June 28, 2017 MEDIA ALERT

Five Japanese Start-up CompaniesTo Be Featured At Annual Japan-US Innovation Symposium at Stanford

San Francisco, CA –The Japan Society of Northern California in cooperation with the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Centerproudly announces five Japanese startup companies to be featured in the 2017 Innovation Showcase.

Innovation Showcase Companies are young, rapidly growing companies founded in Japan around exciting technologies and highly innovative business ideas that have the potential for major worldwide impact. A high level Japan-US advisory council selected these companies from a highly competitive field of candidates due to their outstanding promise and success in gaining international traction.

The following top executives of the 2017 Innovation Showcase Companies will participate in the Japan-U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium at Stanford University on Friday, July 28, 2017.

  • Fracta, Inc.

Takashi Kato, Co-founder & CEO

Fracta uses machine learning and big data to optimize infrastructure

investments, starting with a water main pipe replacement prioritization solution

for U.S. water utilities.

  • Megakaryon

Genjiro Miwa, CEO, President & Founder

A biotechnology company that aims to mass-produce functional platelets for clinical transfusion from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) at a low cost and contamination-free without relying on blood donation.

  • Seven Dreamers Laboratories, Inc.

Shin Sakane, Ph.D., President& CEO

A technology group dedicated to creating totally novel, world-first products.

  • TBM Co., Ltd (Limex)

Nobuyoshi Yamasaki, CEO

A next generation materials company which produces a new sustainable material for paper and plastics called “LIMEX” made from abundant limestone. We aim to help solve the problems of water scarcity and forest and oil depletion.

  • Treasure Data

Kiyoto Tamura, Director of Marketing

Treasure Data is the only Customer Data Platform that lets you own, store
and bring your multi-channel data to life with advanced AI.

Eachsenior executive will share the story of the company’s innovation and subsequent progress in a panel discussion to be moderated by Ken Yasunaga, Managing Director, Innovation Network Corporate of Japan. The Innovation Showcase is also arranging connections for the featured companies with Bay Area experts in strategic startup growth.

According to Awards Program Steering Committee Chair,Richard Dasher, “The companies selected for the 2017 Innovation Showcase reflect the broad range of technology-intensive innovation underway in Japan today, including advanced materials, big data, biotechnology and robotics. We are proud to play a part in helping bring these exciting, dynamic young companies to the heart of Silicon Valley.”

The 2017Japan-U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium alsowill include awards for two Emerging Leader companies, Cylance from the US and Preferred Networks of Japan, a special joint award for the PokémonCompany and Niantic for co-development of the innovative popular Pokémon Go game, and a keynote dialog on how VCs can promote cross-border business featuring Ashvin Bachireddy, Co-Founding Partner, Geodesic Capital, David Chao, Co-Founder & General Partner, DCM Ventures and Ann Miura-Ko, Co-Founding Partner, FLOODGATE.

Symposium attendees will have the opportunity to see first-hand the exciting products and services offered by each Showcase company in a variety of exhibits, as well as an unmatched opportunity to network with thought- leaders who are active at the intersection of Japanese creativity and Silicon Valley entrepreneurship and innovation.

Now in its seventh year, the 2017 Japan-U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium will be held July 28, 2017at the Stanford University Arrillaga Alumni Center from 1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Additional information and registration is available at:

Media Contacts:

Erik JansenNicole Biasbas

MediaLabJapan Society of Northern California

(714) 620-5017 (415) 986-4383

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