Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Twelve start-ups from Switzerland participated in the Global Startup Program of SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024, Asia’s largest innovation conference. Swissnex in Japan brought them together to Japan within a Swisstech Pavilion. The abbreviation “SusHi Tech” stands for “Sustainable High Technology”.
From left to right - Dr. Felix Moesner, Mr. Shinji Tokumasu, Dr. Andreas Baum (Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan), and Mr. Keiichi Yoshimura at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Swisstech Pavilion at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024.
Ribbon cutting
Kick-off to the SusHi Tech Week was the “Swisstech Pitch Night” with 100 venture capitalists and visionary leaders hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan. Startup founders took the stage to pitch their visions and disruptive technologies, looking at the next wave of Swiss innovation to shape the future.
On the first day of the Global Startup Program of SusHi Tech Tokyo, Dr. Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan, and Dr. Felix Moesner, Swiss Consul & CEO of the Consulate of Switzerland, Swissnex in Japan, met with the representatives of the Swiss startups.
Next, the two diplomats cut the ribbon of inauguration for the Swisstech Pavilion along with Mr. Keiichi Yoshimura, Director General of the Office for Startup and Global Financial Strategy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and Mr. Shinji Tokumasu, Deputy Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
Start-up representatives and the Swissnex in Japan team gather for a group picture in the Swisstech Pavilion at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024.
From Switzerland to Japan
“Swissnex is here to show the best of Switzerland, build bridges, and connect with Japan and the world in education, research, innovation, and startups,” Dr. Moesner stated at the ceremony. “Switzerland is a landlocked country with no natural resources. This is why we have to continuously invest in brains, produce innovative solutions, and explore new frontiers – as we do with the Swisstech Pavilion at SusHi Tech Tokyo.”
“We are present with 12 startups in the fields of MedTech, GreenTech, SpaceTech, Drones and Robotics. We see huge demand from Switzerland to Japan; alone last year, we supported 60 startups. One of the reasons is the quality match of Swiss startups, which have a survival rate of over 80% on average,” he added.
Cooperation agreement
Each of the Swiss startups pitched its cutting-edge solutions at the KGAP+ Pitch Contest organized by the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International on the stage of the Swisstech Pavillion. Dr. Moesner and Dr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, Executive Vice President of ATR, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in technological innovation, industrial research, and development.
At the SwissTech pavilion, the Swissnex team widened networks and explored the latest trends in innovation and technology alongside representatives from the Swissnex Network, Swiss Business Hub Japan, and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCJI).
The Swiss startups also joined official side events by Startups.inc, Tokyu Corporation & Tokyu Land Corporation, Tokyo Innovation Base, and Shibuya Startup Support. They also attended a custom workshop for B2B Marketing and Japanese business culture with the McLaren Group & Custom Media.
The Swisstech Pavilion at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 saw lively discussions.
12 Swiss startups
Here are all twelve Swiss young companies and their solutions: AICA – easy and intuitive robotics automation; Flyability – Collision-tolerant drones for indoor inspections; Swiss-Mile – Connecting AI with the physical world via autonomous machines; Nutrix – Cortisol monitoring sensor designed for home use through non-invasive stress monitoring; illumicell AI – AI-powered male fertility diagnostic; Neology – novel ammonia cracking solution providing an easy and safe solution for the hydrogen industry.
Perovskia Solar – integrated solar cells into complex electronics and IoT sensors; Sirin – Space technologies solutions and satellite services for sustainable ground-base applications; Zesst – electric- or hydrogen-powered water transportation; Incaptek – ultra-performance materials from electronics, automotive, and aerospace to MedTech; Miros Technology – adaptive spaces for optimized and enhanced living spaces; Smawatt – helps wind and solar parks manage risk by providing production and price forecast.
Text: Swissnex Japan (Editing by SCCIJ), Pictures: © Swissnex Japan
