#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Innovation Base #DeepTech #Design for Ventures

DeepTech Design Lab: Addressing the Empathy Gap

On July 16, 2025, D4V (Design for Ventures) is set to host a pivotal event aimed at exploring how to bridge the empathy gap between research and societal implementation of advanced technologies. Titled "DeepTech Design Lab: Bridging the Empathy Gap Between Research and Practical Use," this event will take place at the Tokyo Innovation Base in Yurakucho, Tokyo. It promises to be a gathering of various stakeholders, including researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors, all united to discuss the crucial role that design plays in cultivating growth for cutting-edge DeepTech innovations.

But what exactly is DeepTech, and why is it so significant?

Understanding DeepTech
DeepTech refers to disruptive technologies based on scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Unlike conventional tech startups, which might focus more on marketing or business models, DeepTech ventures often require substantial research and development to realize commercially viable products. These innovations can be in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotech, robotics, and quantum computing, to name a few.

An essential component of the DeepTech journey is the connection between research and its application in society. In many instances, innovations fail to reach their full potential because they don’t resonate with the end users or the market's needs, creating what is known as an "empathy gap." The upcoming DeepTech Design Lab aims to address how design can help close this gap.

Why Empathy Matters
At the heart of successful technology transfer is the ability to understand and communicate with a broad audience. The significance of empathizing with users becomes especially critical when implementing new technologies that might be complex or not immediately intuitive. Design becomes a bridge that translates intricate concepts into relatable, accessible formats that can be understood by broader stakeholders, including potential investors and users.

Event Details

The DeepTech Design Lab will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, with doors opening at 1:45 PM. The venue is exclusively face-to-face at the TiB (Tokyo Innovation Base) on the 1F Stage-2. Participants can attend the event free of charge, but prior registration is required.

Interested parties include those involved in DeepTech investment, universities, research institution startups, entrepreneurs, product managers, and designers eager to explore how to effectively connect technology and society.

Featured Speakers

The event has attracted prominent figures in the field. Among them is Professor Miles Pennington, a distinguished researcher at the University of Tokyo. He advocates for value creation through design and emphasizes collaboration with researchers both inside and outside the university. His history includes being the director at the postgraduate level for Innovation Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. With numerous contributions to design initiatives, he aims to highlight how effective design can facilitate breakthroughs in technology use.

Another notable speaker is Ken Toyama, CEO of Bionoson Inc., who brings a wealth of experience from multiple industries, including finance and healthcare. He has a keen focus on leveraging AI and bio-sound technology to enable easy self-check health solutions accessible for all.

Additionally, Asumi Ota, a partner at D4V, is expected to share insights from her extensive background in venture capital and design, fostering discussions on how design can catalyze early investment into transformative innovations.

Who Should Attend

The event is targeting key participants actively engaging in the DeepTech ecosystem, including investors interested in supporting emerging technologies, stakeholders from university-driven startups, and designers passionate about connecting technological advancements to societal needs.

Contact Information

For more information regarding the event, interested participants can reach out to D4V at info@d4v.com.

D4V, in collaboration with the global design firm IDEO, specializes in investing in early-stage startups, regardless of industry. They provide hands-on support to help these companies thrive by leveraging expertise in management and design. In 2021, D4V also launched the "Startup First Designer Program" aimed at supporting designers pursuing careers in startups.

In conclusion, the DeepTech Design Lab on July 16, 2025, represents a vital opportunity for stakeholders to come together and explore how thoughtfully designed approaches can enhance the journey of emerging technologies from the lab to the public sphere.