We had the opportunity to interview Mr. Koki Nishioka, the Head of Corporate Development & Branding of MECHANOCROSS, Co., Ltd., which was selected as a semi-finalist in the SusHi Tech Challenge 2025 and won the Corporate Partner Prize. MECHANOCROSS, a startup based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, originates from Hokkaido University and develops innovative mechanochemical technology for organic synthesis. This technology has significantly reduced the number of solvents required for organic synthesis compared to traditional methods, contributing to a lower environmental impact and improved manufacturing efficiency. It has garnered significant attention from both domestic and international chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
- ――― Congratulations on being selected as a semi-finalist in the SusHi Tech Challenge 2025 and for winning the Corporate Partner Prize. Today, we would like to hear your thoughts on SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 and your company's initiatives.
- ――― First, could you tell us your motivations for participating in the SusHi Tech Challenge 2025?
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Mr. Nishioka: Our company is based in Hokkaido, and at a time when our name was beginning to gain recognition, particularly in Hokkaido and parts of Tokyo, we decided to participate in the pitch. A key reason for our involvement was to evaluate how effectively we can communicate our technology and business value at an event that showcases outstanding startups from Japan and abroad, and to assess our market potential. Notably, large events like SusHi Tech Tokyo attract numerous accelerators and representatives from startup support programs backed by both the national and Tokyo Metropolitan governments, so we aimed to connect with these organizations.
Additionally, we sought to understand how our technology would resonate with audiences we typically do not reach, including general visitors and B2B companies from various industries, beyond just the chemical sector. - ――― How did you approach the pitch contest and booth exhibition on the day of the event? Were there any unique ideas you were able to implement?
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Mr. Nishioka: For the exhibition, we carefully designed the poster layout to effectively convey our technology to visitors. As a company specializing in organic synthesis, we highlighted chemical formulas and arranged the five posters in a sequential order to tell a cohesive story, taking into account the flow of attendee movement.
We also focused on the visual elements of our exhibition to ensure it would capture the attention of non-experts at first glance. While visually representing solution technologies can be challenging, we made every effort to explain them in the simplest terms possible.
- ――― Could you share any notable takeaways from your participation in STT?
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Mr. Nishioka: I believe we have significantly strengthened our connections with startup support organizations, which was our primary goal. In particular, our interactions with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have increased, and we have begun applying for various programs. As a result, in July 2025, our company was selected as a startup to receive support from the "Green Startup Support" program of the Tokyo Consortium. Additionally, we have reconnected with potential client companies we had previously engaged with, but for one reason or another, we never managed to get things off the ground. Now there are promising opportunities for the future.
Speaking at one of Asia's largest startup events and being recognized as a “company supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government” has also helped to build trust in our brand as we promote our business to overseas companies. - ――― How has your business evolved after SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025?
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Mr. Nishioka: We have been able to solidify our efforts toward expanding into international markets. As mentioned earlier, we used our participation in STT as a way to introduce ourselves, almost like a business card. We also assessed how well our business fits within the chemical markets of various Asian countries, tapping into the connections we made with overseas accelerators through STT. In the end, it was not quite the right fit for us, but the interactions we had during STT offered valuable insights along the way.
We are also focusing on initiatives to strengthen our overall business foundation, such as developing equipment, creating a mid-term management plan, and expanding our team. Over the past six months, our organization has grown significantly, and our customer base has doubled. Meeting partners at STT who can guide us in shaping our future strategies and mid-term plans has been incredibly beneficial. - ――― Could you share your vision and ambitions for the future?
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Mr. Nishioka: We hold true to our vision of "initiating an international industrial revolution from Japan through mechanochemical organic synthesis." Reflecting on the last century of chemistry, we see that there has been little technological innovation in organic synthesis, with a heavy reliance on solvents. Our technology, however, enables organic synthesis with minimal use of organic solvents, providing significant advantages over traditional methods in terms of decarbonization and cost reduction, while also ensuring high reactivity and environmental adaptability. We remain focused on our vision and are dedicated to advancing new chemistry for the next century.
To accelerate the adoption of our technology in society, it is essential to increase the number of companies that utilize it for product commercialization. To this end, we are placing greater emphasis on equipment development, expanding our connections with new customers, and collaborating with partner companies. As we build our track record domestically, we aim to establish ourselves as pioneers in mechanochemical organic synthesis, creating an environment where, once we achieve social implementation and commercialization, inquiries will come from around the globe. - ――― Finally, do you have a message for startups considering participating in SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026?
- Mr. Nishioka: I believe it is an incredibly valuable opportunity for startups looking to expand internationally. The catchy name of the event leaves a positive impression abroad, and I anticipate that its recognition will grow internationally, attracting more overseas stakeholders who wish to participate in the future
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■ Company Profile
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Company Name: MECHANOCROSS Co., Ltd.
Representatives: Tomohisa Saito, President & Chief Executive OfficerCountry: Japan
Website: https://mechanocross.com/ - ■ SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026
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Dates: April 27 (Mon) – April 29 (Wed/Holiday), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Apply for Startup Booth Exhibition:
（https://sushitech-startup.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/booth-exhibition/）
Apply for the SusHi Tech Challenge 2026 Pitch Contest:
（https://sushitech-startup.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/recruiting-pitch/）