KITCHENTOWN

???? DEADLINE EXTENDED!! ???? Are you the next Naturally NorCal RISING Star?? https://lnkd.in/gyEFXd2f

We're hiring! Seeking a Food Innovation Mixed Methods Researcher to join our Insights and Strategy team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a wide range of food and beverage companies from around the world to inform and inspire new product innovation. If you or someone you know has what we're looking for, please reach out - we look forward to hearing from you! https://lnkd.in/gU57m494

Here’s a day in the life of the 2024 J-starX Food Frontiers USA masterclass at KitchenTown! During this week-long program, the cohort experienced:? ?????? Talks from 16 amazing experts and entrepreneurs ?? Snack breaks to taste more than 40 American competitors’ products ?? Feedback from local eaters and investors ?? Delicious meals made by Chef @traci des jardins? ?? Strategic planning for U.S. market entry Do YOU want a chance to taste these products and provide feedback to help them improve for the American market?? NEXT MONDAY (11/18) we're hosting an at-home taste test for Bay Area locals. You'll come pick up a bag with 4 samples at KitchenTown San Mateo on Nov 18th and have until end of day on Nov 20th to fill out a short survey providing feedback. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, SIGN UP HERE... space is limited! https://lnkd.in/gJC2Cvyq Thank you to JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization , JETRO Startup, Natsuho Toyama, Naoco Hunter, Toru Ashizaki, the Value Create Ventures team: Barry O'Neill, Tomoko K., Cheyenne Baughman and all of our amazing startup participants: Hiroya Hashizume (Zume), Atsushi Shibuya, Lisa Takagi, Yuki Nakamura, Takuro Miyazaki, Noriyuki Suzuki, Chikara Ono, Scott Andrews, Chinatsu Yokosuka, Taisuke Sato, Masahiro Yoritama, Nozomi JINGUJI, Sakura Tanaka, Nicholas Starrett

Amazing achievement Koji Yamada MSc., MBA and such a fantastic product. We are seriously hooked ?? Congratulations to the whole team! #ekkomi https://lnkd.in/gbqiDTnk

Last week we gathered at the JETRO Startup HQ in Tokyo to officially welcome the 2024 cohort of J-starX Food Frontiers USA! Over the next 5 months we will work closely with these ten companies to get them ready to launch in the US. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to taste their products! Hiroya Hashizume (Zume), Atsushi Shibuya, Lisa Takagi, Yuki Nakamura, Takuro Miyazaki, Noriyuki Suzuki, Chikara Ono, Scott Andrews, Chinatsu Yokosuka, Riho Furukawa, Taisuke Sato, Masahiro Yoritama, Nozomi JINGUJI, Sakura Tanaka, Nicholas Starrett, Ken Nyukai Thanks to our JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization team: Toru Ashizaki, Naoco Hunter, Natsuho Toyama, Masumi Ota, Yoko Okawara and to the Value Create Ventures team: Barry O'Neill and Tomoko K.

Please welcome the inaugural cohort of J-starX Food Frontiers USA! These companies represent ten of Japan's most promising food and food technology startups and will participate in a seven-month intensive program aimed at facilitating entry into the U.S. market. Thank you to our partners at JETRO Startup, JETRO USA and Value Create Ventures for supporting our launch of this amazing program. Follow along the next few months as we share the stories of these companies and their journey to launch in the U.S.! ?? The Ethical Spirits - Craft distillery upcycling discarded food and drink to create next-generation gin ?? GoodTe Inc. - Crunchy, savory, low FODMAP snacks designed for people with IBS/IBD, without sacrificing flavor or texture ?? Haccoba (Taisuke Sato) - New style of sake that incorporates wild yeast fermentation and hops. Think: sake + natural wine + craft beer ?? Hakko Holdings (Nicholas Starrett) - Clean label, nutrient dense, bean-based foods made via fermentation, and a newly cultivated breed of sweet lupin beans ?? Kinish - Rice that can generate real milk proteins using biotechnology, and delicious plant-based ice cream with fermented rice syrup ?? ?? Morning Boost Co (Nozomi JINGUJI) - UPBEET Tokyo: Plant-based, gluten-free baked goods made with amazake (Japanese fermented rice) & Beni Bites: Plant-based and gluten-free dried sweet potato bars made with high-quality Japanese sweet potatoes ?? Oryzae - Leverages fermentation technology to produce healthy rice-based koji sweetener and granola ?? ovgo inc. - Delicious plant-based, American-style cookies with a Japanese twist ?? Shima & Co. 株式会社 - Breakthrough technology to bind protein powders into a tablet, currently producing Japanese ramune-style protein snacks ?? Sydecas Inc. (Ninja Foods) - Food tech ingredient company creating better-for-you binders by extracting fiber from konjac yam

??Deadline extended!?? Japanese food startups, we know what you’ll be doing this weekend! Get your application in by July 28 for J-starX Food Frontiers USA - the inaugural accelerator for Japanese food and foodtech startups to expand in the US market. Don’t miss your chance to be one of 10 startups to receive critical support from KITCHENTOWN, JETRO Startup, and Value Create Ventures to master US market entry. ?Visit https://lnkd.in/gtQEwXSG to learn more and apply now.?

One week left to apply to J-starX Food Frontiers USA - an accelerator for Japanese food and foodtech startups who are ready to expand in the US (deadline July 26). JETRO Startup and KITCHENTOWN are bringing together an amazing team of mentors to support 10 startups to reach critical milestones for US market entry. Come learn common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies to succeed! The team at Value Create Ventures will be providing on-the-ground support in Japan! ?Visit https://lnkd.in/gtQEwXSG to learn more and apply now! ???? Tag a Japan-based startup who should apply! ????

?? Calling all Japanese food and foodtech startups who are ready to expand in the US! Applications are open until July 26 for J-starX Food Frontiers USA - an accelerator presented by JETRO Startup and KITCHENTOWN. Up to 10 companies will be selected to participate in the customized, 7-month program that will help you master US market entry and access personalized coaching from world-class advisors, industry leaders, and investors. Visit https://lnkd.in/gtQEwXSG to learn more and apply now! Tag a Japanese startup who is a good match! ?

Shout outs to Moon Fruit & Sobo Foods for being finalists in the Naturally Bay Area Pitch Slam coming right up May 9, 2024 at Cowell Theater Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture - Let's go support these fab companies! https://lnkd.in/g8AJd-Eg