Interview
Biodata bank: Innovating Heat Risk Solutions for a Warming World

As global temperatures continue to rise, the impacts of extreme heat are becoming increasingly hard to ignore. In Japan, temperatures over the summer and fall were nearly 2 Celsius warmer than average, with record-breaking days surpassing 35º C. The same is true in Europe, North America, and elsewhere, a worrying sign of the real impacts of climate change.

Not surprisingly, heat-related health issues and fatalities are on the rise globally. In many places, certain groups are more vulnerable to heat than others. This can be construction workers, garbage collectors, and other jobs required to work long hours exposed to heat, as well as the elderly or people with health issues whose bodies are more vulnerable to heat stroke.

“In Japan, the number of hospitalizations skyrocketed because of extremely hot summers,” said Stanislas De Barbeyrac de Saint Maurice, Biodata Bank’s Head of North America Business Development. “This was a clear sign to our founder, to take action and find a solution.”

That solution became Biodata Bank, a Japanese health-tech startup founded by Takeshi Anzai in 2018, with a mission to better understand and prevent heat risk. They do this through their flagship product, Canaria+, a heat warning watch designed to help people recognize heat risks and take preventative actions in time.

The name "Canaria" reflects the concept of a "canary in a coal mine"—a reference to early warning, as miners once used canaries to detect toxic gases when working deep underground. But unlike the caged bird, Biodata Bank’s Canaria+ uses sound, and color-coded designed to transcend language barriers, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Additionally, it also has a vibration alert, which makes it effective even in noisy environments or when workers are wearing protective gear, ensuring vital warnings are never missed. Another unique feature is that it doesn’t require recharging and has an autonomy of five months.

“Unlike most smartwatches, Canaria+ offers a unique capability: It can accurately track the changes of the core body temperature to prevent heat strokes,” said Jaime De Andrés Gracia, Biodata bank’s Country Representative for Spain.

The device is worn on the wrist and alerts users if they’re at high risk of heat stroke. By detecting variations in core body temperature and other indicators, the data is analyzed by algorithms that intelligently adapt to each user. It’s particularly suited for people working in high-heat or physically demanding environments, like construction and industrial sites, where the company initially experienced significant growth in Japan.

"Workers in the construction industry are often exposed to extreme heat, but this challenge extends across various sectors," explained Jaime. Initially focused on construction, Canaria+ has also gained traction in other industries in Japan, such as steel manufacturing, transportation, and energy. In fact, Canaria+ has proven popular with users, and the product has seen steady, rapid growth, selling over 700,000 units between 2020 and 2024. Notable companies like Keikyu Corporation and Sumitomo Forestry have adopted Canaria+ to protect their employees from heat-related risks.

Building on its initial success, Biodata bank looked abroad to expand its market, and further help protect workers at risk from the heat. In 2022, they opened a European subsidiary in France and have already seen promising results, particularly in Spain—a country also facing significant heat risks.

“In Spain, there was a royal decree passed by the government mandating that employers must protect workers from heat-related risks,” said Jaime. “This, along with the growing awareness of heat hazards, has significantly increased the market for us.”

JETRO has played a key role in helping Biodata Bank expand globally, said Jaime.

“When we expanded to France, JETRO provided invaluable support, helping us find legal assistance from attorneys and lawyers, to implement our logistics center in Paris, and aided our participation in various events,” said Jaime. “Without JETRO and their support, we wouldn't have reached this point so quickly.”

“Beyond Europe, the company is exploring opportunities in North America, Middle East, and Latin America, while also expanding its focus beyond the construction industry to other sectors, such as energy, mining, agriculture, and more. One area where they see future potential is the elderly, as they are more vulnerable, and with ageing populations growing across the world, the demand for solutions is increasing.

“We are committed to bringing our technology to the elderly, as they are particularly vulnerable to heat-related risks and urgently need solutions to protect them from heatstroke.” said Stanislas.

As Canaria+ works to address risks related to climate change, its design also reflects a strong commitment to sustainability. Canaria＋ actively promotes recycling efforts, and its packaging has been reduced by 75% to promote responsible production. This focus on sustainability not only aligns with the company’s core values but also serves as a strategic advantage, especially as they expand into markets with stringent waste management regulations.

“Creating a sustainable product is crucial for us because our clients, particularly in Europe, are committed to the SDG agenda, so it's essential that our product be recyclable,” said Jaime.

Biodata Bank has seen remarkable growth in the past 5 years by focusing on a single, well-designed, adaptable, and flexible flagship product. While expanding the product line might seem like a natural next step, the company remains committed to refining and enhancing its core offering.

“Our focus in the coming years will be on refining Canaria+ to its fullest potential, ensuring it is fine-tuned to meet the needs of as many markets as possible,” said Stanislas.

For both Stanislas and Jaime, working at a Japanese start-up with an ambitious global vision has been an enriching experience. They are both optimistic and excited about the opportunities the future holds.

“Growing an operation from the ground up and seeing how far we’ve come has been incredibly rewarding,” said Jaime. “What makes it even more meaningful is knowing that Canaria+ is genuinely making a difference. The value of that is immeasurable—I truly believe in the impact of the solution we're offering.”