[Event Report] Interim Demo Day for the Second Cohort Held

“CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO” is an incubation program

that supports the launch of startups specializing in the circular economy sector. Participants engage in a variety of lectures on circular economy, receive mentoring from experts, and take part in interim and final presentations. Through these activities, they develop and refine innovative business models that contribute to the realization of a circular economy, ultimately aiming for fundraising and generating social impact.

On January 31, 2025, the interim demo day was held at “PYNT“, a co-creation platform operated by Nikken Sekkei that fosters new possibilities for the future of cities. Participants presented their progress and achievements so far. possibilities for the future of cities. Participants presented their progress and achievements so far. This report highlights some of the key presentations from the event.

Pitches From Participants

Course A: Scaling Up, Fundraising & IPO Preparation

Takahiro Tsubonuma & Hanae Noda / Shibuya Fertilizer LLC (in Japanese)

Tsubonuma and Noda are working to shift Shibuya from a “final destination of consumption” to a “starting point for new cycles” by implementing a circular economy model rooted in urban sustainability. One of their key initiatives is the “Circular Sweets®” project, which establishes a circular food industry model by using sweet potatoes grown with fertilizer made from Shibuya’s commercial food waste. Moving forward, they aim to position these sweets as premium souvenirs, ensuring economic viability while fostering new cultural value.

Yuta Ara & Yuji Harada / Ripples Co., Ltd. (in Japanese)

Ara and Harada have developed plastic containers with a special film coating, designed to promote closed-loop recycling. After use, the film can be peeled off, leaving the container clean and ready for direct recycling into new containers. Their initiative also contributes to employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, they have signed a partnership agreement with Musubie, an NPO supporting children’s cafeterias across Japan.

Yudai Tsurusaki & Park Min / Seafood Co., Ltd.

Tsurusaki and Min run Seafood Inc., a company that utilizes technology to address challenges in the fishing industry. They are currently reassessing their business strategy. Looking ahead, they plan to develop a platform that enables fishers to sell directly to retailers and restaurants. Additionally, they are exploring the use of big data for fisheries management and municipal data services, contributing to the revitalization of the fishing industry.

Masashi Shimizu / Microbiofactory Co., Ltd. (in Japanese)

Shimizu is developing technology to extract and reuse indigo dye from discarded denim fibers. Currently, he is focused on implementing the technology domestically and refining marketing strategies. He is targeting apparel brands preparing for international expansion, particularly in markets where demand for recycled materials is increasing. Moving forward, he plans to enhance his investor pitch to more effectively convey the business potential in preparation for fundraising.

Shuta Nakamura / Circloop Inc. (in Japanese)

Nakamura’s mission is to “make sustainability the norm” by offering a reusable cup service for workspaces such as offices and coworking spaces. His service addresses the key barriers to reusable container adoption, including lack of convenience, cumbersome usage processes, and unclear environmental impact. He tackles these challenges by providing a full-service solution that includes washing, distribution, and collection, as well as environmental impact reports that visualize sustainability benefits. During the CST program leading up to the interim demo day, he focused on optimizing the pricing for the reusable cup service. Moving forward, he aims to establish a reusable infrastructure for offices and expand into the broader food container market, aligning with regulatory changes and evolving consumer behavior.

Course B: Creating Social Impact & Establishing a Business Foundation

Chol Gyu Lee

Lee is developing regenerative products that combine composted urban food waste with biodegradable plastics. While composting is often cited as a solution to food waste, urban areas face challenges in finding effective applications for compost. By creating more practical and regenerative materials and products, he aims to target ESG-conscious companies looking for sustainable solutions. Moving forward, he plans to assess market demand, particularly in the construction and agricultural materials sectors, to determine the optimal applications for his products.

Takeshi Enomoto / University of Shizuoka

Enomoto is working on establishing a circular economy for plastics with a focus on “safety and reliability.” His approach involves comprehensive chemical analysis to ensure the safety of recycled plastic products and enhance consumer trust, ultimately promoting wider adoption. His primary target industry is the automotive sector, where the use of recycled plastics is steadily increasing. Moving forward, he aims to develop a business model that quantifies and visualizes the value of recycled plastics.

Akiha Matsue

Matsue is engaged in the sales and maintenance of carbonization recycling equipment for commercial waste, primarily used diapers. Initially, the equipment was intended to be sold as a cost-saving solution for business waste disposal. However, she is currently in the process of applying for a patent for the microwave-based carbonization technology used in the machine. Moving forward, she plans to revise her sales strategy and position the equipment as a disaster waste treatment solution. The key challenges include evaluating the hygiene and safety of the carbonized material and exploring alternative applications beyond incineration.

Masachika Nagasue / GMG Corporation

Nagasue is leading “MoRack.,” an initiative that leverages algae for CO₂ reduction, algae-based protein production, circular agriculture through composting, and the development of cosmetic ingredients derived from algae oil. Moving forward, he aims to secure talent and funding to collaborate with other algae industry players and commercialize products based on existing technologies. A mentor suggested that he prioritize the area with the greatest social impact as a strategic entry point.

Hiroko Sudo / Bluebird

Sudo is developing an “inclusive” housekeeping service matching platform that creates job opportunities for people who stutter. To address societal misunderstandings about stuttering, the platform will outline reasonable accommodations for each individual and build a database of employment case studies. Moving forward, she plans to conduct pilot testing for the service. A mentor advised her to emphasize the platform’s unique value proposition rather than competing on price.

Miyu Yagami / Gaiapost Inc.

Yagami is developing biodegradable baby diapers and working on a project to compost used diapers into soil for growing vegetables and fruits. The product consists of a biodegradable insert placed inside a reusable fabric cover, and she has already conducted preliminary testing with home composting. Additionally, she has interviewed diaper users and researched compostable diapers available overseas. Moving forward, she will refine the composting process and optimize the diaper’s design. A mentor suggested exploring ways to incorporate diaper-derived compost into children’s educational activities.

Wang Zhenjiang / Toshiba Corporation

Wang is developing an AI-powered platform to facilitate the reuse of bulky waste. While 10–20% of bulky waste is reusable, the actual reuse rate remains below 0.3%. Currently, the sorting process is labor-intensive, and resources for identifying reusable items are limited. To tackle this issue, he is developing an AI tool that assesses whether bulky waste items can be reused. Moving forward, he plans to refine the business model by engaging with reuse businesses and local governments, while also evaluating the feasibility of the AI technology.

Takeo Hirata / Cyclas LLC (in Japanese)

Hirata aims to guide the apparel industry toward more responsible business practices while fostering a culture where repairing items is seen as “cool.” His approach centers on creating small, community-based circular systems built around human connections. His company provides a circular business platform that enables brands to offer official repair and resale services. Cyclas manages program operations and visualizes the environmental, social, and economic benefits. Additionally, he plans to organize repair cafés and promote local initiatives for clothing repair and reuse. Moving forward, he will refine the business model to achieve these goals.

Atsushi Morita & Yuriko Wada / Paper Parade Inc. (in Japanese)

Morita and Wada are leading an “urban circular” initiative that repurposes locally sourced materials. One of their key projects focuses on outdoor advertisements, which, despite their durability, are often discarded due to intellectual property concerns. To address this, they have developed a method that applies a “secret watermark” to obscure proprietary content, allowing these materials to be upcycled. Moving forward, they aim to continue creating high-design upcycled products and generate new demand. They are also actively seeking partners interested in leveraging their design expertise.

What is PYNT?

The interim demo day was held at “PYNT,” a facility on the third floor of Nikken Sekkei’s Tokyo headquarters. PYNT was established to foster collaboration across organizations and roles, support employees’ ambitions, and enhance communication. Serving as a “co-creation platform for shaping the future of cities,” PYNT connects individuals with urban challenges to experts in architecture and city planning. By engaging with companies, universities, government agencies, and NPOs, it supports everything from networking to social implementation, ultimately aiming to address complex societal issues.

Conclusion

Following each participant’s pitch, mentors and advisors provided insightful feedback and probing questions, encouraging participants to further refine their business concepts and strategies. The final demo day for the second cohort of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO will be held on March 7, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Toranomon Hills Mori Tower. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of all participants!