LEVANES Corporation, on behalf of the City of Sendai, is promoting the Sendai-Tohoku Expansion Program (STEP), which supports startups from Sendai and Tohoku to take on the challenge of solving global issues. As part of this program, a series of global business seminars ("Learn from the Pioneers of Global Expansion! series) are held approximately seven times from August to December.

In the second session (September 4), the real challenges and possibilities for deep tech ventures with cutting-edge technology to challenge the advanced industrial market in Asia were highlighted through the sharing of actual cases of the Tohoku University venture Ball Wave's expansion into the Taiwanese market. The key is not "technology-driven" but "the ability to adapt to the local industrial context" and "deployment strategy through co-creation. It became clear that the three axes of building relationships with trusted partners, connecting to specialized networks, and a deep understanding of local needs are the keys to successful overseas expansion.

2nd : Global Business Seminar
Date and Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 16:00-17:00 @Urbannet Sendai Chuo Building
Title:Learn how to approach the first person you should meet.
Hosted by: Sendai City, Operated by: LIVERNESS Co.
Special Presentation: Mr. Shingo Akao, President, Ball Wave Corporation
Moderator: Sosei Saito, General Manager, Education Development Division, Liverness Co.

How to make the first step in overseas expansion
⸻ 1. technological superiority of deep tech and sense of market selection
The spherical sensor technology developed by Ball Wave is an innovative device that makes full use of MEMS technology. The company selected the Taiwanese market, which has a concentration of cutting-edge semiconductor industries, as its target market because "in order to take advantage of cutting-edge technology, you have to go to the places that want it," he said. The Taiwanese market is more flexible than the U.S. market and more aggressive in introducing new technologies.

 ⸻ 2. local partners and professional networks are key to deployment
In Taiwan, the process of building co-creation relationships in collaboration with trusted local partners was emphasized. The "chain of trust through people" is accelerating the development of partnerships with water treatment manufacturers and collaboration with researchers through academic networks. Events in the form of exhibitions and academic conferences were also utilized as effective networking opportunities.

⸻ 3. "You can't win with technology alone" - the ability to read the local context
As a lesson learned through the company's entry into Taiwan, Mr. Akao emphasized, "Even if the technology is excellent, it will not be accepted if it does not fit the local context. In all phases of product, sales, and R&D, a deep understanding of local needs, culture, and industrial structure is essential, and in particular, a "two-sided strategy" that attacks both persuasion at the top level and practicality at the field level is effective.

Based on this, the third session (September 26) will invite Mr. Ken Matsui, CEO of Ugo K.K., to give a lecture titled "Thinking about building a system to create together with partners". In addition, we are planning to make a MOU conclusion in Southeast Asia and travel to the region for practical contents. RIVERNESS will provide full support for the process of startups facing real local issues and growing through the fusion of business and research. We look forward to welcoming all deep tech startups who want to join the challenge of "changing the world with the power of deep tech.

*Non-startup companies entering this program are also welcome to attend,
Researchers, private companies, and government officials are encouraged to participate.
If you wish to register, please click the application button or register on the linked page.
https://id.lne.st/project/sendai_gbp/regist/basic_info/1

Part 3~7 October~November

Inquiries regarding this matter
RIVANES Corporation (Attn: Mai Inoue, Saito)
TEL：03-5227-4198 E-mail：[email protected]