System, method, and program for supporting creation of new business
The system supports businesses in launching new ventures by guiding them through user registration, base concept creation, partner search, and co-creation planning, addressing the challenge of commercialization support in open innovation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EIICON CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
Smart Images
Figure JP2025041094_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Systems, methods, and programs to support the creation of new businesses
[0001] This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and programs for supporting the creation of new businesses.
[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-60006 discloses an information processing device for matching companies. This information processing device acquires information indicating one or more attributes of personnel for each of several large companies as large company information, and also acquires information indicating the goals or challenges of venture companies as venture information. The device then extracts information from each of the large company information that matches the venture information and presents it anonymously to venture companies.
[0003] It is desirable to provide technology that can support businesses looking to launch new ventures in practicing open innovation and ultimately achieving commercialization.
[0004] A system for supporting the creation of a new business according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes means for accepting a usage registration from a first business operator who wants to start a new business, displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator that at least asks about the strengths of the first business operator and the needs for co-creation, obtaining a first answer to the first question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a base concept that serves as a guideline for efforts towards commercialization based on the obtained first answer, and displaying the created base concept on the terminal of the first business operator; displaying a second question for creating a co-creation profile on the terminal of the first business operator, and displaying a first link that enables automatic input of answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept, obtaining a second answer to the second question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer, and registering it in a database; obtaining search conditions for searching for co-creation profiles of other business operators from the terminal of the first business operator, searching the database for co-creation profiles that meet the obtained search conditions, and displaying the searched co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator together with a second link that enables sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that enables scheduling a face-to-face meeting and conducting an online meeting with the second business operator; after the first business operator conducts a face-to-face meeting with the second business operator via the third link, displaying a third question for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator on the terminal of the first business operator, obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer, and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
[0005] A method for supporting the creation of new businesses according to one aspect of this disclosure is a computer-based method comprising: a step of receiving user registration from a first business operator who wishes to start a new business; a step of displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the first business operator's strengths and needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the first business operator's terminal; a step of displaying a second question on the first business operator's terminal for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer; and registering it in a database. The process includes the steps of: obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that allows scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; after the first business operator conducts a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator; obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer; and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
[0006] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a new business creation support system. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the new business creation support system. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the new business creation support system. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first business operator. Figure 18 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first service provider. Figure 19 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first service provider. Figure 20 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal of the first service provider.
[0007] A system for supporting the creation of new businesses according to the first embodiment of the embodiment includes: means for receiving user registration from a first business operator who wants to start a new business; means for displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator that asks at least the strengths of the first business operator and the needs for co-creation, obtaining a first answer to the first question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer, and displaying the created base concept on the terminal of the first business operator; means for displaying a second question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept, obtaining a second answer to the second question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer, and registering it in a database; The system includes: means for obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators, searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria, and displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; means for displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator after the first business operator has sent a message to the second business operator via the second link, which allows scheduling an interview with the second business operator and conducting an online interview; and means for displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator after the first business operator has conducted an interview with the second business operator via the third link, for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator, obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer, and transmitting the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
[0008] In this configuration, businesses wishing to launch new ventures can utilize this system to receive support throughout the entire commercialization process, including partner search, matching, interviews, and planning. This makes it possible to support businesses seeking new ventures in practicing open innovation and achieving commercialization.
[0009] A system according to a second embodiment of the embodiment is a system according to the first embodiment, further comprising: a means for displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be carried out each month based on the obtained target date, including at least the number of messages sent to other business operators, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
[0010] In this configuration, a clear target date for commercialization is set, and specific numerical values for milestones toward achieving that goal are determined and visualized by working backward from the set target date. As a result, businesses looking to launch a new venture can take a comprehensive view of the overall picture and work systematically toward achieving their goals.
[0011] A system according to a third embodiment of the embodiment is a system according to the first or second embodiment, further comprising: means for receiving user registration from a support company that assists third businesses that wish to start a new business; and means for obtaining search conditions for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company, searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search conditions, and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.
[0012] A fourth embodiment of the method for supporting the creation of new businesses is a computer-based method comprising: a step of receiving user registration from a first business operator who wants to start a new business; a step of displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the first business operator's strengths and needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the first business operator's terminal; a step of displaying a second question on the first business operator's terminal for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer; and registering it in a database. The process includes the steps of: obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that allows scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; after the first business operator conducts a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator; obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer; and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
[0013] A fifth embodiment of the method is a fourth embodiment of the method, further comprising the steps of: displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be implemented each month based on the obtained target date, including at least the number of messages sent to other business operators, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
[0014] A method relating to the sixth embodiment of the embodiment is a method relating to the fourth or fifth embodiment, further comprising the steps of: receiving user registration from a support company that assists third businesses that wish to start a new business; obtaining search conditions for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search conditions; and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.
[0015] A computer-readable recording medium according to the seventh embodiment non-temporarily records the following program for supporting the creation of new businesses: The program for supporting the creation of new businesses includes the steps of: accepting registration from a first business operator who wants to start a new business; displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the strengths of the first business operator and the needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the terminal of the first business operator; displaying a second question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that will allow the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer; and registering it in a database. The computer is made to perform the following steps: obtain search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators, search the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria, and display the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, display a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that allows scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; after the first business operator conducts a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, display a third question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator, obtain a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator, create a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer, and send the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
[0016] A computer-readable recording medium according to the eighth aspect of the embodiment non-temporarily records the following program for supporting the creation of new businesses: a program according to the seventh aspect, which further causes the computer to perform the steps of: displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be carried out each month based on the obtained target date, including at least the number of messages sent to other businesses, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
[0017] A computer-readable recording medium according to the ninth embodiment non-temporarily records the following program for supporting the creation of new businesses: a program according to the seventh or eighth embodiment, which further causes the computer to perform the steps of: receiving user registration from a support company that assists third businesses that wish to start a new business; obtaining search conditions for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search conditions; and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.
[0018] Specific examples of the embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description and the drawings used therein, the same reference numerals will be used for parts that can be identically configured, and redundant explanations will be omitted.
[0019] (Configuration of the device) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 includes a new business creation support system 2, business terminals 31 and 32, and a support company terminal 4. The new business creation support system 2 and each of the terminals 31, 32, and 4 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network such as the Internet. The network may be either a wired line or a wireless line, and the type and form of the line are not limited. At least a part of the new business creation support system 2 and each of the terminals 31, 32, and 4 are implemented by a computer.
[0020] Of these, the business terminals 31 and 32 are terminal devices used by businesses that wish to start a new business (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "businesses"), and the support company terminal 4 is a terminal device used by a support company that assists businesses that wish to start a new business. Examples of business terminals 31 and 32 and support company terminal 4 include mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet devices, notebook computers, or desktop computers. In the example shown in Figure 1, two terminals are shown as representative examples: the first business terminal 31 used by the first business and the second business terminal 32 used by the second business. However, the number of business terminals is not limited to two, and there may be three or more. Also, in the example shown in Figure 1, one support company terminal 4 used by a support company assisting a third business is shown as representative examples. However, the number of support company terminals is not limited to one, and there may be two or more.
[0021] Next, we will explain the new business creation support system 2 in detail. Figure 2 shows the general configuration of the new business creation support system 2. In this figure, each functional unit that performs a function can be considered a means to perform that function.
[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the new business creation support system 2 is a server and includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. Each of the units 21 to 23 is connected to each other via a bus or network so that they can communicate with one another.
[0023] Of these, the communication unit 21 is a communication interface between the new business creation support system 2 and an external network. The communication unit 21 sends and receives information between the new business creation support system 2 and each terminal 31, 32, and 4 via an external network such as the Internet.
[0024] The storage unit 23 is a non-volatile data storage device such as flash memory or a hard disk. Various types of data handled by the control unit 22 are stored in the storage unit 23. For example, the storage unit 23 includes a co-creation profile database 23a, a business operator database 23b, and a support company database 23c.
[0025] The business database 23b stores information on each business whose registration has been accepted by the registration acceptance unit 22a (described later) (for example, information entered by each business during registration). The information on each business may include one or more of the following: corporate name (or local government name), address, website URL, number of employees, position of person in charge, telephone number, name of person in charge, and email address. The business database 23b may also store information on the base concept created by the base concept creation unit 22c (described later) for each business. Furthermore, the business database 23b may also store information on other businesses that the business is considering as potential co-creation partners.
[0026] The co-creation profile database 23a stores information on co-creation profiles registered by the co-creation profile creation support unit 22d (described later), linked to information on the business that created the co-creation profile.
[0027] The support company database 23c stores information on each support company whose registration has been accepted by the second registration acceptance unit 22h (described later) (for example, information entered by each support company at the time of registration). The information on each support company may include one or more of the following: company name (or local government name), address, website URL, number of employees, position of person in charge, telephone number, name of person in charge, and email address.
[0028] Furthermore, the memory unit 23 does not necessarily have to be physically located within the new business creation support system 2. Part or all of the memory unit 23 may be located in another device (for example, cloud storage) that is connected to the new business creation support system 2 via an external network in a communicable manner.
[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 22 includes a registration reception unit 22a, a goal setting unit 22b, a base concept creation support unit 22c, a co-creation profile creation support unit 22d, a matching support unit 22e, an interview support unit 22f, a planning support unit 22g, a second registration reception unit 22h, and a co-creation profile search unit 22i. Each of these units 22a to 22i may be realized by a processor within the new business creation support system 2 executing a predetermined program, or it may be implemented in hardware.
[0030] The registration reception unit 22a accepts user registrations from businesses that wish to start a new business. For example, when a first business operator accesses the member registration webpage by operating the first business operator terminal 31, the registration reception unit 22a refers to Figure 5 and sends the member registration screen to the first business operator terminal 31 for display. After the first business operator enters the company name (or local government name), address, website URL, number of employees, position of person in charge, telephone number, name of person in charge, and email address on the first business operator terminal 31, and then taps (or clicks) the "Register" button displayed on the member registration screen, the registration reception unit 22a accepts the user registration by storing the information entered by the first business operator in the business database 23b.
[0031] After the registration acceptance unit 22a completes the user registration of the first business operator, the goal setting unit 22b refers to Figure 6 and sends a first screen to the first business operator terminal 31 requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization. Once the first business operator sets the start date (start timing) and target date (commercialization timing) on the first business operator terminal 31, the goal setting unit 22b obtains the start date and target date set via the first screen from the first business operator terminal 31, and based on the obtained start date and target date, calculates target values for each item that must be implemented each month, including at least the number of messages sent, the number of replies, and the number of meetings with other business operators, according to predetermined rules (for example, a correspondence table or calculation formula that defines the relationship between the number of days from the start date to the target date and the numerical value of each item). Then, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the goal setting unit 22b sends the calculated target values for each item to the first business operator terminal 31 for display. In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the seven items that must be implemented each month are shown as the number of messages sent, the number of replies, the number of initial meetings, the number of ongoing meetings / negotiations, the number of co-creation agreements, and the number of co-creation start dates. However, the number is not limited to seven; it may be six or fewer, or eight or more. The goal setting unit 22b may display the calculated target values for each item as a graph (a stacked bar graph in the illustrated example), as shown in Figure 7, or as text (numbers), as shown in Figure 8. By visualizing the specific numerical values for each item that must be implemented each month until the target deadline, users can gain an overview of the overall picture and work systematically toward achieving their goals.
[0032] The base concept creation support unit 22c, referring to Figures 9 and 10, sends and displays a question (first question) to the first business terminal 31 that asks about at least the first business's strengths and needs for co-creation. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the base concept creation support unit 22c sends and displays the base concept creation screen (initial screen) to the first business terminal 31. When the first business operates the first business terminal 31 and taps (or clicks) the "Proceed to Questions" button displayed on the initial screen, the base concept creation support unit 22c sends and displays the first question to the first business terminal 31, as shown in Figure 10. After the first business enters an answer (first response) to the first question on the first business terminal 31 and then taps (or clicks) the "Save and Proceed" button, the base concept creation support unit 22c obtains the first response to the first question from the first business terminal 31. Then, once answers to all pre-prepared questions have been obtained from the first business terminal 31, the base concept creation support unit 22c, referring to Figure 11, creates a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained answers, and transmits the created base concept to the first business terminal 31 for display. The first business operator can simply answer the multiple questions (first questions) displayed on the first business terminal 31 in order, thereby clearly defining and organizing its strengths and needs for co-creation as a base concept, and gaining a deeper understanding of its own company.
[0033] The co-creation profile creation support unit 22d refers to Figure 12 and displays the second question 51 for creating a co-creation profile (PR page) on the first business terminal 31. The second question 51 may include one or more of the following: basic information (basic information, employee information, etc.), information about the company (company characteristics, resources provided, etc.), co-creation image (co-creation title, issues to be solved, etc.), and tags to search for (business area, issues, etc.). If the base concept creation unit 22c has completed the creation of the base concept, the co-creation profile creation support unit 22d displays the first link 52 (in the illustrated example, the "Automatically Set" button) which allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question (in the illustrated example, the items for company characteristics, resources provided, issues to be solved, what to achieve, and issues (tags to search for)) according to the content of the created base concept. The first business operator can automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept they have created by tapping (or clicking) the first link 52 (the "Automatically Set" button). When the co-creation profile creation support unit 22d obtains the answers to each item of the second question from the first business operator terminal 31, it refers to Figure 13, creates a co-creation profile (PR page) for the first business operator based on the obtained answers, and sends it to the first business operator terminal 31 for display. The co-creation profile creation support unit 22d also associates the information of the created co-creation profile with the information of the business operator that created the co-creation profile and registers it in the co-creation profile database 23a.
[0034] The matching support unit 22e refers to Figure 14 and sends and displays a search screen for searching for potential co-creation partners to the first business terminal 31. The matching support unit 22e obtains search criteria (for example, free word, company size, business area, co-creation purpose, location, year of establishment, company stage, number of employees, etc.) from the first business terminal 31 via the search screen, and searches the co-creation profile database 23a for co-creation profiles that meet the obtained search criteria. Then, referring to Figure 15, the matching support unit 22e sends and displays the found co-creation profile to the first business terminal 31, along with a second link 53 (a "Message" button in the illustrated example) that allows the first business to send a message to the second business that created the co-creation profile. The first business can tap (or click) the second link 53 ("Message" button), refer to Figure 16, transition to the message creation and sending screen, and easily send a message to the second business that is a candidate for a co-creation partner to approach them.
[0035] Referring to Figure 15, when the first business operator taps (or clicks) the second link 53 ("Message" button) or the "Favorites" button displayed on the searched co-creation profile on the first business operator's terminal 31, the matching support unit 22e refers to Figure 17 and adds the information of the second business operator who created the co-creation profile to the first business operator's My Page, which displays the list of companies under consideration.
[0036] After the first business sends a message to the second business via the second link 53, the interview support unit 22f refers to Figure 17 and displays a third link 53 (the string "Schedule an interview date" in the illustrated example) on the first business's terminal 31's My Page of the list of companies under consideration, which allows the first business to schedule an interview with the second business. By tapping (or clicking) the third link 53 (the string "Schedule an interview date"), the first business refers to Figure 18, transitions to the interview scheduling screen, and can easily send candidate interview dates to the second business to schedule an interview.
[0037] After the interview date has been confirmed with the second business operator, the interview support unit 22f refers to Figure 19 and displays a fourth link 54 (in the illustrated example, a button labeled "Enter Interview Room") on the My Page of the list of companies under consideration displayed on the first business operator's terminal 31, which allows for an online interview with the second business operator. By tapping (or clicking) the fourth link 54 (the text "Enter Interview Room"), the first business operator is redirected to the online interview screen using the video disclosure system, and can easily conduct the interview with the second business operator.
[0038] After the first business operator conducts an interview with the second business operator via the fourth link 54, the planning support unit 22g refers to Figure 20 and displays a button that says "Create a business plan using the co-creation business plan tool" on the first business operator's terminal 31's My Page in the list of companies under consideration. When the first business operator taps (or clicks) the button that says "Create a business plan using the co-creation business plan tool" on the first business operator's terminal 31, the planning support unit 22g sends and displays a third question (not shown) to the first business operator's terminal 31 for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator. Then, the planning support unit 22g obtains the third answer to the third question from the first business operator's terminal 31 and creates a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer. By answering the questions (third question) provided by the system, the first business operator can easily create a systematic outline document (business plan) of the co-creation business. The planning support unit 22g sends the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator's terminal 32 for display. This allows the first company, which has created the co-creation business plan, to coordinate its contents with the second company and explore feasible forms of implementation.
[0039] The second registration reception unit 22h accepts user registrations from support companies that assist third-party businesses that wish to start new businesses. For example, when a support company operates the support company terminal 4 and accesses the member registration webpage, the second registration reception unit 22h sends the member registration screen to the support company terminal 4 for display. After the support company enters the company name (or local government name), address, website URL, number of employees, position of the person in charge, telephone number, name of the person in charge, and email address on the support company terminal 4, and then taps (or clicks) the "Register" button displayed on the member registration screen, the second registration reception unit 22h accepts the user registration by storing the information entered by the support company in the support company database 23c.
[0040] The co-creation profile search unit 22i sends and displays a search screen for searching for other businesses to the support company terminal 4 of the registered support company. The co-creation profile search unit 22i obtains search criteria (for example, free word, company size, business area, co-creation purpose, location, year of establishment, company stage, number of employees, etc.) from the support company terminal 4 via the search screen, and then searches the co-creation profile database 23a for co-creation profiles that meet the obtained search criteria. The co-creation profile search unit 22i then sends and displays the searched co-creation profiles to the support company terminal 4.
[0041] (Example of operation) Next, an example of the operation of the new business creation support system 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the new business creation support system 1.
[0042] As shown in Figure 3, first, the registration reception unit 22a accepts user registration from the first business operator who wants to start a new business (step S10). For example, when the first business operator operates the first business operator terminal 31 and accesses the member registration webpage, the registration reception unit 22a refers to Figure 5 and sends the member registration screen to the first business operator terminal 31 for display. After the first business operator enters information such as the name of the corporation (or local government) on the first business operator terminal 31 and taps (or clicks) the "Register" button, the registration reception unit 22a accepts the user registration by storing the information entered by the first business operator in the business database 23b.
[0043] Next, the goal setting unit 22b sets the target date for commercialization (step S11). For example, referring to Figure 6, the goal setting unit 22b sends and displays a first screen to the first business terminal 31 requesting the setting of the target date for commercialization. Once the first business sets the start date (start timing) and target date (commercialization timing) on the first business terminal 31, the goal setting unit 22b obtains the set start date and target date from the first business terminal 31 via the first screen. Then, based on the obtained start date and target date, the goal setting unit 22b calculates target values for each of the items that must be implemented each month, at least the number of messages sent to other businesses, the number of replies, and the number of meetings, according to predetermined rules (for example, a correspondence table or calculation formula that defines the relationship between the number of days from the start date to the target date and the numerical value of each item), and sends the calculated target values for each item to the first business terminal 31 for display (see Figures 7 and 8).
[0044] Next, the Base Concept Creation Support Unit 22c supports the creation of the base concept (step S12). For example, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the Base Concept Creation Support Unit 22c transmits and displays a question (the first question) asking at least about the strengths of the first business operator and the needs for co-creation to the first business operator terminal 31. When an answer (the first answer) to the first question is input on the first business operator terminal 31, the Base Concept Creation Support Unit 22c acquires the first answer from the first business operator terminal 31. Then, when answers to all the questions prepared in advance from the first business operator terminal 31 are acquired, referring to FIG. 11, the Base Concept Creation Support Unit 22c creates a base concept that serves as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the acquired answers, and transmits and displays the created base concept to the first business operator terminal 31.
[0045] Next, the Co-creation Profile Creation Support Unit 22d supports the creation of the co-creation profile (step S13). For example, referring to FIG. 12, the Co-creation Profile Creation Support Unit 22d displays the second question 51 for creating the co-creation profile (PR page) on the first business operator terminal 31, and displays a first link 52 that enables automatic input of answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the created base concept. Then, when an answer (the second answer) to each item of the second question is input on the first business operator terminal 31, the Co-creation Profile Creation Support Unit 22d acquires the second answer from the first business operator terminal 31. Referring to FIG. 13, the Co-creation Profile Creation Support Unit 22d creates the co-creation profile (PR page) of the first business operator based on the acquired answers, and transmits and displays it to the first business operator terminal 31. Further, the Co-creation Profile Creation Support Unit 22d registers the information of the created co-creation profile in the co-creation profile database 23a in association with the information of the business operator who created the co-creation profile.
[0046] Next, the matching support unit 22e obtains search criteria from the first business operator to search for co-creation partners (step S14). For example, referring to Figure 14, the matching support unit 22e sends and displays a search screen for searching for candidate co-creation partners to the first business operator terminal 31, and through the search screen, obtains search criteria from the first business operator terminal 31 to search for co-creation profiles of other businesses.
[0047] Then, the matching support unit 22e searches the co-creation profile database 23a for co-creation profiles that meet the acquired search criteria, refers to Figure 15, and sends the found co-creation profile, along with a second link 53 that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile, to the first business operator terminal 31 for display (step S15). The first business operator can tap (or click) the second link 53, refer to Figure 16, and transition to the message creation and sending screen. Also, referring to Figure 15, when the first business operator taps (or clicks) the second link 53 or the "Favorites" button displayed on the found co-creation profile on the first business operator terminal 31, the matching support unit 22e refers to Figure 17 and adds the information of the second business operator who created the co-creation profile to the first business operator's My Page, which displays the list of companies under consideration.
[0048] Next, the interview support unit 22f supports the conduct of an interview with the second business operator (step S16). For example, after the first business operator transmits a message to the second business operator via the second link 53, the interview support unit 22f refers to FIG. 17 and displays a third link 53 on the my page of the list of candidate companies displayed on the first business operator terminal 31, which enables scheduling an interview with the second business operator. By tapping (or clicking) the third link 53, the first business operator can refer to FIG. 18 and transition to the interview schedule adjustment screen. Next, after the interview schedule with the second business operator is confirmed, the interview support unit 22f refers to FIG. 19 and displays a fourth link 54 on the my page of the list of candidate companies displayed on the first business operator terminal 31, which enables an online interview with the second business operator. By tapping (or clicking) the fourth link 54, the first business operator can transition to the screen of an online interview using the video disclosure system with the second business operator.
[0049] Next, the planning support unit 22g supports the creation of a co-creation business plan with the second business operator (step S17). For example, after the first business operator conducts an interview with the second business operator via the fourth link 54, the planning support unit 22g refers to FIG. 20 and displays a button "Create a business plan using the co-creation business plan tool" on the my page of the list of candidate companies displayed on the first business operator terminal 31. When the first business operator taps (or clicks) the button "Create a business plan using the co-creation business plan tool" on the first business operator terminal 31, the planning support unit 22g transmits and displays a third question (not shown) for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator on the first business operator terminal 31. After obtaining a third answer to the third question from the first business operator terminal 31, the planning support unit 22g creates a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer. Then, the planning support unit 22g transmits and displays the created co-creation business plan on the second business operator terminal 32.
[0050] (Another example of operation) Next, referring to FIG. 4, another example of the operation of the new business creation support system 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the new business creation support system 1.
[0051] As shown in Figure 4, first, the second registration reception unit 22h accepts user registrations from support companies that assist businesses wishing to start new businesses (step S20). For example, when a support company operates the support company terminal 4 and accesses the member registration webpage, the second registration reception unit 22h sends the member registration screen to the support company terminal 4 for display. After the support company enters information such as the company name (or local government name) on the support company terminal 4 and taps (or clicks) the "Register" button, the second registration reception unit 22h accepts the user registration by storing the information entered by the support company in the support company database 23c.
[0052] Next, the co-creation profile search unit 22i obtains search criteria from the supporting company for searching for co-creation partners of third-party businesses supported by that supporting company (step S21). For example, the co-creation profile search unit 22i sends and displays a search screen for searching for candidate co-creation partners to the supporting company terminal 4, and through the search screen, obtains search criteria from the supporting company terminal 4 for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses.
[0053] The co-creation profile search unit 22i then searches the co-creation profile database 23a for co-creation profiles that meet the acquired search criteria, and transmits the retrieved co-creation profiles to the support company terminal 4 for display (step S22). The support company can use the retrieved co-creation profiles to support matching third-party businesses with other businesses.
[0054] According to the above-described embodiment, a business operator (the first business operator) that wants to start a new business can utilize this system to receive support for a series of business development processes, including partner search, matching, interviews, and planning in co-creation. This makes it possible to support businesses that want to start a new business in practicing open innovation and realizing commercialization.
[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a clear target date for commercialization is set, and specific numerical values for milestones toward achieving the target are determined and visualized by working backward from the set target date. As a result, businesses that want to start a new business can take a comprehensive view of the overall picture and work systematically toward achieving their goals.
[0056] The above-described embodiments and the disclosure of drawings are merely examples for explaining the invention described in the claims, and the above-described embodiments or the disclosure of drawings do not limit the invention described in the claims. The components of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0057] Furthermore, although the new business creation support system 2 according to the above-described embodiment may be composed of one or more computers, the program for implementing the new business creation support system 2 on one or more computers and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded non-transitory are also subject to protection in this case.
Claims
1. A system for supporting the creation of new businesses, comprising: means for receiving user registration from a first business operator who wishes to start a new business; means for displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the first business operator's strengths and needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a base concept that serves as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the first business operator's terminal; and means for displaying a second question on the first business operator's terminal for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the first business operator's terminal; and creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer and registering it in a database. A system comprising: means for obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators, searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria, and displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; means for displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator after the first business operator has sent a message to the second business operator via the second link, which allows scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; and means for displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator after the first business operator has conducted a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator, obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator, creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer, and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be carried out each month, at least the number of messages sent to other business operators, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: means for receiving user registration from a support company that assists third-party businesses that wish to start new businesses; means for obtaining search criteria for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.
4. A computer-based method for supporting the creation of new businesses, comprising: a step of receiving user registration from a first business operator who wishes to start a new business; a step of displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the first business operator's strengths and needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the first business operator's terminal; a step of displaying a second question on the first business operator's terminal for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer; and registering it in a database. A method comprising the steps of: obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that enables sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that enables scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; after the first business operator conducts a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator; obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer; and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be carried out each month, which are at least the number of messages sent to other business operators, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising the steps of: accepting user registration from a support company that assists third-party businesses that wish to start new businesses; obtaining search criteria for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.
7. A program to support the creation of new businesses, comprising the steps of: accepting registration from a first business operator who wishes to start a new business; displaying a first question on the terminal of the registered first business operator, asking at least the first business operator's strengths and needs for co-creation; obtaining a first answer to the first question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a base concept that will serve as a guideline for efforts toward commercialization based on the obtained first answer; and displaying the created base concept on the first business operator's terminal; displaying a second question on the first business operator's terminal for creating a co-creation profile, and displaying a first link that allows the user to automatically input answers to one or more items of the second question according to the content of the base concept; obtaining a second answer to the second question from the first business operator's terminal; creating a co-creation profile of the first business operator based on the obtained second answer; and registering it in a database. A program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: obtaining search criteria from the terminal of the first business operator to search for co-creation profiles of other business operators; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; displaying the found co-creation profiles on the terminal of the first business operator, along with a second link that allows sending a message to the second business operator who created the co-creation profile; after the first business operator sends a message to the second business operator via the second link, displaying a third link on the terminal of the first business operator that allows scheduling a meeting with the second business operator and conducting an online meeting; after the first business operator conducts a meeting with the second business operator via the third link, displaying a third question on the terminal of the first business operator for creating a co-creation business plan with the second business operator; obtaining a third answer to the third question from the terminal of the first business operator; creating a co-creation business plan based on the obtained third answer; and sending the created co-creation business plan to the second business operator.
8. The program according to claim 7, which further causes the computer to perform the steps of: displaying a first screen on the terminal of the first business operator requesting the setting of a target date for commercialization; obtaining the target date set via the first screen from the terminal of the first business operator; calculating target values for each of the items that must be carried out each month, which are at least the number of messages sent to other business operators, the number of replies, and the number of meetings; and displaying the calculated target values for each item on the terminal of the first business operator.
9. The program according to claim 7 or 8, which causes the computer to further perform the following steps: receiving user registration from a support company that assists third-party businesses that wish to start new businesses; obtaining search criteria for searching for co-creation profiles of other businesses from the terminal of the registered support company; searching the database for co-creation profiles that satisfy the obtained search criteria; and transmitting the retrieved co-creation profiles to the terminal of the support company.