#Japan #Tokyo #Scrum Studio #Tokyu Land #Sakura Deeptech

Celebrating Innovation: Sakura Deeptech Shibuya Accelerator's Demo Day

On December 4, 2025, the SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA celebrated its first anniversary and showcased the achievements of its first accelerator cohort during a special Demo Day hosted by Scrum Studio Inc. and Tokyu Land Corporation. This momentous occasion highlighted the progress made since the hub's opening in January 2025, during which it has transformed into a global innovation center for deeptech startups addressing pressing societal challenges.

SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA (SDS) stands as a beacon for innovation, providing a collaborative environment for startups, corporations, academia, and government entities. Through its partnerships with esteemed institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), SDS has fostered a dynamic community that enables the exchange of ideas and expertise.

The Sakura Deeptech Shibuya Accelerator (SDA), which launched in June 2025, welcomed ten innovative startups from both Japan and abroad. The participants engaged in a rigorous six-month program focused on offering insights into the Japanese market, facilitating proof-of-concept projects, and laying the groundwork for product commercialization.

Masami Takahashi, the President of Scrum Studio, expressed pride in the inaugural cohort's achievements: "Our first accelerator cohort has displayed not only technical expertise but also the power of collaboration. By partnering with corporate leaders and industry stakeholders, we’re creating a supportive ecosystem that drives impactful innovation beyond SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA."

The Demo Day attracted over 200 industry participants, including representatives from leading corporations and venture capital firms. A notable highlight was a panel discussion led by Michael Cottrell, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy Japan, focusing on strategies for overseas startups entering the Japanese market.

Highlights from Collaboration

Several exciting collaborations were on display during the event:

• - Verobotics and Tokyu Land Corporation: The Israel-based startup showcased its autonomous façade-cleaning robot in a live demonstration at Shibuya Sakura Stage. The robot effectively cleaned windows on the Central Building while gathering data on the façade’s condition. Tokyu Land Corporation is currently exploring operational workflows for potential full-scale deployment, indicating a significant step toward market integration.

• - Loliware and Tokyu Land Corporation: This U.S.-based startup, known for its earth-friendly, seaweed-derived plastic alternatives, successfully deployed biodegradable straws at an event in September 2025. Further deployment opportunities are being considered.

• - Foundation Alloy and Kai Corporation: This collaboration aims to pioneer the world’s first fully solid-state metal technology. A proof-of-concept to manufacture knives utilizing Foundation Alloy’s innovative metal processing techniques is planned for 2026, promising to enhance efficiency and reduce waste in manufacturing compared to traditional processes.

The 2025 Startup Cohort

The cohort presented a lineup of startups pushing the boundaries in fields like climate tech and AI-enhanced robotics:

• - Aikido Technologies: Developed a self-upending floating offshore wind platform.
• - Code Metal: Created an agentic workflow for automatic code conversion for edge devices.
• - Edgenesis: Works on an open-source IoT gateway for interoperability.
• - EX-Fusion: Focuses on next-generation energy through inertial confinement fusion.
• - Foundation Alloy: Innovators in high-performance metal alloys.
• - Impossible Metals: AI-powered robotics for sustainable seabed mining.
• - Loliware: Developers of sustainable plastic alternatives derived from seaweed.
• - Novathena: Provides AI collaborators for procedural excellence in manufacturing.
• - Thermulon: Known for scalable next-gen aerogels.
• - Verobotics: Offers automated cleaning and inspection services via robotics.

As part of their commitment to continued innovation, Scrum Studio and Tokyu Land Corporation announced pre-registration for the 2026 accelerator program, which aims to attract global deeptech startups with a focus on fusing technology and culture to enrich Shibuya’s creative ecosystem.

About Scrum Studio Inc.

Scrum Studio is dedicated to fostering new business ventures by partnering Japanese corporations with global startups. Through its open innovation programs, it facilitates international market entry and accelerates business development opportunities. For more details, visit Scrum Studio's Website.