NEWS

News

2025/09/17 Announcement of the Ecotech Grand Prix 2025

Ecotech Grand Prix
Grand Prix
News

【開催報告】エコテックグランプリ2024：最優秀賞はエレメントニュートラルが受賞

2024/09/16 Ecotech Grand Prix 2024: Grand Prize Won by Element Neutral

Ecotech Grand Prix
Deep Tech Grand Prix
News

2024/09/11 Announcement of the Ecotech Grand Prix 2024

Ecotech Grand Prix
News

2024/04/08 TECH PLANTER revamps its logo and evolves into a mechanism to further accelerate business creation.

Agritech Grand Prix
Ecotech Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Deep Tech Grand Prix
News
Biotech Grand Prix
Food Tech Grand Prix
Marintec Grand Prix
Lifetech Grand Prix

ABOUT

Outline of the event

point (e.g. of a statement)

Scientific and technological "seeds" are being created in universities, research institutes, and corporate laboratories, but it takes a lot of effort before they sprout into practical applications. The Tech Planter, organized by LIVERNESS and its partners, is an eco-system designed to serve as a planter to discover these seeds and help them sprout into businesses. The Eco-Tech Grand Prix is a program aimed at discovering and fostering technological seeds and entrepreneurs in the real tech field (environment-related manufacturing, IoT, artificial intelligence, materials, energy, etc.).

Related Grand Prix :. List of Ecotech Grand Prix

subject (of taxation, etc.)

Those who have a vision to change the world or improve the world based on the technological seeds in the real tech field and have a will to establish or develop a new business.
Individuals and teams are both welcome to participate, even before incorporation.
No limitation on the number of years of establishment, even if you are already a corporation. Even if you are close to mass production or PMF establishment, if you are planning to collaborate with partner companies, etc., it is acceptable.

Application Theme

Technology to create a sustainable society in harmony with the global environment

Application period

Monday, December 2, 2024 - Friday, July 4, 2025 23:59

Screening Criteria

A panel of judges composed of LIVERNESS and its partners will review the following items

01novelty (patentability)
02feasibility
03Overseas Expansion Capabilities
04Are you going to change the world?
05passion

commendation

Grand Prize: (300,000 yen cash prize + right to receive 5 million yen business investment) 1
Corporate Prize: (200,000 yen) Approximately 10 prizes will be awarded.

SCHEDULE

Schedule

12/2[MON]: Entry Start

this way (direction close to the speaker or towards the speaker)Please register as a member and fill out the web form to apply.
We also hold information sessions on a college-by-college and individual basis to encourage determination to enter and to teach tips on document preparation. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

6/7[SAT]: kickoff

RIVANES and its partners, as well as entered teams, will meet and mingle.
Business consultation and partnership development with each other will be available. Participation or lack of participation on the day of the event will not be considered.

7/4[FRI].: 1st round: Application Screening

A panel of judges composed of LIVERNESS and its partners will review the documents.
You will be asked to submit information about your team, skills, passions, and vision for the future via web form and video.
All applicants will be notified of the screening results and provided with feedback on their applications.
In addition, individual interviews (also online) for presentation review will be conducted for those who wish to participate.

8monthfirst 10 days of month: Finalists determined

Interviews will be held for applicants who pass the document screening to brush up their presentations for the final round.
In addition, meetings can be set up with partner companies for the purpose of business consultation and developing partnerships.

9/20[SAT]: Ecotech Grand Prix

The 12 finalist teams that pass the document screening will be screened for presentation.

10Month～: Cooperation Discussion

After the Demo Day, the contact point between the venture and LIBANES will continue to be open for discussions on commercialization.
We handle a wide range of start-up issues, from incorporation to prototype development, financing, R&D, and more.
In addition, collaborative matching between ventures and partner companies has become more active to support business development.

PARTNER

ASSET

asset

ASSET01Riverness Communicator
ASSET02Partners
ASSET03Professional Supporter
ASSET04superfactory group

SUPPORT

Support

SUPPORT01Organize the purpose and vision of starting a business
SUPPORT02Brush up on your presentation
SUPPORT03Providing opportunities for business company collaboration
SUPPORT04Support for R&D and prototype development
SUPPORT05Support for knowledge and IP strategies
SUPPORT06finance

DEMO DAY

Grand Prix Outline

Grand Prix Name

Ecotech Grand Prix 2025

Location

center of a garage (1-16-3 Yokogawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo)

Date & Time

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 13:00-19:00

Application period

Monday, December 2, 2024 - Friday, July 4, 2025 23:59

Participation Target

Held on a closed, pre-registration basis (finalists, partner companies, professional supporters, Super Factory Group)

organizing

Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

timeline

12:30-13:00: inauguration
13:00-13:30: Greetings from the Organizer
13:30-17:00: Presentation (Presenter①～⑫)
17:00-17:50: Review Time
17:50-19:00: Announcement of Judging Results and Award Ceremony
19:00-19:30: (cultural) exchange meeting

JUDGE

judge

head judge
Director, Center for Human Resource Development Research, Riverness Corporation
Haruna Kusunoki

He holds a Master of Science degree from Yokohama City University's Graduate School of International and Comprehensive Studies. After serving as the general manager of the Teaching Materials, Education, and Human Resource Development Division, he became the director of the Hitozukuri Research Center in 2023. He has long been involved in next-generation education and the development of human resources for corporate business creation, and in 2021, he launched and oversees the business of LIVERNESS UNIVERSITY, which fosters leaders who can contribute to the Earth. Author of the book "How to Think so That Everyone Can Become a Global Contribution Leader".
Asahi Yukizai Co.Group General Manager, Engineering Group, Electronic Materials Department, Plastics Division; Project Manager, New Business Development Project
Hidekazu Konishi

After joining Asahi Organic Materials Co., Ltd. in 2001, he was engaged in the development of phenolic resins for building materials and grinding stones. Since then, he has been involved in the development of new products such as novolac resins for electronic materials and ballast materials, from R&D to commercialization, and from 2023, he has also been engaged in new business development, creating businesses utilizing our technologies.
Executive Officer, General Manager, Technical Research Institute, Ando & Hazama Co.
Hiroshi Taniguchi

Joined Hazama Corporation (now Ando & Hazama Co., Ltd.) in 1988. After being assigned to the Technical Research Institute, he was mainly engaged in the development of concrete materials and construction technology. Experienced domestic and overseas civil engineering sites. He is currently expanding his perspective to technological development outside of his main business (construction field). After serving as General Manager of the Technical Planning Department, General Manager of the Civil Engineering Research Department, and General Manager of the Advanced Technology Development Department, he assumed his current position.
Kyocera CorporationGeneral Manager, CN Technology Research Laboratory, Device R&D Management Division, R&D Headquarters
Kenichi Tajima

Born in Kagoshima, Japan, he joined Kyocera Corporation in 1990, where he was in charge of research and development of structural ceramics. From 1997, he was transferred to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for two years, where he was engaged in research on synergy ceramics. After returning to AIST, he conducted research on thermoelectric semiconductors and mass production development of Peltier modules. From 2022, he will be engaged in carbon neutral-related research, and in 2025, he will be in charge of the newly established CN Technology Research Institute. Doctor of Engineering.
ZACROS CorporationDirector, Incubation Center, Research Institute
Takahiro Hirai

M.S., Hokkaido University. Completed Master of Technology Management (MOT) at Tokyo University of Science, Graduate School for Working Adults. Specialized in synthetic organic chemistry. After working in drug discovery research, pharmaceutical-related business development, and M&A at a domestic chemical company, he was engaged in the management of a small molecule drug CDMO. He is engaged in promoting collaboration with startup companies, searching for new business opportunities, and managing technology development PJs.
Daiken CorporationGeneral Manager, Development Planning Office, R&D Center
Shigeki Ishiguro

Joined Daiken Industries, Ltd. in 2004. Assigned to the R&D department, he was involved in the development of wood interior construction materials and the research and development of interior construction materials that contribute to energy conservation and comfort. From 2022, he has been in charge of development planning at his current position, promoting R&D and co-creation activities with universities to realize a regenerative society.
Dai Nippon Printing Co.General Manager, R&D Management Office, Technology and R&D Headquarters
Koji Ishikawa

Born in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, he joined Dai Nippon Printing Co. in 1991 and was assigned to PAC (Packaging Development Division), where he was engaged in the development of plastic containers and packaging. Later, he was engaged in new business development (in the life science and agricultural fields), etc. In 2019, he was transferred to the R&D Management Office, Technology and R&D Division, Head Office, where he will serve as General Manager from 2023.
Tokai Carbon CorporationDeputy General Manager, New Business Promotion Dept.
Hiroto Nakamura

Joined Tokai Carbon Corporation in 2019. From 2024, he will be working in the New Business Promotion Department to provide carbon products using CO2 and biomass as raw materials, as well as solutions to recycle CO2 generated in the manufacturing process and product disposal process as carbon material. He is currently working on several projects to provide carbon products made from CO2 and biomass and solutions to recycle CO2 generated from manufacturing processes and product disposal processes as carbon materials.
Nippon Tokushu Toryo Co.Senior Professional, Platform Development Center
Hiroshi Inagaki

After joining the company in 1992, he planned and launched several electronic systems with plugs and sensors at their core, and from 2001, he was transferred to a US venture where he was involved in the joint development of an in-vehicle multi-sensor control system. Since then, he has developed and launched numerous products, and since 2017, he has served as General Manager of the AEC Business Division, Deputy General Manager of the Innovation Promotion Division, and General Manager of the Business Implementation Division. He has driven the creation of the company's seeds-oriented solution business and built a culture of problem-solving organization.
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.

FINALIST

finalist

Carbon CryoCapture Inc.

Representative】Izumi Ichinose

World's cheapest ($7/t-CO₂) CO₂ separation and recovery technology
By combining CO₂ purification technology at low temperature and high pressure with CO₂-absorbing polymers, we have developed low-cost CCUS technology at $7/t-CO₂. With this technology, CO₂ is converted into a resource at all production sites, including biogas, steel, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Yuhai Co.

Representative] Motoaki Morita

Development of systems to maximize the use of heat from hot springs and geothermal resources
Geothermal power generation is challenged by clogged hot water. We will solve this problem with our proprietary technology that directly contacts hot water with a liquid such as oil and eliminates the walls where hot water stains can adhere. The goal is to achieve stable heat recovery at low cost and maximize the use of abundant unutilized geothermal resources.
BioPhenolics Corporation

Representative】 Takuma Kanesaki

Production of aromatic bio-chemicals that do not rely on petroleum
We have developed a sustainable aromatic bio-chemical production technology that replaces petroleum-derived products through a microbial fermentation process using biomass (plants) as feedstock, providing a decarbonized solution for the chemical, materials, and electronics industries.
Spacewasp Inc.

Representative] Ryoji Setoguchi

Circulating interior infrastructure with plants that fix air CO
An environmental deep-tech company that consistently produces interior spaces in-house by generating resin from plant waste → AI design → 3D printing → automated assembly. Providing carbon-negative interior infrastructure that circulates local resources through decentralized mini-plants to realize a recycling society that coexists with the earth.
Ammon Fields Corporation

Representative] Hara, Michikazu

Highly efficient Haber-Bosch ammonia production
Ammonia production by the Haber-Bosch process is not sustainable due to its high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. This theme aims to realize an unprecedented low-temperature, low-pressure Haber-Bosch process with a newly developed iron hydride catalyst.
AP Plasma Membranes

Representative] Hironori Nagasawa

Leading the way to a sustainable society with membranes that separate molecules.
We will develop a technology to precisely and rapidly form silica films with sub-nano level micropores using a highly active reaction field at ambient temperature and pressure created by atmospheric pressure plasma, and realize an advanced separation process using molecular sieves, thereby contributing to the water cycle and the construction of a decarbonized society.
CaMaDo

Representative] Hayato Otsuka

Ultrafast Gas Separation Membrane for Air Resources
Graphene-incorporated zeolite separation membranes are capable of separating gases at ultrahigh speeds and are smaller, more energy-efficient, and less expensive than conventional methods. On-site supply of enriched oxygen to industrial furnaces reduces fossil fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
CaptureSmith

Representative] Yuki Matsuda

Ultra energy-efficient, carbon dioxide recovery from air and exhaust gases
To achieve carbon neutrality, we will implement HumiDAC, a DAC technology that can capture carbon dioxide from the air and exhaust gases with ultra low energy consumption even in humid climates, to create carbon resources from the world's air to replace oil and coal.
ReFLight

Representative] Yoichi Kobayashi

Mild photochemical reactions that convert persistent chemicals into resources
Based on the original technology to decompose perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS), which are extremely difficult to decompose and contamination is a global problem, in a mild manner at room temperature and pressure using LEDs, we will develop a photocatalyst and flow-type decomposition device that can continuously purify PFAS-contaminated water.
SulfurScience

Representative] Yuichiro Kobayashi

From Discarded Sulfur to Recyclable Materials of the Future
Tackling the problems of waste sulfur and plastics. Using the world's only room-temperature synthesis technology, we create new polymers from sulfur that are "cheap, safe, and eco-friendly. We are building a sustainable society through recyclable materials that can be recycled and realize high functionality such as next-generation batteries.
green moss

Representative] Eri Ayukawa

Developed moss plant greening technology and thermal barrier construction materials with diatomaceous earth
Developing new construction and greening materials using diatomaceous earth, which is characterized by its high evapotranspiration and heat shielding properties, and new moss plant greening technology that does not require soil and requires no planting and no maintenance, utilizing the water retention properties of diatomaceous earth, to spread new green infrastructure technology from the northern Tohoku region to the rest of the world.
Trial Depot

Representative] Nobuhiro Kihara

Artificial switches enable true plastic circulation
Existing degradable plastics cannot be controlled because their degradation/degradation is triggered by external stimuli such as sunlight and microorganisms. We aim to construct a new plastic recycling system with polymers that start fast degradation by artificial stimuli.