J-Startup selects 50 startups for global expansion in 2023 batch

The J-Startup program was launched in June 2018 to help Japanese startups grow, both through the creation of a support community of the public and private sector, and through global expansion as national representative startups. Since the program inception, the number of Japanese startups — as presented by J-Startup — has hovered around 10,000. The 2022 startup plan of the Japanese government sees this increasing tenfold within five years (as they say in investment disclosures, “past performance is no guarantee of future results”).

From the outset, the program focused on areas of Japanese competitive advantage, such as information technology, internet-of-things, health care, biotech, artificial intelligence, robotics and manufacturing. FinTech had been grouped under the one fifth of the startups labeled “Other”. the 2023 batch sees fours FinTech startups, thus it is pretty much in line with the prior batches. We will list those in the first section to accommodate our industry readers, and then all others ordered alphabetically in the second section.

FinTech Startups

Asuene is a leading Climate Tech company in Japan with the mission of ”To make a better world for next generations”. Their service, Asuzero, enables companies and organizations to calculate and visualize their GHG emissions easily. Asuene also offers comprehensive decarbonization solutions including sustainability consultation, carbon offset, and initiative alignment assistance for TCFD, CDP, SBTi, and PCAF.

Credit Engine is a SaaS company, providing financial sector clients with services that range from online lending to debt collecting, applying data-driven technology. Founded in 2016 with the start of the online lending service “LENDY”, Credit Engine is headquartered in Japan and has an office in Singapore. Credit Engine’s mission is to develop SaaS lending solutions that deliver a seamless, stress-free lending and collecting experience to our customers, bringing them a more effective business operations and a higher customer engagements, and in turns bringing the lending and collecting business to the next level.

READYFOR operates Japan’s first and largest crowdfunding business, as well as a donation and subsidy matching business. Through a variety of businesses, READYFOR aims to procure funding for activities in areas where “existing capitalism” alone is not enough, such as medical care, research, communities, and culture.

Smart Bank provides the household account book preca “B/43”. It aims to develop a new-age “family money platform” and create a future where everyone can use, save, and increase money as a matter of course.

Other Industries

ARUM is a factory innovation company that provides a one-stop solution for “full automation of metalworking factories” in terms of both software and hardware. ARUMCODE1 is an AI software that generates automatically NC programs from 3DCAD data of all your core parts / key components. TTMC is a next-generation machining center that automates not only the cutting process but also the processes before and after the cutting process. MMOP is a new production management system that digitally links procurement companies and parts manufacturing companies to address various supply chain disruption risks such as contingencies and political risks.

Ashirase has the mission is to "create affluence for people through 'walking'", having developed a new interface that does not interfere with hearing and sight, which are very important for safety confirmation for visually impaired people . Ashirase aims to become a companion for the more than 200 million visually impaired people around the world and provide walking support that makes them want to take a step forward.

avatarin is a spin-out from ANA, aiming at the democratization of mobility – so that all people can move freely anytime and anywhere sustainably. It is focused on developing a next-generation mobility and human augmentation platform that will enable people to instantaneously transport their consciousness, skills and presence to remote locations using robotic avatar systems. avatarin is also accelerating the development of avatar robotics technology as the sponsor of the ongoing “ANA AVATAR XPRIZE” which was launched with the XPRIZE Foundation in 2018.

Baobab aims to realize a society where everyone is accepted to be who they are and where life choices are open, and is outsourcing work to people with restrictions on how they work, such as people with disabilities and refugees from overseas. While providing practical training, it also provides high-quality AI (artificial intelligence) learning data speedily both in Japan and overseas.

Cellusion aims to create new corneal regenerative medicine using iPS cells originating in Japan. Currently, due to the shortage of donors worldwide, many patients with corneal diseases are waiting for treatment. Cellusion aims to mass-produce corneal endothelial replacement cells from iPS cells
using its proprietary technology and contribute to corneal blindness patients around the world through cell therapy using these cells.

Closer has developed a general-purpose robot package that automates production lines for foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Closer aims to realize the introduction of robots in the field of high-mix low-volume production, which has been difficult to automate in the past. This will eliminate labor shortages and improve factory production capacity by automating difficult, repetitive tasks with robots.

Emulsion Flow Technologies utilizes the revolutionary solvent extraction technology “Emulsion Flow” developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency to implement horizontal recycling that recovers rare metals contained in lithium-ion batteries at low cost, with high efficiency and high purity, and contribute to the future stable supply of rare metal resources that are indispensable for the realization of a decarbonized society.

Enecoat Technologies is a start-up company from Kyoto University (established in January 2018) and the only company in Japan that specializes in the development of perovskite solar cells, which are said to be the big favorite for next-generation solar cells. The company's corporate mission is to make the battery a "power source anywhere" and to contribute to the resolution of ultra-long-term energy problems by aiming to make the battery the main power source.

Fast DOCTOR is a leading medical visit service in Japan, working with an extensive doctor network to provide patients with medical care at their homes or hotel rooms. Their doctors can perform various medical examinations for non-emergency medical treatment. They also cooperate with a medical translation company to provide comfortable, accessible medical care for visitors from various countries.

fermata is a Tokyo- and Singapore-based company providing market entry services and sales channels focusing on women’s health. While femtech is their current focus, their greater vision is to transform taboos into triumphs — to provide access to and champion the development of innovative solutions to long-standing issues surrounding health and wellness for all genders. Their work includes providing product import and localisation support to companies overseas, hosting events to build awareness of femtech in the APAC region, as well as selling femtech products in both online and in-person stores.

FingerVision aims to solve a variety of social problems by expanding the range of applications of robots and machines in the real world by putting advanced “visual and haptic” technology from universities into practical use. The FingerVision sensor consists of transparent soft skin and a small camera. By mounting it on the fingertips of robot hands, it becomes possible to perceive tactile sensations. Robots can be controlled in the same way that humans handle objects using the sensation of the palm of their hands.

Frontier Field's vision is to create a medical ICT platform and digitize medical care. While providing “Nibyo Mobile,” a smartphone service that realizes digitization in a secure environment, to medical institutions nationwide, Frontier Field will realize operational efficiency and work style reforms at medical institutions.

Gryllus is a company that implements socially the results of research on crickets accumulated over 30 years at Tokushima University. Edible crickets are expected to be a solution to the global protein shortage because they require less food & water and less greenhouse gas emissions. To popularize edible crickets and solve social issues, Gryllus conducts research and development, production, raw material processing, product development, and sales in an integrated approach.

Heralbony has concluded art license agreements with domestic and international artists, mainly those with intellectual disabilities, and commercialized their works based on more than 2,000 pieces of art data. Developing a variety of projects with a view to expanding the welfare field, such as a project that converts works into temporary enclosures at construction sites.

HOKUTO has the mission of “for medical professionals seeking better outcomes around the world” and provides a clinical support app “HOKUTO” for doctors that supports a series of processes such as inputting and utilizing medical information. HOKUTO aims to improve the working environment in the medical field and contribute to the health of all people through doctors.

HOMMA Group is a start-up Tech Home Builder based in the US and Japan, working to deliver a more compelling residential living experience through the use of creative and efficient design, orchestrated technology, and innovative building techniques. The company is funded by prestigious entrepreneurs, venture capitals, and strategic partners from Japan, and the team is made up of accomplished architects, technologists, designers, and innovators. The first prototype home was completed and sold in 2020.

Human Life CORD is a biotech company that conducts R&D, manufacturing, and sales of regenerative medicine products based on umbilical cords.

Ken Robotech is a specialized R&D company established in 2013 by a founder who had a background in construction, with the mission of “creating the world’s most people-friendly workplace.” Ken Robotech will contribute to the sound evolution and development of the construction industry through collaborative robots, the Tomorobo series, which work together with people, and solutions that have the ability to improve productivity and ensure safety and reduce the burden on workers.

LUCA Science is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing functional mitochondria as therapeutic agents, an emerging platform to treat damaged tissues and organs.

Luxna Biotech is a biotech company that promotes the practical application of safe and effective medicines using a drug discovery platform based on artificially modified nucleic acids developed by Osaka University. Luxna is actively promoting joint development with multiple pharmaceutical companies and in-house drug discovery with the aim of delivering nucleic acid drugs that will bring good news to patients and supporters who fight diseases for which there are no effective drugs.

Metagen Therapeutics is a drug discovery and development company that leverages the power of gut microbiome design cultivated by Metabologenomics, Inc. Metagen partners with pharmaceutical, healthcare, and functional food companies, as well as academia to creat future businesses with one of the best microbiome scientist teams.

Modulus Discovery is a preclinical-stage technology-driven drug discovery firm with offices in Tokyo and Boston. The company is pursuing its proprietary portfolio of small-molecule discovery programs and collaborations through integration of its unique core biology insights, cutting-edge discovery platform, and scalable networked operations. Modulus is focused on the efficient delivery of breakthrough medicines for patients and their families with unmet medical needs in areas including oncology, chronic inflammation / immune disorders, and rare genetic conditions.

Nagasuna Mayu runs a silk protein material business with the vision of contributing to the realization of a better life for people through silk. Combining traditional silk processing technology accumulated in Japan's largest silk industry cluster with new processing technology, it develops various silk protein materials and processing technology from powder to liquid and molding.

Nature Architects supports customers' product design by applying the unique design technology "Direct Functional Modeling (DFM)" that utilizes metamaterials. With DFM, it is possible to realize weight reduction/cost reduction through component integration/material substitution, improvement of recyclability, and improvement of functions related to vibration, sound, deformation, and heat.

Polyuse is the only deep tech company in Japan that conducts research and development of general 3D printer technology for construction. In the construction industry that supports sustainable infrastructure, Polyuse advocates “coexistence construction of people and technology”. Polyuse has successfully completed the first public works and building construction in Japan, and aims to establish digital construction technology to become the foundation of the future construction industry.

Powerspin provides cutting-edge spintronics/power device semiconductor technology based on innovative technology created by Tohoku University. In particular, spintronics technology using MRAM, which is attracting attention as a next-generation semiconductor memory, is a technology that can reduce power consumption to one hundredth, and which increases in proportion to the improvement of LSI computing performance.

Quando has develop SynQ Remote, a visual collaboration tool for the field that enables remote professional judgment.

Regenephro is a venture company that develops cell medicines for chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is one of the most expensive diseases in Japan, but currently there is no curative treatment. Regeneflo aims to treat patients suffering from chronic kidney disease through cell therapy using nephron progenitor cells differentiated from iPS cells.

Regional Fish has the mission to create a future that solves the global protein crisis , to revive the declining Japanese fishery industry and to achieve sustainable growth by building an aquaculture environment that makes full use of genome editing technology, AI, and IoT.

Sagri represents satellite data, AI/Machine learning, and GRID/Polygon mapping technology and solving social problems by combining these technologies. In Japan, Sagri is supporting the governmental sectors to monitor the abandoned farmlands effectively by satellite images with an app called ACTABA. In addition, by crossing agricultural big data with satellite data, Sagri is currently conducting projects to predict wheat yields and improve protein content in the India market. Sagri also plans to apply their technology to detect the credit creation for small and marginal farmers to use agricultural input loans with financial institutions.

Serendix uses 3D printing technology to create a sphere-shaped house within 24 hours, which also makes it suitable for emergency situations. It will be the physically strongest house that protects the family from natural disasters. Because it is a sphere, it has the smallest surface area and the material can be reduced, realizing a price range of JPY 3m per 30 tsubo (around 100 sqm). In addition, Serendix will develop multi-functional materials that have five elements: structural strength, fire resistance, earthquake resistance, heat insulation, and beauty.

SHE operates the services “SHELikes”, which provides creative skills lessons such as web design and web marketing, coaching programs, and job opportunities so that everyone can work in their own way. More than 70,000 people have taken the course so far.

Shizen Energy is mainly engaged in the development, construction, maintenance and operation of renewable energy power plants, and are involved in power generation projects exceeding 1 GW in Japan and overseas. Shizen aims to construct micro-grids and virtual power plants using self-developed energy management systems, and to provide smart charging/discharging services for EVs.

SONIRE Therapeutics is developing a next-generation high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment system that uses acoustic engineering (ultrasound) technology created through cutting-edge research conducted by academia.

SORA Technology was founded in 2020 with a strong desire to enrich society through “The Sky (SORA)”, focusing on the leading use of drone technology in developing countries, making full use of air mobility centered on drones to deliver urgent solutions centered on global health such as infectious diseases such as malaria and last-mile delivery.

SpoLive Interactive is a sports tech company whose vision is to shorten the distance between sports fans and athletes and teams with the power of digital technology. SpoLive aims to build new relationships in the sports ecosystem with fans, teams, and sponsors by providing data- driven fan community building services and create participation value for both sports organizations and fans.

Stroly is an online platform for illustrated maps linked with geolocation technology. Stroly also provides user behavior feedback for data-driven marketing.

Sukedachi operates a matching service for craftsmen and construction companies, and a recruitment service specializing in the construction industry. The number of registered business operators exceeds 190,000, and it boasts an overwhelming share in the matching field in the construction industry. Going forward, Sukedachi will further expand the services provided in order to resolve all issues in the construction industry.

SyntheticGestalt is developing machine learning models for drug discovery and software for facilitating and automating research in the life-sciences industry. Headquartered in London with an office in Tokyo, half of all employees have doctoral degrees, and half of the engineers are graduates of prestigious British universities.

Techtouch is a B2B SaaS company providing a no-code development platform that allows anyone to easily add operation guides to any web system, aiming to alleviate the resistance to systems that arise from the lack of understanding of how to operate them, and transform the world into a world where everyone can use systems as they please.

Thermalytica is a deep tech startup dedicated to providing innovative material solutions to help customers lower their carbon footprint. Their flagship product, aerogel TIISA®, is a unique and superior thermal solution that serves key industries, such as energy infrastructure, aviation, and space, as well as emerging markets, such as EVs, power electronics, the global liquified hydrogen supply chain, net-zero energy buildings, efficient smart appliances, and functional textiles.

Turing, a fully self-driving EV manufacturer, was founded in August 2021 with the mission “We Overtake Tesla”, filling the gap in EV startups in Japan, which is lagging behind the US and China despite a strong automotive industry. CEO Yamamoto is a renowned AI engineer in Japan as his most notable creation is an AI program that defeated numerous Shogi champions, and CTO Aoki, holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, where he has been a member of the Autonomous Driving Systems team.

Since its founding in 2019, Typica Holdings has advocated the “democratization of direct trade”, and as of March 2023, it has grown into a platform that connects approximately 10,000 coffee producers and roasters in 71 countries and regions around the world. By increasing the sustainability of delicious coffee, Typica is pursuing a business model that consistently achieves economic growth and improvement of the global environment.

unerry is a marketing company that operates “Beacon Bank,” a real behavioral data platform that accumulates over 40 billion indoor and outdoor people flow big data per month. unerry is characterized by a data science approach based on big data analysis. One of their strengths is the production of loyalty-enhancing measures that encourage users to enjoy and take action while respecting the uniqueness of the service.

Waqua is a water deep tech company. A patent has been obtained to reduce the size of a huge plant-sized seawater desalination plant to the size of a mandarin orange box, enabling it to operate on low energy sources such as solar power and household 100v. Waqua aims to build a smart water grid society around the world by building a platform by converting these small distributed devices into IoT.

WOTA is developing small-scale decentralized water recycling systems and autonomous control system for water treatment. WOTA BOX, launched in November 2019, is a portable water reclamation treatment plant that can recycle and reuse more than 98% of wastewater. It provides a city-wide water network with a device that is only 0.25 cubic meters in size, enabling continuous water use in situations where there is no water supply, such as when water is cut off due to a disaster.

This article is part of our Tokyo FinTech Publication, please follow us to read more from our writers, like hundreds of readers do every day. Please also register for our short weekly digest, the “Japan FinTech Observer”, on Medium or on LinkedIn.

Should you live in Tokyo, or just pass through, please also join our Tokyo FinTech Meetup. In any case, our YouTube channel and LinkedIn page are there for you as well.