#Japan #Tokyo #Deep Tech #Startup Class #LAPRAS

LAPRAS Partners with Startup Class: A Strategic Alliance for Talent Matching

In a major development within the recruitment sector, LAPRAS Inc. (CEO: Kentaro Someya, located in Shibuya, Tokyo) has announced a strategic partnership with Startup Class Inc. (CEO: Kiyotaka Fujioka, headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo), a company specializing in an exclusive recruitment platform for selected startups. This alliance seeks to enhance the matching between highly skilled job seekers from South Korea and deep tech startups in Japan, thereby expanding employment opportunities for candidates and hiring opportunities for businesses.

Background of the Partnership

There is a chronic shortage of practical talent capable of bridging research and development to commercialization within Japan's deep tech sector. Despite a notable drop in the number of doctoral students since 2003, the demand for skilled personnel continues to rise thanks to support for a five-year startup plan. This shortage is compounded by the declining number of PhD candidates entering Japanese universities.

Conversely, South Korea boasts a high number of master's and doctoral candidates. However, challenging employment conditions within the country have resulted in a job availability ratio for 2023 that is less than half that of Japan. As a result, there is a rising trend of professionals seeking job opportunities overseas, with a keen interest in career prospects in Japan.

For instance, in 2023, South Korea had 87,947 master's graduates and 18,714 PhDs compared to Japan’s 74,258 master's and 15,831 doctoral graduates. This disparity illustrates the availability of high-skilled talent in Korea, which can be effectively matched with Japan's growing need for deep tech experts.

The partnership between LAPRAS and Startup Class aims to eliminate recruitment mismatches and expedite business growth by connecting cross-border career needs with the demand for deep tech talent.

Details of the Alliance

1. Strengthening the Matching of Korean Talent with Deep Tech Startups
LAPRAS will facilitate connections between highly skilled Korean workers—specializing in fields such as AI, biotech, semiconductor, and robotics—and deep tech job openings managed by Startup Class. This synergy is expected to fortify the talent-matching process, creating a more robust recruitment pipeline for both parties.

2. Expanding Opportunities through Resource Utilization
The collaboration extends beyond simple matchmaking. Both firms will leverage their assets to create wider job placement opportunities for the candidates and companies they support. This approach elevates the chances of successful placements, benefiting all stakeholders involved.

Comments from the Leaders

Kentaro Someya, CEO of LAPRAS:
"By connecting high-skilled talent from Korea seeking opportunities beyond their borders with the challenges faced by Japan's deep tech startups, we aim to foster innovation that makes a global impact. Through our collaboration with Startup Class, we look forward to delivering the best matching solutions across borders for both candidates and companies."

Kiyotaka Fujioka, CEO of Startup Class:
"The growth of deep tech depends on cross-border labor mobility. By integrating LAPRAS's precise skills visualization and operational capabilities with our carefully selected startups, we will further enhance the hiring success rates for those seeking innovation in Japan."

About LAPRAS Inc.

Operating under the mission of "matching the best options for everyone," LAPRAS is a matching tech company that utilizes AI and crawling technologies to redefine existing matching models. The firm specializes in recruitment services that connect individuals with optimal job opportunities.

• - Company Overview:

- Name: LAPRAS Inc.
- Location: 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051
- CEO: Kentaro Someya
- Founded: May 11, 2016
- Website: LAPRAS

About Startup Class Inc.

Formerly known as Amaterasu, Startup Class aims to "create 100 excellent companies that will illuminate the next century." The firm focuses primarily on sourcing talent for seed to early-phase startups.

• - Company Overview:

- Location: 1-12-26 Mita, Meguro, Tokyo 153-0062
- CEO: Kiyotaka Fujioka
- Founded: April 5, 2011
- Website: Startup Class

This partnership heralds a new chapter in recruitment, one that promises to bridge gaps and create opportunities in the evolving landscape of technology.