CIC Launches 'CIC Catalyst' with Japan as a Key Hub
Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) has officially launched 'CIC Catalyst,' a cross-hub unit specializing in building innovation ecosystems, establishing 'CIC Catalyst APAC' in Japan as its core hub for Asia.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
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Cambridge Innovation Center (Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; CEO: Denise Medlenka), hereafter CIC, under Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President, CIC Catalyst, fully launches "CIC Catalyst," a cross-hub professional unit specializing in building innovation ecosystems for cities and industries.
From left: Shino Tsuchiya, Global Partner, CIC Catalyst APAC / Yuki Peters, Chief of Staff, CIC Catalyst / Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President, CIC Catalyst / Midori Mizote, Assistant Director, CIC Catalyst APAC / Ayano Kagami, Director, CIC Catalyst APAC
◤ Background of Establishment: Consolidating the achievements and expertise of each hub, from Japan to the world
With this launch, we will integrate our specialized teams that have been operating independently in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Japan, which provided startup support, advisory for innovation hub design, and ecosystem building support. Through this reorganization, CIC's knowledge and network accumulated around the world will be consolidated into a single platform, creating a more robust structure as a "Catalyst" to accelerate innovation.
In Japan, as "CIC Institute," we have supported the growth of over 400 domestic and international deep-tech startups and have built a solid track record in creating multiple communities specialized in specific industrial fields. Taking this reorganization as an opportunity, we will relaunch as the new "CIC Catalyst APAC" by merging our extensive track record, experience, and network with the advanced strategic advisory functions that the West prides itself on.
Positioning Japan as the most important hub in the Asian region, we will directly connect Japan's strong innovation ecosystem to the world and powerfully execute strategies for science and technology to create an impact on a global scale.
◤ Expansion of the Structure
Along with this, Shino Tsuchiya will be appointed as Global Partner, CIC Catalyst APAC, and Yuki Peters as Chief of Staff, CIC Catalyst at the Japan hub. Moving forward, as the only hub for "CIC Catalyst" in Asia, we will accelerate the enhancement of our structure and deploy global support for operating companies, government municipalities, universities, startups, and investors who have issues such as "concerns about complexities and risks in global expansion," "unclear areas to initiate and priorities," and "needs regarding information gathering and building activity foundations."
◤ Service Areas of "CIC Catalyst"
"CIC Catalyst" collaborates with diverse stakeholders creating the future, including not only startups but also operating companies, government municipalities, universities/research institutions, and investors, to provide the following activities:
■ Strategy & Ecosystem Design
- Formulation of innovation strategies and consulting on ecosystem building targeting governments/municipalities and operating companies involved in urban development (formation of innovation hub agglomerations/clusters)
■ Startup Acceleration & Commercialization
- Business growth support (acceleration) and commercialization/social implementation support targeting startups
■ Programs & Platforms
- Design of customized programs for municipalities and operating companies aiming to collaborate with startups and researchers (acceleration, open innovation, award programs, etc.)
- Formation of community clusters specialized in specific industries
■ Market Access & Startup Connection
- Sourcing (discovery) and matching support for startups in specific regions and markets targeting municipalities and operating companies aiming to collaborate with overseas startups and researchers
◤ Comment from Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President, CIC Catalyst
From left: Shino Tsuchiya, Global Partner, CIC Catalyst APAC / Yuki Peters, Chief of Staff, CIC Catalyst / Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President, CIC Catalyst / Midori Mizote, Assistant Director, CIC Catalyst APAC / Ayano Kagami, Director, CIC Catalyst APAC
◤ Background of Establishment: Consolidating the achievements and expertise of each hub, from Japan to the world
With this launch, we will integrate our specialized teams that have been operating independently in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Japan, which provided startup support, advisory for innovation hub design, and ecosystem building support. Through this reorganization, CIC's knowledge and network accumulated around the world will be consolidated into a single platform, creating a more robust structure as a "Catalyst" to accelerate innovation.
In Japan, as "CIC Institute," we have supported the growth of over 400 domestic and international deep-tech startups and have built a solid track record in creating multiple communities specialized in specific industrial fields. Taking this reorganization as an opportunity, we will relaunch as the new "CIC Catalyst APAC" by merging our extensive track record, experience, and network with the advanced strategic advisory functions that the West prides itself on.
Positioning Japan as the most important hub in the Asian region, we will directly connect Japan's strong innovation ecosystem to the world and powerfully execute strategies for science and technology to create an impact on a global scale.
◤ Expansion of the Structure
Along with this, Shino Tsuchiya will be appointed as Global Partner, CIC Catalyst APAC, and Yuki Peters as Chief of Staff, CIC Catalyst at the Japan hub. Moving forward, as the only hub for "CIC Catalyst" in Asia, we will accelerate the enhancement of our structure and deploy global support for operating companies, government municipalities, universities, startups, and investors who have issues such as "concerns about complexities and risks in global expansion," "unclear areas to initiate and priorities," and "needs regarding information gathering and building activity foundations."
◤ Service Areas of "CIC Catalyst"
"CIC Catalyst" collaborates with diverse stakeholders creating the future, including not only startups but also operating companies, government municipalities, universities/research institutions, and investors, to provide the following activities:
■ Strategy & Ecosystem Design
- Formulation of innovation strategies and consulting on ecosystem building targeting governments/municipalities and operating companies involved in urban development (formation of innovation hub agglomerations/clusters)
■ Startup Acceleration & Commercialization
- Business growth support (acceleration) and commercialization/social implementation support targeting startups
■ Programs & Platforms
- Design of customized programs for municipalities and operating companies aiming to collaborate with startups and researchers (acceleration, open innovation, award programs, etc.)
- Formation of community clusters specialized in specific industries
■ Market Access & Startup Connection
- Sourcing (discovery) and matching support for startups in specific regions and markets targeting municipalities and operating companies aiming to collaborate with overseas startups and researchers
◤ Comment from Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer and President, CIC Catalyst