We are hosting a large-scale pitch contest titled "TechGALA CROSSBORDER Startup Showcase." This contest provides a platform for Japanese startups aiming for overseas markets and global startups targeting the Japanese market. We are widely inviting startups with innovative ideas and technologies that align with the five themes of TechGALA to change the world. Discover new partnerships and market expansion opportunities in Nagoya, the heart of Japan. Don't miss this chance to create the future together.
About
Pitch Contest Overview
- Date and Time
- Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 12:40-15:40
- Location
- Chunichi Hall, Nagoya
- Details
- Finalists will deliver a 5-minute pitch, followed by comments from the judges and an award ceremony.
Please note that pitches must be conducted in English.
Presenters
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AC Biode
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Acompany Co., Ltd.
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Autopass Inc
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Choira
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IANUS Simulation GmbH
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MAP IV, Inc.
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Preferred Computational Chemistry, Inc. (PFCC)
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Smartsound Corporation
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Spornado
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Fairmat
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DeviceTotal
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Pheniaa-X JSC
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Onoma AI
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JOYCLE inc.
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Human Life CORD Japan inc.
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Baobab,Inc
Pitch Title
Decomposing mixed plastic and organic waste at 200 ℃ into monomers and hydrogen
Tadashi Kubo
AC Biode
Co-Founder & CEO
Business Description
Chemical recycling at lower temperatures and lower costs than conventional methods
Pitch Title
Confidential computing platform for the AI-powered future
Takeharu Kondo
Acompany Co., Ltd.
Chief Research and Development Officer
Business Description
Privacy-Enhanced Data Federation Cloud
Pitch Title
Seamless Mobility Future for Drivers /ドライバーのためのシームレスなモビリティの未来
Ronald Yu
Autopass Inc
Founder & CEO
Business Description
Autopass makes your journey remarkable and cashless.
Pitch Title
AI & 5G powered platform for seamless music creation & collaboration.
Vivart Rangari
Choira
CEO & Founder
Business Description
Choira offers AI-powered music creation and studio booking solutions, enabling seamless music production, remote collaboration, and personalized music experiences for artists and creators.
Pitch Title
deep tech made in germany digital twins, simulations & Ai tech
Oleg Grauberger
IANUS Simulation GmbH
Innovationmanager
Business Description
Our disruptive simulation ecosystem StrömungsRaum® fuses the power of digital twins, automated simulation technologies and highly efficient AI systems and empowers you to analyze, simulate and optimize your technical processes and machines in depth.
Pitch Title
From 3D Data to Value: Unlocking the Potential of 3D Data with MAP IV
Yuki Kitsukawa
MAP IV, Inc.
CEO
Business Description
We provide innovative technologies and solutions utilizing spatial data to contribute to the advancement of diverse industries and the realization of a future society.
Pitch Title
Matlantis: High-performance atomistic simulator
Akiko SEGAWA
Preferred Computational Chemistry, Inc. (PFCC)
Head of Business Strategy
Business Description
High-speed simulator that revolutionizes materials development
Pitch Title
A New Paradigm Shift in Healthcare with AI Stethoscope
Jungho Lee
Smartsound Corporation
CEO
Business Description
Our AI stethoscope and RPM service provides rapid, accurate heart (94%) and lung (97%) screening for humans and pets, aiding early detection to extend lifespans, reduce healthcare costs, and benefit national economies.
Pitch Title
Spornado Early Alert System for Crop Disease
Kristine White
Spornado
CEO
Business Description
Spornado is an early alert system for crop disease that brings molecular diagnostics to agriculture to provide farmers the data needed to choose and use their pesticides more effectively, saving crops and improving sustainability.
Pitch Title
Sustainable, high-performing, and versatile carbon composite
Julien PASCAL
Fairmat
Head of Sales
Business Description
We are on a mission to build a closed-loop ecosystem that keeps valuable materials out of landfills and in the heart of product design.
Pitch Title
AI-powered Device Intelligence Platform
Dr. Carmit Yadin
DeviceTotal
Founder and CEO
Business Description
The platform delivers:
Unique data on device vulnerabilities, including End-of-Life (EOL) information, CISA advisories, and more.
Continuous monitoring using ML technology, ensuring accurate, proactive threat detection and mitigation.
A vendor-agnostic approach, supporting a wide range of devices and providing organizations with actionable security insights.
DeviceTotal helps organizations, service providers and cyber security solutions enhance their security posture and reduce risks with the most comprehensive, real-time data available.
Pitch Title
We provide autonomous vehicles and solutions that enable businesses or governments to address issues related to environmental pollution, labor shortages, and productivity enhancement in smart cities.
Son Le Anh
Phenikaa-X JSC.
CEO
Business Description
Phenikaa-X provides autonomous products and solutions that enable businesses or governments to address issues related to environmental pollution, labor shortages, and productivity enhancement in smart cities.
Pitch Title
Tootoon: the AI-based Webtoon Creation Solution
Joy Song
Onoma AI
CSO
Business Description
What if you could design an entire world, craft a captivating story, and breathe life into characters—faster and easier than ever before? Welcome to TooToon, the ultimate creative ecosystem designed to transform your ideas into fully realized projects.
[Anima]
Accelerator of your workflow
Input a short prompt, and in seconds, Anima generates stunning, full-color artwork that's ready to be shared or further refined.
[Fabulator]
The storytelling powerhouse
Generate compelling loglines, detailed synopses, treatments, and full scenarios effortlessly—your tool does the heavy lifting, delivering the results for you
[Artifex]
Transformation of reference image to intricate line art
Artifex is designed to streamline your creative process, giving you a solid foundation to build upon.
[Emporium]
A library of unique, customizable assets
You can train your own character models, building a library of unique, customizable assets that are ready to be integrated into your projects.
Pitch Title
Small IoT Upcycle Plant Service making Resource and JOY CYCLE
Yutaro Koyanagi
JOYCLE inc.
CEO
Business Description
In order to solve the problem of waste disposal in a sustainable manner, we will build and promote a decentralized infrastructure centered on a small upcycle plant service that “does not transport, does not burn, and converts into resources” as an option that can cut costs and reduce CO2 emissions compared to current disposal methods other than using large incinerators that “transport to a distant incinerator and burn”.
Pitch Title
Scaling a Sustainable Bioeconomy with Umbilical Cord derived Cell Therapy
Harata Masamitsu
Human Life CORD Japan inc.
President and CEO
Business Description
Creating a sustainable and evolving cell therapy ecosystem with umbilical cord
Pitch Title
BAOBAB Inc.
Michelle Sagara
Baobab,Inc
President and CEO
Business Description
Generative AI Data Construction with the ALT (Baobab Annotation Team Leader Training) program for refugees and individuals with disabilities。
Judges
Antti Sonninen
Takeoff Tokyo Co-founder, CEO
Antti Sonninen
Takeoff Tokyo Co-founder, CEO
Antti is the main organizer of Takeoff Tokyo, the place for internationally ambitious entrepreneurs. Originally from Finland, Antti came to Japan 10+ years ago first bringing the Angry Birds game here as the company’s first country director. Antti has also worked on several projects bridging the tech communities of Japan and the rest of the world, most notably as co-founder and CEO of Slush Tokyo.
Takeshi Isaku
Managing Executive Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. Head of Musashi Innovation Lab Clue.
Takeshi Isaku
Managing Executive Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. Head of Musashi Innovation Lab Clue.
Spent 18 years stationed in the U.S. after joining Musashi, primarily responsible for sales to automotive OEMs. Returned to Japan in 2010 and oversaw group-wide sales before taking charge of new business development as Chief Innovation Officer in 2019. Established joint ventures such as MusashiAI, 634AI (Israel), and Waphyto, actively leading business expansion as a board member.
As Head of Clue, involved in launching and accelerating internal ventures, as well as driving innovation from regional initiatives. As CVC Director, executed over 15 investments in startups and venture capital firms in Israel, Silicon Valley, Canada, Japan, and other regions, promoting Open Innovation. Currently focusing on expanding Green Tech businesses in Africa through investments in startups in Kenya and Ethiopia.
As Head of Clue, involved in launching and accelerating internal ventures, as well as driving innovation from regional initiatives. As CVC Director, executed over 15 investments in startups and venture capital firms in Israel, Silicon Valley, Canada, Japan, and other regions, promoting Open Innovation. Currently focusing on expanding Green Tech businesses in Africa through investments in startups in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Keiko Usami
bp Japan, Head of Hydrogen - Japan
Keiko Usami
bp Japan, Head of Hydrogen - Japan
Keiko has been taking the role as Head of Hydrogen Japan at Oil Major since Dec 2022 after her career in Mitsubishi Corporation. After joining Mitsubishi in 1993, she was assigned to automotive distribution business. Since 2000, has been dedicated to business development in various fields including lithium-ion battery manufacturing, sales of grid scale stationary battery energy system. During her role of being seconded in 2016 to Mitsubishi International GmbH in Germany as GM of Environmental Business and assigned as Head of Environmental R&D Office after coming back to Japan in 2019, she had a chance to cover Hydrogen and other environmental related businesses. A thought on The 100 Year-Life led her to a challenge to open a new chapter to work for an global oil measure.
Inspired by her father as an engineer, she is a believer of technical innovation makes the world change and wish to promote Japanese technology to help change the world better.
Keiko holds bachelor degree in Economy from University of Tokyo (1993)
Inspired by her father as an engineer, she is a believer of technical innovation makes the world change and wish to promote Japanese technology to help change the world better.
Keiko holds bachelor degree in Economy from University of Tokyo (1993)
Eyal Agmoni
Founder, Chartered Group CEO, Chartered Investment Managers
Eyal Agmoni
Founder, Chartered Group CEO, Chartered Investment Managers
Chartered Group is a private equity with global operations in seven countries (Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Thailand, Luxembourg and Israel). Investment interest consist of four major groups: (1) Investment Banking, (2) Credit, Real Estate, (3) Hospitality and (4) Technology. With approximately 35 years of alternative investment experience Chartered Group engages in various businesses in Japan through its portfolio companies. In terms of start-up investments, the company manages several deep tech-focused funds and has invested approximately USD 400 million.
Michiko Kato
Woven Capital Partner
Michiko Kato
Woven Capital Partner
Michiko Kato is a partner at Woven Capital, the growth stage fund of Toyota, where she led Woven Capital’s investments globally in Nuro, Ridecell, WHILL, Enecoat Technologies. She also serves as an independent director at HENNGE and Excite Holdings.
Prior to joining Woven Capital, Michiko was CFO at ABEJA. She also worked on various investment and financing deals at leading investment firms such as Unison Capital, International Finance Corporation and Morgan Stanley.
Prior to joining Woven Capital, Michiko was CFO at ABEJA. She also worked on various investment and financing deals at leading investment firms such as Unison Capital, International Finance Corporation and Morgan Stanley.
Atsushi Suzuki
Marubeni Corporation General Manager of the Chubu branch
Atsushi Suzuki
Marubeni Corporation General Manager of the Chubu branch
Marubeni Corporation General Manager of the Chubu branch
Joined the Marubeni Corporation in 1987. He specializes in the automotive, finance, and mobility fields. He has been stationed overseas for a total of 18 years in Belgium, Sweden, the United States, and India. In this process, he has a wealth of experience in overseas M&A and new business launches. In 2019, he was appointed General Manager of Southwest Asia and President of Marubeni India Company in New Delhi. Since 2022, he has been the General Manager of the Chubu branch. Influenced by India's start-up ecosystem, Innovation Lab Agora was opened in September 2023 as a base for new business creation and co-creation. Currently, the total number of Agora members exceeds 1,000, and business among members is continuously being born. At the same time, as a visiting professor at Nagoya University, he supports university-launched ventures and advises local start-up Kurofune.
Joined the Marubeni Corporation in 1987. He specializes in the automotive, finance, and mobility fields. He has been stationed overseas for a total of 18 years in Belgium, Sweden, the United States, and India. In this process, he has a wealth of experience in overseas M&A and new business launches. In 2019, he was appointed General Manager of Southwest Asia and President of Marubeni India Company in New Delhi. Since 2022, he has been the General Manager of the Chubu branch. Influenced by India's start-up ecosystem, Innovation Lab Agora was opened in September 2023 as a base for new business creation and co-creation. Currently, the total number of Agora members exceeds 1,000, and business among members is continuously being born. At the same time, as a visiting professor at Nagoya University, he supports university-launched ventures and advises local start-up Kurofune.
Yumi Goda
MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. Strategic Investment Div. Senior Associate
Yumi Goda
MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. Strategic Investment Div. Senior Associate
Joined MUIP for Strategic Investment Division since July 2022. Prior to MUIP, Yumi worked for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) where she was enrolled in corporate sales for the first few years and then open innovation activities with startup company for new business development department. After working for SMBC, Yumi joined a startup company developing an urban model theme park as a founding member and experienced the launch of a museum in the entertainment area. Currently, she covers the US investment at MUIP.
SHOICHI TESHIBA
MACNICA Holdings, Inc.
SHOICHI TESHIBA
Executive Officer - MACNICA Holdings, Inc.
MACNICA Inc. was established in 1972, and has been providing leading-edge semiconductors, electronic devices, networking and cyber security products with high value-added technology. More recently, Macnica has been actively developing new businesses in the fields of Smart Manufacturing, Cyber Physical System Security, Smart City, Mobility, Food/Agri-tech, Circular Economy driven by its global sourcing and strategic planning strength for world-leading technologies. Macnica provides unique services and solutions, creating social value and contributing to the betterment of future societies. Headquartered in Yokohama, Macnica’s global business spans 26 countries and 92 locations worldwide.
Shoichi Teshiba, Executive Officer - MACNICA Holdings, Inc. has 33 year experience in semiconductor/electronics component sales & marketing business for multiple segments including storage, networking, consumer electronics, industrial equipment and automotive. He has extensive experience in assisting foreign start-ups to successfully enter the Japanese market by leveraging MANICA group’s customer base and technology expertise. Being the General Manager of the group’s Global Innovation Sourcing Department, he is looking forward to meeting the leading-edge technology companies.
Shoichi Teshiba, Executive Officer - MACNICA Holdings, Inc. has 33 year experience in semiconductor/electronics component sales & marketing business for multiple segments including storage, networking, consumer electronics, industrial equipment and automotive. He has extensive experience in assisting foreign start-ups to successfully enter the Japanese market by leveraging MANICA group’s customer base and technology expertise. Being the General Manager of the group’s Global Innovation Sourcing Department, he is looking forward to meeting the leading-edge technology companies.
Shuji Honjo
Tama Graduate School of Business
Shuji Honjo
Honjo International / Tama Graduate School of Business
Dr. Honjo advises startups, large companies, and investors in Japan, US and Asia. He is active in entrepreneurial education and community development, as a mentor with Techstars, Endeavor, Shido Next Innovator, Fukuoka Prefecture etc. He is also Chair, Health Ministry's Medical Entrepreneurship Committee, a committee member of IPA's MITOU Advanced Program, and a judge of Japan Startup Award. He has consulting experiences with BCG Tokyo and CSC in California. He was Assistant to Chairman and Group Strategy Manager at CSK/SEGA Group and Represented General Atlantic, a US growth equity firm, in Japan.
Event Overview
Content Theme
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MobilityThe Mobility Revolution
Beyond Boundaries -
Sustainable EnvironmentAchieving a Sustainable Global
Environment -
MaterialMaterial Innovation -
Strengthening Global Industry -
Life Science / Well-beingPioneering Innovations in Life
Sciences and Well-being -
Advanced TechnologyHarmony with Technology -
Industrial Innovation and Social Transformation
Eligibility Criteria
- Target Participants
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- 1. Japanese startups aiming for overseas markets
- 2. Global startups targeting the Japanese market
- Prizes and Awards (Tentative)
- Prize money 1,000,000 yen
Special meetings with decision-makers from major corporations Support for expanding into overseas or Japanese markets
Participation in side events celebrating the best and most outstanding awards
Access to VIP parties
- Category for Each Theme (Example)
- 1.Automotive
new mobility, logistics and distribution, space-related (space environment, space exploration and space equipment), etc.
2.Energy
lifestyle (food, clothing, housing), etc.
3.Semiconductor
materials, manufacturing, precision machinery, etc.
4.Medical,healthcare
biotechnology, prevention, care,etc.
5.Robotics
Communications, IoT, XR, Security, Blockchain, EC, AI, Sharing, Matching, Drones, R&D, Apps, DX, SaaS, etc.
FAQ
- Q.
- Is it mandatory to pitch in English?
- A.
- Yes, you are required to pitch in English on the day of the event. If you are concerned about your English skills, you may incorporate pre-recorded videos into your pitch.
- Q.
- Can I apply without a recommender?
- A.
- Yes, you can apply without a recommender.
- Q.
- Can I apply even if I am considering overseas expansion but have no achievements yet?
- A.
- Yes, you can apply even if you currently have no achievements in overseas expansion. Please include your strategy for international expansion in your application documents.
Collaboration Programs
At TechGALA, we also implement collaborative programs with various organizations.
A business plan contest originating from Aichi, aiming to create the next generation of unicorns, will be held within TechGALA as Season 3.
Move to external site
MAKERS OASIS 2025
A grand networking event to share the joy of “making”Featuring electronics workshops, Hebocon (robot competition), and exhibit booths by DIY inventors.
Coming Soon
