Hokkaido Innovation Week

A massive thank you to all the builders, connectors, investors, and passionate supporters of entrepreneurship who joined us this year for #HIW25 ?? ?? (日本語 ??) ?? Together, we experienced all levels of business in Hokkaido, from independent craft people to others sending rockets into space to inspire entrepreneurship and risk-taking in any industry. ?? We explored more than Sapporo; we ventured to places like Otaru, Yoichi, Niseko, Shakotan, and Hakodate, giving a complete vision of the opportunities available in Hokkaido. ?? We focused on building genuine personal and professional connections across borders, cultures, and languages because this moves the needle. ?? We hope you all had a wonderful time doing the above, learned something new, made a new connection or three, and were inspired to take on something big this year. See you all in 2026! ???? 今年も#HIW25にご参加いただいたビルダー（スタートアップの創業者そしてスタートアップで働いている方々）、コネクター（人脈作りを支援してくださる方々）、投資家、そして起業家を熱烈な支援者のみなさん、本当にありがとうございました。???? ?? みなさんと共に、個人で活躍する職人の方々から宇宙にロケットを送る方々まで、あらゆるビジネスレベルを北海道で体験し、あらゆる業界での起業精神とリスクを取る勇気をインスパイアしました。 ??私たちは札幌だけでなく、小樽、余市、ニセコ、積丹、函館なども訪れ、北海道にある様々なビジネス機会の理解を深めました。 ?? 私たちは国境、文化、言語を超えた真の人間関係とプロフェッショナルなつながりを築くことに注力しました。なぜなら、このつながりこそが変化をもたらす力だからです。 ?? これらの活動を通じて素晴らしい時間を過ごし、新しいことを学び、新しいつながりを作り、みなさんが今年何か大きなことに挑戦するためのインスピレーションを得られたことを願っています。 2026年に皆さんとまたお会いできることを楽しみにしています！???? #Innovation #Hokkaido #Japan #Startups #Entrepreneurship

We're one week removed from HEEX 2025, which makes it long overdue for a little summary post of this year's Hokkaido Innovation Week events ?? For this year's HIW, we hosted two events: HEEX 2025, and Brews & Complaining ??? HEEX 2025 was everything we had hoped it would be, and was in many ways the most "complete" version of the original HEEX event vision: The pitch relay showcased a diverse array of startups either based in, or inbound toward, Hokkaido, focusing on what they needed to take their startups to the next level?? The new event format addition, our Hokkaido Entrepreneurship Fireside Chat, added a completely different level of depth to the event, with 1 hour of our panelists (with some audience members even joining the panel briefly) sharing their experiences running a company in Hokkaido, and discussing what needs to be next for our ecosystem to keep on growing and flourishing ?? Combined with the drink selection provided by local entrepreneur Matt Chen (Chen&Coffee), the beautiful venue provided by our sponsor TREEBASE, and the amazing, super engaged audience, this HEEX event rendition managed to cover all the main reasons that our organization exists: To shine a spotlight on our local startups, and to strengthen and grow our ecosystem ?? Brews & Complaining on the following day, had a much more humble aim, which it managed to deliver on: Get the entrepreneurship community together for some high quality brews, and some high quality complaining ? Once again with TREEBASE providing a comfortable environment, and lovely views of the heavy Sapporo snowfall, and with Matt Chen providing the brews ?? The event was peaceful, or at least as peaceful as an event devoted to complaining can be, and the timeless combination of good coffee and venting hopefully allowed everyone to face another day of entrepreneurship struggles, with renewed energy and fighting spirit ???? We're proud of the two events we hosted this year, and knackered from the effort it took to make everything come together. However, there's no rest for the wicked, and even less for entrepreneurs, so we're already scheming our next events and initiatives - make sure to follow to keep up with future HEEX projects! A massive, massive thank you to STARTUP HOKKAIDO and the Hokkaido Innovation Week team for once again letting us host a set of HIW spin-off events - it means the world to us! Thank you to Mr. Matt Chen of Chen&Coffee for providing both brews and good vibes to both events - we hope to collaborate with even more local entrepreneurs in the future, of course with Matt included! And finally, a massive thank you to our sponsors TREEBASE and Guramu Software - it's thanks to generous sponsors like them, that we can keep growing the scale and ambition level for our events ??♂? The Hokkaido ecosystem is small, but mighty - if we keep focusing on our unique strengths, and learn from the world around us, there's no limit to our potential ????

Japan can become welcoming to a global startup ecosystem. Energy & diversity brings innovation - power of cross-cultural exchange can fuel innovation. Thanks Vijayalakshmi Karuppasamy you're a great global network connector, treating us in VIP Indian restaurant ?? Our talk from Agriculture, pharma, energy said it all-the interconnectedness of today's challenges & solutions. Connecting with individuals from various backgrounds, including founders Mihir Save Gaurav Kudtarkar Abhijit R Malpekar joining from after Hokkaido Innovation Week, I ?????????? ???????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????????????? ??????????????????????. Great work Taruho Kuroda, PhD - cultivating innovation & motivation among Hokkaido's university students, it became clear that embracing diverse perspectives is key to unlocking new levels of creativity and problem-solving. Did you know this restaurant is sustainable - using banana leaves as plates – A tradition in modern world. Respects to cultural heritage can go hand-in-hand with innovation. Love “???? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ????... ?????????????? ???????? ????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????????." Hari Hara Krishnan Sankaranarayanan Key ingredients for a truly global & dynamic startup ecosystem in Japan. #Tokyo #CulturalExchange #Innovation #Sustainability #DynamicConnections #HokkaidoInnovationWeek

Coming back from an exciting week in Japan, where I had the privilege of meeting with some of Japan’s top semiconductor manufacturers and advanced chip tooling firms. With firms such as TEL, Advantest, and Rapidus, as well as our partners at Hamamatsu Corporation, Japan aims at a leading position in next-gen chip manufacturing. Manufacturing those next-gen chips is becoming increasingly complex and yields low — precisely where our quantum sensing systems can provide the advanced capabilities needed to excel. This visit — organized by JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization and part of the Hokkaido Innovation Week — offered an up-close look at what Japan plans to keep its critical position in the semiconductor space. Thanks a lot to the team around Seiko Miura, Tadashi FURUHATA, Bj?rn Lapakko. We’ve formed new partnerships with leading chip tooling firms—stay tuned for more details on these exciting collaborations later this year ??

Thrilled to be part of the Supper Connector event at Hokkaido Innovation Week! Incredible connections made, and I’m pumped for the exciting collaborations ahead. Let’s build the future together! ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/gDX4XYY4

Expanding into international markets is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity for businesses looking to scale and sustain long-term success. With my experience expanding my business from India to Japan and from Japan to Europe, I can truly weigh the pros and cons of going global from Japan. At Hokkaido Innovation Week, our #BankeiSkiArea roundtable set the stage for some powerful conversations under the snowy skies of Sapporo. During our indoor “Going to Global” session, I had the pleasure of moderating alongside inspiring voices like Daan Weddepohl, Viktoriya Kim, and Takanori Nagatomo. We unpacked legal frameworks, cultural differences, market entry strategies, and the art of customer acquisition—all key elements in driving successful global expansion. Big thanks to Hokkaido Innovation Week and Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP) , Seiko Miura for this wonderful opportunity! #goingglobal #hokkaido #india #japan #vijayalakshmikaruppasamy #hokkaidoinnovationweek #step

[Feb 18th – Hokkaido Innovation Week: Bankei Event Highlights] To showcase the uniqueness of #BankeiSkiArea, just 20 minutes from downtown #Sapporo, we hosted an outdoor roundtable session under the snowy sky?? ?? Roundtable by the Campfire: "Cross Perspective" Among the three parallel roundtable discussions, one was held outdoors around a campfire. Despite the morning snowstorm, the sun peeked through around 4p.m., setting the stage for an unforgettable session in a truly magical atmosphere. This discussion brought together three distinct perspectives: ? Early-stage startups: Michiko Shimada from "Hoshi ni Naru Album", a startup redefining end-of-life planning as a "treasure hunt"! (Special thanks to Atsuko Sugawara for your support!) Sara Doolotbekova, MBA from #BeArt, a platform connecting Japanese artisans and cultural arts with the world ?? . ? Scale-up startups: 土田 美那 from #AWL, who led the discussion from a growth-stage startup perspective ?? Thank you always for your support!!! ? Investor insights: Max Gurvits & Elina Zheleva ? shared invaluable advice on investment strategies, funding approaches, and key technologies attracting investors ?? I was unable to leave the venue to join in myself, which was a real disappointment ??, but from the photos, I could feel the energy and excitement of the discussion! ???? ?? Indoor Roundtable I "Going to Global" A deep dive into global market expansion, led by Vijayalakshmi Karuppasamy from FOX Academy as Table Master, featuring: Daan Weddepohl (CEO & Founder of Peeby) Viktoriya Kim (Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University) Takanori Nagatomo (International Law Office, Lawyer) The session explored legal frameworks, cultural differences, market entry strategies, and customer acquisition—a must-attend discussion for businesses aiming for global expansion! ?? Indoor Roundtable II "Innovative Communities" Led by MIOKA IWAI (JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization HOKKAIDO) as Table Master, Alfredo Coppola (US MAC) Carla Willmes (HultPrize) This discussion explores the key characteristics of communities that drive innovation. It examines how collaboration, diversity, and a supportive environment play critical roles in sparking creative solutions. Thank you to all the participants for sharing your insights! My Sincere Apology & A Big Hope ?? Due to unexpected layout changes, each roundtable was shortened by about 10 minutes, and I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. I hope that the discussions born from this Cross-Cultural exchange, on the "White Canvas" of Hokkaido's snow-covered landscapes, will stay with you and inspire future collaborations. To everyone who participated—thank you so much! And I hope none of you caught a cold!! ?? #HIW25 #BankeiSkiArea #Roundtable #HokkaidoInnovation

It was our great honor to be part of Hokkaido Innovation Week interpreting for new startups and partners in Sapporo. Much appreciation to JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization - Japan External Trade Organization, Alfredo Coppola, Saori Kakiuchi, and MIOKA IWAI for the inspiring opportunity!

On March 19, we successfully wrapped up Hokkaido Innovation Week 2025! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. This year, we had the incredible opportunity to host our event at Bankei Ski Area, a rare location so close to the city center. It was a joy to introduce this unique aspect of Sapporo and Hokkaido to our guests from Japan and abroad. A special thank you to President Inoue for providing this wonderful venue ?? I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the speakers who took the stage at Bankei. It was a pleasure to invite you personally, and your contributions truly made this event exceptional. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Aoki from #SpacePortJapan , who, despite an incredibly busy schedule, joined us as a keynote speaker and moderated the space session. His insights were invaluable not only for startups but for all business professionals. Aoki-san’s Five Key Lessons: ?? Find your very niche market ?? Start small, fail fast ?? Quick decision making ?? Get government support if you can ?? Be patient We were also honored to have Keiji Atsuta from Interstellar Technologies Inc. and Shota Hirai from Letara Ltd. share their innovative visions. They are two outstanding space startup leaders from Hokkaido, making a global impact! In the Food & Agri panel discussion, we had insightful contributions from: ?? Moderator: Yoshinari Ito (MTG Ventures) ?? Speaker: Koki Ogino (AgVenture Lab) ?? Speaker: Hiroshi Yoshikawa (EF Polymer India, OIST Startup, Okinawa) Cross Pitch Session: We welcomed eight companies from Japan and abroad to share their groundbreaking innovations: ?? Kevin Berghoff (QuantumDiamonds) – Semiconductor failure analysis technology. ?? Narayan Lal Gurjar (EF Polymer India) – India-Japan sustainable startup. ?? Jamiel Hampton (NAKAIndustry) – Pure oil extraction from PPT. ? #Ramon del Rosario (#AmberKinetics) – Next-gen non-lithium energy storage solutions. From Japan, we had: ?? Shigeo Yanagihara (Kurita Water Industries Ltd) ?? Shige Uehara (Yokogawa Electric Corporation) ?? Masato Ishihara (Air Water Inc. ) ? Shingo Goto (Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. ) Each of them delivered excellent presentations, aligning perfectly with the theme of this event: "Cross Industry." Your preparation and commitment were truly appreciated! The Cross Industry theme showcased the immense potential of breaking down barriers between sectors, fostering new collaborations. Thank you all for sharing such valuable insights! In my next post, I’ll be sharing my appreciation for those who made the Roundtable discussions a success and how we designed them to let participants experience the true essence of Hokkaido. #HIW25 #BankeiSkiArea #CrossIndustry #HokkaidoInnovationWeek

I am grateful to Hokkaido Innovation Week for giving me this wonderful opportunity to discuss the Reasons and Opportunities for Doing Business in Hokkaido. It was an amazing and open conversation alongside my fellow panelists Bj?rn Lapakko Angus Lam Since moving to Japan, I am often asked:"Why Hokkaido?" My answer is always: "Why not Hokkaido?" And I have strong reasons to support my decision. ?? Reasons and Opportunities for Doing Business in Hokkaido 1. Business Expansion Beyond Hokkaido ? Choosing Hokkaido does not restrict me from doing business in other parts of Japan. ? I spend almost half of my time in Tokyo, where people recognize me as an Indian entrepreneur, AI EdTech startup founder, and a Hokkaido-based business leader. ? Branding as a Hokkaido-based startup provides visibility in larger markets like Tokyo. ? To be honest, it is not far from Tokyo—within 4 to 5 hours, I can travel from Sapporo Station to Shibuya (By flight).Flight tickets are very cheap, except during winter season. 2. Strong Academic Ecosystem ?Hokkaido has nearly 40 universities- Education Hub, making it an ideal location for EdTech startups. ?In Japan, a proven track record is essential for business expansion, and Hokkaido offers the right environment to build success stories. ?Bilingual talent is readily available, especially from Hokkaido University, which is valuable for international business operations. 3. Fast-Growing Startup Ecosystem ?Hokkaido is designated as a Special Economic Zone, fostering a rapidly growing business ecosystem. ?I prefer to grow within this fast-moving , growing ecosystem, where I can also contribute to its development, which is very important to me. 4. Unified Support from Stakeholders ?Even before moving to Hokkaido, I observed that all stakeholders work toward a common goal. ?Hokkaido government officials, STARTUP HOKKAIDO, Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP), Hokkaido local people put significant effort into establishing Hokkaido as a Tech hub. ?Despite language barriers, they make a strong effort to support foreign entrepreneurs. 5. A Strong Sense of Inclusion ?Hokkaido People respects and supports us because we chose to contribute to Hokkaido’s vision. ?As a foreign founder, feeling emotionally connected to the place where I live is crucial. ?The sense of belonging and inclusivity in Hokkaido makes me feel at home, which is essential for my personal and business journey. I am very happy with my decision to build my business in Hokkaido, and I continue to see its advantages every day. FOX Academy FOX AI Community