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Telin Expands Indonesia’s Digital Gateway: Bifrost Cable Arrives in Manado

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin) announced Bifrost Cable System has successfully landed in Manado. Bifrost, submarine cable system connects Singapore to West Coast of North America, with landings in Jakarta, Manado, Davao and Guam, visualized as a digital superhighway beneath Trans-Pacific Ocean spanning over 20,000 km. It also consecrates a breakthrough project by Telin, Meta, and Keppel, making it the world’s first subsea cable to directly link these regions via Indonesia’s Java and Celebes Seas. 

Bifrost Cable Arrives in Manado, a breakthrough project by Telin, Meta, and Keppel, making it the world's first subsea cable to directly link these regions via Indonesia's Java and Celebes Seas
Bifrost Cable Arrives in Manado, a breakthrough project by Telin, Meta, and Keppel, making it the world’s first subsea cable to directly link these regions via Indonesia’s Java and Celebes Seas

Telin has demonstrated its commitment to enhances Indonesia’s digital infrastructure. Manado’s strategic location in eastern Indonesia has been chosen as termination point following its previous role as a landing point for the SEA-US and IGG international cables. This also serves a broader purpose: to foster economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and meaningfully stimulate digital business in eastern Indonesia. 

Abdul Rahman Ansyori, CTO of Telin, stated thatGolden Buoy of Bifrost Cable represents a historic moment, signifying Manado as Indonesia’s International second gateway. Bifrost Cable System will be a vital component of the nation’s economic and technological evolution by improving global connectivity, paving the way for Telin’s deployment of many more future cable systems” 

The Bifrost cable system will cater to the rapidly growing connectivity demands in Southeast Asia. Equipped with state-of-the-art subsea optical transmission technology, it will benefit a wide range of industries, including telecom operators, hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and Data Center players. Looking ahead, Telin is actively pursuing additional strategic infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity and contribute to the global digital society. 

About Telin 

Established in 2007, Telin provides premium international carrier voice, data services, and tailored business solutions for wholesale, enterprise, digital, and retail customers. Telin operates in multiple countries and regions, including Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, the United States, Timor Leste, the United Arab Emirates, and Myanmar, with representatives in the United Kingdom, the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Canada. Telin’s infrastructure spans 250,140 kilometers of cable system length, incorporating 27 Global Submarine Cable Systems, and operates 58 Points of Presence in 26 Countries, 10 global offices, 5 global countries Sales Representative, and over 19 Tier II to Tier IV Data Centers in key locations, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, and Indonesia. 

For more information about Telin, visit www.telin.net 

IOI Group Embraces Innovation with CyCraft Technology’s AI-Powered Attack Surface Management


TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – CyCraft Technology, a leading AI-powered cybersecurity company, proudly announces its collaboration with Malaysia’s IOI Group to deploy its autonomous threat management platform, XCockpit, for the Cyber Health Check Service (Compromise Assessment, CA). As a visionary conglomerate, IOI Group recognizes the need for innovative approaches to cybersecurity in the rapidly evolving AI era. This partnership marks a significant shift toward AI-driven cybersecurity strategies, ensuring proactive threat detection and risk mitigation at scale.

(Left) Alvin Lee, Head of Group Business Systems and IT at IOI Group, is eager to explore more CyCraft cybersecurity solutions. (Right) Benson Wu, CEO and co-founder of CyCraft Technology.
(Left) Alvin Lee, Head of Group Business Systems and IT at IOI Group, is eager to explore more CyCraft cybersecurity solutions. (Right) Benson Wu, CEO and co-founder of CyCraft Technology.

IOI Group: A Malaysia-Listed Multinational Committed to Cyber Resilience
IOI Group, a Malaysia-listed company with extensive operations across multiple countries and industries, recognizes the need for a robust cybersecurity strategy to protect its information assets and ensure business continuity. Beyond its global leader in sustainable palm oil business, IOI has expanded into property development. Despite benefiting from globally recognized cybersecurity vendors and maintaining a strong partnership with a local MSSP provider, IOI has chosen CyCraft’s CA Service for its distinct advantages:

  • Unique Geopolitical Insight: As a Taiwan-based company, CyCraft provides intelligence rooted in Taiwan’s strategic geopolitical context. This perspective offers IOI Group novel insights into hacker behaviors and threats relevant to its operations, delivering unparalleled clarity and foresight.
  • Gen AI-Driven Accessibility: CyCraft’s cutting-edge generative AI applications simplify complex cybersecurity data, allowing IOI Group to independently interpret risk reports without relying on third-party support. This autonomy reduces costs and enhances accessibility for internal teams and executives alike.
  • Streamlined Decision-Making: By enabling an intuitive understanding of enterprise-wide risks, CyCraft’s solutions minimize communication barriers and save time, ensuring faster and more informed decision-making.


Benson Wu, CEO and co-founder of CyCraft Technology, emphasized the transformative impact of AI in cybersecurity:
“The AI era empowers defenders to detect, comprehend, and mitigate exposure at an unprecedented scale. CyCraft’s AI-powered attack surface management provides clients with unparalleled visibility—from external threats to internal identities, from dark web credentials to compromised endpoints. Our AI-driven approach not only maps risks but also delivers actionable recommendations, ensuring clients stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.”

Alvin Lee, Head of Group Business Systems and IT of IOI Group, praised the collaboration, stating:
“In the age of AI, we look forward to a future where cybersecurity solutions evolve beyond standard safeguards to deliver unparalleled precision and reliability. Partnering with CyCraft reflects IOI Group’s commitment to innovation—adopting cutting-edge technology that enhances risk management efficiency and builds resilience across our operations.”

A Benchmark for Corporate Cybersecurity Excellence
This collaboration highlights IOI Group’s forward-thinking approach to embracing innovation, creating opportunities for advanced solutions to thrive in the corporate landscape. CyCraft’s XCockpit sets a new standard for AI-driven threat management combining speed, accuracy, and actionable intelligence in addressing today’s most complex cyber threats.

Hashtag: #CyCraft #IOI #Cybersecurity #AI



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

CyCraft Technology

is an AI-driven cybersecurity company dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that empower enterprises to address threats with speed and precision. With a foundation rooted in Taiwan’s unique geopolitical intelligence and advanced AI applications, CyCraft remains at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation.

NX Group Releases “‘RISE’ Global Semiconductor with NX Logistics” Video Introducing Its Logistics Solutions for Semiconductor Industry

TOKYO, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., released “‘RISE’ Global Semiconductor with NX Logistics,” a video introducing the NX Group’s logistics solutions for the semiconductor industry, on Wednesday, February 5.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202501303607-O2-p2xPA8aH

Image: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202501303607/_prw_PI1fl_nbN68178.png

Having positioned the semiconductor industry as a priority industry in the “NX Group Business Plan 2028,” the NX Group has been accelerating its efforts in this regard. The semiconductor industry utilizes global supply chains through which a variety of related cargo crisscrosses the world, and expertise and experience in vibration and temperature/humidity control are essential for handling such cargo. The NX Group’s commitment to high-quality global logistics for the semiconductor industry is conveyed through this video.

The video features NX Group employees from Germany, Ireland, China, India and elsewhere around the world, and presents end-to-end logistics solutions for the semiconductor industry along with scenes of work at NX Ireland’s Contract Logistics Center, Nippon Express’s NX Tosu Logistics Center and the NX Kumamoto Logistics Center. Viewers are thus given a feel for the high-quality services available from the NX Group, whose strengths extend across all modes of transport: land, sea and air.

This introductory video is available both in English and Japanese on the Group’s website, YouTube channel and official LinkedIn account, so please take a look.

The NX Group will continue embodying the corporate message “We Find the Way” as it helps advance social development on a global scale by connecting people, companies and communities through logistics to realize its customers’ aspirations to create a new future.

Details of video
Title: “‘RISE’ Global Semiconductor with NX Logistics”
Release date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Versions: Full-length (2 minutes, 40 seconds), short-length (1 minute)
Supported languages: Japanese and English

Public media to watch the video
NX Group website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/industries/semiconductor.html
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nittsu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/

About the NX Group: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202501303607-O1-04Le6C4n.pdf

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/
NX Group’s official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/

Global fashion icon Tia Lee Graces the Cover of ELLE Singapore, Reflects on Music, Empowerment, and Fashion


TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – Global fashion and music icon Tia Lee (Lee Yu Fen) recently appeared on the cover of ELLE Singapore, celebrating her journey as an artist, changemaker, and advocate for female empowerment. In the accompanying interview, Tia shared her gratitude for the remarkable 174 million views amassed on YouTube since the release of “Goodbye Princess”.

Global fashion icon Tia Lee Graces the Cover of ELLE Singapore, Reflects on Music, Empowerment, and Fashion
Global fashion icon Tia Lee Graces the Cover of ELLE Singapore, Reflects on Music, Empowerment, and Fashion

Reflecting on her artistic evolution, Tia revealed that her path in the music industry was not predetermined. Initially aspiring to be a model, her passion for music grew when she participated in a singing competition, despite the challenges she faced. Over time, she embraced the creative process and committed herself to honing her skills—taking dance classes daily, practicing vocals, writing lyrics, and even learning English to enhance her artistic expression.

The Story Behind “Goodbye Princess”

Tia describes “Goodbye Princess” as a deeply personal piece that encapsulates her journey of transformation and resilience. “This song represents my past and present while marking a bold step toward the future. Returning to music after a period of silence felt like a fresh start—one where I have a clearer understanding of my goals and the courage to move forward.”

She further elaborated on the song’s message, emphasizing its reflection on societal judgments and female empowerment. “Women often face immense pressure and criticism. But through inner strength and mutual support, we can rise above these limitations. That realization was key to shaping “Goodbye Princess”.”

Tia’s passion for female empowerment extends beyond her music. Her #EmpowerHer initiative aims to create opportunities for women, helping them build their confidence and careers. “I have always hoped to use my platform to encourage women and girls to uplift one another. Whether through #EmpowerHer Movement, I want to continue making a meaningful impact.”

Fashion as a Statement of Identity

Beyond music, Tia remains a devoted fashion enthusiast. “Fashion, like music, breaks barriers and connects people across different cultures. It is a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their values and personality. I believe that fashion is essential for all genders—it instills confidence and sets trends that shape the world.”

As she continues to evolve as an artist, Tia hopes to inspire young women to embrace their authenticity, overcome societal limitations, and fearlessly pursue their dreams. “Empowerment starts with believing in yourself. If I can use my journey to inspire even one person to chase their aspirations, then that is truly meaningful.”

Other than ELLE Magazine, Tia has been featured on covers of many of the world’s top fashion magazines in the past year, including Vogue, Marie Claire, Bazaar, Rollercoaster, Flaunt Magazine, ICON, tmrw, and Grazia.

The following top brands are featured with Tia in the latest ELLE Singapore fashion cover: Sacai, Bottega Veneta, FENDI, Versace, Gucci, Louise Vuitton, LOEWE.

Useful Links:
Elle Singapore Digital Cover: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF7M9nLyLQW/?igsh=dWc3cjFldHl3OHlp
Elle Singapore Cover Story: https://elle.com.sg/life-culture/tia-lee-digital-cover-february-2025/

Tia Lee Official Channels:
Instagram @leeyufen: https://www.instagram.com/leeyufen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tialeeofficial/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeyufentialee/
Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/1396928042/
Hashtag: #TiaLee #ELLESingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Tia Lee | Lee Yu Fen

Tia Lee (李毓芬), born in Taipei, is a global C-pop singer, fashion icon and film and television actress. In addition to her acting roles and musical career, Tia appears frequently at major fashion shows. As a trend-setter, Tia has graced the covers of fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and shares her beauty and fashion tips through a number of Vogue’s social media channels.

Hiking, fishing and skiing revealed as favourite Australian sporting holidays

BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — More than a third of Australians have gone on a sporting or adventure holiday in the past 12 months and age doesn’t seem to limit desire with close to 20 per cent aged between 68 and 77-years-old.

It seems Australians don’t want to just relax on holiday, with a new survey showing 80 per cent of respondents indicating they’ve holidayed to either hike, fish, or ski.

Sporting-led holidays located within Australia are also the go-to, as 2024 data by Budget Direct Travel Insurance has shown that 64 per cent of Aussies booked their holiday domestically, with the next popular choice being our neighbours, New Zealand.

When discussing key motivators for going on a sporting-led holiday, 55 per cent of respondents said they wanted to indulge their passions, while 44 per cent wanted to challenge their skills.

“Australians are born adventurers, and there’s no better way to embrace that spirit than with an active holiday in our own backyard,” a Budget Direct spokesperson said.

“Whether it’s hiking through stunning national parks, fishing along pristine coastlines, or exploring the incredible ski fields down south, Aussies love combining their passions with the chance to discover the diverse landscapes Australia has to offer.”

A sporting-led holiday calls for no rest, with half of those surveyed saying they were comfortable with a physically challenging holiday. Only seven per cent were comfortable with a physically ‘tough’ holiday, with 42 per cent admitting a mildly physically challenging holiday was ideal.

As for who we holiday with, most travelled with family on their sporting-led holiday (46 per cent), with almost a quarter going with fellow sport/training friends.

Travelling alone was more popular than travelling with strangers, with 15 per cent holidaying by themselves compared to 11 per cent with a tour guide.

When it came to what factors are most important when choosing an adventure-led holiday, Queenslanders valued the location the most (80 percent of respondents) whereas Victorians were the most cost-effective, coming in first for cost being the most important factor when choosing a sporting-led holiday (75 per cent).

While mostly taking local sport-led holidays, Australians are still keen to book their next, with 41 per cent of respondents planning their next adventure holiday within the year, and 32 per cent in the next two years.

Almost 70 per cent had booked their holiday either in advance completely, or at least 75% of the trip. Western Australian respondents were the most prepared for their sporting-led holiday, with 47 per cent planning the trip completely in advance.

Victorians were the least prepared with five per cent preplanning none of their trip before jetting off for their adventure holiday.

<< ENDS >>

DISCLAIMER

Insurance is arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd (ABN 61 003 617 909, AFSL 241 411, Registered Office: 13/9 Sherwood Rd, Toowong 4066) on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited ABN 42 111 5 86 353.

AIM Vaccine Leverages AI to Advance mRNA Vaccine Development mRNA Shingles Vaccine Submits Clinical Trial Application

HONG KONG, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AIM Vaccine Co., Ltd. (06660.HK), a leading PRC vaccine company, published an announcement on February 11, 2025, announced that its independently developed mRNA shingles vaccine has been submitted for clinical trials to the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the PRC’s National Medical Products Administration. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the vaccine exhibits significantly higher specific T-cell immunity, specific IgG antibody titers, and membrane antigen fluorescent antibody (FAMA) titers compared to commercially available recombinant subunit control vaccines.

It is worth noting that AIM Vaccine previously disclosed in its performance announcements that the company is utilizing AI for tasks such as antigen structure design and mRNA sequence optimization. A recent research report from Huaxin Securities highlights that the “AI + Pharmaceutical” trend is gradually taking shape, with AI reshaping the R&D model for new drugs. The release of domestic large-scale models, including DeepSeek, has reduced AI development costs, accelerating the domestic pharmaceutical industry’s adoption of AI technologies.

With the support of AI, AIM Vaccine is rapidly advancing multiple blockbuster products, including the mRNA shingles vaccine, mRNA RSV vaccine, and mRNA influenza vaccine. This not only reflects the advantages of its mRNA technology platform but also lays a solid foundation for accelerating subsequent clinical trials and commercialization.

Taking the shingles vaccine as an example, mRNA technology offers unique advantages in its development. According to AIM Vaccine’s announcement, the shingles virus is characterized by its lifelong latency after initial infection, with T-cells mediating absolute immune protection. The vaccine primarily works by enhancing specific T-cell immunity to prevent viral reactivation and control intracellular viral infection, thereby reducing the risk of shingles outbreaks. This aligns perfectly with the strengths of mRNA vaccines, which can effectively induce T-cell responses without the need for adjuvants, eliminating adjuvant-related safety risks.

As a leader in mRNA vaccine development in PRC, AIM Vaccine’s mRNA technology platform has been validated by clinical trial data from over 10,000 mRNA vaccine product cases. The company has established a full lifecycle process for mRNA vaccine R&D and production, enabling rapid industrialization and commercialization of mRNA vaccine products upon clinical completion.

Currently, no mRNA shingles vaccine has been approved for marketing globally, and the vaccination rate for shingles vaccines among the target population is only around 0.1%, indicating significant room for growth. In 2023, GSK’s shingles vaccine achieved global sales of approximately USD 4.286 billion. According to industry consultant CIC (China Insights Consultancy), the shingles vaccine market in PRC is expected to reach around RMB 20 billion by 2030, with the global market size projected to reach approximately USD 23.9 billion. AIM’s mRNA shingles vaccine is expected to bring substantial performance growth to the company upon its approval and market launch.

European Union Import Control System 2 (ICS2) extends to rail and road on 1 April 2025, covering all modes of transport

Enhanced safety and security of goods entering the EU


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2025 – The European Union’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) aims to enhance the safety and security of goods entering the EU by introducing a standardised, pre-arrival customs process for all transportation modes, including road and rail, in addition to the existing air, maritime and inland waterway requirements. By mandating the submission of accurate and complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) data prior to arrival, the ICS2 enables customs authorities to better assess the risks associated with incoming goods, thereby improving the EU’s ability to prevent and combat customs offenses, and ultimately ensuring a safer and more secure trade environment.

From 1 April 2025, road and rail carriers will need to provide data on goods sent to or through the EU prior to their arrival, through a complete ENS. This obligation also concerns postal and express carriers who transport goods using these modes of transport as well as other parties, such as logistics providers. In certain circumstances, final consignees established in the EU will also have to submit ENS data in the ICS2.

Economic operators who are not ready by this date need to contact the National Service Desk of the EU Member State (National Customs Authority) where they have registered and obtained their EORI number to request a deployment window by 1 March 2025, at the latest. Deployment windows are granted only upon request.

To comply with the ICS2 requirements, affected businesses will be required to make sure they collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes, and provide adequate training to their staff. Economic operators will also need to successfully complete a self-conformance test before connecting to the ICS2, to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities. Goods might be stopped at EU borders and might not be cleared by customs authorities if traders do not meet the ICS2 requirements on time.

ICS2 in detail

The ICS2 has been developed through close collaboration between the European Commission, Member States’ customs authorities and businesses.

Starting from 1 September 2025, the ICS1 will phase out. The ICS2 will fully replace the ICS1 with an entirely new business process in accordance with the Union Customs Code.

The European Commission organises monthly webinars (in English) where economic operators can ask questions about the operational and technical aspects of the ICS2. Further details can be found here.

For more information

More information about the ICS2 is available on the European Commission’s web page (https://ec.europa.eu/ICS2) including factsheets detailing the requirements for all transportation modes and the steps to take to prepare for the ICS2. All necessary technical documentation can be found on CIRCABC.

Hashtag: #trade #regulation #shipping #ecommerce

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Holds Media Event During TechGALA, One of Japan’s Largest Startup Events

Participants also visited Nagoya University Startup Laboratory, learning firsthand about what some of the region’s most promising startups are developing

NAGOYA, Japan , Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JETRO and Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium held a media event for overseas and English-language media on February 4, coinciding with the opening day of TechGALA, one of Japan’s largest startup events from February 4-6, in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. TechGALA is the first global startup event organized by the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium.

Akira Odoi, Director of the Innovation Promotion Department at the Chubu Economic Federation, opened the media event with an in-depth overview of the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem and its strategic initiatives. Mr. Odoi highlighted how the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem provides an excellent environment for startups and its needs. He also discussed accelerator programs, financial support systems, innovative university seeds, and collaborative partnerships with ecosystems outside of Japan that are attracting a wide range of entrepreneurs to this region.

Media Briefing - left: Akira Odoi, right: Kazuya Takeda
Media Briefing – left: Akira Odoi, right: Kazuya Takeda

When introducing the initiatives and achievements of the Aichi-Nagoya Startup Consortium, Mr. Odoi said, “We exceeded our 5-year KPI set in 2020, doubling entrepreneurial and innovative talent to 20,327, increasing the number of business matching cases between overseas startups and local companies to 589, as well as increasing the number of startups established.” He added, “There are currently 848 startups in Central Japan and with the region’s strong industrial background, Central Japan presents significant potential for startups. Our ecosystem offers an excellent environment for startups to grow.” 

In the latter half of the media event, Kazuya Takeda, PhD, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System Professor, and Special Presidential Advisor at Nagoya University talked about the “Start-up Co-growth Package”, including entrepreneur programs at Nagoya University and Tokai Higher Education and Research System (THERS).

The Central Japan Startup Ecosystem was established in July 2020 when Aichi, Nagoya, and Hamamatsu were designated as “Global Startup Ecosystem Hub Cities”. Since its establishment, growth has been accelerating and Dr. Takeda said, “2024 saw some epoch-making events such as the opening of STATION Ai, which is not only the largest incubation hub in Japan, but it is also connecting itself to the world through exchange activities with the National University of Singapore.”

To conclude his presentation, Dr. Takeda outlined the Nagoya University “Start-up Co-growth Package”. In order to back up more startups, he explained how it wants to combine them in a holistic manner, across various sectors. It starts with “Entrepreneurship Education” (extra-curricular activities) and so far about 8,000 students in the Tokai area have taken this course. Nagoya University’s mission is to cultivate “individuals possessing intellectual courage,” as well as a set of compulsory courses. The next step is “Network, with academia and private sector, globally and locally. Third, is “Facilities” in the University, as well as the recently opened STATION Ai, which will also help the region grow startups further. The final part of the “Start-up Co-growth Package” is “Risk Money,” which is supporting startups through Partner VC and University Capital Funds.  

Dr. Takeda also talked about Tongali, an entrepreneurial platform for Central Japan’s academic communities, serving 26 participating universities. It fosters entrepreneurial spirit, equips students with skills, ideation through an idea pitch content, as well as practice through overseas training, and a business development plan contest.   

Media tour of Nagoya University Startup Laboratory

After the media event, participants took a tour of the Nagoya University Startup Laboratory, visiting up-and-coming startups. This fully immersive experience included visits to emerging startups such as GRA&GREEN, U-MAP, and SORA materials. Participants witnessed groundbreaking innovations, from genome editing technology in agriculture to advanced heat-dissipating materials and ultra-lightweight fibers with diverse applications. Participants toured the following Nagoya based startups:

GRA&GREEN

Participants visited an on-site laboratory and greenhouse to learn about the cultivation and oil pressing of Egoma (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) along with a tasting session. The creation of superior species through genome editing, which is completely different from genetic modification, is a unique technology. GRA&GREEN provides joint development utilizing this gene-editing technology according to various needs and applications such as agriculture and forestry, and raw materials for food processing.

https://www.gragreen.com/en 

U-MAP

The company is developing innovative materials to manage critical thermal issues.  Participants listened to an explanation on heat dissipation changes in electronic devices using new materials developed by U-Map, which is improving the efficiency of heat dissipation from circuit boards and ICs without using heat sinks or electric fans.

https://umap-corp.com/en/ 

SORA materials

Participants had a demonstration of an ultra-light material which is lighter than air. The material is made from fibers in sheet form and has a wide range of uses. Currently, many companies are showing their attention, including major corporations.

https://sora-materials.com/en/ 

Nagoya University Startup Media Tour - Top: Gra&Green, Bottom left: SORA Materials, Bottom right: U-Map
Nagoya University Startup Media Tour – Top: Gra&Green, Bottom left: SORA Materials, Bottom right: U-Map

Background on Central Japan

Located in the Chubu region, also known as Central Japan – right in the middle of Japan’s main island, Honshu, this region is proud of playing a vital role in the history of Japan’s manufacturing craftsmanship. It was where Toyota first began, and as a tech pioneer, it is now the home to a wide range of sectors such as automobiles, photonics, and aerospace, using advanced, cutting-edge technologies.

Central Japan continues to invite entrepreneurs and capitalists from all corners of the world to facilitate state-of-the-art open innovation by infusing new ideas with local craftsmanship. And as a result, take part in playing a crucial role in paving the path towards the Homeland of Mobility 5.0 –the future of mobility.

About the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem

In July 2020, Aichi prefecture, Nagoya City and Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka-prefecture became one of the four regional Startup Ecosystem Global Base Cities groups designated nationwide by the Japanese Cabinet Office. 

There are 848 startups in Central Japan, of which 209 are university-launched. An estimated 100.8 billion yen (from 2020 to 2024) of funds have been raised, in addition to accelerator programs, financial support systems, and innovative university seeds. 

Collaborative partnerships with Station F, INSEAD, BLOCK71, Paris &Co, Bpifrance, Venture Café, Plug and Play, Israel Innovation Authority, Tsinghua University, China Medical University, National University of Singapore, the University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, North Carolina State University, University of Nebraska and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad attract a diverse range of entrepreneurs to the region. 

For more information, please visit https://central-startup.jp/en/