Introduction:

On October 31, 2023, a cohort from multiple Malaysian startups, under the aegis of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., embarked on an exploratory tour to the research base of Euglena Co., Ltd. situated in Yokohama. This tour epitomizes the burgeoning collaboration between Japanese and Malaysian enterprises, aimed at fostering technological advancements for societal betterment.

About Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.:

Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., founded in Japan in 2002, envisions "Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness." With its headquarters in Japan, the company has expanded globally with subsidiaries in various nations including Malaysia. It is notable for promoting science education, especially among primary education students, and for acting as a bridge for communication between researchers and the public​​.

Euglena Co.'s Purification Plant in Tsurumi:

In the first half of the tour, the attendees were guided through Euglena Co.'s purification plant located in Tsurumi. This plant is part of Euglena Co.'s endeavor to pioneer biofuel production in Japan. Established on October 31, 2018, the plant serves as a demonstrative unit for bio-jet and diesel fuel production, contributing towards Japan's goals of becoming a leading biofuel producer and addressing climate change​.

Engagement with Euglena Co.'s Founding Member:

The attendees had the privilege of engaging with Dr. Kengo Suzuki, a founding member of Euglena Co. This interaction included an introduction to Euglena Co. and a tour of the research base in Tsurumi, offering an insight into the company’s commitment towards utilizing Euglena for addressing societal challenges not only in Japan but extending through Malaysia, ASEAN, globally, and even into space.

Discussion on Collaborative Prospects:

A reciprocal pitch session was organized where the Malaysian members had the opportunity to present their pitches. This session stirred up vibrant discussions on potential collaborations between Malaysia and Japan, traversing through business-level engagements to a global purview, contemplating on future actions to tackle world issues through collaborative endeavors.

Interaction with nanoSkunkWork:

The attendees listened to a presentation from nanoSkunkWork, a company with notable contributions in space-related research.
Euglena Co., with its research on cultivating microalgae in space, found common ground with nanoSkunkWork, especially given the space experiment background of nanoSkunkWork's CTO, Amani Salim.
Amani Salim, with her rich experience as an engineer, researcher, and project manager specializing in various fields including nanotechnology and having worked with prestigious organizations like NASA, brought a wealth of knowledge that sparked excitement among the attendees.

Engagement with Crave Asia Sdn Bhd:

Crave Asia Sdn Bhd, known for introducing the first immersive dining experience with interactive tables in Malaysia, stirred discussions on how algae industry's appeal could be conveyed to Malaysians using 4D IMMERSIVE DINING technology.
The concept of blending immersive dining experiences with the promotion of algae industry showcased a novel approach to engaging the public while promoting sustainable algae-based solutions.

Discussion with Nomatech Sdn Bhd:

Nomatech Sdn Bhd presented the potential of LowGI rice finding a market in Japan, considering the increasing health consciousness, aging population, and the history of embracing healthier eating trends in Japan.
Discussions veered towards exploring the possibility of combining Japanese rice processing and fermentation technologies. This amalgamation was seen as a potential avenue to not only enhance the marketability of products in Malaysia and Japan but also to extend their reach globally.

Conclusion:

The discussions held during the tour underscored the vast potential for collaborative ventures between Malaysia and Japan. By leveraging the unique strengths, innovations, and technologies from different entities, the discussions provided a platform to envisage actions that could significantly contribute towards addressing global challenges.