Co-Innovation Programs
From Concept to Implementation.
Leveraging Microsoft technology and expertise, we transform your ideas into valuable prototypes. Together we think, create, and shape business possibilities quickly.
- Co-Innovation
- End-to-end support from concept to implementation
- Up to 5 Days
- Sprint development
- 100%
- Customer owns all intellectual property
Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Program
Transform your ideas into innovative prototypes.
Starting from your vision and expertise, our lab engineers facilitate requirements analysis, technology research, architecture design, and feasibility assessment during onboarding. Then we execute sprint development to build prototypes within 5 days, providing consistent support over approximately 2 months to accelerate value creation using Microsoft AI.
- 00 NominationSubmit requirements and vision
- 01 DiscoverDesign Thinking
- 02 BuildSprint Development
Design Thinking
OnboardingDesign Thinking is a collaborative session that precedes sprint development, where we work together to refine your ideas and use cases. We clarify business challenges and expected value, identify areas where AI can be effective, pinpoint technical verification needs, and then define the PoC theme, scope, and goals.
Our lab engineers provide technical support, clarifying technical requirements and constraints related to data, AI models, applications, and security. Through technology research with you, we assess feasibility, establish PoC success criteria, and select the Microsoft technologies and architecture suitable for your validation.
Implementation Approach
- Tech Calls: Multiple online meetings via Microsoft Teams to systematically clarify requirements, validation scope, and technical considerations.
- Design Session: Half-day whiteboard discussion at the Kobe Lab to intensively design use cases, architecture, and PoC goals and success criteria.
Prototyping
Sprint DevelopmentBased on your unique scenarios and data, we develop prototypes tailored to business requirements and operating environments within 5 days. Rather than generic demos, we validate actual business value and technical feasibility.
Your development team leads the work while lab engineers provide technical support and knowledge on Microsoft AI. We progress together from environment setup through architecture design, implementation, and testing, supporting problem-solving and team skill development.
At sprint completion, we conduct a Retrospective to summarize achievements, technical challenges, and learnings. We clarify additional validation and improvements needed for production development, establish priorities, and propose concrete Next Steps. All intellectual property created through the program belongs 100% to you.
Participation
The Kobe Lab partners with the AI Co-Innovation Labs KOBE Consortium (the "Consortium") to provide co-innovation programs. Applications are welcome from both Consortium members and non-members. However, participation eligibility and timing are adjusted based on project goals, implementation structure, and the Kobe Lab's capacity. Consortium members receive priority access to programs, events, and facility usage.
Consortium Member
Priority access for continuous co-innovation
- Priority access to AI Co-Innovation Program
- Event hosting rights (co-innovation events, lab tours, etc.)
- Event priority participation (priority seating)
- Demo display and logo display in lab exhibition space
- Participation in industry-academia-government ecosystem (co-innovation development)
- Participation in corporate-student co-innovation development program
General Participation
Start with lab tours and events
- Apply for AI Co-Innovation Program ※ Typically limited to once. Subject to lab capacity
- Lab tour (joint site visit) participation
- Event participation (lottery)
- Co-innovation community participation
AI Co-Innovation Program Participation Requirements
We invite participation from projects meeting the following conditions, with adjustments based on project goals, implementation structure, andthe Kobe Lab's capacity.
We prioritize projects planning production development or market launch. Obtain departmental approval before submitting your project.
Development is led by your engineering team. If your organization lacks sufficient engineering resources, you can participate through a co-innovation structure with Consortium supporting members who can provide development support.
Consortium & Members
Student × Corporate Co-Innovation
University Students × CompaniesA special program for university students, organized by the Consortium and Kobe City (a regular member). During summer and spring breaks, students tackle real-world business challenges.
With guidance from AI engineers and corporate mentors, students progress from understanding challenge essence through prototype implementation, gaining practical skills to apply AI and digital technologies in society.
Program Menu
- AI Application Training
- Participating Company Training
- Design Thinking
- Sprint Development
- Results Presentation
Supported Technologies
AI & Machine Learning
Enterprise-grade AI and machine learning services
Data Analytics
Services for big data and real-time analytics
Application Development
Tools and services for modern application development
Customer Testimonials
Join Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab Today!
Work with Microsoft experts and drive innovation through our AI Co-Innovation Lab Program.