ABOUT THE EVENT
An invitation-only, three-day workshop bringing together a curated group of U.S. and Japanese deep-tech startups, investors, government agencies, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystem partners. Through interactive panels, breakout sessions, and one-on-one meetings, participants will explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration, strategic partnerships, investment, and commercialization with key stakeholders across Japan’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem.
ATTENDEE BENEFITS
- Engage directly with leading U.S. and Japan deep-tech stakeholders
- Explore cross-border partnerships and funding opportunities
- Contribute to shaping future bilateral innovation programs
- Gain insights into global deep-tech ecosystems and scaling strategies
ABOUT NANOSI
Northeastern University’s Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI) is a global hub focused on pioneering semiconductor exploration, learning, and innovation. We’re also an open center for industry-university collaborative research. Our industry-driven research spans a broad range of MEMS, semiconductor devices, circuits, and systems, enabling innovations in many areas including sensors, wearable and implantable electronics, 5G/6G communications, and wireless IoT devices.
DATE
August 25—27, 2026
LOCATION
Tokyo, Japan
FORMAT
2-day workshop + 1 day site visit & curated meetings
PARTICIPATION
By invitation only
FOCUS AREAS
Semiconductors
Photonics/Quantum
Advanced Manufacturing
Robotic
Energy
Sustainable Materials
CONTACT
Participants Site
Workshop
Day 1
Workshop
Day 2
Workshop
Day 3
Workshop
Day 4
Workshop Co-Chairs
David Horsley
Co-Chair
Deputy Director
Institute for NanoSI,
Northeastern University
Michelle Kiang
Co-Chair
Founder & Managing Partner
MTM Venture Partners
ORGANIZERS
Sponsors
AUGUST 24, 2026
DAY 0: PRE-EVENT NETWORKING
In partnership with Global Brain at their flagship corporate innovation event, αTRACKERS. The event brings together more than 100 business development leaders and open innovation professionals from major Japanese corporations from their network of CVC partners and corporate LPs.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
-
Be introduced to the audience by the Global Brain event host, who will provide a brief, high-level overview of your company prior to the networking reception.
-
Participate in the tabletop exhibit during the reception
Exact session times are
subject to change
17:30-18:30
Japanese-language presentations on Japan's startup ecosystem and emerging technologies, followed by brief introductions of participating US startups.
18:30-20:15
Networking Reception —
Tokyo Midtown Roppongi
AUGUST 25, 2026
DAY 1: BUILDING CONNECTIONS ACROSS THE DEEP-TECH ECOSYSTEM
Exact session times are
subject to change
09:00-9:05
Welcome Remarks
David Horsley & Michelle Kiang
Workshop Co-chairs
09:05-9:20
Opening Remarks
Naoto KIMURA
Deputy Secretary General, Japan Cabinet Office
Andrew Lee
Minister Counselor for Economic and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
09:20-10:35
Startup Introductions &
All Attendees Meet-and-Greet
(75 min)
10:35-11:05
Keynote (+ Fireside Chat)
Moderated by Michelle Kiang
Marianne Wu
Venture Partner, Congruent Ventures
11:05-11:15
Break (10 min)
11:15-12:45
Panel 1: Public Policy & Programs Panel
Catalyzing Deep Tech Spinoffs
David Horsley
Moderator
Professor, Northeastern University
Sho ITO
Panelist
Deputy Director, Japan Cabinet Office
Todd Pray
Panelist
Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, LBNL/DoE
Tadafusa TOMITAKA
Panelist
Advisor, Startup Support Department, NEDO
Bridget Turaga
Panelist
Strategic Advisor to the Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), NSF
12:45-13:45
Lunch
13:45-14:45
Panel 2: Venture Builder Panel
Going Deep on Deep Tech
Douglas Wicks
Moderator
Strategic Advisor, ASCENT Japan, Renaissance Philanthropy
Chris Cowart
Panelist
Managing Director, SRI
Susan Schofer
Panelist
Partner, SOSV HAX
Junji TAKAOKA
Panelist
Incubation Partner, UTokyo IPC
Ryan Taylor
Panelist
Innovation Navigator, Bakar Energy & Materials Labs
14:45-15:45
Breakout Session 1
Bridging the Gap from Academia to Startup
15:45-15:55
Break (10 min)
15:55-16:55
Breakout Session 2
Navigating Challenges Faced by Deep-Tech Startups
16:55-17:00
Day 1 Wrap-Up
17:00-19:00
Networking Reception
AUGUST 26, 2026
DAY 2: SCALING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS & INVESTMENT
Exact session times are
subject to change
09:00-9:10
Welcome Remarks
09:10-10:10
Panel 3: Ecosystem Panel
Opportunities & Challenges for Going Global
Ryan Taylor
Moderator
Innovation Navigator, Bakar Energy & Materials Labs
Noriya TARUTANI
Panelist
Deputy Director-General, Innovation Department, JETRO
Paul Pickering
Panelist
Managing Partner, Silicon Catalyst Japan
Cameron Teitleman
Panelist
Nexus
Jane Zheng
Panelist
Managing Director, BE Fellows SEA
10:10-11:10
Panel 4: Startup Panel
Building Deep Tech Startups
Susan Schofer
Moderator
Partner, SOSV HAX
Etosha Cave
Panelist
Co-Founder and Chief Science Advisor, Twelve
Jared O'Leary
Panelist
CEO and Co-Founder, SirenOpt
11:10-11:20
Break (10 min)
11:20-12:20
Breakout Session 3
Shark Tank: Deep Tech International Partnerships Hackathon
12:20-13:20
Lunch
13:20-14:20
Panel 5: Industry Panel
Scaling-up Through Partnerships
Chris Cowart
Moderator
Managing Director, SRI
Nozomu ISSHIKI
Moderator
Group Leader, Startup Growth Strategy Department, Open Innovation Division, KDDI
Dragos Maciuca
Panelist
Executive Director, GM China Engineering, General Motors
Julie Willey
Panelist
Senior Systems Architect & Technology Incubator, Google
Hideaki WAKABAYASHI
Panelist
Group Leader, Innovation Catalyst Group, Corporate Venturing Office, Strategic Social Innovation Business BU, Hitachi
14:20-15:20
Panel 6: Investor Panel
Crossing the Chasms from Seed to Exit
Marianne Wu
Moderator
Venture Partner, Congruent Ventures
Alex Fang
Panelist
Managing Partner, Entrada Ventures
Tiffany Kayo
Panelist
Principal, Coral Capital
Josué López
Panelist
Principal, Flagship Fund, DCVC
Paul McInerney
Panelist
General Partner, Incubate Fund
15:20-15:30
Break (10 min)
15:30-17:00
Breakout Session 4
Funder/Partner & Founder 1-on-1
17:00-17:05
Closing Remarks
AUGUST 27, 2026
DAY 3: SITE TOUR
Exact session times are
subject to change
09:00-17:00
Site Tour
Curated site visits to startup incubation facilities, innovation hubs, and industry partner communities.
AUGUST 28, 2026
DAY 4: OPTIONAL OSAKA SIDE TRIP
Exact session times are
subject to change
13:00-16:30
Osaka Session
Curated meetings with partners in the Kansai region.