Selection and Decision of 20 Supported Companies for the 14th Term of 'FASTAR', an Acceleration Business Supporting Startup Growth

The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ) (Director General: Masashi Miyagawa, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has selected and determined the supported companies for the 14th term of 'FASTAR,' an acceleration program designed to support startup growth. In this term, selection of regional startups was strengthened from the perspective of creating and nurturing startups that underpin regional socio-economies; 16 out of the 20 selected companies (80%) are located outside of Tokyo.

FASTAR was created as a startup support business that leverages the resources of SMRJ. For the selected companies, SMRJ experts will provide approximately one year of hands-on support, assisting with fundraising and business expansion. A pitch event called 'Demo Day,' where companies will present their growth strategies and business plans after the support period, is scheduled to be held around February 2027.

Overview of Selection Results Application Period: Monday, October 20, 2025 – 12:00 PM on Thursday, December 4, 2025 Number of Selectees: 20 companies

Selected Companies

[AI/DX/IT Services] - EfficiNet X Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo): https://efficinetx.co.jp/ - EfficiNet X enables AI and robots to engage in team play, realizing total optimization across various industries. - NousLagus Inc. (Nagoya, Aichi): https://nouslagus.com/ - DX/AI consulting business and development of efficiency tools such as 'Kikumemo,' a data management tool specialized for DX. - verbal and dialogue Inc. (Himeji, Hyogo): https://lp.cheez.ai/ - Realizing next-generation site management that is completed solely by taking photos with the construction photo AI app 'Cheez.' - Dioptra Inc. (Nomi, Ishikawa): https://www.dioptra.jp - A startup that centrally manages sewer inspection planning, investigation, and reporting digitally, changing onsite infrastructure maintenance and management with AI-based anomaly detection and aging prediction.

[Education, Human Resources] - stera star Inc. (Kurume, Fukuoka): https://sterastar.com/ - Primarily focuses on EC sales and shipping agency services for Amazon and Rakuten, while also developing consulting for EC introduction and opening employment support facilities. - Innomatope Inc. (Niigata, Niigata): https://innomatope.jp/ - Development and provision of Japanese language education programs for children with foreign roots, and planning and operation of regional experience events. - KidsDom (Hiroshima, Hiroshima): https://kidsdom-hiroshima.jimdofree.com/ - An education startup developing a vocational experience business in collaboration with regional companies, aiming to eliminate the experience gap for children. - NURSY Inc. (Osaka, Osaka): https://nursy-inc.jp/ - Develops human resource support businesses for nurses, specialized in the medical and welfare industries.

[Life Science/Biotechnology] - Aniwell LLC (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo): https://www.aniwell.net/ - Functional entertainment developed by an Italian psychiatrist. Deploys mental health care through 'Anime Therapy®' and character counseling. - Machinaka ME Center Inc. (Tomigusuku, Okinawa): https://machinakamec.com/ - Developed a vital sign measurement device, a veterinary medical device necessary for detecting the prodromal phase (early signs of illness) in dogs, cats, cows, and pigs. - ORARE Inc. (Fukuoka, Fukuoka): https://orarekk.com/ - A cosmetics manufacturer specializing in 100% natural ingredients, conducting everything from development to manufacturing in-house. Also develops OEM and regional resource utilization businesses. - PurinoScience Inc. [In start-up preparation] (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo): No website. Develops drug discovery research based on energy metabolism, originating from the Okamoto Lab (physician/PhD) at the University of Tokyo. - NERON Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo): https://neron.jp - A bio-startup that creates well-being based on research into intestinal bacteria and the brain-gut axis. - sa-mo Inc. (Ono, Fukui): No website. Inherits aquaculture farms without successors and improves added value by utilizing university research technology. Develops and provides building blocks for sustainable next-generation aquaculture models.

[CleanTech/MaterialTech] - Fusion Harmony Inc. (Kusatsu, Shiga): No website. Embarked on the practical application of ultra-compact nuclear fusion reactors utilizing electron storage ring (ESR) technology. - Minato Rocket Inc. (Yokohama, Kanagawa): https://minatorocket.com/ - Realizes safe, high-frequency space access with hybrid rockets that hold domestic records. - OYASAI Inc. (Fukuoka, Fukuoka): https://oyasai-japan.jp/ - An AgriTech startup implementing the world's smallest plant factories in cities using a new decentralized revenue model utilizing AI. - Junichi Kato [Pre-startup] (Chiba, Chiba): No website. A deep-tech startup decarbonizing industrial separation processes by utilizing factory waste heat to recover strategic resources such as iodine from dilute waste liquids. - E-OPTO [Pre-startup] (Nagasaki, Nagasaki): No website. An advanced photonics startup aiming for sustainable technological development by developing ultra-high-speed organic optical modulators for the low power consumption of next-generation AI data centers. - Theolyse Inc. (Fukuoka, Fukuoka): https://www.theolyse.com/ - Enables functional design on a giant molecule scale through proprietary high-speed quantum chemical calculations and AI, developing innovative drug discovery and next-generation materials.

<FASTAR Overview> This is a growth acceleration program aimed at startups aiming for IPOs, M&As, etc., where assigned experts provide hands-on support to brush up business plans for fundraising and business partnerships. https://fastar.smrj.go.jp