for Startups, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuichiro Shimizu), which drives initiatives to support growth industries, announces the companies selected to present in the “GRIC PITCH” competition at “GRIC2025,” a major conference in November that connects Japan’s growth industries with the global market.
“GRIC PITCH” is a competition where startups that are already expanding into global markets or aiming to do so pitch to domestic and international investors and corporate partners. More than 120 judges from around the world will gather to evaluate startups with the potential to succeed on the global stage. All pitches will feature simultaneous English interpretation and will be broadcast worldwide. Selected startups will pitch under three themes: “CLIMATE TECH,” “FRONTIER TECH,” and “UPRISING DIGITAL.”
Following a rigorous evaluation, the highest-scoring company across all themes will receive the “GRAND PRIZE.” One “THEME AWARD” will be presented within each theme. Companies selected by pitch partners will receive the “GO GLOBAL PRIZE.” Awardees will gain valuable opportunities—such as participation in overseas events and engagement with international investors and entrepreneurs—to accelerate global expansion. In addition, sponsoring companies will confer “SPONSOR PRIZES” that include various benefits.
List of Pitch Contest Startups
THEME1 CLIMATE TECH
Kei Ikegami, Founder and CEO, Planet Savers Inc.
Advancing zeolite-based Direct Air Capture systems to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, originating from leading University of Tokyo research.
Yuki Kita, CEO, Gaia Vision Inc.
Advancing climate-risk assessment through high-precision flood simulation and climate big-data analytics, based on University of Tokyo research.
Masayuki Iga, CEO, PathAhead
Improving road durability and reducing lifecycle costs in African nations by supplying high-performance pavement materials made from readily available desert sand.
Yudai Tsuda, CEO, Resilire Inc.
Delivering “Resilire,” a platform that visualizes and manages supply chain risks to strengthen manufacturing resilience and stable production.
Yuta Nojiri, CEO, LINEA Innovation Inc.
Pursuing commercialization of the neutron-free p-B11 fusion reactor “FRC Mirror Hybrid Reactor” to reshape the future of clean energy.
Takuya Ide, President and CEO,COO, Lotus Thermal Solution Inc.
Accelerating Green Transformation with immersion-cooling servers that dramatically reduce data-center power consumption through advanced boiling-cooling technology.
THEME2 FRONTIER TECH
Ryohei Kobayashi, Co-Founder / CEO, ElevationSpace Inc.
Building a next-generation microgravity utilization and return platform that enables research and manufacturing inside unmanned satellites, addressing the needs of the post-ISS era.
Takanori Awatsu, President and CEO, Skygate Technologies Inc.
Strengthening critical infrastructure protection through defense-software and zero-trust security solutions.
Shogo Onishi, CEO, Space Quarters inc
Creating next-generation orbital and lunar infrastructure through innovative space-construction technologies using electron beams and compact robotic systems.
Yasuhito UTO, CEO, BULL Co., Ltd.
Developing post-mission disposal devices to prevent space debris and enable sustainable interplanetary transportation, originating from Utsunomiya, Japan.
Shobu Oda, Founder&CEO, AstroX, Inc.
Tackling Japan’s satellite launch capacity shortage through development of Rockoon-based orbital launch vehicles.
Takuma Honda,Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Oceanic Constellations Inc.
Expanding ocean-surface monitoring with large-scale USV fleets operating as a sensor network, a “satellite constellation at sea.”
THEME3 UPRISING DIGITAL
Ryodo Tanaka, CEO, OEDO Dynamics Inc.
Enabling remote operation and autonomous driving for construction machinery with retrofit systems, including “OEDO Controller,” “OEDO Remote Deck,” and “OEDO Auto Deck.”
Gil Maro, President and CEO, SAZO Inc.
Enabling users in Japan to seamlessly purchase Korean products with the same experience as domestic e-commerce through its AI-powered cross-border shopping service “SAZO.”
Mika Mizunuma, Chief Operating Officer, Craif, Inc.
Transforming early cancer detection with “Bio-AI,” which analyzes microRNA biomarkers in urine to support timely diagnosis and personalized medicine.
Tomoaki Kudo, President and CEO, JAPAN AI Inc.
Providing multiple enterprise-grade generative-AI services, including the autonomous AI-agent platform “JAPAN AI AGENT,” to enhance productivity across Japanese industry.
Takeshi Homma, Co-Founder / CEO, HOMMA Group Corp
Developing Built-in Intelligence technology to enhance safety, comfort, and wellbeing at home, creating the future of living through the fusion of architecture and technology.
Ibrahim Orhan, CEO, Kanaria Tech Inc.
Advancing human-robot coexistence with the Kanaria Robotic Model (KRM), equipping robots with social perception and adaptive learning capabilities.
Prize Details
GRAND PRIZE
GO GLOBAL PRIZE
SPONSOR PRIZE
■ “GRIC 2025” Participant Registration Now Open
・Offline ticket Day 3
Target: Those Who Wish to Celebrate the Shibuya Hikarie Hikarie Hall on 11/13 (Thursday) Online Benefit: You Can Also Watch Online Sessions on the 11th and 12th (available via EventHub)
・Online ticket Day1-3
Target: those who wish to view the online streaming from 11/11 (Tue) to 13 (Thu) Contents: You can watch all online sessions and partial streaming of the offline event
Register for free HERE
Sponsorship opportunities
We are pleased to welcome sponsor companies. If you are afraid, please feel free to inquire via the form below.
Event Overview: GRIC2025
“GRIC2025” is Japan's largest conference dedicated to growth industries, held for the sixth time under the theme “Adopting Japan's Startup Ecosystem to the Global Stage.”At last year's GRIC2024, more than 11,000 people registered, with over 30 Sessions And from 63 countries.
- Event Name: GRIC2025
- Dates:
- Nov 11 (Tue): Online sessions 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- Nov 12 (Wed): Online sessions 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- Nov 13 (Thu): Online & offline sessions at Shibuya Hikarie Hall 10:00–17:00 (tentative)
- (Subject to change without notice)
- Venue: Hybrid (Online via EventHub / Offline at Shibuya Hikarie Hall)
- Admission: Free
- Hashtag: #GRIC2025
- Official Website: GRIC2025 Website
About GRIC (Growth Industry Conference)
GRIC is Japan's largest hybrid global conference and community dedicated to growth industries. Talks in January 2021, the first conference was held fully online, and from the second edition, all sessions have been bilingual (Japanese-English). The fifth edition, GRIC2024, was held as the first hybrid (online + offline) event, won over 11,000 registered employees from 63 countries. GRIC aims as both a global stage for top-tier ecosystem builders and a community hub for challengers driving innovation and growth.
