#Japan #Tokyo #TOKYO SUTEAM #SUNDRED #Nature Governance

Nature Governance Initiatives Kickoff: Shaping a Sustainable Future

On November 12, 2025, SUNDRED Inc., a startup ecosystem builder headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, will launch the Nature Governance Startup Program under the TOKYO SUTEAM initiative. This program aims to nurture startups focusing on nature-positive solutions by enhancing collaboration among regional governments, private enterprises, and startups.

Background of the Initiative

The current climate crisis and biodiversity loss pose significant risks to the modern economy, which relies heavily on natural capital, accounting for over 50% of GDP. Internationally, frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the shift towards a nature-positive economy are gaining momentum. Consequently, natural capital is becoming core to financial and industrial policies globally.

In Japan, initiatives such as the Green Transformation Basic Plan and the Biodiversity National Strategy 2023-2030 emphasize the urgency of an economic transition based on natural capital. However, the number of startups focused on nature-positive themes and the supporting infrastructure remains limited compared to Europe and the U.S. This scarcity indicates a pressing need for business acumen and support personnel in this field.

About the Nature Governance Startup Program

The Nature Governance Startup Program championed by SUNDRED aims to discover and nurture startups that tackle urban challenges while promoting the preservation, regeneration, circulation, and development of natural capital. The program intends to construct a new industrial ecosystem with diverse stakeholders from academia, government, private sector, and civil society, keeping in mind full societal implementation.

Key Activities Include:

• - Identification and mentorship of startups venturing into the nature-positive arena.
• - Promotion of Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives in collaboration with local governments, research institutions, and financial organizations.
• - Development of co-creative personnel, known as Interpreneurs, and fostering a robust network among them.
• - Establishment of the Nature Governance industry to bridge natural capital with urban economies.

Event Highlights

Kickoff Event:

The upcoming event will serve as an opportunity to learn, discuss, and contemplate nature governance and its positive applications.

• - Date: November 12, 2025
• - Time: 15:00 - 17:30 (Networking until 19:00)
• - Venue: Incubation CANVAS TOKYO, Kyobashi Edgran, Tokyo, Japan
• - Organizer: SUNDRED Inc.
• - Collaboration: Incubation CANVAS TOKYO
• - Participation Fee: Free for main event, 2000 yen for networking (optional)
• - Registration: Via the Peatix event page here

Tentative Program:

15:00 - Opening Remarks and Program Overview by Masanobu Torume, CEO
15:20 - Keynote & Panel Discussion: The Industrialization of Nature Positive and Startup Potential
16:20 - Co-creation Workshop: Agenda Co-Creation for Nature Positive Industries with mixed teams discussing themes like environmental DNA analysis and urban-nature coexistence models. Facilitated by Katsuhiko Okamoto from SUNDRED.
17:20 - Closing and group photo.

Networking Session:

Engage with various attendees to explore collaborative opportunities and exchange insights in a relaxed environment from 17:30 to 19:00.

SUNDRED is dedicated to shaping a sustainable economy through its Industry-Up as a Service, promoting ecosystem development and new industrial creation anchored in societal objectives. The term Interpreneur embodies the idea of cross-organizational collaboration focused on societal impact, with around 2,600 members across industries actively participating in creating new business opportunities and dialogues.

For more information about SUNDRED or the Nature Governance Startup Program, visit SUNDRED or TOKYO SUTEAM.