On October 17, 2025, 01Booster Capital successfully conducted a pitch contest as part of its SPINX program, aimed at fostering spinoff and carve-out initiatives among new businesses. The event took place at CEATEC 2025, specifically within the Next Generation Park in Makuhari Messe. This highly anticipated contest saw innovative entrepreneurs and established companies present their forward-thinking ideas to an audience of industry leaders, investors, and government officials.
The format of the event allowed attendees to engage actively in the selection process through online voting, with participants encouraged to evaluate pitches not merely based on business viability but also on their potential for social impact and creativity. This unique approach to judging highlighted the importance of collaboration and the current state of evolving business concepts.
Among the notable speakers were talented leaders representing various companies, such as Tomoko Arai from AbZero Co., Masayuki Iga from PathAhead, and Hitomi Nakamura from Mitsubishi Estate Co., among others. Their varied backgrounds and expertise contributed to an exciting tapestry of innovation that captivated the audience.
The award for Best Overall Pitch went to Masayuki Iga of PathAhead, recognized for introducing "Rising Sand," an innovative road paving material made from desert sand, aimed at developing sustainable road networks in Africa. The project drew the highest number of online votes, affirming its status as the most outstanding business concept presented that day.
The DEEPTECH Award was given to Hiroshi Yakuma of ROHM Co. for the "NoMaDbot," a groundbreaking autonomous driving technology that operates without a map. This initiative aligns perfectly with the event's theme of creating a next-generation innovation ecosystem and garnered a significant number of votes from those in attendance.
The award for "Shining Technology in the Shadows" was presented to Kenta Tojo of DIC Co. for his illuminating floral system "RADilys," which uses non-genetically modified flowers to create a unique glowing effect. This project resonated strongly with the audience, demonstrating the potential of overlooked technologies to shine in the public eye.
Hosting the event were Rina from ANA Holdings' in-house venture "ANA Study Fly" and Fuyuki Tateyama from 01Booster Capital, who provided a professional and engaging atmosphere throughout the competition.
SPINX is designed to help transform technologies and concepts lying dormant within corporations into tangible business ventures, offering support all the way through to market realization. This pitch event served as one of the practical applications of the program and is set to continue through 2026 and beyond, with plans to expand participation opportunities for interested companies.
01Booster Capital, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, was established in March 2022 and aims to cultivate innovation in the business landscape. For more information, visit their website at https://www.01bc.vc/. This program not only represents a commitment to fostering new ideas but also signifies a broader push toward enhancing business capabilities and supporting social implementations of cutting-edge technologies.