What Is "KIDOU,” the Program Accelerating Kansai's Deep Tech Scene? Growth Triggers for Kansai Deep Tech: Lessons from Holoway
- Date
- 2026.10.07
- Time
- 10:10 - 10:55
- Location
- Knowledge Capital Congrès Convention Center
While deep tech is attracting growing attention within Japan’s startup ecosystem, significant hurdles remain on the path to commercialization and large-scale fundraising. How can Kansai create and grow research-driven startups capable of competing globally? This question holds the key to the growth of the Kansai economy, and of Japan as a whole.
This session features Mr. Sato of Holoway, Inc., which was selected for the second cohort of the Kansai incubation program “KIDOU” and subsequently closed a Series A round led by Globis Capital Partners (GCP), together with Mr. Nakamura of GCP, who led the investment. They will trace the real journey from their first encounter before the program, through deepening the business during the program, to securing funding.
Joining them is Mr. Matsumoto of WiL, who has been involved with “KIDOU” since its conception. Together, they will discuss what it takes for entrepreneurs to succeed on the global stage, the role “KIDOU” plays within the Kansai ecosystem, and how the region can generate breakthrough innovation.
Masataka Matsumoto
World Innovation Lab (WiL, LLC)
General Partner & Co-Founder
Tatsuya Nakamura
GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS Co., Ltd.
Principal
Masahito Sato
Holoway Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO
Shintaro Ebe
OSAKA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Team Lead
Masataka Matsumoto
World Innovation Lab (WiL, LLC)
General Partner & Co-Founder
- Biography
Founded PIM in 1999 and led its merger with Yahoo! JAPAN in 2000 as CEO. Subsequently directed strategic investments and the launch of Yahoo! BB within the Yahoo! President’s Office, later serving as Head of the Yahoo! Shopping Division.
Following SoftBank’s acquisition of Vodafone, concurrently served as the founding Head of Yahoo!’s Mobile Division and General Manager of Product & Consumer Operations at SoftBank Mobile.
In 2008, served as Head of the R&D Division, overseeing front-end development across Yahoo! services. From 2011, spearheaded new business development as Yahoo!’s Chief Incubation Officer (CIO), initiating numerous joint ventures and partnerships with corporate allies. Founded WiL in 2013.
Tatsuya Nakamura
GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS Co., Ltd.
Principal
- Biography
Joined Globis Capital Partners in 2020. Leads investments in the Deep Tech and Climate Tech sectors, managing deals including Holoway (semiconductor inspection equipment), SUN METALON (metal recycling), Ookuma Diamond Device (next-generation semiconductors), and ZettaJoule (next-generation nuclear reactors).
After graduating from the Faculty of Commerce and Management at Hitotsubashi University, worked at AGC in overseas sales for electronic materials and was stationed in China, followed by Boston Consulting Group, where they focused on M&A and new business development support.
Masahito Sato
Holoway Inc.
Co-Founder & CEO
- Biography
Born in Hyogo Prefecture, graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo. After engaging in finance operations at a megabank and a public-private fund, co-founded Holoway Inc. and assumed the position of Representative Director and CEO in 2025.
Aiming to build a deep tech startup from a regional base that scales globally, taking on the challenge of driving innovation in Metrology & Inspection to support advanced manufacturing, starting with semiconductors.
Shintaro Ebe
OSAKA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Team Lead
- Biography
After graduating from university, worked as a consultant at a human resources firm and subsequently provided career support for students at Kyoto University. After gaining further experience as a recruiter at a startup, joined the Osaka Business Development Agency(OBDA).
At the OBDA, which offers broad support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Osaka Prefecture, initially engaged in recruitment support initiatives for local businesses within the HR Strategy Department. Currently involved in identifying and accelerating the growth of startups, primarily across the Kansai region.
Specifically focuses on driving business growth for Kansai startups and fostering collaboration and co-creation with major corporations, notably through “Kidou,” an incubation program aimed at seed- and early-stage startups.