University of Tsukuba Night 2025: Promoting Healthcare Innovation in Boston
The University of Tsukuba hosted its Night 2025 event on September 4 at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) in Boston. This event, organized in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston, marked the third occurrence of such an event at the CIC since the first hosted by a Japanese university in 2019.
Event Overview
Situated in a region recognized as a global innovation hub, the event aimed to showcase initiatives from the University of Tsukuba and its partner institutions that focus on fostering ventures launched by universities, increasing the institution’s visibility, and promoting new collaborations. Nine startups, including those from the University of Tsukuba and three from its Campus-in-Campus partner universities, presented healthcare-focused projects to local investors.
Keynote Speakers
Opening remarks were delivered by President Kyosuke Nagata of the University of Tsukuba, Consul General Seiichiro Takahashi, and Maria Zuber, who serves as MIT’s Presidential Advisor for Science and Technology Policy. The event’s theme, “Healthcare Innovation through Global Startup Ecosystem,” was articulated by Takeshi Machino, Director of the Tsukuba Clinical Research & Development Organization (T-CReDO).
Startup Presentations
During the pitch session, each startup provided concise presentations of their technological innovations and visions, fostering active engagement from the audience. Discussions continued beyond the scheduled timeframe, with Q&A sessions facilitating meaningful exchanges among participants.
Awards and Recognition
At the end of the event, startups delivering notably strong pitches were recognized with the Best Pitch Award and the Audience Choice Award, receiving commendation from attendees. Approximately 450 participants attended the event, resulting in multiple requests for follow-up meetings with investors and industry professionals, reflecting the University of Tsukuba’s commitment to developing a global startup ecosystem.
Conclusion
An award ceremony concluded the evening, acknowledging representatives from the winning startups. The event underscored significant opportunities for collaboration and engagement within the healthcare innovation sector.
Source: University of Tsukuba News
