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Indian Startups Dive into Japanese Market with The Circle FC and JETRO Collaboration

The image features a promotional banner representing the partnership between The Circle Founders Club and JETRO. On the left side, there's an illustration of the Indian flag followed by the text "The Circle Founders Club" decorated with a border of yellow flowers. The center of the banner shows a graphic of two hands shaking, symbolizing collaboration, set against a split background of black and cream. On the right side, the Japanese flag is illustrated with the name "JETRO" in red letters, complemented by a spray of pink cherry blossoms along the edge. The overall design highlights a cross-cultural partnership between India and Japan.
By
Anurag Trivedi

The Indian delegation's presence at the SuSHI Tech Tokyo 2024 included notable companies such as PhyFarm, Palmtree, Hana Advisors, SPI EDGE, Aspire Now, and Adgcraft, among others. This gathering provided the delegates with a golden opportunity to present their startup ventures to Japanese venture capitalists and various stakeholders.

In a collaborative effort with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), The Circle FC successfully orchestrated its inaugural international meetup, an official adjunct to the SuSHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program. Hosted at the esteemed JETRO Innovation Garden, this event celebrated a significant step in promoting India’s thriving startup ecosystem on an international platform. The occasion drew more than 60 prominent participants from Japan’s innovation landscape, offering a crucial stage for Indian startups to showcase their innovative ideas and technologies. Nemesisa Ujjain of The Circle FC opened the evening with an enlightening presentation, emphasizing the rapid growth of the Indian economy and the expansion of its startup ecosystem. A notable highlight was the soft launch of Aspire India’s product in the Japanese market, a major milestone for the Indian delegates. Nemesisa Ujjain reflected on the event’s impact, stating, "It has been immensely gratifying to facilitate Indian startups’ entry into the Japanese market. Our participation at SuSHi Tech Tokyo 2024 has fostered new connections and established a foundation for continued success in Japan and other regions, underscoring the potential for Indo-Japanese collaboration."

The Circle FC’s delegation to SuSHi Tech Tokyo 2024 showcased a diverse group of innovative enterprises including PhyFarm, which offers smart agriculture solutions; Sephirah Innovations, focusing on oral cancer diagnostics; HANA ADVISORS, providing business strategy services; WATSAN Envirotech with their electricity-free water filters; SPI EDGE, a sandbox for experimental enterprises; Aspire Now, enhancing workplace habits; Palmtree, specializing in product development for web and mobile platforms; and Adgcraft, which delivers comprehensive PR services. Their participation in this prestigious event, Asia’s largest and Japan’s sole global innovation conference held on May 15th and 16th, was a resounding success. Over the two days, the startups engaged in meaningful interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including investors, corporates, government officials, and industry leaders. They leveraged networking and collaboration opportunities, gained insights into the Japanese market, demonstrated their innovative products, connected with potential investors, and performed market feasibility studies.

Following the conference, the delegation took part in the J-Bridge Discover Kyushu Invitation Program by JETRO, alongside startups from Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, and China. They visited Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, areas designated as National Strategic Special Zones for Global Startups & Job Creation. Here, they met with local government officials, venture capitalists, and founders, and toured facilities such as Fukuoka Growth Next, E-Waste recycling plants, and offshore wind power projects in the Kitakyushu region.

Hiroki Kawasaki of JETRO India commented on the initiative, “We are thrilled to host exceptional Indian startups in Japan, confident that it will bring mutual benefits to both Japanese and Indian entities. We look forward to deepening our collaborative efforts. We also sincerely appreciate The Circle team’s pivotal role in the success of the J-Bridge Discover Kyushu Invitation Program.” The Circle FC is committed to fostering global connections and aiding startups in their growth through strategic partnerships and international engagements. This event solidified their dedication to aiding Indian startups in their international expansion, driving innovation, and establishing significant global partnerships.