We had the opportunity to interview Mr. Dan Chang, COO of
Cool Innovation Inc., a finalist company of the SusHi Tech
Challenge 2024.
Cool Innovation is a Food Tech startup revolutionizing
logistics and food preservation with its innovative
technology, "Ice Moisture."
The company participated in the SusHi Tech Challenge 2024 as
a platform to promote its product and was selected as one of
the seven finalists out of over 500 applicants. In addition
to this achievement, Cool Innovation also won a sponsor
award, marking an excellent start in boosting its
recognition. We spoke with Mr. Chang to learn how the
company has scaled up following their participation in the
event.
- ―――Congratulations on advancing to the finals and winning the sponsor award at the SusHi Tech Challenge 2024! Today, we’d like to look back on SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 and hear your thoughts and insights on your company’s initiatives.
- ―――First, could you share what motivated you to enter the SusHi Tech Challenge 2024?
-
Around May 2024, we were considering the launch of our
solution. That’s when we happened to come across the
open call for applications for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024.
Given the timing, we decided to apply.
For our company, it was perfect timing as we were exploring global expansion. We were drawn to the event’s large-scale nature and its emphasis on global and sustainable themes, which resonated strongly with our business goals.
However, the biggest incentive for me personally was the perk that “semi-finalists of the pitch contest would have their booth fees waived.” For a seed- to early-stage startup like ours, a waiver of exhibition fees was incredibly appealing. On top of that, the opportunity to pitch and promote our business made it a no-brainer for us to participate.
- ―――After participating in the pitch contest and exhibiting at the booth, what overall impression did you have of SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024?
-
First of all, as an event led by the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government, I was deeply impressed by its scale and high
quality. The large number of international participants
and the event's focus on sustainability and global
perspectives aligned perfectly with our business goals.
I even saw advertisements for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 at
the airport, which highlighted the significant
investment in promotion. It’s incredibly encouraging as
a Japanese startup to see such nationwide efforts to
foster excitement and momentum in the startup
ecosystem.
Additionally, naming the event “SusHi” after Japan’s iconic pop culture staple, sushi, gave it a unique identity. I found it particularly appealing because it made the event approachable even to those less familiar with the tech field while emphasizing Japan’s distinctiveness.
- ―――What outcomes did you achieve as a result of participating in SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024?
- At the time of the event, our company hadn’t even properly set up our website. However, the connections we made with media representatives at the venue, along with being selected as a grand finalist in the pitch contest and winning the sponsor award, became invaluable assets. These achievements greatly helped us kickstart and strengthen our PR efforts for our technology afterward.
- ―――In the SusHi Tech Challenge 2024 pitch contest, you achieved remarkable results, including being selected as one of the seven finalists and winning a sponsor award. Could you share your thoughts on these accomplishments?
-
Initially, we applied with the mindset that it would
simply be fortunate if our booth fees were waived. So,
being selected not just as a semi-finalist but as a
finalist was a huge and pleasant surprise. As a result,
we had the opportunity to present on stage during the
pitch contest and showcase our company through a free
exhibition booth, reaching many attendees at the venue.
Winning the sponsor award also added prestige to our
release information, leading to results that exceeded
our expectations.
On the other hand, among the finalist companies, we felt confident that our business had the highest level of sustainability. Therefore, falling just short of victory and missing the chance to win the ¥10 million prize was quite frustrating. However, the pitches from the other finalists were outstanding, which inspired us. For next year’s SusHi Tech Challenge, we plan to refine our pitch even further and leverage the achievements we’ve built over the past year to make a strong comeback and aim for the top spot.
- ―――Lastly, as someone with firsthand experience, could you share a message for companies considering to participate in SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025?
- SusHi Tech Tokyo is an exceptional event for companies looking to enhance their global presence and PR efforts, given the high quality and high number of attendees. For seed- and early-stage startups in particular, the chance to have booth fees waived is a significant advantage. I genuinely believe there’s no downside to participating, so I highly recommend applying and giving it a shot!
-
■ Profile Information
Company:Cool Innovation Co., Ltd.
CEO:Shigeru Sakashita
Country:Japan
Website:https://cool-innovation.com/
Overview:Cool Innovation Inc. is a Food Tech company dedicated to reducing food waste and realizing a sustainable society through its innovative freshness preservation technology. The company's technology extends the freshness of fruits and vegetables without the use of chemical treatments or specialized packaging. For instance, lettuce remains fresh for 30 days, strawberries for 45 days, grapes for 3 months, and chestnuts for up to 6 months. Even in high-humidity environments of over 90%, their solution keeps cardboard packaging dry.
This innovation enables a shift from air freight to sea freight, addressing logistical challenges in 2024 and contributing to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries' target of ¥5 trillion in exports by 2030. Having shipped over 60 units, the company is expanding its presence in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. -
■ SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025
＜SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025＞
Dates: Thursday, May 8 – Saturday, May 10, 2025
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
For information on startup booth exhibitions at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, please visit here.
（https://sushitech-startup.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/booth-exhibition/）
To apply for the pitch contest "SusHi Tech Challenge 2025," please visit here.
（https://sushitech-startup.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/pitch-contest/）