Global Open Innovation
What is Global Open Innovation?
Global Open Innovation means actively embracing technologies, knowledge, and ideas from around the world, without being limited to any specific country or region, to create innovative products, services, and business models.
Our philosophy:
Driven by our unique concept of the "Edge Platform," OKI is committed to ensuring the resilience and well-being of society. OKI pursue both the strengthening of our core technologies and the building of open ecosystems, balancing internal strengths with external collaborations as OKI promote open innovation.
Our mission:
Utilizing a wide range of global resources—including international startups and OKI’s own researchers—not limited to products or solutions, OKI focus on how our products and services deliver social value. OKI boldly promote open innovation worldwide, supported by our business, R&D bases, technology clusters, and open labs in EU, Global South, the United States, and beyond.
By leveraging the knowledge gained through these initiatives, OKI is taking on the challenge of creating new global businesses in fields such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and healthcare. Partnering with leading-edge startups and diverse players across the globe, OKI are determined to establish our “Edge Platform” in key domains that are essential for the future.
Complementary Technology Enrichment in Silicon Valley
In May 2024, OKI established a base in Silicon Valley, USA. Initiated technology scouting activities with a focus on startups. OKI entered into an Ecosystem Plus Partnership agreement with Plug and Play, LLC, a leading US accelerator, thereby launching open innovation activities based in Silicon Valley.
To bridge the typical gaps that often arise when collaborating with startups, OKI established a specialized organization—the Global Advanced Development Office—within our Technology Division. This office supports startups identified through our technology scouting activities, working alongside them through the processes of technical evaluation, proof of concept (PoC), and business development. Through this structure, OKI aim to efficiently integrate technological innovations from around the world into our business and respond swiftly to increasingly complex social challenges.
Core Technology Enhancement in Berlin
In June 2025, OKI established the “OKI Berlin Lab,” a research and development base in Berlin, Germany.
Based on the “Technology Strategy” announced in 2023, OKI are striving to further strengthen our core photonics technology to a world-class level. Through real-world deployment, OKI is contributing to solving new social issues.
OKI strengthens its photonics technology through joint research with leading research institutes in the EU, primarily in Germany. This enables us to dramatically accelerate the advancement and functionality of edge devices such as optical fiber sensors and compact laser vibrometers, which have been developed by OKI. Furthermore, by collaborating with EU photonics clusters and optomechatronics-related companies, OKI promotes technological complementation and gain a technological edge through real-world deployment in fields such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and healthcare.
The OKI Berlin Lab is located within an incubation facility in Berlin. The lab staffed with researchers engaged in joint research with external institutions, as well as technology marketers who drive the social implementation of optomechatronics technologies. In addition, the lab has a showroom that introduces OKI’s latest technologies, providing visitors with opportunities to deepen their understanding of our technologies.
Through these activities, OKI aims to validate the value of its R&D results within the EU, then expand them globally to APAC and other regions.
