On September 3, 2026, Leave a Nest was invited as a keynote speaker and panelist at “Tokyo × Singapore Mixer – Where Tech Innovators Connect,” an international startup ecosystem program organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in partnership with Enterprise Singapore, and held at Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB).
The event brought together startups, corporations, investors, government-related organizations, and ecosystem partners from Japan and Singapore to discuss cross-border innovation and opportunities for overseas startups entering the Japanese market.
From Market Entry to Real Business: Leave a Nest’s Role as a GIA Partner
During the program, Nami Akinaga, Head of Strategy Development Division, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., introduced the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) and Leave a Nest’s role in connecting the Singapore and Japan innovation ecosystems.
Since 2019, Leave a Nest has worked with Enterprise Singapore as a GIA partner, supporting both Singapore startups entering Japan and Japanese startups expanding into Singapore and beyond. For Singapore startups, the program is structured in two phases: first to understand the market and build connections, and then to deepen validation, partnerships, and business development.
Ms. Akinaga highlighted that Leave a Nest members create value as Science Bridge Communicators—working closely with startups to understand their technologies and challenges, and connecting them with the relevant researchers, corporations, investors, and ecosystem partners. This is why Leave a Nest sees participating startups not simply as clients, but as long-term partners for creating new opportunities together.
The value of this approach was visible during the event itself. Three Singapore startups selected by Enterprise Singapore and participating in the GIA program also took the stage to pitch their technologies:
1. Herbaferm Pte. Ltd., developing fermentation-led products for health and longevity
2. Pestroniks Innovations Pte. Ltd., developing intelligent pest-management solutions combining biology and electronics
3. Formas AI Pte. Ltd., developing an AI-native visualization workspace for architecture and interior experts.
Their participation showed how GIA can move startups beyond simply learning about Japan and give them opportunities to engage directly with the market, meet potential partners, and begin building the relationships needed for future expansion.
Panel Discussion Focused on Perspectives from Startups Expanding into Japan
Following the keynote, Dr. Yuko Ueno, Leave a Nest Singapore Pte. Ltd. / 144 Ventures, joined a panel discussion with:
- Dr. Shigeki Sugii, Founder, ImpacFat
https://www.impacfat.com/ - Dr. Nicholas Jose, Founder & CEO, Accelerated Materials
https://acceleratedmaterials.co/
The discussion was moderated by Karen Nishizaki, Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd. — Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Suppot.
During the discussion, one message became especially clear: entering Japan is not simply a matter of bringing a good technology to the market. Overseas startups must learn how to communicate with Japanese stakeholders, build trust over time, and find the right partners who can help them move forward. At the same time, Japanese companies are increasingly looking beyond the domestic market for new technologies, knowledge, and global collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Ueno highlighted that this gap between the two sides is precisely where Leave a Nest can create value as a global knowledge manufacturing company — by connecting people and knowledge across borders and turning those connections into opportunities for collaboration.
That message was reinforced by the experiences of Dr. Sugii of ImpacFat and Dr. Jose of Accelerated Materials. Rather than speaking only about the potential of the Japanese market, they shared what it actually takes to build a presence here: reaching out proactively, developing local networks, adapting their pitches, and patiently building relationships with Japanese partners.
For overseas startups in the audience, the panel therefore offered more than general advice. It showed a practical path into the Japanese ecosystem through the experiences of companies already taking that journey.
Dr. Ueno also introduced Link Scholars’ Hub Lab as one practical platform supporting these connections. Both ImpacFat and Accelerated Materials are utilizing LiSH to connect with the Japanese ecosystem, demonstrating how Leave a Nest’s infrastructure and network can support global deep-tech startups beyond initial market entry.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Announces Subsidy of Up to JPY 100 Million for Overseas Deep-Tech Startups
During the program, representatives from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also introduced the Deep Tech Tokyo Launchpad, a newly launched initiative supporting overseas deep-tech startups seeking to establish and expand their businesses in Tokyo. Selected companies can receive subsidies of up to JPY 100 million over three years for eligible expenses, including personnel, recruitment, office rent, market research, consulting, company establishment, translation, and business matching.
Applicants must establish and register a Japanese entity in Tokyo by March 2028, secure office space in Tokyo, and employ at least one full-time employee. The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
For further information, please visit the Deep Tech Tokyo Launchpad official website.
Looking Ahead
Through GIA with Enterprise Singapore, collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other ecosystem partners, and platforms such as LiSH, Leave a Nest will continue connecting global startups with opportunities in Japan while opening new global pathways for Japanese researchers and companies. As a global knowledge manufacturing company, Leave a Nest will continue turning cross-border connections into action — creating opportunities for research, partnerships, investment, and new businesses that can address challenges beyond national boundaries.
If you are interested in entering the Japanese market, please contact us ([email protected]), Strategic Development Division, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. We will contact you to arrange a meeting to hear your interest and will discuss the potential of the expanding market in Japan and introduce the opportunities for you.
Leave a Nest looks forward to accelerating your entry to Japan together!
