#Japan #Tokyo #Naturepreneur Japan #MiDriq NbS #ecological innovation

Naturepreneur Japan Launch Event

On August 27, 2025, the Naturepreneur Japan (NPJ) was officially established, marking a significant step towards integrating ecological preservation into economic growth. NPJ's primary objective is to support young entrepreneurs aspiring to launch businesses in environmentally-friendly agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism sectors through financial aid, human resources, expertise, and networking opportunities. The term 'Naturepreneur' combines 'Nature' and 'Entrepreneur' to represent a new breed of business leaders dedicated to sustainability.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the University of Tokyo, attracted about 150 participants, including entrepreneurs, students, and researchers from across the nation.

One of the prominent speakers at the event was Takashi Seki, the CEO of MiDriq NbS Inc., based in Shibuya, Tokyo. He showcased innovative efforts to visualize natural capital and biodiversity by utilizing advanced technologies like drones, satellites, environmental DNA, and digital twins. Seki emphasized the importance of green infrastructure visibility and technological support for both green and gray infrastructure management, outlining MiDriq's role in building conservation and restoration mechanisms. He presented practical examples, such as the promotion of hybrid infrastructure and participation in flood control projects along the Arakawa River, demonstrating how to balance ecological restoration with disaster prevention.

Background of Naturepreneur Japan

The foundation of NPJ comes in the wake of escalating global concerns regarding climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Despite the growing urgency, current societal financial flows and institutional frameworks have been insufficient in adequately valuing natural capital. Consequently, challenges such as a shortage of workforce, dysfunctional capital circulation, and a lack of reliable scientific data have hindered broader adoption of natural capital restoration initiatives. NPJ aims to bridge these gaps by connecting Naturepreneurs — entrepreneurs and practitioners who create value based on natural capital — and providing a framework to circulate funds, expertise, resources, and networks.

Overview of Naturepreneur Japan (NPJ)

Mission: NPJ aspires to create a society where conservation activities become businesses that drive economic growth, nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs in the natural sector.

Key Activities:

• - Grant Programs: NPJ aims to establish a fund of 1 billion yen over five years from 2026 to 2030 to support innovative businesses in sustainable tourism, regenerative agriculture, and environmentally-conscious fisheries and agriculture.
• - Platform Building: A nationwide network that connects entrepreneurs, researchers, local governments, businesses, and citizens to circulate funds, knowledge, and human resources organically.
• - Next-Generation Training: Launch of the ‘Next-Generation Naturepreneur Fellowship’ to provide practical experience and research opportunities for students and young talents.

Future Developments: NPJ is currently pursuing donations and partnership recruitment for its first fund and running a crowdfunding campaign with a target of 6 million yen. The aim is to cultivate over 200 Naturepreneurs and support more than 10 business ventures within the next five years.

MiDriq NbS Positioning and Solutions Offered

MiDriq NbS contributes to accelerating conservation and restoration efforts by serving as a data and technology-driven partner for a diverse array of natural capital stakeholders. Key initiatives include:

• - Scientific data generation using drones, satellites, LiDAR, and environmental DNA.
• - Visualization of natural capital functions: analyzing CO₂ storage capacity, identifying tree species through AI, and evaluating watershed protection capabilities of forests.
• - Utilizing AI analysis and digital twins for future simulations and consensus-building.
• - Providing visibility for green infrastructure and management technologies.
• - Automating maintenance procedures using robots and drones to address labor shortage issues.

Achievements (Selected)

MiDriq has actively pursued collaborative projects with public agencies and private companies, resulting in notable participation in various programs and events, including:

• - September 2025: Presented at the Green Infrastructure Startup X event in Sapporo.
• - July 2025: Participated in the 3rd Workshop on Natural-Related Financial Disclosure hosted by the Ministry of the Environment.
• - July 2025: Selected for Google for Startups ‘Founders at Campus’ program.
• - June 2025: Accepted in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s private proposal-based public-private partnership modeling program.
• - Numerous other engagements with significant stakeholders in the green infrastructure sector over the past year.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: MiDriq NbS, Inc.
• - CEO: Takashi Seki
• - Headquarters: 2F Kuwano Building, 6-23-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
• - Established: February 2024
• - Business Focus: 3D measurement, analysis, modeling, remote sensing through drones and satellites, digital twin consensus-building tools, development of AI technology for automated control of drones and robots, and visualization services for green infrastructure.

Contact Information

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