SORA Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi; Founder and CEO: Yosuke Kaneko), a leader in AI and aerospace technology tackling global health and climate change challenges, has announced that it has begun supplying drones to the international public procurement market as of July 2024.
This marks a collaboration with UK trading company Eagle Scientific through the international public procurement consulting service “PICTURES i” provided by Mitsubishi UFJ Research & Consulting Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Masakazu Ikeda, hereafter MURC).

Additionally, leveraging this collaboration, SORA Technology will not only supply its proprietary drones but also support Japanese drone manufacturers aiming to expand globally by entering the international public procurement market. Through this effort, SORA Technology seeks to expand Japan’s international contribution through innovative technology.

More information on PICTURES i: https://www.murc.jp/service/keyword/42/

What is the International Public Procurement Market?

The international public procurement market is the process through which organizations such as the United Nations and government institutions in developing countries procure goods and services globally. These goods and services span a wide range, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to information and communication technology systems and educational supplies. The market is vast; even within UN agencies alone, the total procurement of goods and services from private companies worldwide amounted to $29.587 billion* in 2022.

Source: Asian Development Bank, 2022 Annual Procurement Report

Japan’s Diminished Presence in the International Public Procurement Market

Despite the scale of the market, Japan’s presence in international public procurement remains small. In 2022, Japan’s procurement volume in this market was approximately $100 million, placing it 56th among supplying countries and accounting for only 0.3% of the total.

However, with the World Bank and other UN agencies increasingly adopting “Value for Money” selection methods (choosing the highest value relative to the price), there is growing optimism that foreign companies, including those from Japan, will have more opportunities to enter this market. Furthermore, emerging and developing countries are making strides in improving their previously inefficient and costly public procurement systems, creating a more favorable environment for foreign companies, including those from Japan, to participate in these markets. This is expected to be advantageous for high-quality Japanese products.

Drone Supply and Support for Entry-Minded Companies

To help remedy Japan’s currently limited presence in the international public procurement market, SORA Technology has begun providing drones to this market. Many companies in Japan face high barriers to entry in this market due to a lack of knowledge and networks related to the United Nations and emerging and developing countries, as well as the difficulty of building an agile internal structure to respond to these markets.

By leveraging the “PICTURES i” service provided by MURC and collaborating with UK trading companies, SORA Technology is committed to strongly supporting companies with ambitions to enter this market. The company will continue to support Japanese drone manufacturers in expanding their presence globally.

About PICTURES i

PICTURES i is a consulting service designed to support Japanese companies in entering international public procurement markets, such as those of UN agencies and government institutions in developing countries, by offering products that best meet local needs. The service consists of three main pillars: “Information Support & Communication Support,” “Product Needs Assessment,” and “Project Formation Support.”

About SORA Technology

SORA Technology is driven by the mission to “transform lives from the skies (SORA).” By leveraging drones and air mobility, the company aims to create safe and prosperous societies worldwide. As a startup, SORA Technology focuses on combating malaria, one of the world’s three major infectious diseases, using drones and AI.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact:
SORA Technology Co., Ltd. Public Relations: Ichiko Sato
E-mail: ichiho.sato@sora-tech.com