EIC steers five European deeptech SMEs into Japan via EU-Japan Centre mission
- ›The European Innovation Council supported five EIC-backed SMEs to join an EU-Japan Centre digital mission in Nagoya, Japan.
- ›Participating companies will present at the Smart Manufacturing Summit and Aichi Innovation Days and hold business meetings with Japanese corporates.
- ›EIC staff and the EU Ambassador to Japan will attend, and an EIC workshop is scheduled for 14 March with online registration open.
- ›This action is part of growing EIC collaboration with the EU-Japan Centre and the EU-Japan Green Transition Business Matching Platform.
- ›Market context cited by organisers highlights Japan as a significant AI growth market but claims and rankings should be treated as indicative rather than determinative of success.
EIC escorts European scaleups to the Japanese market
The European Innovation Council is facilitating market access for five EIC-supported companies during an EU-Japan Centre organised digital mission in Nagoya this week. The initiative aims to connect European startups and scaleups with Japanese corporations and ecosystem actors through pitching, business meetings and workshops. The move forms part of a wider collaboration between the EIC, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and the EU-Japan Green Transition Business Matching Platform.
Who was selected
Five of the ten European SMEs chosen for the EU-Japan Centre digital mission are beneficiaries of EIC funding. They will travel to Nagoya to participate in events, meet potential partners and present their technologies to Japanese audiences.
| Company | Core technology or sector (brief) | Planned activity in Nagoya |
| AEInnova | Industrial sensors, energy harvesting and predictive maintenance solutions | Pitching and business meetings at Smart Manufacturing Summit and Aichi Innovation Days |
| Dyemansion GmbH | Post-processing and surface finishing technologies for additive manufacturing | Pitching and meetings focused on smart factory and manufacturing partners |
| Qarnot Computing | Cloud HPC platform with sustainability focus and heat reuse technology | Demo meetings with engineering and industrial users |
| QuantumDiamonds GmbH | Diamond-based quantum microscopy for semiconductor defect inspection | Presentations and B2B matching with chipmakers and test houses |
| TiHive | Terahertz imaging combined with AI for inline quality control | Live pitching and business development sessions with manufacturers |
Events, delegation and workshop details
The companies will take part in the Smart Manufacturing Summit and Aichi Innovation Days where organisers expect concentrated pitching sessions and one-to-one business meetings with Japanese corporates. Jean-Eric Paquet, the EU Ambassador to Japan and former Director-General for Research and Innovation, is scheduled to visit the SMEs' stands. EIC Business Acceleration Services Head of Sector Agnieszka Stasiakowska will present the EIC programme during a dedicated workshop organised by the EU-Japan Centre on 14 March from 14:30 to 16:00. The workshop had an online participation option and required prior registration.
Who the EU-Japan Centre is and why it matters
Market context cited by organisers and caveats
Organisers highlighted Japan as a strategic market for internationalisation. The announcement notes Japan ranks 16th on an innovation index and cites an AI market projection that anticipates a 16.41 percent compound annual growth rate between 2024 and 2030 with a market volume estimated at about USD 30.91 billion by 2030. Those figures give context but they are projections and rankings vary depending on the index used. Projections do not guarantee market uptake and should be complemented with sector specific research. Japanese procurement practices, standards, certification regimes and buyer preferences will materially affect adoption timelines for foreign entrants.
What this actually offers to participating companies
Participation in an organised mission gives startups a concentrated week of exposure to potential partners and clients. The immediate benefits are visibility, introductions to corporates and an opportunity to test value propositions in front of local stakeholders. The EU-Japan Centre covers matchmaking, booth fees and interpretation at the joint booth. Flights and accommodation remain the responsibility of the participants.
Practical and strategic hurdles for EU startups targeting Japan
A short mission can open doors but does not secure market entry. European founders should be realistic about the steps required after matchmaking. Common challenges include building long lead relationships, adapting products to local certifications and standards, dealing with commercial negotiation norms, hiring local sales or partners, protecting intellectual property, and managing language and cultural differences. Data localisation and procurement rules can also restrict how solutions are sold into certain sectors such as healthcare and public administration.
Advice for other EIC beneficiaries considering Japan
Prepare concise Japanese-language materials, identify target corporate buyers and the procurement channels they use, and plan a follow-up strategy for leads generated at events. Use the EU-Japan Centre and Enterprise Europe Network to source local partners and consider staged market entry starting with pilot projects. Factor in regulatory testing and certification timelines and budget local business development accordingly.
Implications for EU innovation policy and programmes
This mission illustrates the EIC's growing emphasis on internationalisation and market-focused acceleration for deeptech firms. Cross-border matchmaking can complement grant funding by exposing beneficiaries to scaling opportunities. The ultimate test for policy success will be measurable follow-through such as signed pilot contracts, joint development agreements, and revenue from overseas customers rather than attendance alone.
Final note and disclaimer
The information in this article is based on materials provided by the EIC and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. Event participation offers genuine opportunities but should be treated as an early stage in market development. Reported market statistics and rankings are indicative and should be validated by companies before they form the basis of strategic decisions. This article does not represent an official position of the European Commission.