Announcing the Partners and Esteemed Judges for TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026
Leave a Nest is proud to announce the partners and distinguished panel of judges for TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026, the regional finale of the TECH PLANTER programme that brings together the most promising deep tech startups and research teams from across Asia.
Taking place on 27 August 2026 at MRANTI Innovation Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the event will feature 14 outstanding teams representing Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Each team has earned the title of Grand Winner or received a Leave a Nest Award at their respective national TECH PLANTER programmes.
The success of TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026 is made possible through the invaluable support of our partners, whose commitment continues to strengthen the regional deep tech ecosystem and foster cross border collaboration among researchers, startups, corporates, investors, and government agencies.
Local Partners
- Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC)
- Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI)
- ScaleX
Global Partners
- JT Inc.
- KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.
- Taisei Corporation
- TERAL Inc.
- UntroD Inc.
The programme will culminate in the selection of the TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026 Grand Winner. Finalists will be evaluated on the novelty of their technology, societal impact, business potential, scalability, and the strength of their teams. Guiding this process is an esteemed panel of judges comprising leaders from industry, government, academia, and venture capital, whose expertise will help identify the next generation of deep tech innovators poised to make a meaningful impact across the region.
Meet the Judges:
Dr. Yuko Ueno, General Manager, Group Creation Department, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. (Head of Judge)
Dr. Yuko Ueno received her Ph.D in Ocean microbiology and joined Leave a Nest in 2013. She has experience in creating new projects by encouraging collaboration between academia and industry as a Science Bridge Communicator. With the experience of tech-startup accelerator, she is bridging Japanese tech startups to global tech-startup platforms to interconnect the technology and social issues. Dr. Yuko also holds the position of Director at Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Ms. Antionette Goh, Head of Research and Product Development, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation
She is the Head of Research and Product Development at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, where she leads research strategy, technology translation, talent development and product innovation. Her career has moved from engineering and postgraduate research in digital security for biomedical imaging into cognitive neuroscience, research management and innovation, shaping a cross-disciplinary and adaptable approach to complex challenges. With over a decade of experience across Malaysia and Australia, she is recognised for building partnerships across academia, industry and government, mobilising purpose-fit R&D funding, and creating pathways that help researchers move ideas beyond proof of concept towards meaningful market and societal impact.
Mr. Ibnu Mohamed, Liaison Manager, Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI)
Mohamad Ibnu Mohamed is a Liaison Manager at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), where he leads strategic government engagement and regulatory navigation for the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS). A seasoned ecosystem builder with years of experience driving startup growth, including prior engagement roles at Malaysian National Innovation Agency (AIM), Ibnu sits at the intersection of deep-tech innovation, public policy, and commercialisation. He specialises in bridging the gap between high-growth tech innovators, regulatory authorities, and government decision-makers, helping startups clear complex regulatory hurdles alongside key regulatory bodies in Malaysia. On stage and in practice, Ibnu is dedicated to demystifying regulatory pathways, accelerating market adoption, and scaling Malaysia’s next generation of compliant, market-ready technology solutions.
Mr. Ryan Edwards, Programme Co-Lead, ScaleX
Ryan Edwards is a global agrifoodtech leader, CEO, and Co-founder of Naked Innovations. With over 20 years of international experience—including serving as European and then APAC Innovation & Marketing Leader at Cargill—he brings extensive corporate depth and hands-on entrepreneurial expertise, having founded three agrifood impact startups. A pioneer in systemic food transformation, Ryan has built programs supporting over 550 agrifood startups and established 12 living labs across Europe and Asia. He specializes in designing collaborative ecosystems, business model innovation, and cross-border growth strategies. Ryan’s core purpose is to accelerate the transition toward a regenerative food system by empowering diverse, talented people to co-create solutions across Japan, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Europe.
Ms. Shiori Yamashita, Manager of D-LAB, JT Inc.
She is part of D-LAB, JT’s corporate R&D organization. She leads the planning and operation of D-0., a Japan–Singapore incubation program that supports researchers and entrepreneurs in turning their questions and ideas into prototypes, pilot projects, and new ventures. Her work focuses on identifying emerging science and technology that could contribute to future well-being, while creating collaboration opportunities between Asian startups, researchers, and Japanese companies. She values novelty, feasibility, and potential impact, with particular interest in how promising ideas can take root in society over the next five years.
Mr. Shojiro Kobashi, President & CEO, KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.
He is the fourth-generation successor of a family-run agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1910. He officially took over the business in 2016. KOBASHI has long contributed to the mechanization of Japanese agriculture as an agricultural machinery manufacturer. In 2017, in line with a group restructuring, he established KOBASHI HOLDINGS Co., Ltd., assuming the role of President and CEO. Under the corporate philosophy of “Cultivating the Earth (make the world better)“, he has worked to address global challenges by leveraging the company’s century-long heritage of experience, knowledge, and technology. In 2020, he founded KOBASHI ROBOTICS Co., Ltd., and launched the “Manufacturing Booster” program to comprehensively support startups engaged in product development and manufacturing. Through this initiative, he has actively built partnerships with deep-tech startups in Southeast Asia. He sees it as his mission to accelerate the real-world deployment of technologies that tackle the most pressing global issues through the power of manufacturing. He holds an MBA from Waseda University Graduate School of Business Administration.
Dr. Claudia Fujita, Senior Research Engineer, Taisei Corporation
Dr. Fujita was born in Germany and studied Water Management with a specialization in groundwater management. A study-abroad experience in Japan inspired her to pursue a career there and challenge herself in a new environment. Since joining Taisei Corporation, she has worked on a wide range of environmental, energy, and underground construction technologies, gaining experience in both research and construction. Passionate about connecting Japan’s technological strengths with global innovation, she is now based at Taisei’s Innovation Hub in Singapore, building bridges between Japan and Southeast Asia through technology, innovation, and collaboration.
Mr. Naoki Saka, New Business Exploration Section, TERAL Inc.
Mr. Naoki Saka is part of the New Business Exploration Section at TERAL Inc. He joined TERAL in 2022, where he joined the R&D Department and focused primarily on filtration technology and equipment. In 2026, he moved to the New Business Exploration Section. He wishes to understand on-site needs and market trends, and to explore opportunities for new business collaborations in Malaysia.
Mr. Akihiko Nagata, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, UntroD Inc.
He served as Director of Euglena Co., Ltd., since its early pre-IPO stage and led the company’s business strategy, finance, and the biofuel business. In 2021, he was appointed CEO and continued in that role until stepping down in 2024. In 2015, he founded Real Tech Fund to drive deep tech investment to tackle societal and environmental challenges. In 2024, appointed as CEO of UntroD Capital Japan, which manages the fund. In addition, he is passionate about creating social impact within the framework of capitalism. He founded Ame Kaze Taiyo, the first social impact IPO in Japan rooted in an NPO, and also serves as an advisor to HERALBONY.
Dr. Kengo Suzuki, Co-Founder and Executive Fellow, Euglena Co., Ltd.
Dr. Kengo Suzuki is the Co-Founder and Executive Fellow of Euglena Co., Ltd., a Japanese biotechnology company that focuses on microalgae-based products. Dr. Suzuki holds a Ph.D. in Medical Science from Kitasato University and a PhD in Agriculture from the University of Tokyo. His expertise lies in the fields of phycology, food science, molecular biology, and immunology. Dr. Kengo has over 20 years of experience in research and development, including his current position as a specially appointed professor at Tohoku University and visiting professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. As his main affiliation, Euglena is involved in various businesses like healthcare and energy & environment among others. Additionally, he has experience in the mass cultivation of euglena and the establishment of microalgae production technology laboratories.
About TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026
TECH PLANTER Asia Final is the flagship event of the TECH PLANTER programme, bringing together the most promising deep tech startups and research teams from across Asia. This year’s event features 14 outstanding teams from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, each selected as either the Grand Winner or a Leave a Nest Award recipient from their respective national TECH PLANTER programmes.
The event showcases breakthrough technologies across a wide range of fields, including biotechnology, agritech, advanced materials, clean energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital transformation, and sustainable manufacturing. Through mentorship, expert evaluation, and access to an international innovation network, TECH PLANTER Asia Final supports teams in accelerating technology commercialization and expanding into regional and global markets.
Beyond the pitch competition, TECH PLANTER Asia Final serves as a platform for startups and researchers to connect with corporates, investors, government agencies, manufacturers, and academic institutions. By fostering cross border collaboration and knowledge exchange, the programme aims to accelerate the development and deployment of science and technology solutions that address global challenges.
Event Highlights
Distinguished Judging Panel
Leaders from industry, academia, government, and venture capital will evaluate the finalists, provide valuable feedback, and select the TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026 Grand Winner.
Deep Tech Startup & Research Pitches
Fourteen finalist teams will present their technologies and business solutions, demonstrating their potential to create meaningful societal and industrial impact.
Regional Networking Opportunities
The event provides opportunities for startups, researchers, corporates, investors, and ecosystem partners to build collaborations, explore partnerships, and expand across Asia.
Event Details
Date: 27 August 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Hive 5, MRANTI Innovation Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For more information about TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026, please visit:
https://techplanter.lne.st/asia_final/asia_final2026/