The Client

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a Japanese government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.

The Problem

JETRO was looking to organize a 10 day trip for Waseda University, The University of Tokyo, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University students and faculty in New York and Boston. The goal was to equip the participants with insights into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and innovation, drawing from our experiences here in the USA. However, JETRO’s team in Tokyo lacked the direct access to local ecosystem partners and the expertise needed to organize this program.

The Solution

JETRO sought out Xploration Partners’ strategic expertise in entrepreneurship workshops and our extensive network within the USA's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through meticulous planning and close collaboration, we curated a rich itinerary that encompassed entrepreneurship workshops, immersive experiences, and invaluable networking opportunities. From engaging sessions on startup fundamentals to firsthand encounters with prominent players in the USA's innovation ecosystem, every aspect of the program was designed to offer a holistic understanding of how entrepreneurship is done in the USA.

From meetings with venture capital firms to participation in hackathons and pitch competitions, the delegates were immersed in a whirlwind of entrepreneurial activity, gaining invaluable insights and forging meaningful connections along the way.

Program Highlights

• One of the highlights was our engagement with Deutsche Bank Ventures, where we delved into the intricacies of investing and corporate venture capital, offering invaluable perspectives on the startup investment landscape.

• Our visit to NYU's Endless Frontier Labs was an incredible experience. We had the privilege to meet with Deepak Hegde and the rest of their team to learn more about how their program helps to foster entrepreneurship and scale innovations in the areas of DeepTech, LifeSciences, and DigitalTech.

• We visited the Harvard Innovation Labs and took a tour of The Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab, a 15,000 square-foot state of the art wet laboratory and co-working space for startups.

• At Columbia University's Hacking Health Hackathon, many of the Japanese students experienced their first hackathon and startup pitch competition.

• We also visited the the Eugene M. Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School to meet with Lara Hejtmanek to learn more about Columbia's Entrepreneurship Center and Dmytro Pokhylko to learn more about Columbia Technology Ventures and Columbia Lab-to-Market Accelerator Network.

• We concluded the program with a startup pitch competition, where participants had the chance to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas to a distinguished panel of judges from industry, academia, and government.

• The winners of the competition where:

  • Lisa Honda from Enjoyable Sustainable, pioneering a fair trade version of Etsy.

  • Ayaka Shu from Earth Builder, revolutionizing sustainable construction materials.

  • Atsuya Okawa from Rin Jin, spearheading a carbon credit marketplace.

Conclusion

Xploration Partners is committed to continuing our work with universities, governments, and corporations, offering tailored entrepreneurship programs in key innovation ecosystems such as Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, and beyond.

If you are seeking to foster innovation within your organization, we are here to support you. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you unleash the full potential of entrepreneurship and innovation.