KitchenTown, a premier food innovation hub, has partnered with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to launch the J-StarX Food Frontiers USA accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative will see ten of Japan's most innovative food and food technology startups embark on a seven-month journey to establish a foothold in the U.S. market.

Guided by a network of world-class advisors, industry leaders, and investors, the selected startups will receive comprehensive support from KitchenTown's seasoned team. Operating out of Silicon Valley, the epicenter of global innovation, the program will provide these trailblazers with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of expanding into the U.S. market. Complementing the on-ground efforts, Tokyo-based impact investment group Value Create Ventures will lead monthly workshops to help these companies refine their U.S. growth strategies.

"Japanese culinary ingenuity is globally renowned,” said Sarah Sha, Director of Strategy at KitchenTown. “Our experience in nurturing startups passionate about creating products and technologies for a better world aligns perfectly with JETRO’s mission. Together, we are poised to introduce these groundbreaking Japanese companies to the vibrant American food scene.”

The ten startups selected for the J-StarX Food Frontiers USA program represent the pinnacle of Japanese food innovation. Each has already demonstrated significant achievements in technological advancement and commercial success, from scaling production to forging partnerships with major Japanese corporations.

The pioneering companies in the inaugural cohort include:

1. GoodTe: Makers of crunchy, savory, low FODMAP snacks crafted for those with IBS/IBD, without compromising taste or texture.
2. Haccoba: Innovators of a new style of sake that combines wild yeast fermentation with hops, blending the essences of sake, natural wine, and craft beer.
3. Hakko Holdings: Developers of clean-label, nutrient-rich foods made from fermented beans, including a new variety of sweet lupin beans.
4. Kinish: Pioneers in producing milk proteins from rice through biotechnology, offering plant-based ice cream sweetened with fermented rice syrup.
5. Morning Boost Co. (Name TBC): Creators of plant-based, gluten-free baked goods enhanced with amazake, a traditional Japanese fermented rice.
6. ORYZAE: Experts in fermentation technology, producing healthy rice-based koji sweeteners and granola.
7. Ovgo: Bakers of delicious, plant-based American-style cookies with a distinctly Japanese twist.
8. Shima & Co: Innovators of a breakthrough technology to bind protein powders into tablets, now offering Japanese ramune-style protein snacks.
9. Sydecas: A food tech company specializing in better-for-you binders derived from Konjac yam fiber.
10. The Ethical Spirits Co: A craft distillery that upcycles discarded food and drink into next-generation gin.

"This partnership between JETRO and KitchenTown is a golden opportunity for Japanese food companies to make their mark in the U.S. market," said Toru Ashizaki, Director of Export Promotion at JETRO San Francisco. "Through this exchange, we're not just fostering business growth but also deepening the cultural ties that unite our two nations. We eagerly anticipate the impact these startups will have on the global food landscape."

The J-StarX Food Frontiers USA accelerator program kicks off in September. It will culminate in March 2025 with a Demo Day, where participants will showcase their innovations to potential partners and investors.