From August 26th to 29th, 2025, Leave a Nest organized the Pai Chai Global Tech Bridge Program Looking back history, Leave a Nest has collaborated with biotech startups to support their expansion into Japan which strengthened our researchers support services back in early years. Looking back history, Leave a Nest has collaborated with biotech startups to support their expansion into Japan which strengthened our researchers support services back in early years. Building on this experience of connecting innovators across borders included, this program marked the first time trainees from Korea were formally welcomed. Participants representatives from government organizations, startups, and Pai Chai University students. The program aims for participants to explore Japan's deep-tech ecosystem and build bridges between Korea and Japan by visiting deep-tech startups, university researchers and big The program aims for participants to explore Japan's deep-tech ecosystem and build bridges between Korea and Japan by visiting deep-tech startups, university researchers and big corporations related to the IT and AI field.

Program Highlights

Day 1 : 26th August <Introduction

The program began at the Leave a Nest Tokyo office, where participants introduced themselves and interacted with members of the Leave a Nest team. Shuichiro Takahashi , President & COO:. gave welcoming remarks, and Mr. Yuji Kawasaki, Director Leave a Nest Knowledge Co.This first session allowed participants to understand the vision and mission of Leave a Nest This first session allowed participants to understand the vision and mission of Leave a Nest - "Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness"-and to be introduced to the program's core concept of bridging. Over four days, Leave a Nest aimed at fostering the bridging mindset among participants by connecting people, countries, and stakeholders, enabling participants to exchange knowledge with Japanese companies while learning from them, building mutual understanding that can The lively exchanges created an open atmosphere and set the tone for the following days.

Introductory program at Leave a Nest Tokyo office

Interaction between participants and Leave a Nest

Day 2 : 27th August <VCs and Startups

On the second day, participants joined a Demo Day at the Innovation Design Studio (INDEST) , Institute of Science Tokyo, where they pitched their ideas and exchanged views with leading Japanese venture capital firms including Mobile Internet Capital, Inc., UntroD Capital Japan, Inc., Archetype Ventures, and Leave a Nest Capital Co.
(Please find the report published by the Institute of Science Tokyo from here:) Event Report: In Collaboration with INDEST, Institute of Science Tokyo | Leave a Nest × Pai Chai University, Korea)

Demo-day at INDEST with participants and venture capital companies in Japan

Participated Korean startup representative presenting in front of venture capital companies in Japan

In the afternoon, the group divided (Group A&B): A group stayed to continue in-depth discussions with venture capitalists, while group B visited AI, IT and IoT related companies. Ridge-i Inc. , Participants had the opportunity to learn about the company's strategy or AI application such as in satellite image analysis or municipality works Participants had the opportunity to learn about the company's strategy or AI application such as in satellite image analysis or municipality works directly from the CEO, Takashi Yanagihara . At Innoqua Inc. Shiki Takeuchi, Director and COO and Aiko Kakehashi hosted the session, sharing their original passion in coral and newly developed technology of environment transfer. At MEMORY LAB. These visits offered first-hand insights into how Japanese deep-tech startups from diverse fields are united by the same mission-turning their knowledge and skills into AI-driven research and development support. These visits offered first-hand insights into how Japanese deep-tech startups from diverse fields are united by the same mission-turning their knowledge and skills into These visits offered first-hand insights into how Japanese deep-tech startups from diverse fields are united by the same mission-turning their knowledge and skills into social challenges.

Participants from Group A discussing with capital venture companies in Japan

Participants from Group B visited Ridge-i Inc.

Participants from Group B visited and gave presentations at MEMORY LAB, Inc. and Innoqua Inc.

Day 3 : 28th August <Big corporate and University

The third day focused on collaborations with institutions established. BIPROGY Technology Research & Innovation The participants were welcomed by Aiko Korin, CTO and Head of the Research Center. The participants were welcomed by Aiko Korin, CTO and Head of the Research Center. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) Through his lecture, participants learned how existing technologies can be developed into businesses, and how to develop new technologies. Through his lecture, participants learned how existing technologies can be developed into businesses, and how Through his lecture, participants learned how existing technologies can be developed into businesses, and how organizational structures, supportive cultures, and networks within companies and ecosystems play a crucial role in making innovation sustainable.

Participants visited BIPROGY Technology Research & Innovation

Participants with BIPROGY Technology Research & Innovation team

Professor HONG SEONGCHO is introducing Pai Chai University (Korea) at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT)

Professor Hideki Hayashida is sharing knowledge at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT)

Day 4 : 29th August <Final Presentation

The program concluded on the fourth day back at Leave a Nest office at Tokyo, where participants reflected on their experiences and presented their They highlighted lessons learned from engaging with venture capitalists, startups, corporates, and universities, and shared how they planned to apply these insights to their own activities back in Korea. Through this process, the program not only deepened understanding of Japan's innovation ecosystem but also strengthened ties between Japan and Korea. innovation ecosystem but also strengthened ties between Korean and Japanese partners, laying the groundwork for future collaboration in science and technology.

Participants sharing their feedback about Leave a Nest

Participants sharing their feedback and reflection after the three days of the program

[About Leave a Nest Co.] Leave a Nest With this vision, Leave a Nest is expanding support for accelerating deep tech around the world through science bridge communication that connects researchers, startups, companies, and government agencies. Through support programs such as TECH PLANTER, Leave a Nest helps startups transform research into impactful businesses. Through support programs such as TECH PLANTER, Leave a Nest helps startups transform research into impactful businesses and expand internationally. One example is Liberaware Co. Ltd., (Listed on the Tokyo Stock market since 2024) a Japanese deep-tech startup that was continuously supported by Leave a Nest's and has already One example is Liberaware Co ., Ltd. 

[About Pier and Company] The Pier and Company is an international commercialization organization in Korea that accelerates the overseas expansion of startups. Built on three pillars-business development, market entry, and global collaboration-the company has established a network of 57 partners across the United States, the Middle East, South Africa, and Europe. Its expert team provides end-to-end support, from business model development to investment and R&D. Its expert team provides end-to-end support, from business model development to investment and R&D.

[About Pai Chai University] Founded in 1885,. Pai Chai University   Known for strengths in engineering, computer science, AI, and software convergence, the university emphasizes both research excellence and practical collaboration with industry and Known for strengths in engineering, computer science, AI, and software convergence, the university emphasizes both research excellence and practical collaboration with industry and Its Graduate School of AI & Software Creative Convergence fosters talent in fields such as computer science, information Its Graduate School of AI & Software Creative Convergence fosters talent in fields such as computer science, information security, robotics, drones, and smart energy, while also supporting startup creation and technology transfer.