Bringing waste-to-energy solutions to the UK and European markets with support from JETRO
BIOTECHWORKS-H2 Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, led by CEO and Founder Akihide Nishikawa, hereinafter “BTW-H2”) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of 12 companies participating in the J-StarX UK Impact Accelerator Programme, organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
The programme is part of J-StarX, an entrepreneurship development initiative operated by JETRO with support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). It supports impact-driven startups seeking to expand into Europe. Delivered in partnership with Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV), a UK venture capital firm that has pioneered investment in technology companies addressing social challenges, the programme helps participants develop market entry strategies for the UK and Europe and build local networks that can lead to fundraising and business development opportunities. BTW-H2 was selected under the “Sustainable Planet” impact theme.
JETRO — J-StarX UK Impact Accelerator Programme
https://www.jetro.go.jp/services/j-starx/A112.html
Bethnal Green Ventures — Participating Companies Announcement, 19 October 2026
https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/blog/meet-the-j-starx-impact-uk-accelerator-cohort
■Programme Overview
The programme kicked off in Tokyo in October 2026. During the approximately five-week domestic programme (Phase 1), participants receive mentoring from BGV to refine their strategies for entering the UK and European markets.
Selected companies from Phase 1 will advance to an approximately three-month online programme and a one-week bootcamp in London in March 2027 (Phase 2). BTW-H2 is represented by Miki Nitani, Co-Founder and CMO/COO.
■Our Goals in the UK and Europe
Through the programme, BTW-H2 will build networks with investors and businesses in the energy and waste sectors across the UK and Europe, establishing a foothold for market entry. We believe our system, which provides traceability from feedstock through to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, will offer a competitive advantage in European markets, where emissions transparency is a priority.
■Comment from Akihide Nishikawa, CEO and Founder of BIOTECHWORKS-H2
“When I worked in the apparel industry, Europe and North America were my primary markets. The EU has long been at the forefront of environmental initiatives, with stringent regulations of its own. In 2017, we became a supplier of environmentally responsible materials to the European apparel industry, and that experience laid the foundations for BTW-H2.
“We are delighted to have been selected for this programme by BGV, a pioneer of impact investing in the UK. We look forward to bringing our system for converting non-recyclable waste into energy and tracing the resulting emissions reductions to the UK and Europe.”
For further details, please visit:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000043.000138627.html