JETRO Startup’s Post

Final Aim, Inc.: A Unique Japanese Startup Leveraging Blockchain for Designers & Makers Check out this fascinating interview with Masafumi Asakura and Yasuhide Yokoi, co-founders of Final Aim - a groundbreaking Japanese startup using blockchain and smart contracts to help designers and manufacturers prove ownership and authenticity of their work. Some key highlights: 🌐 Final Aim's vision is to create a world where creators can focus on design & manufacturing, streamlining challenges around contracts, invoices, marketing etc. ⛓ They've developed a flexible API that allows switching between different blockchain protocols as needed for scalability. 🏆 Major partnerships with Sony, Panasonic and acceptance into top accelerators like AlchemistX. 🦄 Named "most likely to become a unicorn" at Berkeley SkyDeck's showcase. 🌍 Big ambitions to become the world's leading Japanese startup within 10 years. The founders share insights on Final Aim's innovative platform, milestones, growth plans, and the valuable support received from organizations like JETRO. An inspiring read about leveraging blockchain for transparency and unlocking value in the design & manufacturing world! Full interview: https://lnkd.in/eDMDniuP #blockchain #smartcontracts #design #manufacturing #supplychain #startups #innovation

Get ready to explore the innovations of #Japan, Viva Technology's featured Country of the Year for 2024🌸 #VVTJapan2024 #VivaTech #Innovation #startup

Viva Technology 2024: Record Number of Companies Chosen to Exhibit at Japan Pavilion✨  The companies that will exhibit in this year’s event have been decided, including 36 promising Japanese startup companies from the green, deep tech, mobility and AI industries, 6 large companies involved in open innovation, and 16 hosted startups accompanying these large companies!  Together with this record number of exhibitors, new business opportunities will be created through corporate negotiations and cultural exchanges with companies from all around the world and develop Japan’s startup ecosystem even further 🚀  #VivaTech #Paris #France #CountryOfTheYear #Japan #JapanPavilion #OpenInnovation #Mobility #DeepTech #AI #Startups #JETRO #VivaTechnology2024  #VVTJapan2024 #ジェトロ #オープンイノベーション #VivaTechジャパンパビリオン  👇VIVA TECHNOLOGY 2024 - List of exhibitors at Japan Pavilion:  https://lnkd.in/g7RTxuZ8   👇 Viva Technology 2024 Official Website:  https://lnkd.in/gc6vJer  

📝STARTUP INTERVIEW – Vol. 26 📣 Kyoto Meditation Center's deep expertise in zen meditatiion and Mirai Innovation Research Institute's cutting-edge brain-sensing VR technology enables an immersive digital meditation experience that could revolutionize how we approach wellness and work-life balance.👓   “We are able to visualize in real time the activation of different brain processes whenever the person is experiencing different stimuli." said Christian Penaloza, Ph.D. of Mirai Innovation Research Institute 👀🌱 “Many meditation products are just designed for relaxation, but our product focuses on those who are working in the office or at home, to help them recover and work effectively again,” said Daisetz SASAKI founder of Kyoto Meditation Center 🏠🖥 “In the past, we only had 2D content only. So in that sense, 3D, virtual reality content was a challenge,...but now everything is under control,” said Hiroyuki Kubo CTO/ COO of Kyoto Meditation Center 🖼 🗺They're planning to showcase at the 2025 Osaka Expo to share this innovative collaboration to the world. 🎪 Don't miss this fascinating intersection of traditional Japanese culture and cutting-edge technology🔥 ✅Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gHM_6Zk9 ✅Learn more about Kyoto Meditation Center: https://lnkd.in/gxwmSfzd ✅Lean more about Mirai Innovation Research Institute: https://lnkd.in/e9trFCv #startup #meditation #Japan #Kyoto #VR #wellbeing #zenbuddism

🔥 Exciting Event for the Tokyo AI Ecosystem! [April 17th]🔥 We're thrilled to announce a brand-new monthly collaboration between Tokyo AI (TAI), JETRO Startup, and AI Salon, kicking off with an electrifying event on April 17th, 2024, from 18:00 to 21:00. For our inaugural edition, we already have an impressive lineup of 7 AI-focused startups ready to showcase their cutting-edge products through lightning talks. But we're not stopping there – we're seeking 4-6 more AI startups to join the excitement! Here are the trailblazers already on board (let us know if you'd like to demo too): 🤖株式会社LegalOn Technologies (角田 望 Nozomu Tsunoda, CEO & Founder) 🤖 ストックマーク株式会社 Stockmark Inc. (Bradley (Yusuke) T., VP Strategy & CFO) 🤖 Amplified (デイビス サムエル Samuel Davis CEO & Founder) 🤖 Guide Robotics Inc. (Aveek Das & Founder) 🤖 Citadel AI (Kenny Song, CTO & Founder) 🤖 JimakuAI (クナナン ジェイソン Jayson Cunanan Ph.D., CEO & Founder) 🤖 Liberius Technology Inc (Hiroyuki Nagamitsu, CEO & Founder)   What is AI Salon? AI Salon is a global community that brings together AI founders, operators, investors, and partners, launched by Jeffrey D. Abbott, GP at Blitzscaling Ventures. Its mission is to foster monthly in-person interactions that: - Provide a platform for founders and builders to share their work. - Assist investors in discovering top AI talent. - Enable corporations to engage with the AI startup community. About Tokyo AI (TAI)? TAI is a community of builders, engineers, and investors on a mission to foster a vibrant and cohesive AI ecosystem in Tokyo, organized by Ilya Kulyatin. Space is limited, so don't miss this opportunity! Apply now to join as a startup (send us a message) or as a visitor. ✒ https://lu.ma/op6wbkgx A huge thanks to Jeffrey D. Abbott and Ilya Kulyatin for making this incredible collaboration happen! Stay tuned for more updates, and get ready to experience the future of AI in Tokyo! #TokyoAI #JETRO #AISalon #AIStartups #Innovation #TechCommunity  

Global Investors Bullish on Japan's Startup Potential - Part 2 Continuing the perspectives from overseas experts on Japan's flourishing startup ecosystem 👀 : Magnus Grimeland (Antler, Founder & CEO): "Japan has all the key resources and the talent to build a world-class startup ecosystem." With the right utilization, the sky's the limit! https://lnkd.in/gTTwFFD5 Murat Aktihanoglu (Remarkable Ventures, Managing Partner): "Japan has the talent and capability to be a global leader in climate tech startups." The deep tech prowess can drive green innovation. https://lnkd.in/gtn-FYRq Caroline Winnett (Berkeley SkyDeck, Executive Director): "Japan's startup ecosystem is vibrant and diverse, with strengths in deep tech." An accelerator chief's glowing review. https://lnkd.in/gsCBFsBK From founders of pioneering accelerators to VC partners, global investors are lauding Japan's startup potential across frontier tech areas. With an enriching ecosystem, it's an opportune time to engage! #JapanStartups #VentureCapital #DeepTech #ClimateTech #InnovationEcosystem

Global Investors Bullish on Japan's Startup Potential -Part 1 What do leading overseas investors and accelerators think about Japan's startup potential? We asked the below brilliant experts to talk about Japanese startup ecosystem. 🚀 Maelle Gavet (Techstars, CEO): "With R&D, manufacturing & corporate innovation strengths, Japan is poised for startup success." https://lnkd.in/gkuVA8h9 Tony Raven (Cambridge Entreprise, Former Chief Executive): "Entrepreneurial drive & supportive policies make Japan an increasingly attractive startup hub." https://lnkd.in/g7HR3fun Christine Tsai (500 Global, CEO): "We're very excited to back innovative Japanese founders solving global problems." https://lnkd.in/gAHcB9Rr From world-leading accelerators to prestigious universities and VC firms, the global investment community has its eyes on Japan! 👀 With strengths across key sectors, top talent, and an improving ecosystem, now is an opportune time for overseas investors to engage. More insights in Part 2 next week! #startuphashtag #japanhashtag #deeptechhashtag #ecosystemhashtag #investor

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, signaling the arrival of a new fiscal year in Japan. 🌸 At JETRO Startup Team, we're celebrating this fresh start by welcoming some new faces to our ranks. Pictured here is a team of people who have joined us in our mission to foster innovation and connect startups, corporations, and investors. 🚀 With their talents on board, we're excited to double down on growing Japan's vibrant startup ecosystem and solving social challenges through entrepreneurship. Here's to an amazing 2024! Noriya Tarutani Kayoko Sawada Kohei Okui SHIONO Tatsuhiko Yusuke Nagao Sawako Ito Saki Sasagawa KEITA WATANABE Momoka Ueda Shiori Takeda Ryosuke Kameta Naoyuki Yoshikawa Yusuke Kaga Natsumi Ukai Takuma Hasui Natsuho Toyama Yuta Hayashida Chikako Kondo Kimi Sakoda Sam Maeda Harumi Hatazaki

📝STARTUP INTERVIEW – Vol. 25 📢Founded by Shota Nakagawa in September 2014, Japanese startup Caster is on a mission to elevate the recognition and value of remote work in society. Caster Co. Ltd. provides a suite of 14 services, including Caster BIZ recruiting, accounting, and sales marketing. Notably, its Zaitaku＠ Haken service matches highly skilled ex-managers and specialists with businesses for remote, flexible collaborations, while My Assistant offers virtual assistance for routine tasks.👩🏻💻📋 “Companies are more open to remote workers, and they now know that remote can work for them. Importantly, they even created infrastructure, like remote servers or a SaaS accounting system, infrastructure fit for remote work. So that’s a positive impact for us,” said Naohiro Kawamura, Chief Strategy Officer at Caster. 👩🏻💻📽️At Caster, remote work is not just a service offered; it's the core practice. Even the CEO works remotely. Presently, Caster operates in Japan and has recently expanded to the German market. ✅Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g-bZBS_k ✅Learn more about Caster: https://lnkd.in/gjzNrHnA #startup #remotework #Japan #Germany #outsourcing #workathome

📢Deadline for first-even Techstars Tokyo cohort approaching📢 📍 We invite ambitious pre seed and seed entrepreneurs to apply! 📍 Techstars, one of the world's leading accelerators, is set to launch its inaugural startup cohort in Japan: Techstars Tokyo Accelerator. 12 early-stage startups will be selected to receive investment, expert mentorship, and extensive networking opportunities. Participants in Techstars Tokyo will also have access to a vast network of partners, investors, and alumni, funding opportunities, workshops, and a plethora of peer learning experiences. 🏆🌍 ⭐️74% of Techstars companies raise capital within three years ⭐️31% of Techstars companies exit within eight years 👩🏻💻Applications for the 2024 cohort will close on March 27th. 🗓️ ✅ To Apply for Techstars Tokyo: https://lnkd.in/gNaEUDdV A massive thank you to Techstars CEO Maelle Gavet for gracing Japan with her presence at the symposium! 🙌 Special appreciation to Audun Abelsnes and 🍇 Kirstin Hunter Techstars MDs, for their invaluable office hours that undoubtedly enriched the startup ecosystem. A round of applause to Charlotte Bruce, PhD and Asma Abbas from Techstars APAC /EMEA for their diligent organization behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. 👏 #Techstars #Tokyo #StartUpAccelerator #JETRO #Startups #Entrepreneurs