Kobashi Seminar Strengthens Collaboration Between Startups and Manufacturers
Cyberjaya, November 12, 2025 – The second Kobashi Seminar was successfully held at the Center of Garage, Leave a Nest Malaysia Office, Cyberjaya, gathering over 20 participants from startups, universities, government agencies, and industry partners.
The seminar aimed to introduce participants to the philosophy of Monozukuri and the importance of design documentation in product development while exploring opportunities for collaboration between Kobashi Holdings and Malaysian startups.
The event began with opening remarks by Ms. Haruka Sakurai, who highlighted the purpose of the seminar and the ongoing partnership between Leave a Nest Malaysia and Kobashi Holdings. This was followed by welcoming remarks from Mr. Shojiro Kobashi, President and CEO of Kobashi Holdings, who shared insights on how the company has thrived for over a century through its commitment to innovation, adaptability, and craftsmanship.
Inspired remarks by Mr. Shojiro Kobashi, the President and CEO of Kobashi Holdings
In Session 1, Mr. Abdul Hakim introduced the framework of manufacturing Monozukuri, emphasizing Kobashi Holdings’ role in supporting Japanese startups to scale their innovations for industrial applications. Session 2 continued with a deep dive into the reality of design documentation and collaboration with manufacturers, underscoring the value of documentation as a strategic company asset and the importance of identifying the right manufacturing partners.
Mr. Abdul Hakim highlights how Leave a Nest Malaysia established the Center of Garage to bridge startups with manufacturers and drive innovation.
The final session featured Honorary Captain Tan James Anthony PSSTUDM, Co-founder, Director & CEO of TEASK, who shared insights from his visit to Kobashi Holdings in Okayama, Japan earlier this year. He reflected on how adopting the Monozukuri mindset, valuing precision, adaptability, and continuous improvement, has influenced TEASK’s innovation journey.
Honorary Captain Tan James shared inspiring insights on the Monozukuri approach – the art of manufacturing.
Participants responded positively to the seminar, particularly appreciating the practical case studies and real-world examples shared. Many found the concept of Monozukuri applicable beyond manufacturing, extending to product design, quality assurance, and innovation management.
Overall, the seminar strengthened the connection between Kobashi Holdings, Leave a Nest, and the Malaysian startup ecosystem, paving the way for future collaborations to support startups in manufacturing and scaling their innovations.
Participants engaged in networking and direct discussions with Mr. Shojiro Kobashi after the program, exploring potential collaboration opportunities.
Participants of the Kobashi Seminar 2025 came together at the Center of Garage, Cyberjaya — connecting startups, innovators, and industry partners through the spirit of Monozukuri.