2025
A good taste of sustainability
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A good taste of sustainability 〰️
What is Next Kitchen 2025?
Started in 2023, Next Kitchen 2025 is a tailored mentoring and business matching program for Foodtech startups worldwide looking to expand in Japan, starting in Kobe – the City of Gastronomy.
Jointly organized by JETRO(Japan External Trade Organization), Hyogo Prefectural Government, and Kobe City Government, this program is part of wider Japanese Government initiatives. Partnering with Innovation Dojo Japan, it connects foodtech startups with top Japanese corporations to foster sustainable food solutions.
Whether it's transforming eating habits, promoting healthier diets, or improving systems and logistics, we believe we can shape the future of food together.
The program takes place in February 2025. We closed applications for 2025. Stay tuned for the next one!
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What’s on the menu?
Insight sharing
By experts on Japanese market entry
Facility tour
Visit Japanese food factories
1-to-1 matching
With food businesses in Japan
Demo day
Pitch to meet key stakeholders
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Timeline
What we are looking for
Your business aligns with our objectives and addresses food industry issues.
1.
Social impact
You have a passion and determination to develop business in Japan.
2.
Launch in Japan
Your business fits the needs of local authorities and other stakeholders effectively.
3.
Market fit
Your business already has traction and can maintain its service standards while upscaling.
4.
Scalability
Your management team has a clear vision, strengths and fascination for leveraging food tech to solve social challenges.
5.
Team
Our alumni
As a food tech company, the NEXT KITCHEN 2023 program was everything we needed to explore the Japanese food culture and industry, uncover market opportunities, and establish strong partnerships for a successful market entry.
— Deniz Ficicioglu, Co-Founder of BettaF!sh
It was a worthwhile experience. The companies for 1:1 meetings were well chosen. We are already discussing collaboration with Japanese companies to diversify our product portfolio & enter the East Asian market successfully.
— Dr. MBA Neena Gupta-Biener,
Co-Founder of VIFFFF
A truthful deep dive into Japanese food culture. I couldn't have imagined a better programme.
— Bruno Scocozza, Co-Founder of Esencia Foods
Program partners
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Organized by
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Why is this happening in Kobe?
Kobe is known worldwide for its famous beef, but this culinary city offers much more. It has rich farming and fisheries, and it's also the world's top exporter of sake. No wonder food lovers call it "The Kitchen of Japan."
However, as we rethink our consumption today, a question comes up: How can we make our local food more sustainable?
With your creativity, we believe we can build a strong ecosystem that promotes sustainability while enjoying the best food.
The Kobe Ecosystem
Designated by the government of Japan as a
Top startup city
Population
5.4 million
Number of foreign affiliates