Call for European Partners: Collaborate with Leading Japanese Climate Tech Start-ups

Climate KIC, in partnership with JETRO, invites European investors, corporates, and innovation partners to collaborate with a select group of high-potential Japanese climate tech start-ups visiting Europe in February 2026.

This initiative is part of the J-StarX Global Growth for Climate Tech in Europe Programme, a strategic acceleration programme supporting Japanese climate innovators to enter and scale in European markets through partnerships, pilots, and investment.

Who are we looking for?

• Investors seeking high-growth climate tech opportunities
• Corporates looking for innovative solutions, pilots, or commercial partnerships
• Industry and research partners interested in collaboration, distribution, or EU expansion

Start-ups Seeking Engagement
1. ESA — Recycling hard-to-recycle multilayer plastics
A Tokyo-based plastics recycling company converting industrial composite plastics into reusable pellets through innovative recycling methods. Looking for industrial manufacturers using multi-layered plastics that wish to recycle their plastics and investors that wish to fund a successful business in their overseas expansion. 
Website: https://esa-gl.com/en/

2. Eco-Pork — Sustainable pig farming and emission reduction
AgriTech start-up delivering digital tools (including AI camera systems) to optimise pig farming productivity while reducing emissions and generating carbon credits.
Website: https://www.eco-pork.com/

3. Innovare — Rubber seed upcycling & carbon-neutral bioproducts
Circular economy company turning waste rubber seeds into bio-oil, protein-rich feed cake, biochar (for carbon credits), and other materials via a patented biorefinery process. Looking for corporates that are interested in buying certified carbon removal credits with a positive social impact as well as buying Rubber Seed Oil as input for biofuels. 
Website: https://innovare.world/en/

4. MetaSensing — Advanced sensing technologies
A deep-tech company combining optical sensing with generative AI for materials R&D and industrial QA at a fraction of the costs of traditional optical sensing.  
Targeting European distributors that are well-positioned to sell optical sensing hardware. 
Website: https://metasensing.co.jp/

5. QFF — Agri-food innovation (neutron-irradiation breeding)
Developer of rapid plant and microorganism improvement platforms for climate-resilient crops and industrial strains. Looking for agri-food clients (e.g. breeders), innovation partners (research institutes) and partners for setting up facilities in the EU. 
Website: https://qff.jp/en/

Why engage now?
During February 2026, these start-ups will be on the ground in Europe, attending key events and meeting potential collaborators. This is a unique opportunity to explore concrete partnerships, pilots, and investment opportunities face-to-face.

Deadline to express interest: 29 January 2026
Contact: guus.visman@climate-kic.org