shiny new tech. But creating a solution and then hunting for a problem to solve? That rarely ends well. The solution has to&nbsp;fit the problem, not the other way around.&nbsp;Example: Clubhouse, the audio-only social app, skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, but it quickly fizzled out as the hype died down. The app created a buzz but didn’t solve a long-term, pressing need. As other platforms like Twitter and Facebook replicated the audio feature, users had little reason to stick with Clubhouse. Without a lasting problem to anchor its solution, Clubhouse couldn’t sustain its early momentum. Turns out, riding the hype train only works until the tracks run out.&nbsp;What you can do: Before developing a solution, make sure there’s a clear demand for it. Survey or interview potential users to ensure the solution addresses their specific needs. If you can’t clearly define the problem your solution solves, it’s time to rethink the approach.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>3. Lack of Experience in the Problem Space</h4>You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand. Experience in the problem space gives you the insight to know what works and what doesn’t. Without it, you’re likely to create solutions that miss the mark.&nbsp;Example: Quibi, a short-form streaming service founded by Hollywood executive Jeffrey Katzenberg and led by former HP CEO Meg Whitman, launched in 2020 with over $1.75 billion in funding. Despite their high profile careers, they lacked experience in the streaming space and failed to understand the viewing habits of mobile users. The service, which focused on short, premium content, couldn’t compete with free platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Just six months after launch, Quibi shut down, proving that even high-profile names can fail without deep knowledge of the problem space.&nbsp;What you can do: Choose a problem you have deep knowledge about, or partner with someone who does. Leverage your network or use platforms like LinkedIn to find and connect with experts in the problem space. Partner with someone who has deep knowledge, or immerse yourself in researching the area by working directly with those affected by the problem to gain critical insights.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Conclusion: Don’t Waste Time on Useless Problems</h3>Exploring the problem space isn’t just a box-ticking exercise — it’s the foundation of your startup’s survival. As an early-stage entrepreneur, your top priority should be to nail down problem-solution fit before you burn through months (or years) building an MVP that no one asked for. You can’t find the right solution without first locking onto the right problem.Here’s the ugly truth: too many entrepreneurs waste years chasing the wrong idea because they never took the time to deeply explore the problem. So, dig deep to uncover those painful, real problems that people will pay to make disappear. Avoid the common pitfalls, and always remember: it’s not just about creating a brilliant solution — it’s about solving the right problem. Nail that, and you’re not just set to play the game — you’re on a trajectory to win it.<hr>Moon Creative Lab offers several programs to support startups. If you are interested in transforming your own business idea and growth, please check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA2410&amp;utm_id=storytelling+by+javier">top page</a>.&nbsp;Top Photo by<a href="https://unsplash.com/@danasaki?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">&nbsp;Dan Asaki</a> on<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-brown-concrete-blocks-aI3jlXTqrdI?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">&nbsp;Unsplash</a>.

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_5011_1_d8360298c0.jpg" alt="DSCF5011 1.jpg">On September 3, 2024, the Moon Creative Lab Tokyo Studio in Omotesando buzzed with energy as the 5-day Spark program culminated in the exhilarating “Make-a-thon” event. 46 innovators from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Germany, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Malaysia came together to bring 36 groundbreaking business ideas to life, working both individually and in teams. They captivated visitors as they pitched their ventures, each presentation showcasing a unique innovative vision for a new business idea.  Spark isn't just a program—it's a melting pot of challenges and ideas from all over Japan and the world, consistently producing a rich tapestry of innovative solutions every time it's held. When we asked a representative from a renowned company—who continually encourages their employees to participate—what keeps them coming back, they shared, “Because the ideas here are always beyond the ordinary.”  This is the magic of Spark: it brings together a mosaic of perspectives to push boundaries and reimagine what's possible. Facilitators at each table witnessed participants stepping boldly out of their comfort zones, embracing invaluable feedback from peers, and refining their business models with newfound insight. The diversity here didn't just ignite innovation; it forged meaningful connections and collaborations that promise to extend far beyond the program itself.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2215_cec0819bc6.jpg" alt="Group 2215.jpg">What groundbreaking ideas and startups will emerge next from the up-and-coming entrepreneurs nurtured here? Stay tuned! And of course, we warmly invite you to participate in the program yourself.&nbsp;<h3>Join the Next Spark</h3>Spark is Moon's practical 1-week intensive program for 0 to 1 business creation. Participants from various regions, industries, companies, and departments come together to participate in a dynamic program to develop their business ideas. Participants are divided into several groups to quickly shape their ideas through a mix of self-driven work, lectures, and advice from facilitators. In the end they pitch their ideas using a landing page created with no-code tools. The next Spark will be held May 14-20. Please check the registration page for details.&nbsp;<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1npsWnu58T1a_EJzXt4AAvQcxaid?utm_source=Intranet_0925&amp;utm_medium=post0925&amp;utm_id=spark_report_0925">&gt;&gt; Apply to Next Spark</a><a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/spark?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=post0925en&amp;utm_id=spark_report_0925">&gt;&gt; Visit Spark Page</a><a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/spark-202405?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=post0925en&amp;utm_id=spark_report_0925">&gt;&gt; Report of Spark Spring 2024</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/SPARK_GRAPHICS_GRADIENT_1_03240b9c37.png" alt="SPARK_GRAPHICS_GRADIENT (1).png">

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image1_162e3ddbd3.jpg" alt="image1.jpg">Established in September 2023, aequol Inc. is a company that spun off of Moon Creative Lab venture Metajob!, a digital work matching service. It is developing a job matching platform for spot work and other services in an effort to provide equal work opportunities to all people. How did the idea come about?<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/900;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image2_9adb52cc44.jpg" alt="image2.jpg" width="1600" height="900"><figcaption>Naohiro Hoshino, CEO of aequol Inc. In 2021, he launched Metajob! as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at Moon Creative Lab and then incorporated it as a company in September 2023.</figcaption></figure>Table of Contents<ol><li>Helping launch Moon Creative Lab</li><li>Is labor shortage real?</li><li>Digital work level the playing field</li><li>Experiences become the true value</li></ol>&nbsp;<h3>1.Helping launch Moon Creative Lab</h3>How did you become an in-house entrepreneur at Moon?&nbsp;Naohiro Hoshino: Around 2016, I participated in the project that originally created Moon Creative Lab itself. Mitsui had been creating a long-term, 10-year vision and Moon was the centerpiece of that vision. In the next phase, we decided to start creating something from scratch, and we set up the motto "From 'tsunagu' (connect) to 'tsukuru' (create)."Later in 2018, Moon was launched and during an open call for ideas, I proposed my idea of&nbsp; a job-matching platform specialized for digital work, which was "Metajob!”At first, I was thinking of developing a platform that would bundle such things as remote-controlled delivery robots and remote-controlled construction work that can be done without having to go to the construction site, for example, or even telemedicine as another example.However, many remote-controlled robot technologies have not yet been put to practical use, so I decided to start with remote customer service, which we could start working on immediately.&nbsp;<h3>2.Is labor shortage real?</h3>Why did “digital” become the starting point?&nbsp;Naohiro: When I explain Japan's demographic projections and effective job openings to people overseas, they get very surprised. Certainly, the shortage of workers is one of the biggest issues facing Japan. However, from a micro-perspective, we also realize that it is not a simple matter, like the ratio of job offers to applicants = 1 or more, therefore there is a labor shortage.Even if the total amount of work exceeds the total number of workers, various barriers such as age, places to live, illness, nursing care, educational background, work experience, etc. prevent people from taking the first step. To begin with, there are few people who are willing to take any kind of Job. In other words, I feel that a lack of manpower appears to be there, partly because of those barriers.aequal's vision is to "help corporate business through individual life experiences.” We are trying to create a new market for non-manual spot-work, where people support corporate activities based on their unique experiences.If everyone stands on the same footing and runs the same 100 meters based on their own character, I think the result would be an interesting world based on different values than what we have seen so far.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>3.Digital work level the playing field</h3>What made you feel challenged by work barriers?&nbsp;Naohiro: I was born and raised in “shitamachi” Tokyo [smaller, more familiar and traditional neighborhoods outside of the modern, cosmopolitan city, typically made of laborers, artisans, and merchants]. My parents were sole proprietors. Many of the families around me were like that. Because I grew up in such an environment, I thought it was natural that after graduating from high school, I would either find a job or go to college while earning tuition fees. At that time, I realized that there is a huge difference in the starting points for running those metaphorical 100 meters.I then began to wonder if it would be possible to create an environment in which all people could compete from the same starting point. The point is that I am not trying to develop "shoes that make you run faster.* My goal was to create a level playing field, and digital work was one of the approaches to achieve this.<h3>4.Experiences become the true value</h3>Isn't work dependent on past skills and background?&nbsp;Naohiro: When we tried to link digital workers with companies, we saw early on that securing social trust was an issue. However, there are actually ways of matching where the value is not in the skills or career, but in the individual’s experience itself.One example of this is the&nbsp;<a href="https://ijyu-chat.metajob.jp/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=Ijuuchat_LP">Ijuu Chat</a> immigration consultation service, released in October 2023 in collaboration with Japan Organization for Internal Migration (JOIN). In February 2024,&nbsp;<a href="https://numazu-ijyu-chat.metajob.jp/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=Ijuuchat_N_LP">Ijuuchat for Numazu</a> was launched through Numazu Livelihood, a portal site operated by Numazu City for immigrants and permanent residents. And in June 2024,&nbsp;<a href="https://ibaraki-ijyu-chat.metajob.jp/">Ijuuchat for Ibaraki</a> was launched for Ibaraki prefecture. We hope to make this available nationwide.&nbsp;Until now, local government officials in each area have tried to explain the convenience of living in that area, which is something that prospective immigrants want to know about. In Ijuu Chat, ChatGPT gives a rough answer, and then digital workers who have lived in the area answer the details beyond that. For example, if you ask, "What is the best area for a single mother to live?” a person with experience will answer that question.This is what makes it valuable – not the skill, but the experience. The fact that you have lived there becomes a value in itself. This system can be used not only for immigration but also for travel, and if a large log of exchanges can be accumulated, data utilization is also possible.The knowledge we have gained through our various practices is being applied in a wider range of areas as technology advances. The first remote customer service project we undertook was with a company that operates a karaoke box. By taking detailed sensory data from workers, we were able to get a variety of opinions, such as the difficulty of free talk and the demand for fortune-telling. We were able to start quizzes, including murder mysteries and quick-press quizzes, and collect a variety of data as a result.Now we are able to use that knowledge to conduct increasingly in-depth interviews, such as talking to people who have been using a cosmetics brand's products for more than 10 years, or one company talking to loyal users of a rival company.Although the public has high expectations for automation through AI and robots, the actual cost of 100% automation is significant, and the division of roles between AI and people is expected to continue to be an important point in the future. I believe that digital work will play a major role there.<hr>Naohiro Hoshino established&nbsp;<a href="https://aequol.com/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=aequol_LP">aequol Inc.</a> on September 14, 2023. In October 2023, he released&nbsp;<a href="https://ijyu-chat.metajob.jp/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=Ijuuchat_LP">Ijuu Chat</a>, a migration consultation service operated by both AI and people, in collaboration with the Organization for Promotion of Migration and Interchange. In January 2024, he collaborated with Chukyo Television Broadcasting Corporation and launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctv.co.jp/studyjam/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=StudyJam_LP">Study Jam</a>, a non-advertising method to reach Generation Z and create fandoms. Naohiro has also launched Metajob Research, an online interview service that enables users to obtain candid opinions from consumers, and&nbsp;<a href="https://aequol.com/posts/SNOKlBuY?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=vtuberscoring">Super-Subjective Vtuber Scoring</a>, a karaoke scoring tool that uses Vtuber digital workers, which Moon Creative Lab is currently helping Naohiro implement.Moon Creative Lab also supports various other ventures. Please check our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=aequol_idea_interview_en">official website</a> to learn more.&nbsp;

<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/1009059390?share=copy#t=0"></oembed></figure>On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, a startup pitch and networking event called "Boost PITCH &amp; CONNECT" was held at Moon’s Tokyo Studio. The event was held in a hybrid format (on site and via Zoom webinar) and attracted over 200 participants including in-person and online. At the event, 15 startups from the Spring ‘24 cohort of Moon's Boost startup support program presented their pitches<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_2095_f6835a3253.jpg" alt="DSCF2095.jpg"><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_2220_0f50a42164.jpg" alt="DSCF2220.jpg"><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_2337_cbd7f5653a.jpg" alt="DSCF2337.jpg"><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_2041_657ff6d67b.jpg" alt="DSCF2041.jpg"><h3>15 Startups</h3><h3 style="margin-left:0px;">From Individual Entrepreneurs</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.babiew.com/">Babiew</a></li></ul>Baby products review &amp; ranking website with purchase option. Founder is Lina Kaneki.<ul><li><a href="https://www.baskit.app/">Baskit</a></li></ul>Help distribution businesses grow with financing &amp; technology. Founder is Yann Schuermans.<ul><li><a href="https://lightroads.co.jp/campusreach.html">Campus Reach</a></li></ul>Internship and career orientation app for university students across Japan. Founder is Ken Taniuchi.<ul><li><a href="https://cofilm.id/">Cofilm</a></li></ul>Health-conscious vegan snacks, gummy vitamins as first product. Founder is Royyan Wafi Pujiyanto.<ul><li><a href="https://drivejapan.co.jp/">Drive Japan Inc.</a></li></ul>Simplifies road trips planning in rural Japan for tourists. Founder is Takujiro Oto.<ul><li>FitVit</li></ul>Health-conscious vegan snacks, gummy vitamins as first product. Founder is Siward Ludin.<ul><li><a href="https://www.loovic.co.jp/">LOOVIC</a></li></ul>Guide/navigate visitors in local environments, voice-based. Founder is Toru Yamanaka.<ul><li><a href="https://www.mallsampah.com/">Mallsampah</a></li></ul>Circular economy tech provider, digitizing the traditional collection system. Founder is Adi Saifullah Putra.<ul><li><a href="https://mechlynx.com/">Mechlynx</a></li></ul>Small bicycle shop management platform with logistics capabilities. Founder is Jordan Scott.<ul><li><a href="https://www.moovby.com/jp/en/">Moovby</a></li></ul>Car-sharing marketplace where drivers can book cars from owners. Founder is Nik Muhammad Amin.<ul><li><a href="https://www.neufast.com/">Neufast</a></li></ul>AI video interview for screeners and mock interviews. Founder is Agnes Wun.<ul><li><a href="https://sellou.com/">Sellou</a></li></ul>Short-form video-based marketplace for local products. Founder is Salman Aljimeely.<ul><li><a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/Lokasoka.com">SnapTap</a></li></ul>Custom gift marketplace via smartphone keyboard extension app. Founder is Tito Guntur Safirda.<ul><li><a href="https://tekeya.io/">Tekeya Global</a></li></ul>Marketplace for food products close to expiration date, at discounted prices. Founder is Maxim Haartsen.<ul><li>V-bay</li></ul>Online auction platform focused on imported used car from Japan. Founder is Noreen Nawaz.<h3>Looking back on Boost PITCH &amp; CONNECT</h3><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1165/1790;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_0675_1_2_f5d0a7abde.jpg" alt="DSCF0675 (1) 2.jpg" width="1165" height="1790"><figcaption>Davide Petrillo, Boost Director, Moon Creative Lab.</figcaption></figure>Davide "We wrapped up the Spring ‘24 cohort of Boost – Moon’s 3-month startup support program – with an exciting event that showcased the progress of our participants. Boost’s mission is to help early-stage startups refine their product ideas towards product-market fit, offering them access to mentorship from Moon and industry experts, a supportive entrepreneurial community, and hands-on guidance from Moon’s product team.&nbsp;Selected startups also have the opportunity to receive investment support. The event was filled with energy and innovation, as 15 of the 28 startups involved in Boost’s Spring '24 program pitched their products and services in front of a panel that included members of Moon’s leadership and investment teams. This hybrid event, attended both in-person and online, featured startups from various regions, with 50% of the startups from Japan and 50% from the APAC area.&nbsp;The pitch event was packed with diverse ideas and different entrepreneurial spirits, as our Boost participants ranged from industries like food &amp; beverage, digital retail, AI-based HRTech, family wealth, and more. Following the pitch presentations,two panel discussions were held with former Boost participants, providing insights into the growth and evolution of startups after completing the program.&nbsp;We concluded the event with a lively networking session, accompanied by food and drinks, where Boost startups had the chance to connect with representatives from Moon, Mitsui, and other industry leaders.&nbsp;A particularly exciting moment for startups in the recruitment sector was when established Moon startups, current Boost participants, and even applicants for the upcoming cohort – all from different countries – held lively discussions about the future of work. It was a powerful exchange, planting the seeds for potential partnerships and mutual support on the path to success.&nbsp;With the Spring '24 cohort concluded, we are now gearing up for the Summer '24 cohort, set to begin on September 10. Applications are also open for the following cohort starting in November. We look forward to continuing our mission of supporting early-stage startups and we can't wait to see what their future holds."<h3>Learnings from Talk Session</h3><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:2400/888;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2160_6769030dfe.jpg" alt="Group-2160.jpg" width="2400" height="888"><figcaption>(Left) Ms. Ikumi Narui, CEO, Inter Holdings, Inc.(Right) Mr. Shohei Horiguchi, Suup founder, Moon Creative Lab Investment Team</figcaption></figure>The pitch was followed by two panels. In the first, serial entrepreneur Ikumi Narui, who sold her company just one year after starting it and now represents Inter Holdings, Inc., which works to transform food logistics and achieve carbon neutrality through patented vacuum technology, and Shohei Horiguchi, former EIR of Moon, founder of Suup, a service that converts vacant space into unmanned coworking space, and currently a member of the Moon’s investment team after the business transfer, They shared their experiences and perspectives on a wide range of topics, from business creation to transfers and other progress. The two particularly empathized with each other when Ms. Narui reflected on the difference between her past experience in the media business and starting her current business, and how the learning that comes from experiencing the process of starting and transferring a business can increase the options for the next step in business creation. The topic also expanded to various worries and struggles related to starting a business, such as the disadvantage that in-house entrepreneurs feel towards individual entrepreneurs and the fact that female entrepreneurs are easily pointed out for the small market size of their businesses. Many stories were shared to encourage the entrepreneurs, such as real-life experiences that showed how the fear they felt was just a misunderstanding, and how small achievements paved the way for the next step.<blockquote>Horiguchi: If I were to give advice to myself at the time of starting a business, I would just say how important it is to act quickly, verify, and repeat the necessary pivots. And in starting a business, it is important to just aim high and find excellent colleagues. Those two things interact with each other, so I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that's the only thing that matters.</blockquote><blockquote>Narui: I was fortunate to experience business creation, product development, organizational development, and M&amp;A with the help of various people early on. This experience allowed me to focus more on scalability in the next steps. The experience, results, and connections I gained from my first startup give me unlimited options for my second one.</blockquote><blockquote>Horiguchi: I am currently in the investment business, and the five years of experience I gained from starting my own business has been very helpful in understanding the stories of entrepreneurs when making startup investments. If I were asked whether I am an entrepreneur or an investor, I would say the former. Someday I would like to try my hand at starting a business for the second time.</blockquote><blockquote>Narui: It is said that there are not many female entrepreneurs, but this can be seen as a tailwind because they attract more attention than their male counterparts. Even if the market is small, it is important to produce results and use those results to attract the next opportunity. I think it is important to create your own environment.</blockquote><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3810/1265;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2160_daadae34b1.jpg" alt="Group 2160.jpg" width="3810" height="1265"><figcaption>From left to right, moderator Yuki Saito, Founder CEO, FUKURY.LLC; Kotaro Takahashi, COO, Sustainable Lab Inc.; Hiroyuki Ano, Co-Founder and CEO, DELIGHT Inc.; Kiminori Yamaguchi, CEO, Atsumell Inc.</figcaption></figure>The second panel was about building an organization for a startup that determines business results and the speed of growth.&nbsp;Four speakers shared their experiences in finding co-founders and founding members and what they learned from their experiences.&nbsp;Mr. Anno of DELIGHT Inc. gave advice on the co-founder matching tool provided by Y Combinator, as well as support from the government and accelerators. Anno said, “Japan has money, Tokyo is large and has an inexhaustible support program, and there are many large companies. That kind of environment is hard to find. I think it is a good idea to take full advantage of this environment.” He also talked about his experience in searching for co-founders, saying that he was satisfied with the results of his search after interviewing people he met through the matching tool, having them take an entrepreneurial aptitude test, and choosing someone different from himself.&nbsp;Mr. Yamaguchi of Atsumell Inc. also had an experience where a founding member moved to another company when the company pivoted, and he said, "It's easy to find a co-founder if you focus on empathy for the product. However, pivots are common in startups and it is difficult to maintain a common motivation. It is necessary to share a vision at a high level."<blockquote>Follow up with people you met at the pitch</blockquote><blockquote>Use matching tools</blockquote><blockquote>Take an entrepreneurial aptitude test</blockquote><blockquote>Meet people who share a common vision</blockquote><blockquote>Invite people with different personalities to be co-founders</blockquote><blockquote>Continually promote your vision on social networking sites</blockquote><blockquote>Take full advantage of government, Tokyo, and accelerator support for entrepreneurship</blockquote>For more detail, Please check <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/boost?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=LP_en&amp;utm_id=boost2-report">Boost page</a>.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/BOOST_GRAPHICS_FLAT_5_7a480cad8f.png" alt="BOOST_GRAPHICS_FLAT 5.png">

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<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/962799539?share=copy"></oembed></figure>A panel discussion event "Nordic Talks" was held on Tuesday, June 11 at Moon Tokyo Studio. 60+ people from the startup community gathered to discuss how to increase startup success with a large audience of 150+ people watching online via Zoom.&nbsp;Pitch event organizers, VCs, and entrepreneurs shared their experiences and prospects from a variety of perspectives. The entire event was recorded, and you can watch the archive on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfuR0u4pmDY">YouTube</a>.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/820;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_7329_1_1_e7c9c68387.jpg" alt="DSCF7329 1 (1).jpg" width="1600" height="820"><figcaption>From left to right: Niklas Karvonen, Antti Sonninen, Tobias Mathiasen, Amina Sugimoto, Shintaro Ishida.</figcaption></figure>Speakers included Niklas Karvonen (Community Director, Nordic Innovation House Tokyo), Antti Sonninen (Co-founder and CEO, Takeoff Tokyo), Tobias Mathiasen (Founding Partner, SKB.vc), Amina Sugimoto (Public Health Phd, CEO of fermata KK), and Shintaro Ishida (COO of Uninomics KK). In addition, many participants, including guests from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), discussed and exchanged opinions on Tokyo's startup environment. &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/818;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_0607_1_b3931b7f7f.jpg" alt="DSCF0607 1.jpg" width="1600" height="818"><figcaption>At the center in this photo: Yuki Obata (Moon Creative Lab), founder of ISSHO, a Work Tech SaaS tool that visualizes each person's valuable contributions, asked about the expectations and ideals for the startup environment 10 years from now.</figcaption></figure>“We believe that the Nordic startup infrastructure and the Japanese ambition are a match made in heaven." said Reetta Purontakanen, Press Counselor, Finnish Embassy in Tokyo. The discussion heated up, focusing on how the startup environment in Japan has improved so far, and the differences between the global and Tokyo startup environment in terms of the relationship between investors and entrepreneurs. The importance of direct support for seed and early-stage startups when considering global expansion was also a focus of attention.<hr>Moon Creative Lab also hosts many other events. Please check our <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/ja/stories/page/1">Moon Stories Blog</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-creative-lab/">Official LinkedIn Account</a> for latest news!

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<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/950982923?share=copy"></oembed></figure>28 ventures have been selected to participate in the second cohort of Boost, a business support program offered by Moon Creative Lab.Boost is an intensive 3 month program that provides early-stage startups with support for business expansion from Moon's experts in a variety of fields. After participating in the program, businesses will also have the opportunity to pitch to Moon's investment committee for funding. In the first cohort of the program, a total of 16 startups from 10 countries participated. This year's program similarly attracted a variety of startups from Japan and abroad who underwent a rigorous screening and interview process.&nbsp;<h3>From Individual Entrepreneurs</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.babiew.com/">Babiew</a></li></ul>Baby products review &amp; ranking website with purchase option. Founder is Lina Kaneki.<ul><li><a href="https://www.baskit.app/">Baskit</a></li></ul>Help distribution businesses grow with financing &amp; technology. Founder is Yann Schuermans.<ul><li><a href="https://lightroads.co.jp/campusreach.html">Campus Reach</a></li></ul>Internship and career orientation app for university students across Japan. Founder is Ken Taniuchi.<ul><li><a href="https://cofilm.id/">Cofilm</a></li></ul>Health-conscious vegan snacks, gummy vitamins as first product. Founder is Royyan Wafi Pujiyanto.<ul><li><a href="https://drivejapan.co.jp/">Drive Japan Inc.</a></li></ul>Simplifies road trips planning in rural Japan for tourists. Founder is Takujiro Oto.<ul><li><a href="https://educourse.id/">Educourse.id</a></li></ul>Help teachers simplify STEM courses, track and manage them. Founder is Mutiara Hikma Mahendradatta.<ul><li>FitVit</li></ul>Health-conscious vegan snacks, gummy vitamins as first product. Founder is Siward Ludin.<ul><li>Furious Green</li></ul>Advanced AI technology training and consulting services. Founder is Francisco Dalla Rosa Soares.<ul><li>LESS &amp; CO</li></ul>Beers made from surplus bread and sodas made from fruit &amp; vegetables loss. Founder is Travinder Singh.<ul><li><a href="https://www.loovic.co.jp/">LOOVIC</a></li></ul>Guide/navigate visitors in local environments, voice-based. Founder is Toru Yamanaka.<ul><li><a href="https://www.mallsampah.com/">Mallsampah</a></li></ul>Circular economy tech provider, digitizing the traditional collection system. Founder is Adi Saifullah Putra.<ul><li><a href="https://mechlynx.com/">Mechlynx</a></li></ul>Small bicycle shop management platform with logistics capabilities. Founder is Jordan Scott.<ul><li><a href="https://www.menopeer.com/">Menopeer</a></li></ul>Menstrual &amp; symptom tracker app and at home hormone test kit. Founder is Kotoko Kimura.<ul><li><a href="https://www.moovby.com/jp/en/">Moovby</a></li></ul>Car-sharing marketplace where drivers can book cars from owners. Founder is Nik Muhammad Amin.<ul><li><a href="https://mycl.bio/">MYCL</a></li></ul>Eco-friendly and high-performance mycelium leather. Founder is Adi Reza Nugroho.<ul><li><a href="https://www.neufast.com/">Neufast</a></li></ul>AI video interview for screeners and mock interviews. Founder is Agnes Wun.<ul><li><a href="https://qocolor.jp/">Qocolor</a></li></ul>Project management tool for freelancers juggling multiple projects. Founder is Reina Stott.<ul><li><a href="https://www.qolaba.ai/">Qolaba</a></li></ul>Multimodal gen-AI ecosystem with content management and monetization. Founder is Prakhar Aggarwal.<ul><li><a href="https://medical-literacy.com/runners-dock/">Runners Dock</a></li></ul>Running assistant with risk factor alerts and feedback. Founder is Shuhei Kobayashi.<ul><li><a href="https://sellou.com/">Sellou</a></li></ul>Short-form video-based marketplace for local products. Founder is Salman Aljimeely.<ul><li><a href="Lokasoka.com">SnapTap</a></li></ul>Custom gift marketplace via smartphone keyboard extension app. Founder is Tito Guntur Safirda.<ul><li><a href="https://tekeya.io/">Tekeya Global</a></li></ul>Marketplace for food products close to expiration date, at discounted prices. Founder is Maxim Haartsen.&nbsp;<h3>Entrepreneurs From Mitsui</h3><ul><li>VitalGrit</li></ul>Personalized fitness content platform with qualified trainers. Founder is Serene Li.&nbsp;<ul><li>V-bay</li></ul>Online auction platform focused on imported used car from Japan. Founder is Noreen Nawaz.<ul><li>Buddy</li></ul>Supports expats new to Japan with onboarding and professional networking. Founder is Maryam Fallah.&nbsp;<h3>Ideas and Startups From Mitsui Business Units (BUs)</h3><ul><li>Robot As A Service</li></ul>Fully automated robotics hands for food manufacturing and processing. Founder is Kurata Miyashita.&nbsp;<ul><li>Agritech</li></ul>Agritech is a sensor tech for improving their productivity toward sustainable farming. Team includes Alberto Takayama and Yoshihiro Katsuyama from the Mobility I &amp; II &amp; Food BU.<ul><li><a href="https://www.marimari.eco/en/about">Marimari</a></li></ul>Waste recycling service for residents and brands in Greater Jakarta. Founder is Aris Munandar who was a previous Spark participant and encouraged to apply to our Boost program. Munandar joins us from the Mitsui Indonesia BU.<hr>*These were the idea/business descriptions at the time of writing this article. Entrepreneurship and new ventures, by nature, are constantly evolving, so these descriptions may change along the journey. For more info, Please refer <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/boost">"Boost"</a> Page.

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<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/959892266?share=copy"></oembed></figure>Moon Creative Lab's Spark Spring 2024 program just wrapped up its third iteration with tremendous success. The event brought together 42 diverse participants from 11 countries and expatriates in Japan from Canada, the US, and the UK. The cohort included entrepreneurs, individuals, and corporate participants from Mazda, Kanazawa University, Modec, Mitsui, and Toyo Engineering.Over five days, participants explored problem spaces and ended by publishing business websites using no-code tools. The innovations ranged from vehicle lifecycle improvements and disruptive donation platforms to rejuvenation practices in agriculture and engaging millennials in farming. The next "Spark Summer 2024" is scheduled to Kick off on Wednesday, August 28. If you are interested in transforming your own business idea and growth, <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/spark?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=sparkLP">please join us!</a><h3>About Spark</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/2_MB_DSCF_7329_1_2351ee2384.jpg" alt="2MB_DSCF7329-1.jpg">Spark is Moon's practical 1-week intensive program for 0 to 1 business creation. Participants from various regions, industries, companies, and departments come together to participate in a dynamic program to develop their business ideas.Participants are divided into several groups to quickly shape their ideas through a mix of self-driven work, lectures, and advice from facilitators. In the end they pitch their ideas using a landing page created with no-code tools.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1115/2780;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/B_Group_2138_7edb04d494.jpg" alt="B_Group-2138.jpg" width="1115" height="2780"></figure><h3>Hear from Participant's</h3><blockquote>“The experience of thinking through a design thinking, human-centered approach alone while getting feedback. Knowing and experiencing were two different things.”</blockquote><blockquote>“I was impressed by the fact that it forced the participants to have the experience of creating and pitching an landing page within a short period of one week.”</blockquote><blockquote>“Participants came from a diverse group of companies and generated a wide variety of ideas. Not only was there diversity, but also candid feedback.”</blockquote>&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2137_18d729792d.jpg" alt="Group 2137.jpg">”Javier, looking back on Spark Spring 2024, what was the highlight for you?”<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1300/2300;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/DSCF_6407_2_0163242854.jpg" alt="DSCF6407 2.jpg" width="1300" height="2300"></figure>“This Spark marked our first fully in-person, five-day intensive program. Transitioning from a hybrid model to all in-person posed new challenges but offered significant benefits. Enhanced networking among participants was a standout feature. Constant interaction through problem-space exploration, design research, solution ideation, business modeling, and final pitching transformed their ability to communicate ideas.This led to some of the best early-stage idea pitching we've seen, reflecting a significant psychological shift. The impressive business ideas wowed visitors from Moon and Mitsui, as well as invited external guests. The passion and energy were palpable, showcasing the transformative power of the Spark experience.”&nbsp;<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2121_34ee4cbddd.jpg" alt="Group 2121.jpg">One idea transformed from a generic travel app to focus on the safety and needs of solo female travelers, driven by real user feedback.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2122_fdf0bc3b6a.jpg" alt="Group 2122.jpg">One team shifted from addressing vehicle recycling costs to exploring three new solutions after AI feedback showed user indifference. This led them to split up and tackle multiple approaches instead of working as a single unit.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Group_2121_1_5f0066a274.jpg" alt="Group 2121 (1).jpg">One person pivoted from developing a Mars rover energy generator to designing a unique GPS collar for dogs, showcasing their innovative spirit.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>“Passion and persistence promise transformative impact, driving meaningful change in their respective spaces.”</h3>Javier: Spark ignited with a profound problem-exploration phase. Participants arrived with dreams of solving societal issues through business innovation. As they dived deeper, many had to pivot, embracing new directions. They repeatedly asked, "Why?" to uncover root causes, leading to profound insights. Some discovered they hadn't pinpointed the right stakeholders, while others realized their initial problems were just the tip of the iceberg. Their passion and persistence promise transformative impact, driving meaningful change in their respective spaces.<hr>Transform your business idea at "Spark Summer 2024," starting Wednesday, August 28. Spaces are limited, so apply now to secure your spot. Learn more on the <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/spark?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=CTA&amp;utm_id=sparkLP">"Spark"</a> page at Moon Creative Lab.&nbsp;Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your creativity and growth!

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Boost #2 “PITCH & CONNECT” Event Report

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Moon Creative Lab Congratulates Our Second Boost Cohort

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Moon Welcomes Community of Individuals, Corporations, and Startup Teams To Build Innovative New Businesses

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Our Programs

About Moon

Our Stories

Moon Stories Blog

Promoting Inclusion Through Finding Common Ground

Design x AI Workshop: Going Beyond the Chat Interface

The Ugly Truth: Early-Stage Entrepreneurs Waste Time on The Wrong Problems

Spark Summer '24 Exploration Report

Is the Labor Shortage Real? Why a Matching Service Dedicated to Digital Work Was Created｜aequol Inc.

Boost #2 “PITCH & CONNECT” Event Report

Nordic Talks Event Report

Moon Creative Lab Congratulates Our Second Boost Cohort

Spark Spring '24 Exploration Report

Internal Motivation Is Your Greatest Asset: Why a Career Exploration Map was Needed ｜Career Forth

In The News

Moon Welcomes Community of Individuals, Corporations, and Startup Teams To Build Innovative New Businesses

Moon Opens Doors to Palo Alto Startup Community

What Does Artificial Life Reveal About Us?

Spark Summer '24 Exploration Report

Spark Spring '24 Exploration Report