Japanese sporting goods giant Asics is on the lookout for the second tranche of sports and well-being start-ups to join its growth catalyst programme.
First announced in March of last year, the programme – called ‘Tenkan-Ten’, which is Japanese for tipping point – will provide selected start-ups with EUR30,000 (US$33,800) and access to Asics executives and industry mentors, as well as support from the internationally renowned IESE Business School during an intensive four-month period.
In addition, each start-up founder will benefit from leadership development with a focus on mental and physical health, as well as company culture. Each founder will receive a personalised “Sound Mind, Sound Body” plan, including coaching, psychologist and personal trainer sessions, in addition to a nutritional plan and access to Asics’ gym and sports facilities.
The initiative is part of Asics’ ‘Growth Plan for 2020’, which promotes sustainable growth and has a target of reaching net sales of JPY750bn (US$7bn) by 2020.
Among the five start-ups chosen last year was a performance streetwear brand called Pyrates that produces its own range of Pyratex smart fabrics from natural and sustainable fibres such as bamboo and seaweed. These are transformed into wearable yarns, which provide health benefits such as muscle relaxation, improved blood circulation and skin cell regeneration.
The Tenkan-Ten programme’s latest round will start in September 2019 and will take place at the Asics Innovation Hub in Barcelona and the newly opened EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam. This year’s application window is open until 9 June.
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