Is technology making the world better—or just more complicated?
Modern life comes with its share of challenges: from climate change to healthcare crises, the hurdles we face are clear. Technology promises solutions, but sometimes progress feels frustratingly slow.
Take energy, for example. Global demand keeps rising, but renewable solutions can’t keep pace. In healthcare, the stakes are just as high. Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone loses a limb due to diabetic complications. Advances are being made, yet millions still face life-altering outcomes.
The reality is stark—whether it’s finding scalable energy solutions or managing chronic diseases like diabetes, the call for bold, real-world innovations has never been louder.
That’s where the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC) comes in. KSAC is a platform that brings together over 70 universities, research institutions, financial organizations, and local governments in Japan’s Kansai region, all working to transform academic research into viable solutions for global challenges. KSAC’s focus isn’t just on research—it’s on turning that research into impactful startups that can thrive in the real world.
This October, KSAC is hosting “Lab to Market: Exploring Kansai’s Top Research with KSAC” in Singapore, a chance to see some of Japan’s brightest researchers present innovations that could reshape industries like healthcare and energy. It’s an opportunity to see how university-driven research can move from the lab to the market—and change the world.
Meet Kansai’s brightest minds
At the event, five researchers will present projects that have direct, practical applications for pressing global issues:
- Kanta Ono from Osaka University, who is tackling the reproducibility challenge in energy materials with an autonomous experimentation system driven by artificial intelligence. His approach could significantly accelerate the discovery of next-generation materials, bringing us closer to a sustainable energy future.
- Keisuke Miyake of Osaka University, who’s developing a novel and less invasive approach to treating diabetic foot wounds. His innovation could significantly reduce the need for amputations, offering new hope and a potential lifeline to millions of patients worldwide.
- Masato Suzuki from Kansai University, who is reimagining routine healthcare with a painless blood collection system inspired by nature. His innovation, which mimics the gentle bite of a mosquito, could transform how we approach blood tests, making them less invasive and more accessible for all.
- Jun Hirotani of Kyoto University, who’s pioneering advanced thermal management solutions that are critical for the next wave of high-performance electronics. His work could break through the heat barriers that currently limit technological progress, enabling a new era of innovation.
- Katsumasa Fujita from Osaka University, who is at the forefront of biological research with his cryogenic optical microscopy techniques. By preserving cellular processes in stunning detail, his work could revolutionize drug development, providing a clearer window into how potential treatments affect living cells.
Why attend the event?
For investors, Lab to Market offers a unique opportunity to engage with projects that, much like a bonsai tree, require patience and careful cultivation, but when fully developed, reveal lasting strength and resilience. Consider Preferred Networks and PeptiDream, two Japanese startups founded nearly two decades ago that have since grown into billion-dollar companies. They are a testament to the ethos: progress may seem gradual, but the long-term rewards can be extraordinary.
Investors will find innovations presented at the event to be at the beginning of similarly promising journeys—steady progress with the potential for significant, lasting impact.
Lab to Market will also offer a chance to connect with a broader national movement. Japan’s five-year plan, announced in 2022, set an ambitious goal to invest JPY 10 trillion (USD 69.7 billion) into startups, creating 100,000 new startups and cultivating 100 unicorns by 2027.
Deep tech is a core focus of this initiative, and the event’s participating researchers represent the forefront of this effort. Engaging with these projects could offer a path to collaborate with the very people driving Japan’s long-term innovation strategy, opening doors to partnerships that can drive technological advancements and position your organization at the cutting edge.
Event details
Lab to Market will feature presentations from the researchers themselves, followed by networking sessions where attendees can discuss potential collaborations and partnerships. Investors, industry experts, and other stakeholders will have the chance to explore how these innovations could scale globally.
- Date: Monday, October 28, 2024.
- Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Singapore time).
- Venue: One&Co, 20 Anson Road, #11-01, Twenty Anson, Singapore 079912.
- Registration: Free.
Early registration is recommended as spaces are limited to 50–60 participants. Register or find out more about the event by visiting this page.
Join us at the event and be part of the conversation about how university-led innovation can shape the future.
About the event: Lab to Market: Exploring Kansai’s Top Research with KSAC is organized with support from the Osaka Business Development Agency (OBDA).
This article was published in partnership with the Kansai Startup Academia Coalition (KSAC). KrASIA is an event partner for Lab to Market: Exploring Kansai’s Top Research with KSAC, set to be held on October 28, 2024.