On February 25, 2026, RIVERNESS CORPORATION (RIVERNESS) announced that it has received a grant from the Sendai Global Startup Hub (FY2025) to support startups in Sendai and the Tohoku region in accelerating their overseas business development.results briefingWe are pleased to inform you that we will be holding a "Seminar on the Future of the Japanese Economy" in Sendai City, Japan.

At the debriefing session, we will hold a special session titled "Overseas Expansion Strategies of Manufacturing Ventures Created with Local Primary Information" to provide case studies and key points regarding overseas expansion together with startups selected for this project.

results briefing

■ Date and Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 13:30-18:00 (Doors open and registration begins at 13:00~)
Location: Urbannet Sendai Chuo Building "YUI NOS" 4F Conference Rooms A & B (4-4-19 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Participation fee: Free of charge
Organized by: Sendai City
Operated by: LIVERNESS Corporation, ICMG Co.

Overseas Expansion Strategies of Manufacturing Ventures Created with Local Primary Information

In the overseas expansion of ventures involving manufacturing, it is common for companies to go to overseas exhibitions and other events to gain recognition and to aim for POC and PMF overseas after products have been manufactured in Japan and sales have been established. However, in order to actually realize implementation, it is necessary to create a specific project with local people to meet the unique challenges of the local market. In this issue, we will unravel the necessary moves with two manufacturing ventures that have realized collaboration with local companies in Southeast Asia and the creation of implementation strategies in just five months through the STEP for GROWTH program.

Takumi Kando (Moderator)
Research and Development Division, LIVERNESS Co.

Ph.D. (Engineering), studied abroad at KU Leuven (Belgium) in 2014-15, completed doctoral studies at Yokohama National University Graduate School of Environment and Information Studies in 2016, and was a researcher at Tokyo Institute of Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering and a part-time faculty member (assistant professor) at Yokohama National University Center for Higher Education and Universitywide Education from 2017 to 2019 before assuming his current position. Current position. He is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Deep Tech Serial Innovation Center, Nagoya University. At LIVERNESS, he has been involved in many projects to solve problems using technologies of Japanese ventures and companies in collaboration with Southeast Asian ventures and local institutions.

Mr. Shohei Ashihara
Co-founder, amu Co.

Graduated from Kanazawa University, Faculty of Regional Development Studies in 2014. Moved to Ama Town, Shimane Prefecture, where he was involved in the launch of several projects, including the establishment of a new accommodation facility in a renovated vacant house. 2019 Moved to Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. He is the leader of the Kesennuma DMO marketing team. He also serves as an advisor to the Oki DMO's management and marketing team. Ltd. in May 2023, where he is involved in all aspects of the upcycling business, focusing on the construction of recycling systems and product development.

Mr. Hiromasa Furusawa
Representative Director, Flame Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Born in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Graduated from Morioka Kita High School, Iwate Prefecture, and from the University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Systems Engineering and Information Technology, and joined CYBERDYNE Corporation. He was engaged in the design of electrical components for the Robot Suit HAL for welfare and medical applications, and experienced the acquisition of ISO13482, ISO13485, IEC60601, IEC62133, and other certifications and product launches. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, he retired and returned to his hometown and established Flame Heavy Industries, Inc. in 2016. He is currently enrolled in the doctoral program of the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba. He has been the founder of a PC communication host station (grassroots BBS) (1996), and won the NHK University Robot Contest Idea Award (2001). Adopted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2015). Graduated from Draper University (2016). The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ CEO Human Resource Development Program, M-EIR, 1st class (2017). He holds a large-sized, large-sized special, and towing vehicle driver's license, a 1st class small ship pilot certificate, a 1st class unmanned aircraft pilot certificate, a Class B all class hazardous materials operator certificate, and a 3rd class amateur radio operator certificate.