From Field to Startup: Solving Okinawa’s Agriculture Challenges

BiTS and Pieces of the Global Startup Campus

BiTS Japan is a 15-week, part-time training program to instill knowledge of how to define BIG problems that face mankind, identify the metrics that, if achieved, could catalyze serious change and how to manage the cooperative research program to solve the problem. The training program was developed based on vast experience of the developers as they executed more than $1B of research programs. Join Dr. Douglas Wicks, Strategic Director of BiTS Japan, as he previews the training program and invites OIST faculty, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to participate!

VC Mentoring Hours: D4V (Design for Ventures)

In collaboration with leading venture capital firms, OIST Innovation offers startups and entrepreneurial researchers or students the opportunity to connect directly with venture capitalists for one-on-one mentoring and discussion.
Each round begins with an open seminar-style introduction, where participants can learn about the VC firm's investment focus and characteristics. This is followed by private, closed-door mentoring sessions between startups/researchers/students and the VC representatives.

The featured VC for this round is D4V (Design for Ventures)

VC Mentoring Hours: Karry Fund (Karry Impact & Innovation Fund)

In collaboration with leading venture capital firms, OIST Innovation offers startups and entrepreneurial researchers or students the opportunity to connect directly with venture capitalists for one-on-one mentoring and discussion.
Each round begins with an open seminar-style introduction, where participants can learn about the VC firm's investment focus and characteristics. This is followed by private, closed-door mentoring sessions between startups/researchers/students and the VC representatives.

The featured VC for this round is Karry Fund (Karry Impact & Innovation Fund)

Registration is required.
If the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, OIST Innovation will select participants based on the information provided in the registration form and the strategic fit with the VC.

iGEM Okinawa 2025 Project Report & Community Feedback Event — iGEM Okinawa 2025 成果報告・地域連携イベント

Join us for iGEM Okinawa’s 2025 post-Jamboree event at OIST, where we’ll share our project results with farmers, supporters, and stakeholders and discuss future collaborations.

OISTにて開催されるiGEM Okinawaの成果報告イベントにぜひご参加ください。農家、地域関係者、協力団体の皆様と成果を共有し、今後の展望について語り合います。

Smart Work with Generative AI

OIST Innovation will host a seminar on “Smart Work with Generative AI” as follows.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 13:30–15:30

Venue: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Conference Center, Meeting Room

Admission: Free (pre-registration required)

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided

No online streaming

FDSFJapan Tour in Okinawa: Envisioning a sustainable future from Okinawa through the lens of science and finance.

The FDSF Japan Tour supports innovation and startup creation through science to address regional issues, with the power of finance backing these initiatives. Every year, FDSF, the Future Design Initiative for Science & Finance holds events nationwide to promote science-based innovation and future-oriented financing.

This year, the tour will be held in Okinawa, which has unique regional challenges. The event will bring together Okinawa’s industrial, academic, and financial communities to explore new collaborative possibilities and share the latest knowledge on GX (Green Transformation), circular economy models, and startup support.

Lean Startup Entrepreneurial Training

DISCOVER THE LEAN STARTUP METHODOLOGY
Learn to identify commercial opportunities that come from your academic research. Apply the Lean Startup methodology to real OIST technologies, guided by instructors from the NSF I-Corps™ network. Teams (3–4 people) will conduct interviews, validate their ideas, and explore real-world commercialization.

OIST Innovation presents: Fireside Chat with Dr. Simson Garfinkel

OIST Innovation is thrilled to host Dr. Simson Garfinkel, one of the most influential voices in computing, for an exclusive 1-hour Fireside Chat, where we will be discussing the frictions between Computing and Society.

IP Mentoring Hours for Researchers: YANAGINO IP, P.C.

During Mr. Yanagino’s visit—President and attorney at YANAGINO IP, P.C.—we’re excited to offer free mentoring sessions for startups!
If you’re looking for advice on intellectual property or just want to chat about Japan’s IP system—especially patents and trademarks—feel free to book a slot! (Registration is required)