In an attempt to swiftly address complex social issues, OKI partners with 27pilots to adopt the Venture Client Model (VCM).
- This model, gaining popularity in Europe, allows OKI to incorporate global technological innovations into its operations rapidly.
- By becoming a customer of startups, OKI aims to minimise risks associated with traditional investment models.
- The collaboration seeks to accelerate OKI’s strategic growth with efficient evaluation of startup technologies.
- OKI’s approach involves strategic planning and resource optimisation to tackle diverse technical challenges.
OKI, based in Tokyo, is collaborating with 27pilots to implement the Venture Client Model (VCM), a burgeoning approach in Europe and the United States, aimed at providing swift solutions to intricate social issues. This model enables OKI to integrate leading technologies into its operations by directly becoming a customer of startups, thus bypassing some of the common obstacles such as intellectual property negotiations.
VCM is structured to allow for rapid evaluation and procurement of startup innovations, significantly reducing the risks and costs that often hinder traditional collaboration models. By eliminating the barriers typically involved in startup partnerships, OKI is positioned to deliver strategic benefits, including the ability to rapidly test and incorporate technological advancements.
In May 2024, OKI initiated a venture client unit in association with 27pilots to further enhance these efforts. This unit is judiciously designed to support OKI’s Technology Strategy, aimed at leveraging global technologies and fostering sustainable growth through open innovation activities.
A crucial aspect of OKI’s adoption of VCM is the Technology Division’s proactive role in identifying technical challenges that necessitate external collaboration. The division is tasked with compiling lists of potential startup partners, thereby enabling swift advancement from product evaluation to on-site verifications, all in pursuit of tangible business outcomes.
The realisation of OKI’s Edge Platform, a concept proposed in its Technology Strategy, is envisaged through this collaborative model. The platform is intended to facilitate the seamless integration of various components and real-world data to promptly address a broad spectrum of customer challenges.
Executive Officer Kurato Maeno, also serving as Chief Technology Officer, emphasises the importance of continual and efficient global technological integration. Through VCM, OKI aspires to provide agile solutions to increasingly multifaceted social issues, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to corporate strategy.
Through collaboration and the strategic use of VCM, OKI aims to accelerate innovation and address social challenges efficiently.
