WE AT and Sustainable Ventures Sign MOU to Drive Cross-Border Open Innovation Between Japan and the UK -Partnership strengthens Japan-UK startup ecosystem collaboration in Well-being and sustainability-
The general incorporated association WE AT, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sustainable Ventures — a London-based organisation supporting startups in the climate-tech and sustainability space — to drive cross-border open innovation between Japan and the UK.
Background
WE AT is a new innovation ecosystem in which academia, government, industry and global investors work together to support startups tackling social issues, with the aim of realising Well-being. Sustainable Ventures is Europe’s leading growth partner for climate-focused startups, operating an integrated model that combines dedicated equity funding, hands-on business development, and corporate supply chain integration to de-risk the path from lab to market. Both organisations share a fundamental belief that startups are critical to solving our most pressing challenges – recognising that climate disruption directly impacts public health and well-being, and that scaling sustainable technologies is essential to creating healthier, resilient communities.
About the Partnership
Through this MOU, WE AT and Sustainable Ventures will work together to strengthen international collaboration between the Japanese and UK startup ecosystems, including:
- Facilitating mutual participation in each organisation’s programmes, and supporting startups as they expand overseas and scale
- Sharing knowledge and networks across the Well-being and sustainability space
- Creating opportunities for startups, universities, corporates and investors from both countries to connect
WE AT Challenge 2026 Final Event
WE AT also hosts the WE AT Challenge, an annual global pitch competition that discovers and supports innovative startups from around the world; 2026 marks its third edition. Over the past two years the competition has grown to draw applicants from 40 countries, with last year’s edition attracting more than 600 applications — an increase of around 200 year-on-year.
For WE AT Challenge 2026, a documentation screening will be followed by online interviews conducted in English, from which finalist teams will be selected for each track. Finalists will be invited to the final event at Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) in Yurakucho on 27 November 2026, where the winning team in each track will be announced following final judging.
Reference : https://we-at.tokyo/en/challenge/
Comments
On this partnership, representatives from both organisations offered the following comments.
Itaru Yoshizawa, Co-Representative Director, WE AT
“Guided by the OECD’s Well-being Framework, WE AT recognizes climate change as one of the most critical societal challenges directly linked to the well-being of both people and society. We have therefore been committed to supporting the growth of startups and the social implementation of research and innovation that contribute to Planetary Well-being.
Through this new partnership with Sustainable Ventures, which has an outstanding track record of supporting climate tech startups across the UK and Europe, we aim to connect the Japanese and UK ecosystems and foster cross-border open innovation to address global challenges together.
We sincerely hope that closer collaboration between Japanese and British companies, both of which are at the forefront of climate innovation, will generate new solutions and breakthroughs that help tackle the pressing challenges of climate change.”
Andrew Wordsworth , Sustainable Ventures
“Climate change is fundamentally a human issue – environmental degradation directly impacts public health, food security, and overall community well-being. By combining our startup growth model with WE AT’s focus on societal health, we can accelerate technologies that build genuine resilience where people live and work.
Achieving this requires deep ecosystem integration. By linking our cross-border networks and connecting high-impact startups with corporate supply chains, we enable companies across Japan and the UK to deploy practical innovative solutions that deliver both commercial value and measurable health and environmental benefits.”
Building on this MOU with Sustainable Ventures, WE AT will draw on both organisations’ networks to deepen ecosystem collaboration, with the aim of strengthening the Japanese and UK startup ecosystems and driving innovation on both sides. In particular, WE AT will build on the ongoing support it already provides to finalists of the WE AT CHALLENGE, the global pitch competition it runs with the aim of becoming one of Asia’s largest Well-being festivals. Drawing on this partnership and on Sustainable Ventures’ network and expertise, WE AT will strengthen its support for finalists expanding into overseas markets, starting with the UK.
About WE AT
Legal entity: General Incorporated Association WE AT
Founding organizations: The University of Tokyo; Kyoto University; Institute of Science Tokyo; UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.; Hakuhodo Inc.; Sumitomo Life Insurance Company; and Canon Marketing Japan Inc.
Member companies: Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.; Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited; Panasonic Holdings Corporation; Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; TBS Holdings, Inc.; ABeam Consulting Ltd.; Tokyu Land Corporation.
Established: May 16, 2024
Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representatives: Co-Presidents: Itaru Yoshizawa and Hiroki Fujimoto
Vice-President: Daisuke Kanama
Business activities:
Identifying and nurturing social entrepreneurs; supporting startup creation and growth; organizing and co-hosting events; developing human resources; and conducting research, surveys, and policy recommendations.
Official website:
About Sustainable Ventures
Overview: Sustainable Ventures is Europe’s leading growth partner for climate-tech startups., Operating from hubs across the UK, Sustainable Ventures provides access to funding, expert services, and a thriving community and has supported 1250+ startups to date, generating 7,000+ green jobs and £1.2b+ in funding.
Website: https://www.sustainableventures.co.uk/
Media Contact
WE AT
Contact: https://we-at.tokyo/en/about/