Japan Innovation Day 2025: Deep Tech Solution
Enterprise Estonia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, in cooperation with Intralink and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), invites Estonian companies to participate in Japan Innovation Day 2025.
After the successful Japanese – Estonian business conferences in 2022 and 2023, we are delighted to bring back this exciting event in 2025 – this time with a special focus on the rapidly advancing Deep Tech sector.
Through key discussions on next-generation technologies – spanning AI, green innovations, robotics, and more – we aim to showcase how Deep Tech is redefining industries and creating vast opportunities for collaboration between Estonia and Japan. Building on the experiences from previous years, the conference will continue to spotlight transformative solutions and offer invaluable insight into the future of tech-driven growth.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 edition, where you can expand your business horizons, share expertise, and forge impactful partnerships. Stay tuned for more details on the full agenda.
Please register no later than 15.05.25
What will I get from the event?
New Business & Partnership Opportunities
Estonian Digital & Deep Tech Expertise
Cross-Cultural Knowledge Exchange
Agenda
09.00 We open the doors, gathering.
09:30 Opening remarks, introduction of the day.
09.35 Greeting
– Mr. Priit Kallakas, Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Mr. Marek Roostar, Head of Asia Region, Enterprise Estonia
– Mr. Koichiro Nakamura, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Estonia
– Mr. Alex Gover, Executive Vice President, Intralink
09.45 Why do we focus on the Japanese market?
– Mr. Priit Kallakas, Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10.00 What is Deep Tech? What kind companies and why they are emerging in Estonia.
– Mr. Vaido Mikheim, Head of Startup Estonia
10.15 What is the trend in Japanese Deep Tech Scene? How Estonian companies can approach to Japanese partners?
– Mr. James Francis, Head of Business Development (EMEA and Japan), Intralink
10.40 Coffee break
10.55 JETRO’s support for Estonian companies, J-Bridge, Invest Japan programme.
– Ms. Nina Lubbe, Trade and Invest Advisor, JETRO Warsaw
11.05 Estonian company pitch
– 5.0Robotics by Taavi Laur
– Auve Tech by Taavi Rõivas
– UP Catalyst by Einar Karu
– Artec Design by Sander Suursalu
11.25 Challenges of entering the Japanese market: Real-Life experiences from an Estonian entrepreneur’s perspective.
– Mr. Raul Allikivi, Founder & CEO of GIG-A, Co. Ltd.
11.40 How can you reach out to potential partners in Japan? What are the key factors that facilitate successful collaboration?
– Ms. Chie Ito, Executive Officer of DENTSU SOKEN
11.55 Estonian company pitch
– INSEVO by Erlend Sild
– Stargate Hydrogen Solutions by Marko Virkebau
– äio tech by Kristi Lember
– MindChip by Heigo Mõlder
– Cleveron by Indrek Oolup
12.15 Japanese company pitch
– TOPPAN Digital Inc.
12.15 Networking Lunch
14.00 Closing
*speakers and contents of the programme might change
Speakers
Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The DG of the Business Diplomacy Department is coordinating the business diplomacy activities in 40 Estonian Embassies globally and in Tallinn. In addition, Business Diplomacy Department also coordinates and supports Estonian 190 Honorary consuls in 90 countries.
Priit Kallakas joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011 and worked six years as an adviser to the minister. Prior to his current position Priit Kallakas has served also at the Estonian Embassy in Washington D.C. and has led the Business Diplomacy and Honorary Consuls division.
Head of Startup Estonia
As Head of Startup Estonia, Vaido has been instrumental in cultivating a vibrant ecosystem where emerging technologies can flourish. Guided by a firm belief in the synergy of knowledge, technology, and human ingenuity, Vaido champions a collaborative environment where deep tech innovation thrives. A dedicated science fiction fan, he brings a uniquely forward-thinking perspective to fostering the next generation of pioneering ventures.
Manager of Asia region markets at Enterprise Estonia
Marek is an experienced trade executive with 15 years of international B2B sales & marketing experience. He’s main role has been driving business growth of Estonian based innovative companies mostly from robotics and cleantech industries. Recently he joined Enterprise Estonia where he is leading a team of trade advisors helping Estonian companies to succeed on Indian, South-Korean and Japanese markets.
Founder & CEO of GIG-A, Co. Ltd.
Raul Allikivi is an Estonian entrepreneur. After graduating from the University of Tartu, he earned his master’s degree at Waseda University in Japan. Raul served as Deputy Director General of the Economic Development Department at Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Following his government career, Raul relocated to Tokyo in 2012, where he has founded or co-founded several ventures connecting Estonia and Japan. In 2021, he established GIG-A Co., Ltd., a fintech startup dedicated to providing improved banking services for foreign nationals living in Japan.
VP, Head of Business Development (EMEA & Japan), Intralink
James Francis leads Intralink’s business development efforts across Europe and Japan, supporting cross-border collaboration between global corporates and overseas partners, including startups and investors. Based in London, he previously spent five years at Intralink’s Tokyo office (2011–2016) and is fluent in Japanese, holding the JLPT Level N1 certification. James specialises in strategies and methodologies that drive successful international partnerships.
Japan Innovation Day
09.00 We open the doors, gathering.
09:30 Opening remarks, introduction of the day.
09.35 Greeting
– Mr. Priit Kallakas, Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Mr. Marek Roostar, Head of Asia Region, Enterprise Estonia
– Mr. Koichiro Nakamura, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Estonia
– Mr. Alex Gover, Executive Vice President, Intralink
09.45 Why do we focus on the Japanese market?
– Mr. Priit Kallakas, Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10.00 What is Deep Tech? What kind companies and why they are emerging in Estonia.
– Mr. Vaido Mikheim, Head of Startup Estonia
10.15 What is the trend in Japanese Deep Tech Scene? How Estonian companies can approach to Japanese partners?
– Mr. James Francis, Head of Business Development (EMEA and Japan), Intralink
10.40 Coffee break
10.55 JETRO’s support for Estonian companies, J-Bridge, Invest Japan programme.
– Ms. Nina Lubbe, Trade and Invest Advisor, JETRO Warsaw
11.05 Estonian company pitch
– 5.0Robotics by Taavi Laur
– Auve Tech by Taavi Rõivas
– UP Catalyst by Einar Karu
– Artec Design by Sander Suursalu
11.25 Challenges of entering the Japanese market: Real-Life experiences from an Estonian entrepreneur’s perspective.
– Mr. Raul Allikivi, Founder & CEO of GIG-A, Co. Ltd.
11.40 How can you reach out to potential partners in Japan? What are the key factors that facilitate successful collaboration?
– Ms. Chie Ito, Executive Officer of DENTSU SOKEN
11.55 Estonian company pitch
– INSEVO by Erlend Sild
– Stargate Hydrogen Solutions by Marko Virkebau
– äio tech by Kristi Lember
– MindChip by Heigo Mõlder
– Cleveron by Indrek Oolup
12.15 Japanese company pitch
– TOPPAN Digital Inc.
12.15 Networking Lunch
14.00 Closing
*speakers and contents of the programme might change
Director General of the Business Diplomacy Department at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The DG of the Business Diplomacy Department is coordinating the business diplomacy activities in 40 Estonian Embassies globally and in Tallinn. In addition, Business Diplomacy Department also coordinates and supports Estonian 190 Honorary consuls in 90 countries.
Priit Kallakas joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2011 and worked six years as an adviser to the minister. Prior to his current position Priit Kallakas has served also at the Estonian Embassy in Washington D.C. and has led the Business Diplomacy and Honorary Consuls division.
Head of Startup Estonia
As Head of Startup Estonia, Vaido has been instrumental in cultivating a vibrant ecosystem where emerging technologies can flourish. Guided by a firm belief in the synergy of knowledge, technology, and human ingenuity, Vaido champions a collaborative environment where deep tech innovation thrives. A dedicated science fiction fan, he brings a uniquely forward-thinking perspective to fostering the next generation of pioneering ventures.
Manager of Asia region markets at Enterprise Estonia
Marek is an experienced trade executive with 15 years of international B2B sales & marketing experience. He’s main role has been driving business growth of Estonian based innovative companies mostly from robotics and cleantech industries. Recently he joined Enterprise Estonia where he is leading a team of trade advisors helping Estonian companies to succeed on Indian, South-Korean and Japanese markets.
Founder & CEO of GIG-A, Co. Ltd.
Raul Allikivi is an Estonian entrepreneur. After graduating from the University of Tartu, he earned his master’s degree at Waseda University in Japan. Raul served as Deputy Director General of the Economic Development Department at Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Following his government career, Raul relocated to Tokyo in 2012, where he has founded or co-founded several ventures connecting Estonia and Japan. In 2021, he established GIG-A Co., Ltd., a fintech startup dedicated to providing improved banking services for foreign nationals living in Japan.
VP, Head of Business Development (EMEA & Japan), Intralink
James Francis leads Intralink’s business development efforts across Europe and Japan, supporting cross-border collaboration between global corporates and overseas partners, including startups and investors. Based in London, he previously spent five years at Intralink’s Tokyo office (2011–2016) and is fluent in Japanese, holding the JLPT Level N1 certification. James specialises in strategies and methodologies that drive successful international partnerships.
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