Stanford features Japan’s most innovative startups

Photo credit: @JSocietySF.

The sixth annual Innovation in Japan – US Business and Technology Awards took place at Stanford University last Friday. The awards are organized by the Japan Society of Northern California, along with the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center.

“Most people misunderstand the US-Japan relationship,” says Dr. Richard Dasher, director of the center at Stanford. “It has been more about innovation for the last 20, 30 years than it has been about trade.”

Japanese and American companies frequently partner to bring products to world markets, something which many startups are not aware of. “We wanted to make sure that this aspect of Japan-US relations was brought into focus,” adds Richard.

Check out this year’s winners, starting with the “emerging leaders” section:

Mercari

Co-founder and US CEO of Mercari Ryo Ishizuka was there to accept the award.

Mercari is Japan’s dominant community-driven marketplace app and the country’s first tech unicorn since 2008. Users can snap a picture on their smartphone to list an item for sale and then Mercari takes care of the transaction and shipping.

Expectations for the company have been high and it is now trying to make a name for itself in the US.

Dropbox

Dropbox needs no introduction.

“One of the features we are looking for the emerging companies award is that they are poised for developing US-Japan business,” clarifies Richard on the committee’s choice of Dropbox. The company has been focusing on the market since opening a Tokyo office at the end of 2014.

Japan is fifth in terms of overall sales for Dropbox and first in sales for non-English speaking countries.

In addition to the emerging leader award, a committee of 40 people also search for Japanese startups on the verge of major innovation. Here are the five selected this year.

Axelspace

Axelspace creates micro-satellites for imaging and data services.

Floadia

Preferred Networks

Spiber

Xenoma