Roundtable Dialogue and Showcase Event Held with Startup Stakeholders at the Japan Innovation Campus in Silicon Valley, the United States

1. Roundtable dialogue: Japan-Silicon Valley Innovation Dialogue 2025

On June 17 (US time), METI held the Japan-Silicon Valley Innovation Dialogue 2025, a roundtable dialogue with local investors, entrepreneurs, accelerators, an organization supporting startups originating from Stanford University, and other stakeholders, at the Japan Innovation Campus, a base established for supporting Japanese startups in Silicon Valley, the United States.

In the roundtable dialogue, Mr. Kikukawa Jingo, Director-General, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau, METI, expressed his appreciation to local ecosystem stakeholders for their cooperation in advancing the activities of the Japan Innovation Campus.

In addition to introducing shifts in Japan’s economic landscape and progress in startup and innovation policies, METI exchanged views with the participants to strengthen collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of Japan and Silicon Valley. It also took the opportunity to promote to local stakeholders the upcoming global event Global Startup EXPO 2025, which will be held on September 17–18 at the venue of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

2. Showcase event

Following the roundtable dialogue, a showcase event was held in the afternoon on the same day, featuring pitches and networking by 12 Japanese startups, mainly those that are tenants of the Japan Innovation Campus.

In the startup pitches, entrepreneurs working across a broad range of fields, including deep tech, took the stage, drawing active engagement from local investors and accelerators who provided insightful feedback to the startups and participated in dynamic Q&A sessions.

Name of startup	Area of business
Akiya Mart	Property technology
Alchemist Material	Provision of a decentralized system aiming for local production and consumption of waste and hydrogen
Bloc Q	Provision of quantum-resistant software leveraging advanced quantum computing technology
eneye	Provision of a system for measuring, diagnosing, and predicting energy efficiency
I'm beside you	Improvement of mental health through AI analysis of online communication
Legal On Tech	Provision of innovative software that supports all aspects of legal operations
Medmain	Provision of the AI-powered cloud system “Pid Port” to support digital pathology
Newond	Provision of a system for streamlining clerical work for facility management
Orange	Translation and publication of manga comics, and operation of a digital store for English versions of manga comics
Quantumdata	Provision of a secure next-generation communication infrastructure leveraging quantum cryptography technology
Sun Metalon	Sale of metal recycling equipment leveraging its original metal heating technology
Terawatt Technology	Mass production of ultra-high energy and ultra-high power density lithium-ion batteries

The event brought together over 100 participants, including startups, investors, accelerators, and representatives from major corporations. Following the startup pitches, a networking session took place, providing participants with opportunities to connect and exchange views, while also serving as an opportunity to promote the upcoming Global Startup EXPO 2025.

Reference 1: Japan Innovation Campus

Japan Innovation Campus was established by METI in November 2023 in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, California, the United States, as a base for supporting Japanese startups in expanding their businesses overseas. It has since provided approximately 100 selected member companies with coworking spaces, mentoring in cooperation with local accelerators, and networking opportunities.

These activities have contributed to early signs of growth among member companies, including securing funding from local investors and hiring local talent.

Reference 2: Global Startup EXPO 2025

In response to the expectations placed on startups towards solving global issues, Global Startup EXPO 2025 brings together leading investors and entrepreneurs from Japan and overseas, including Mr. Mike Collins, founder and CEO of Alumni Ventures, and Ms. Namba Tomoko of KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation). Under the theme, “Shaping the Future with Startups: Co-creation to Break Through Global Challenges,” keynote speeches, sessions, startup showcases and pitches and networking will be held in relation to the following subthemes: health and longevity, enriched life, a society independent from population growth, co-living with the earth, and creating regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies.

Through these activities, METI will provide participants in the event with an opportunity to establish co-creation initiatives with startups and build global partnerships in diverse sectors, while showcasing outstanding domestic and international startups in front of a global audience.

Related Links

• Global Startup EXPO 2025 to be Hosted at the Expo Venue Welcoming Stakeholders in the Deep Tech Startup Ecosystem from around the World - for the First Time (METI)
• Opening Ceremony for Japan Innovation Campus Held in Silicon Valley, the United States (METI)

Division in Charge

Innovation and Startup Promotion Division, Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau