INTEL UPDATE · BUSINESS & TECH
Hokkaido startup program selects overseas food and ag companies for Japan co-development
The program has already produced an on-farm trial in Hokkaido through its 2025 round, showing how overseas food and ag technologies can connect with Japanese partners.
Hokkaido F Village X (HFX) is a startup acceleration program that connects overseas startups with Japanese companies and local governments to develop and test new technologies. It is organized by Scrum Ventures LLC and Scrum Studio Inc., with support from Fighters Sports & Entertainment, the company behind the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
On August 26, 2026, HFX selected eight overseas startups for its second-year program from 245 applications across 36 countries. Three of the selected companies have direct or adjacent applications in food and agriculture, one of HFX’s five focus areas. Its partner network includes NH Foods, Hokkaido Bank, Yamato Holdings, municipalities and organizations including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
Selected technologies
IXON Food Technology, based in Hong Kong, is developing low-temperature aseptic processing and packaging intended to keep perishable food fresh for longer without preservatives or conventional refrigeration. The company has demonstrated the process on fruit corn, a very sweet fresh-eating corn variety, with the aim of making room-temperature distribution possible and eliminating the need for cold-chain logistics.
Kyomei, based in the United Kingdom, uses molecular farming to produce proteins from plant leaves for use as food ingredients.
ThermoShade, based in the United States, makes passive cooling panels that require no electricity. HFX places the company in its wellbeing category, but the technology is also designed for livestock environments including barns and dairy facilities.
Business relevance
For overseas food-tech and ag-tech companies, HFX offers structured access to potential customers, testing partners and local institutions. This structured pathway can shorten the process of identifying Japanese collaborators and establishing a locally relevant pilot.
Hokkaido F Village X has already produced an agricultural trial. Mori, the trading name of Cambridge Crops, Inc., is a U.S. food-tech company selected in 2025. Mori worked with Hokkaido University, Kitahiroshima City and a participating Hokkaido grower to test an edible coating on locally grown arugula, shungiku and komatsuna. The partners are considering further testing on higher-value crops including strawberries and peaches.
What happens next
The key signal will be whether IXON, Kyomei or ThermoShade moves into a Hokkaido pilot or announces a partnership with a Japanese company. The program runs through February 2027, giving the startups and local partners several months to define and test potential projects.
Program timeline
2025
First HFX selection announced; Mori later enters a Hokkaido produce-freshness trial.
August 26, 2026
HFX announces eight startups for its second-year selection.
Through February 2027
Selected startups develop and test potential projects with Japanese partners.
Sources
Scrum Ventures, Hokkaido F Village X second-year selection announcement · August 26, 2026.
Hokkaido F Village X · program, organizers and partner information.
HFX achievements · Mori on-farm produce-freshness trial.
IXON Food Technology, ambient fruit-corn announcement · July 2026.
ThermoShade, Ag & Farms · livestock and agricultural applications.