Washington State Tech Mission – Tokyo

May 22-25, 2018

The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Innovation Finders Capital (IFC) to take a select group of Washington State companies in the in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) sector on a tech mission targeting business opportunities in Japan.

Companies will identify new sales opportunities in Japan, gain market intelligence that helps your business grow, meet key decision-makers at top Japanese firms, and leverage the unique economic relationship between Washington State and Japan.

Mission highlights include:

  • Four days of business meetings, pitch events, and networking sessions with Japanese technology firms coordinated by mission organizers.
  • Company site visits with renowned Japanese multinational technology firms.
  • University and tech accelerator site visits.

 

Benefits of joining this mission

  • Business networking opportunities at hosted receptions.
  • In-country briefings providing market information and advice on how to do business in Japan.
  • Your company profile in the trade mission brochure, and mission website, circulated to companies in Japan.
  • The team of experts at the Department of Commerce will provide a range of technical and consulting services that can get your business ready to connect you to potential business partners.
  • Export vouchers are available for qualified businesses to help offset some of the costs.

Download the flyer.

More Information

Julie Monahan
ICT Business Development Manager
Washington State Department of Commerce
Phone: (206) 256-6147
Email: julie.monahan@commerce.wa.gov

Testimonials

“The Washington State AI – IOT mission to Japan was very successful. I met with a lot of enterprise companies who are interested in our enterprise IOT platform called IIRP(tm) and we are already following up with about 10 customers. I think Japan would be a great partner to the US in creating, driving and delivering AI, IOT, Blockchain solutions. We feel good to be at the front and center of this action and I am looking forward to making Seattle the AI capital of the world!”

  • Jaideep Sen, CEO, IoT World Labs

“Matchbox enjoyed a fascinating and illuminating trip to Japan on many fronts with the Washington State Tech Mission team. The mission provided the opportunity for the participating companies to pitch to and meet with many Japanese companies. For the Japanese companies, the Washington State Cohort presented an opportunity for peer-driven industry insight, great networking and contacts, collaboration and potential partnership. For most of the companies we met this is the initial contact, some leads will have legs and many will not. Where there has been previous contact in Seattle, we are already making good progress with genuine opportunities. We are excited about our potential to be working in Japan, without the support of Washington State, the IFC and the mission none of this would have been possible.”

  • Andrew Farrell, CEO, Matchbox Mobile

“With Sony as an investor and a few local clients under our belt, DefinedCrowd was familiar with the Japanese business culture and how to navigate the landscape. Due to this experience, to be honest, we weren’t entirely sure how much ROI was to be expected from the weeklong mission. Boy, we’re we proven wrong! Washington State Department of Commerce and IFC truly outdid themselves by not only creating exclusive opportunities to get in front of some of the biggest names in tech, manufacturing and advertising in the world, but the depth of their knowledge, expert guidance and level of commitment to see us succeed at any cost in what’s known as one of the most challenging (yet rewarding) business environments in the world were unmatched. As a result, we have half a dozen follow up conversations happening, an invitation to speak at Japan’s top AI event in the fall, and perhaps most importantly, a level of instant trust imparted on us through the painstaking relationships cultivated by Washington State with the Japanese business community over the years. For any company seriously considering investing in Japan, we can’t speak highly enough of the experience.”

  • Daniella Braga, CEO DefinedCrowd