From April 25th to 26th, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) hosted "OIST-Lifetime Startup Elevate 2024," an event aimed at connecting startups and investors in the healthcare and sustainability sectors. Co-hosted by OIST and Lifetime Ventures, a firm specializing in startup investments, this landmark event was the largest networking gathering of its kind in Okinawa. It brought together 41 early-stage startups and over 100 investors from across Okinawa, Japan, and beyond.
This event marked the first collaboration between OIST and Lifetime Ventures to create a platform in Okinawa where investors can find new investment opportunities and startups can secure funding. Spanning two days, each day focused on different themes. The first day, Healthcare Day, featured fields such as drug discovery and biotech, bioinformatics, medical devices, and digital health. The second day, Sustainability Day, centered on energy, mobility, AgriTech, and decarbonization technologies. The event brought together a diverse array of startups and investors from various industries. Alongside participants from both within and beyond the prefecture, entrepreneurs from OIST also joined the event, engaging with investors through a variety of programs, and creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the venue.
In his opening remarks, OIST Executive Vice President Gil Granot-Mayer emphasized the vital link between scientific discovery and business innovation. "The journey from scientific discovery to business is full of challenges, but we must never forget that basic research is always behind innovation," he stated. Granot-Mayer expressed his excitement about OIST's role, saying, "I am delighted that OIST can play a role in connecting science and innovation at this event. Enjoy the day, learn as much as you can, and experience the amazing potential of science and technology."
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the startup pitch contest, a dynamic showcase of entrepreneurial talent. What set this competition apart was its unique format, pairing carefully selected startups with mentor venture capitalists (VCs) well-versed in each theme. Together, they refined their presentations, culminating in collaborative pitches that captured the essence of their business ideas and potential. Each entrepreneur was given a precise 7-minute window to articulate their business model, highlighting its uniqueness, market impact, and growth prospects. The presentations, brimming with individuality and innovation, captivated the interest of the attending investors.
Kazutoshi Osakabe, COO of Albatross Technology and recipient of the Best Pitch Award at the Sustainability Day pitch competition, shared his perspective on the event: "Our offshore wind power generation technology holds immense promise nationwide, particularly in Okinawa's island setting. We envision this event as a catalyst for local networking. Moreover, the opportunity for in-depth, face-to-face discussions with a variety of investors, facilitated by the event's unique format, was truly unparalleled."
In addition to the main venue, there were poster exhibition booths and networking spaces. Several teams from OIST participated, including Atierra, Green Leaf Global, and Vyorius Japan. Startups with ties to Okinawa also showcased their work, such as ThinkNature, Ryukyu Coffee Energy, Beyond Optical Technologies, and Butterfly Pea Lab.
Keynote speeches were delivered by experts from various industries. Yutaro Kasai, CEO of Angel Bridge specializing in investments in university and deep tech ventures, shared his experiences during Healthcare Day on the first day. He introduced examples of cutting-edge technologies from universities that he had been involved in implementing into society. "I hope that events like this will evolve into platforms where researchers-turned-seed-stage entrepreneurs can share their experiences. Entrepreneurship is about creating something from scratch. While there may be challenges along the way, I encourage startups to persevere and enjoy the journey," he expressed, offering words of encouragement to the startups poised to drive future innovation.
