On October 9th to 12th, JETRO invited three marine-tech startups from Singapore and Denmark for the event called Hi! Hiroshima Business Days 2024, which is hosted by Hiroshima Prefecture. In cooperation with the local government, we provide networking opportunities with education and research institutions such as Hiroshima University, National Institute of Technology, Hiroshima College and more than 10 Japanese companies. We set about 15 individual business meetings throughout the program.

　The invited companies are below.
　● Maritime Architecture Studio (Based in Denmark): A maritime architecture design company.
　● Pyxis Maritime (Based in Singapore): A maritime startup that creates electric vessels, software and energy charging system.

　● Seadling (Based in Singapore): A startup that conducts research and development of seaweed raw materials that can be used for sustainable seaweed farming and pet food.

　 In addition, in collaboration with eclect, the IT startup based in Osakikamijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, and its subsidiary aisthisi, we introduced the area's natural characteristics to foreign startups. These two companies have been doing research and business development regarding the idea of well-being on the island.

　At Hiroshima Global Academy, we had some sessions thinking about the future of the area under the facilitation of Ms. Jun Yamaki, who is in charge of inviting companies in the local government. We welcomed Mr. Shinichi Motonaka, the representative of aisthisi, and Ms. Chiharu Taniguchi, the representative of DoTS, which is involved in design and urban development as guest speakers. The companies joined the event alongside the students from Global Academy to discuss the theme all together. Some students asked about how to develop the island or revitalize regional areas of Japan and foreign startups answered them. The lively discussion was conducted regardless of any positions or companies. It was also broadcast on the local TV.

　The three invited companies who are interested in expanding their business in Japan gave us feedback that they felt the potential and affinity for business in the Seto Inland Sea. Also, Japanese companies who joined the program said that they would like to work on a new project even though if it is a small step in the beginning.

▼Session at Hiroshima Global Academy, taken by JETRO

▼Business meeting with a local company, taken by JETRO

　Hiroshima Prefecture has been providing research and development fields for demonstration experiments especially in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). They attracted many companies and more than 180 Japanese companies came to Hiroshima. Now they are thinking about opening their doors to foreign companies as well and that is why this project started at this time. In the latter half of the program, there were also some questions about specific investment incentives asked from invited startups.

▼Scenery of the Seto Inland Sea from Mt. Kamimine, Osaki Kamijima, taken by JETRO

▼Group photo with Hiroshima Prefecture Governor Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki and invited companies, taken by JETRO

*Reference from the article below.
海外マリンテック企業3社を広島県・瀬戸内海にジェトロが招聘(シンガポール、日本、デンマーク) | ビジネス短信 ―ジェトロの海外ニュース - ジェトロ