MUFG ICJ ESG Accelerator "FOOD X TECH Mercato", which aims to achieve sustainable food and biodiversity, has come to a successful conclusion.
Thank you for your support.
MUFG Bank and Inclusion Japan, together with Movimento Metropolitano (MOM),
a successful sustainable community food market in London, launched a broad call for restaurants and startups committed to sustainable food and biodiversity.
In total, 88 restaurants and 95 startups applied.
After a rigorous selection process, a total of 14 companies were chosen as finalists.
At the Demo Day on Wednesday, June 26, a panel of judges,
including Andrea Rasca, Founder and CEO of MOM,
and Julio Bruno, Chairman of MOM, conducted tastings and presentations.
Grand prizes, sponsor awards and audience awards were presented.
Demo Day digest
Movimento Metropolitano is driven by the vision to create sustainable community markets that go beyond just food. These markets are spaces for sharing, learning, and connecting through workshops, art, music, and community events. The mission is to build inclusive communities and sustainable local food systems, and to improve access to nutritious food for everyone. From the current four stores in London the movement is expanding globally, with Japan being one of the leading countries.
https://mercatometropolitano.com/
Movimento Metropolitano
14 finalists selected from 183 applicants
Parade
Overview
With livestock partners throughout Japan, we focus on various concepts and values of fattening cattle, such as "resource recycling-oriented fattening," "animal welfare," "re-fattening of waste cattle (mother cows and dairy cattle bulls)," and "domestic feed, grass, and pasture. We are developing food ingredients, processed and manufactured products, and planning and operating various types of restaurants that make use of them.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
Among the company's livestock farmer partners, who are not preoccupied with rank myths but emphasize resource recycling and animal welfare, we would like to introduce "Hiramatsu Chikusan" in Kanoya City, Kagoshima. In addition to the grass they grow themselves, they make their own original feed, keep mothers and calves together, and have established a fattening method that further increases the value of aged cattle.
Grand Prize
Kurosawa Sushi
Overview
The world's first restaurant specializing in rice flour tempura!
Using the world's most reliable rice flour [Yanokuni Junshin Rice Flour], we offer crispy, crunchy, crispy gluten-free tempura without wheat flour that will not upset your stomach. We hope to provide you with the one and only ultimate tempura that you have never had.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
The young manager, Mr. Izumikawa, came across unmixed rice flour from Yamaguchi Prefecture and has created an unprecedented rice flour tempura in Nishi-Shin, Fukuoka, which everyone in the world can enjoy. He is thorough in his selection of not only the ingredients, but also the batter and oil used for frying, according to the customer's needs. Furthermore, he is challenging ourselves to create a menu that is not traditional tempura. We hope you will try our tempura.
Ishii Food award
Rice-flour Tempura Ten
Overview
The world's first restaurant specializing in rice flour tempura!
Using the world's most reliable rice flour [Yanokuni Junshin Rice Flour], we offer crispy, crunchy, crispy gluten-free tempura without wheat flour that will not upset your stomach. We hope to provide you with the one and only ultimate tempura that you have never had.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
The young manager, Mr. Izumikawa, came across unmixed rice flour from Yamaguchi Prefecture and has created an unprecedented rice flour tempura in Nishi-Shin, Fukuoka, which everyone in the world can enjoy. He is thorough in his selection of not only the ingredients, but also the batter and oil used for frying, according to the customer's needs. Furthermore, he is challenging ourselves to create a menu that is not traditional tempura. We hope you will try our tempura.
Fukuoka Jisho
award
ovgo Baker
Overview
The company manufactures and sells plant-based baked goods that do not contain eggs or butter. In order to minimize environmental impact, ingredients are carefully selected, and the company's products reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% compared to typical cookies that use animal-based ingredients. Placing the highest priority on deliciousness, avoiding the words "vegan" and "environmental impact," and appealing to customers by being "fun" and "cute.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
Based on the motto of "no pressure, delicious, cute, and fun," ovgo's plant-based cookies are attracting a growing number of repeat customers, both young and female. We would like to invite you to experience the taste and worldview of ovgo, which can be realized by a team led by a skilled female management team.
ICJ award
Ikeda Tohka
Industries award
All Fields
Overview
We are a natural farmer with 20 hectares of land, and we handle everything from the production of ingredients to processing with our own hands. In addition, we produce additive-free soy milk-based gelato (plant-based) using traditional native soybeans "Kashima native" and miso, soy sauce, okara doughnuts, tofu, natto (fermented soybeans), etc. using home-made koji and soybeans.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
ICJ got fascinated with the passion of Mr. Karasawa, who started his own farm 11 years ago in order to overcome the clutches and confusion that he found after graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture and working for an agricultural corporation. His craft beer made from homemade koji and wheat, spring water from the historic Kashima Jingu Shrine, and gelato made from Japanese native soybeans that are not grown anywhere else are truly delicious!
Free Spirit Japan
Overview
The first single-seeded oysters in Fukuoka, created through years of trial and error by a fishing cooperative, have acquired international certification and are a locally produced product that we are proud to offer to the world, and have been adopted by hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin in Japan and abroad. The restaurant has become one of Fukuoka's cultural spots, offering services that emphasize the Ring a Bell system, a system that connects people with each other, and the creation of space.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
The single-seeded oysters, created in Karadomari, Fukuoka, after years of trial and error, are an exquisite treat for raw oyster lovers. Mr. Yasukouchi's spirit of challenge and the global connections he cultivated at Ritsumeikan APU have culminated in st.763, a standing bar where anyone can stop by and find themselves getting to know one another. Please enjoy the taste of the ingredients and his passion.
Cool Innovation
Overview
Through the manufacture and sale of refrigerated containers, refrigerated warehouse modules, and other products equipped with proprietary refrigeration technology that can maintain the freshness of vegetables, fruits, and other products for long periods of time, we are working to reduce food loss and post-harvest loss to near zero. This will reduce water and energy waste in addition to loss reduction.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ イチオシ コメント
While there are few startups involved in the refrigerated/frozen area, it is an area that has a very large social impact. The ability to extend the freshness maintenance period makes it possible to adjust shipments, and it can also be applied to time-consuming sea route exports.
This will open up opportunities for Japanese agricultural products to be exported overseas.
Grand Prize
GG.SUPPLY
Overview
GG.SUPPLY delivers and sells ready-to-eat vegetables from urban fields in the Tenjin area of Fukuoka that "last for a month," "don't need dressing," and can be eaten "as is" without washing. It delivers vegetables from urban fields to the table in 30 minutes after harvest. It is working to solve the problems of current agriculture in terms of environmental and social issues.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
While many plant factories have failed, the approach of developing a small-scale operation in an urban center is interesting. It is an interesting business model that, if economically viable in terms of cost and volume, is likely to be accepted by consumers. In addition, the manager has a wealth of knowledge about vegetables and objectively analyzes the history and business model of plant factories.
Mitsui Fudosan award
Eco-Pork
Overview
We are developing and providing ICT/IoT/AI data technology solutions called "Poker" to pig farmers, which will enable scientific pig breeding, improve productivity, and reduce environmental impact. Currently, more than 10% of domestically produced pork is produced using our data technology. We are working with short-term targets such as 50% increase in pork production, 30% increase in feeding efficiency, 95% reduction in the amount of medication, and 40% reduction in GHG emissions using "Poker".
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
It is one of representatives of J-Startup Impact and a leading company in the pig farming DX area. It is a very interesting business, including its business approach to pig farming as a target and rule-making. There is potential for the company to transform pig farming in Japan into a high-value-added industry that can sell its products at high prices worldwide, and we are looking forward to seeing what the company does next!
Dentsu award
GreenCarbon
Overview
The company is developing carbon credit creation and sales projects in Japan and abroad. Specifically, the company is developing methane gas reduction in rice paddies, carbon farming, afforestation, and biochar projects. The company is also focusing on the R&D area and is collaborating with universities and research institutes in Japan and overseas to research plants that can generate more credits.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
This is an important project with a significant social impact, aiming to solve problems in agriculture and make it profitable in a sustainable manner. Among them, I am convinced by the background that made paddy fields the first choice. I was impressed by the way the project has been able to control the area and devise ways to interact with the public sector, including the know-how of the application process.
KEPCO award
TOKYO GAS award
NRI award
Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan
Stanley Securities award
Fermecutes
Overview
To solve the problem of increasing food production that we will face in the future, we need edible proteins with low environmental impact and high production efficiency. Fermecutes is the only company in the world that aims to commercialize Bacillus subtilis natto protein based on Japanese food culture. Kin-pun, Bacillus subtilis natto powder delivers delicious taste, safety, and security with high quality protein.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
The unique positioning of Bacillus natto, which is more advanced in research than other countries, is interesting, and because of its high protein content ratio, it has great potential as a functional material if mass production and cost reduction are realized. In addition, the fact that food residues can be upcycled and that the product is in powder form and easily transportable also makes it possible to create a highly complete business model.
MUFG Bank award
cuoncrop
Overview
Due to the large number of products and complexity of the value chain, it has been difficult to visualize Eco Scores on a product-by-product basis. We offer "My Eco Score," a SaaS that visualizes the Eco Score of food ingredients and food products with more than 10 multifaceted food eco-indicators, including biodiversity and water resource use, to enhance product descriptions, communicate them, and expand sales channels and sales opportunities.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
The approach of becoming a first-mover or acquiring the entire value chain is effective, but since there are still no players in this area in Japan, a solid partnership with a major player in the market is expected to lead to a big business in the future. However, since there are no players in this field in Japan yet, we can expect that a solid strategy and a proven track record in the U.S. and European markets will lead to significant future business.
Mitsubishi UFJ
Trust and Banking
award
Kinish
Overview
Kinish has made it possible to produce milk protein from rice by utilizing a technology called plant molecular agriculture, and by utilizing the milk protein obtained from this and the starch originally found in rice as a source of sweetness. The company plans to start by developing premium ice cream that is delicious, sugarless, and eco-friendly, and in the future will expand the range of products to include cheese and milk.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ イチオシ コメント
It is not merely a protein substitute, but a healthy product with strong appeal. Also, while being a Japan TECH company that uses technology to evolve the Japanese tradition of rice, the fact that they are considering overseas expansion is a sign of their potential. We felt that the aspect of being a cutting-edge plant molecule company could lead to quite a variety of developments.
ICJ award
WAKU
Overview
Oxidized glutathione" is originally synthesized in plants, but since the same effect can be obtained by giving it externally, we would like to implement it in society in a highly versatile way by making it into a fertilizer. The raw materials will be low-cost, unused resources that meet the requirements to be registered as organic fertilizers.
ICJ
recomme-nded
Comment
ICJ recommended Comment
This is an interesting startup with technology to reduce chemical fertilizer use and increase yields, and with diverse value-providing outlets: regenerative agriculture, circular economy, and Climate Tech. Fertilizer is a commodity industry, so we feel that this is a model that can be scaled if cost reductions can be realized through mass production, and we see tremendous potential in this model.
Voices from restaurants, startups, and enterprises
"By having a common understanding of the challenges facing restaurants in the future and connecting with each other, we can work together to solve these challenges [Restaurant finalist]."
"It was a great networking opportunity, with not only startups, but also people from restayrants and producers, who all got to taste the food together." [Startup finalist]
"Not only mentoring and demo day, but also the staff carefully matched the participants for this program with each other [Startup finalist]".
"It was refreshing to see food and beverage companies giving presentations on ESG rather than product and technology [Food manufacturer, business planning]".
"For a company like ours that is looking for strategic returns, it is more helpful to see a variety of solutions than to worry about whether it will scale (from a typical VC perspective)" [Retailer, Corporate Planning]
"In particular, the content of the startup presentations was of a high level and very interesting [Logistics, R&D]".
Reviews from Sponsors & Mentors
" There are no other startup accelerators specialized in ESG. It's great to have mentoring from a professional perspective that is essential for our business, something that's hard to find in other accelerators."
"The mentors were wonderful. Receiving comments from the mentor all at once in half a day is an excellent system."
"The compact timeline and steps of the program minimized the burden on startups."
"Demo Day is well organized. There's a good number of participants, not too many nor too few, allowing effective networking. Having corporate awards helps us understand collaboration needs."
"ICJ knows what startup needs for our marketing or publicity, such as video shooting."
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Can I return a product if I'm not satisfied?
Yes, you can return any product within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping times vary depending on your location. It usually takes 3-7 business days.
Are the products covered by warranty?
Yes, all our products come with a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects.
［Speakers］
Tomomichi Sumi
Co-Founder, UnlocX & Co.
/ Startup Specialist & Geek / Lecturer at the University of Tokyo Graduate School
Hirotaka Tanaka
Founder and CEO
UnlocX & Co. /
SKS JAPAN Founder
Satoshi Umino
CEO,
Sustainable
Food Asia
Akisumi Arima
Partner,
Beyond Next
Ventures Inc.
Atsushi Kumahara
Partner & CEO,
ABF Capital
Hiroyoshi Iwata
Doctoral Researcher, Department of Technology Management for Innovation/ RA, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo
Hiroshi Tachikawa
Managing Director,
Propharm
Japan Co., Ltd.
Niki Agata
Fund Partner,
FGN ABBALab inc
Ryota Kamiya
General Partner,
SSS Capital
Tohru Nishikawa
Partner,
Energy & Environment Investment
Kei Furukawa
Partner,University of Tokyo Innovation
Platform Co.
Masafumi Kawai
Partner,
Genesia
Ventures
Tiziana Alamprese
Chief Experience Officer,
Movimento
Metropolitano
Naoji Nomura
Principal,
Keio Innovation
Initiative, Inc.
Hirokazu Kitahara
Partner,
Archetype
Ventures
Koshu Kunii
General Partner,
Beyond Next
Ventures Inc.
Yuki
Tsuda
CEO,
Fisherman Japan Markting Co.,Ltd.
Shogo Tsuno
Fund Manager,
Dogan beta Inc.
Michiko Kato
Partner,
Woven Capital
Kosuke
Ueda
PRESIDEN,
NISSAY CAPITAL
CO., LTD.
Taiki Hino
Senior Associate
Norinchukin
Capital Co., Ltd
Chang
Li
VP, Fintech/Insurtech,
Plug and Play Japan
Hiro Hasegawa
Venture Partner,
Future Food Fund
