Yukai Engineering Selected to Participate in J-Startup 2019
Highly competitive program recognizes the company as one of Japan’s most promising startups
TOKYO (June 25, 2019) – YUKAI Engineering Inc., a Tokyo-based robotics startup known for creating robots that bring joy to life, has announced it has been selected to participate in J-Startup 2019, a startup acceleration program organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. J-Startup provides innovative companies with the resources they need for global business expansion. This year’s program features 49 startups that were selected out of 10,000 applicants through a rigorous review process that involves leading venture capitalists and innovation managers at major corporations serving as judges.
“We are thrilled to be selected as a J-Startup member. The program will enable us to access critical resources for bringing our innovative technology and products to the global market. J-Startup’s support is particularly important for us this year, as we prepare to release ‘BOCCO emo,’ an emotionally responsive robot, to the market later this year” Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki said.
BOCCO emo is the new-generation model of BOCCO, Yukai’s flagship family communication robot. BOCCO is widely used across Japan as an interface for child- and senior-monitoring programs. The company is currently in discussion with multiple prospective business partners that are interested in integrating BOCCO and BOCCO emo into their service platforms. In addition, Yukai continues to expand its global reach with the release of Qoobo, a tail-wagging robotic pillow, in multiple countries, including the U.S. and South Korea.
About J-Startup
Founded in June 2018, J-Startup brings together the public, private and academic sectors to assist innovative startups. Each year, the program selects participants based on their ability to promote open innovation and to expand their businesses globally. Regional economic development is also another important factor in the selection of the program’s participants. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) serve together as the administrator of the program.
For more information about J-Startup, please visit: https://www.j-startup.go.jp/en/
The press release about J-Startup 2019 is available at:
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2019/0624_001.html
About YUKAI
YUKAI Engineering is a robotics startup that develops and sells products that make the world more “yukai” (fun) place to live. YUKAI’s award-winning products include Necomimi, a headband with fake cat ears that move in sync with the user’s brain waves (selected for Time magazine’s “The World’s 50 Best Innovations 2011” list), and BOCCO, a communication robot that keeps family members in touch with each other.