Tochigi Tech Planter 2024

• organizing

  

• special co-sponsorship

  

Regional Development Partners

Cooperating Companies

support

Grand Prix Name

The 7th Tochigi Tech Plan Grand Prix

Location

Special Conference Room, Tochigi Prefectural Culture Center (1-8 Honmachi, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-8530)

Date & Time

Saturday, February 22, 2025, 13:00-19:00

Application period

Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Participation Target

Semi-closed: finalists, partners, researchers in academia, students, middle and high school students, etc.

organizing

Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

timeline

13:00-13:30

Greetings from the Organizer / Explanation of Purpose / Introduction of Judges

13:30-13:45

keynote speech

13:45～14:30

Finalist Team Presentations (Presenter 1-3)

14:30～14:40

break

14:40-15:25

Finalist Team Presentations (Presenter 4-6)

15:25-15:35

break

15:35-16:20

Finalist Team Presentations (Presenter 7-9)

16:20-17:20

Greetings from cooperating companies, lightning talks / time for judging

17:20-18:20

Announcement of Judging Results and Award Ceremony

18:30-19:00

(cultural) exchange meeting

• 

  head judge

  Director and CPO, Liverness, Inc.

  Kazuhiro Yoshida

  He holds a Master's degree in Technology Management from the Graduate School of Technology Management, Ritsumeikan University. Joined RIVANES as an intern while a student at the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Engineering, launched the Osaka office in 2006, participated in management as a director from 2009, and promoted the upgrading of the company to the Osaka headquarters in 2018. He has been promoting the development of the next generation research human resource development environment and corporate involvement by launching , an academic society for junior high and high school students, which is the lead project of the Education Support Project. (-2022) and Seikou Seimitsu K.K. (current position)), and is also involved in the management of the town factories from the perspective of sales planning and organizational development.

• 

  Representative Director, Aoxintec Inc.

  Keita Aoki

  Born in Tochigi Prefecture in 1980, Aoki joined Aoki Seisakusho in 2001, and was appointed as Representative Director in 2012. Aoki Seisakusho has newly adopted the management philosophy of "taking on the challenge of a symbiotic manufacturing industry," and aims to build a symbiotic network with various organizations such as partner factories, universities, ventures, and companies from different industries to create manufacturing that will change the world. In April 2020, the company will open the Tokyo R&D Center, where it will work with venture companies to develop prototypes and create products in new fields.

• 

  Representative Director, Matsumoto Construction Co.

  Keisuke Matsumoto

  Born in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture in 1977. He dropped out of Moka Technical High School and went on a wandering journey, entering Utsunomiya Technical High School in 2002 at the same time he joined Matsumoto Construction, a general construction company. Just as he was about to graduate, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. He overcame the ordeal, rebuilt the business, and became the representative director in December 2019. His management philosophy is one word: "One Team. Although the company has been in business for almost 100 years, it is taking on the challenge of creating a new type of construction business so that it will not be known as a traditional construction company.

• 

  Director, UntroD Capital Japan K.K.

  Hajime Yamaya

  After graduating from Tohoku University and working in corporate planning at an R&D-oriented semiconductor venture, he joined Realtech Holdings (his current company) in 2015, leading the formation of the Glocal Deep Tech Fund, which will actively invest in ventures originating from the region in 2020. He aims to solve global issues and revitalize local economies by supporting and fostering ventures with outstanding technologies in cooperation with participating regional financial institutions and business companies.

• 

  Representative Director, Agronome Research Institute, Inc.

  Kazuhiro Nishioka

  He developed a low-cost sap flow sensor that measures the flow rate of sap sucked up by plants from their roots, and founded a venture company at the University of Tokyo to promote its use in the agricultural scene. At the same time, he also serves as the representative of several agri-tech venture companies and a visiting professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture. His lifework is wine viticulture based on plant water physiology. In 2024, he became the president of Agronome Research Institute, Inc.

• 

  Representative Director, Olysee Co.

  Yasuhide Koizumi

  While a student at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, he won the Grand Prize at the 5th TOCHIGI Entrepreneur Contest for his business idea utilizing fermentation. He then founded Oliseh Corporation (formerly Agkuru Corporation) in 2018 as a venture from Utsunomiya University. He won the Ogra Metal Prize in the Tochigi Tech Plan Grand Prix 2019. He has been engaged in establishing sweetener manufacturing technology and improving manufacturing efficiency, and in product development, he created "Rice Koji Granola," a sugar-free granola that ranked No. 1 in granola ranking on the Rakuten Market.

• 

  Director, Mipox Corporation

  Kenji Nakagawa

  After working for YAC, a major manufacturer of various industrial equipment, he became independent, and in 2002, as a sole proprietor, he was engaged in subcontracting contracts with ITOCHU Corporation, Tanaka Kihan Ltd. and Technos Co. After working on the development of polishing cloths for hard disk substrates, he joined the company in April 2016 as Executive Officer and General Manager of the Technology Division. He assumed the position of Executive Officer and General Manager of the Technology Division. Subsequently, he served as Director, General Manager of Corporate Planning Department, General Manager of Capability Development Office and Reflight Promotion Office, and in charge of FOM before assuming his current position.

• 

  Mizuho Bank, Ltd. Senior Assistant Manager, Corporate Banking Department Regional Development Desk

  Tatsuya Hirano

  He joined Mizuho Bank in 2005 and has 15 years of experience as a RM for a wide range of clients from start-ups to large corporations. In 2020, he was appointed to the Corporate Banking Department, where he was engaged in developing the structure of the sales departments and legal and personal policies. He is currently focusing on promoting small and medium-sized enterprises x start-ups in various regions of Japan and promoting entrepreneurship in cooperation with local governments.

• 

  Fermenting the Earth. The challenge of Olysee, a venture company from Tochigi

  Representative Director, Olysee Co.

  Yasuhide Koizumi

  While a student at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, he won the Grand Prize at the 5th TOCHIGI Entrepreneur Contest for his business idea utilizing fermentation. He then founded Oliseh Corporation (formerly Agkuru Corporation) in 2018 as a venture from Utsunomiya University. He won the Ogra Metal Prize in the Tochigi Tech Plan Grand Prix 2019. He has been engaged in establishing sweetener manufacturing technology and improving manufacturing efficiency, and in product development, he created "Rice Koji Granola," a sugar-free granola that ranked No. 1 in granola ranking on the Rakuten Market.

• 

  Lab Minotaur.

  Presenter] Atsushi Hirao

  

  Animal therapy without contact with animals

  Humans can gain emotional healing through direct contact with animals. This is called animal therapy. However, there are times when direct contact is dangerous. To solve this eternal problem, we are developing a touch with animal images.
• 

  Tomocloud

  Presenter] Yuta Kiuchi

  

  Development of a practical lymphedema tomographic monitor

  To develop a diagnostic medical device (LT Monitor) based on the electrical impedance tomography method that enables early detection and monitoring of lymphedema, which mainly develops after treatment for gynecological cancer. The non-invasive and simple method will solve the problems of both healthcare professionals and patients.
• 

  AI Education Lab Inc.

  Presenter] Hideaki Suzuki

  

  Fostering independent learning and creating an environment for independent learning through the use of AI

  The goal is to create an environment that fosters a mindset of independent learning through education, analysis, and feedback by using AI educational tools to visualize the "I don't know but I understand" that learners themselves are unaware of during the learning process.
• 

  Opto Farmers

  Presenter] Koichi Muro

  

  Non-destructive composition measuring instrument for crops under cultivation to create delicious

  To realize non-destructive "in-situ" observation using a small spectrometer for the purpose of crop management. Information such as colors and components contained in spectra (spectra) are collected and combined with environmental information to remotely acquire growth conditions.
• 

  IMOCO

  Presenter】Mao Nakamura

  

  Making IMOVATION Happen in the World

  Research and utilize Japan's unique storage technology (curing) to increase the sugar content of sweet potatoes, and construct a storage facility on site to improve the quality of sweet potatoes worldwide.
• 

  Soil Construction Laboratory

  Presenter] Nakamura, Wataru

  

  Dissemination of architectural and technological culture using soil

  Soil is one of the least depletable of building materials, consuming less energy and emitting less CO2 from extraction to demolition and disposal. Its architecture is soft and gentle, and has the power to heal people and fit in with nature, which is needed by society.
• 

  Trillion Technologies

  Presenter] Tatsutoshi Shiota

  

  3D optical shape measurement method for in-line 100% inspection

  The proposed optical frequency comb single-shot 3D tomographic imaging technology will realize inline total inspection of surface profiles required in machining production lines. We aim to achieve both high inspection speed and vibration robustness, which have been difficult to achieve with existing methods, and to put them into practical use.
• 

  Solar Power Analysis

  Presenter] Yasuyuki Kobayashi

  

  Non-contact voltage estimation technology for cells in a solar panel during power generation

  The technology for nondestructive measurement of the operating voltage of a single solar cell sealed in a solar panel of a leading renewable energy source is in its infancy. We aim to quantify the technology and reduce equipment weight by shining a laser on the target cell and using a non-contact current sensor on the panel output line to estimate the voltage.
• 

  UUmobi

  Presenter] Miyagusuku Renato

  

  Multifunctional service system with indoor/outdoor mobile robot

  In addition to the use of geometric maps, which is an existing autonomous driving technology, we will establish an autonomous driving technology that combines our own technology using invisible maps to achieve fully autonomous driving indoors and outdoors.