In April 2026, a new cohort of ambitious business leaders from Scotland will travel to Japan as part of Techscaler Japan 2026, immersing themselves in one of the world’s most distinctive technology markets.
From 17 - 30 April 2026, business leaders will be immersed in Tokyo, building relationships with new and existing partners, customers and investors while gaining first-hand insight into how one of the world’s most sophisticated innovation ecosystems operates.
Following the success of the pilot programme in 2025, Techscaler Japan returns with a new group of companies ready to deepen connections and explore opportunities across Japan’s technology landscape.
Why Japan?
Japan represents a globally unique opportunity for ambitious technology companies.
With strong demand for high-quality, innovative solutions and a business culture rooted in trust and long-term relationships, the Japanese market rewards companies willing to invest time, presence and cultural understanding.
Insights from the first Techscaler Japan programme reinforced that success in Japan is built on presence, patience and trust. Founders saw first-hand that progress comes from sustained engagement, cultural understanding and being on the ground. Crucially, the kind of trust that underpins business in Japan can only be built by being there - through repeated conversations, shared context and time spent together in-market. By immersing themselves in Tokyo and Osaka, founders deepened their understanding of how relationships form, how decisions are made, and how factors such as IP, brand and long-term value shape commercial outcomes.
While the first Techscaler Japan programme focused primarily on the gaming sector, the 2026 cohort reflects a deliberate expansion in scope. This year’s programme brings together founders from a broader range of industries, recognising that Japan’s technology ecosystem offers significant opportunities well beyond gaming. From energytech to robotics, the programme aims to connect Scottish innovators with sectors where Japan is actively investing and seeking new partnerships.
Timed around SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, one of Japan’s leading global startup conferences, the programme gives founders the context, access and momentum needed to take meaningful steps toward Japan market expansion.
Meet the 2026 Cohort: Five Companies Exploring Japan’s Technology Ecosystem
This cohort represents the strength of Scotland’s deep-tech innovation across robotics, AI, space technology and advanced electronics. What unites them? Proven technology, growing commercial traction, and the ambition to build meaningful partnerships in one of the world’s most sophisticated technology markets.
Through Techscaler Japan, these founders will immerse themselves in Tokyo’s innovation ecosystem, develop relationships with partners and customers, and explore how their technologies can scale within Japan and across the wider APAC region.
Dr Shivoh Chirayil Nandakumar, RideScan
RideScan is an industrial AI company providing robot-agnostic behaviour monitoring and task-level risk scoring for robotic systems. Its platform independently monitors robot performance, analyses multi-component motion and detects failures early, helping manufacturers reduce downtime, improve safety and optimise the reliability of robotic fleets.
Xiaoyan Ma, Danu Robotics
Danu Robotics develops AI-powered robotic systems that automate waste sorting in recycling facilities. By combining advanced computer vision and precision robotics, the company improves material recovery rates and reduces contamination, helping accelerate the transition toward a circular economy.
Martin MacDonald, weeteq
weeteq is a semiconductor technology company embedding real-time predictive AI directly into microcontroller control loops to dramatically improve efficiency, stability and performance in power and control systems. Its Ultra Edge® technology predicts and corrects system disturbances in under 100 microseconds, enabling more efficient energy use across data centres, electrical grids, industrial automation and automotive markets.
Myles Bax, Aurora Avionics
Aurora Avionics builds modular, ITAR-free avionics systems for NewSpace launch vehicles and satellites. Its plug-and-play avionics platform simplifies rocket and satellite development, helping emerging space companies reach launch faster and more cost-effectively.
Grant Gwyther, Touchlab
Touchlab is a robotics company pioneering ultra-thin tactile sensing technology that enables robots to feel touch with human-like sensitivity. Its electronic skin provides real-time force and pressure feedback, improving dexterity, control and safety in applications ranging from industrial automation to healthcare and space exploration.
What the Programme Includes
Techscaler Japan 2026 combines structured support with participant-led exploration.
Participants will take part in:
Pre-departure preparation
- Cohort networking and knowledge-sharing
- Workshops on Japan’s business culture and market dynamics
- Mentorship sessions with experts experienced in operating in Japan
- Structured guidance from CodeBase Entrepreneurs in Residence
In-market immersion
- Attendance at SusHi Tech 2026 in Tokyo
- Participant-led meetings with potential partners, investors and customers
- Opportunities to connect with Japan’s startup ecosystem and innovation leaders
As with all Techscaler international programmes, the experience is participant-led. Cohort members are encouraged to proactively build their networks, schedule meetings and drive their own commercial conversations.
Building on the Momentum of 2025
The inaugural Techscaler Japan programme demonstrated the value of deep ecosystem immersion. Participants quickly learned that success in Japan depends on presence, patience and trust, rather than quick market entry. By spending time on the ground, founders developed new partnerships, generated commercial leads, and gained valuable insight into how Japanese companies evaluate technology, relationships and long-term collaboration.
The 2026 cohort builds on these foundations, expanding engagement into sectors such as robotics, energy technology and industrial AI. Techscaler Japan reflects Techscaler’s wider mission to connect Scotland’s startups with the world’s most influential innovation ecosystems, helping founders move beyond curiosity about new markets toward meaningful partnerships, customers and long-term growth.
As this cohort prepares to travel to Tokyo, they join a growing network of Techscaler companies taking Scottish innovation onto the global stage.
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