News Release

JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeru Oi; “JX”) is pleased to announce its decision to implement an accelerator program¹ called the Innovation Challenge for the Next Generation (the “Program”) jointly with French company Agorize² (Head Office: Paris, France; CEO: Charles Thou), with the aim of creating new businesses.

 

JX has set itself the challenge of developing and strengthening technology-based businesses that will be the mainstays of the future as one of the key components of its Medium-Term Management Plan. The Program will contribute to this endeavor by inviting ideas for new businesses from start-ups with the aim of commercializing such ideas. Prioritizing nonferrous metal-related innovation, the Program will seek ideas addressing a wide array of nonferrous metal domains including resources development, and smelting and refining, with a particular focus on advanced materials, high-performance and multifunctional materials, and recycling technologies. JX expects to receive a wealth of innovative ideas from start-ups all over the world, and particularly from Europe, where Agorize has a well-developed network.

 

JX will make use of the Program and other forms of open innovation with companies, universities, research institutes, and other organizations inside and outside Japan to explore new possibilities for nonferrous metals in a wide array of domains with a focus on advanced materials, high-performance and multifunctional materials, and recycling technologies. By proposing and supplying such materials and technologies, JX will continue contributing to the creation of a sustainable society.

 

 

Notes:

1. An accelerator program enables companies to use a contest format to invite ideas and proposals from start-ups with a view to cooperation or investment.

2. Agorize is a company with operating bases primarily in France, as well as elsewhere in the world. It offers support for accelerator programs and a variety of other forms of open innovation.

 

Reference: Overview of Accelerator Program

Program Name	Innovation Challenge for the Next Generation
Overview	JX and Agorize will be inviting ideas for future-oriented, innovative new businesses addressing a wide array of nonferrous metal domains including resources development and smelting and refining, with a particular focus on technology-based businesses involving advanced materials, high-performance and multifunctional materials, and recycling. The forms of partnership on offer will include joint development, financial assistance, capital tie-up, provision of materials, and provision of sales channels.
Schedule	2019: June 7 Provisional launch of platform (website) Sept. 5 Start date for submissions (official launch of website) Oct. 25 Deadline for submissions Early Nov. First selection stage (document-based screening) Late Nov. Second selection stage (interviews) 2020: Mar. Final selection
Website for Submission of Ideas	https://www.agorize.com/en/challenges/jx-challenge   Further details will be communicated via the above website as necessary.