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Introduction: Kyoto’s Innovation Engine Roars at the Expo
At the heart of Japan’s drive toward technological innovation and health-centric solutions, the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce has taken a major step forward by spotlighting its most promising startups at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Within the Kansai Pavilion’s Kyoto Zone, five hand-picked ventures have brought fresh, unconventional, and potentially groundbreaking ideas to center stage. From AI-based pet health diagnostics to drugs that regrow teeth and sustainable solutions blending art and ecology, this showcase presents a bold vision of the future where life sciences, technology, and well-being converge.
The selection not only showcases creativity but also underscores
the Original
The Kyoto Chamber of Commerce has begun exhibiting at the “Kyoto Zone” of the Kansai Pavilion in the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, showcasing five innovative startups it supports. Among them is HACARUS, a Kyoto-based company that uses AI to analyze electrocardiogram (ECG) data from dogs and cats. Unlike conventional methods that require animals to lie down, HACARUS uses a specialized electrode sheet that allows animals to remain standing while data is collected through their paw pads. The procedure takes only one minute and outputs results in four diagnostic levels. The system, which received regulatory approval in 2022, was developed in collaboration with Bussan Animal Health, and is designed to reduce animal stress during testing. Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in dogs after cancer, making early detection crucial.
Other featured startups include:
Toregem Biopharma, a spin-off from Kyoto University developing a drug to regenerate teeth. A tooth bud model is on display, and clinical trials began in 2024 at Kyoto University Hospital. The company targets full commercialization by 2030, especially for patients born without some teeth.
TSK, which has created a growth-boosting solution for agriculture using iron catalyst technology.
Halu, which designed a foldable chair suitable for children with disabilities, prioritizing accessibility and ease of use.
SeedBank, which recycles waste material to recreate microscopic algae in artistic formats, combining ecological consciousness with visual expression.
The showcase runs through July 13, with the Chamber aiming to promote these innovations to attract investment, partnerships, and broader public awareness.
What Undercode Say:
This initiative by the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce signals more than just a promotional exhibit—it’s a glimpse into the future of how innovation ecosystems can thrive through targeted support, public exposure, and deep academic-commercial collaboration.
HACARUS’ approach to veterinary diagnostics reflects a growing trend in human-grade healthcare being adapted for animals. As pet ownership grows globally and owners increasingly treat animals as family, demand for stress-free, non-invasive diagnostics is surging. The company’s unique paw-pad ECG method is not only clinically efficient but also emotionally considerate for both pets and owners. Its AI-based interpretation system, grounded in physician-calibrated datasets, also aligns with modern medical data trends where machine learning augments diagnosis with reproducible precision.
Toregem Biopharma’s tooth-regeneration therapy is nothing short of revolutionary. Tooth agenesis (missing teeth from birth) affects a significant portion of the population worldwide, and until now, solutions have been prosthetic or surgical. Regrowing natural teeth could become one of the biggest biomedical breakthroughs of the next decade, and Toregem’s partnership with Kyoto University adds scientific credibility to their timeline and ambition.
TSK’s iron catalyst growth formula taps into sustainable agriculture, a critical sector amid ongoing climate instability and food security concerns. By enhancing crop growth naturally, this approach could help decrease dependence on synthetic fertilizers and boost yield efficiency in developing regions.
Halu’s design innovation for disabled children is an example of how inclusive design must be more than a checkbox—it should be core to all product development. Accessibility tech often lags due to low commercial appeal, but social startups like Halu are flipping that script by making functionality beautiful and socially responsible.
Finally,
Overall, this showcase exemplifies Kyoto’s strategic advantage: a rich convergence of academia, culture, and entrepreneurship. By investing in these startups now, the Chamber positions Kyoto as not just a cultural treasure but a futuristic innovation hub with global relevance.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ HACARUS received regulatory approval in 2022 and has commercialized its product.
✅ Toregem Biopharma began human clinical trials in 2024 with Kyoto University Hospital.
✅ Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in dogs after cancer.
📊 Prediction:
Given the increasing demand for sustainable, health-forward innovation globally, Kyoto’s startups are likely to attract foreign investment following the Expo. HACARUS could see rapid adoption in veterinary clinics across Asia and Europe. Toregem Biopharma, if successful in phase trials, may become a biotech unicorn by 2030. Meanwhile, SeedBank’s ecological art may spur similar initiatives in education and public awareness globally, blending aesthetics with activism.
The Osaka Expo has become more than an exhibition—it is a launchpad for the region’s most ambitious visions. Expect these startups to move beyond the prototype stage and begin shaping real-world solutions within the next 3–5 years.
References:
Reported By: xtechnikkeicom_538077ec4d02ab21670e625b
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