Winners Announced: “JUNGLE FORGE AWARD – Social Impact Edition by SUMMYS
Southeast Asian Startups Take on Japan’s Social Challenges
Winners Announced: “JUNGLE FORGE AWARD – Social Impact Edition by SUMMYS”
Southeast Asian Startups Pitch Solutions for Japan’s Social Challenges at JUNGLE FORGE AWARD 2026
Malaysia-based SUMMYS hosted the JUNGLE FORGE AWARD – Social Impact Edition by SUMMYS on June 6, 2026, at Taman Tugu, Malaysia, bringing together innovative Southeast Asian startups committed to addressing Japan’s social challenges.
This pitch competition received applications from over 200 startups, including companies based in Malaysia, from which eight finalists were selected.
The award was created to connect Southeast Asian innovation with issues facing Japan, including an aging population, labor shortages, food security, multicultural integration, and regional revitalization.
Before the competition, participating startups joined a special session led by Mariel Asami Fukase, Founder and CEO of SUMMYS and a certified Japanese language instructor. The session focused on understanding Japan’s social challenges, communicating effectively with Japanese stakeholders, and delivering presentations that resonate with Japanese audiences.
Startups were evaluated not only on their technology and business models, but also on their commitment to solving Japan’s challenges and their potential to create meaningful impact in Japanese society.
SUMMYS believes that Japan’s future challenges cannot be solved by Japan alone. By fostering collaboration between Japan and Southeast Asia, the organization aims to accelerate innovation and create new opportunities for cross-border partnership.
The Grand Prize winner will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SUMMYS to support expansion into the Japanese market and advance initiatives that contribute to solving Japan’s social challenges.
Building Japan’s future through Southeast Asian innovation starts here.
SUMMYS, headquartered in Malaysia, hosted a pitch contest where Southeast Asian startups proposed solutions to Japan’s social challenges. Winners have been officially announced.
Left: Hiro Umemoto, CFO of SUMMYS
Mai Okazawa CMO of SUMMYS
Kids Judge
Mariel Asami Fukase, Founder and CEO of SUMMYS
Dr. Hanafiah Yussof Founder and CEO of Robopreneur Sdn Bhd
Chor Chee Hoe, Founder and CEO of Qarbotech
CEO Raheel (RZ) Zubairi Pixelence
CEO Sethu Raaj Munusamy Midwest Composites
Special Japanese language lesson for entrepreneurs
Pitching in Nature: An Eco-Conscious Event Like No Other
One of the most distinctive features of the JUNGLE FORGE AWARD was its commitment to sustainability, not only in the solutions presented by participating startups, but also in the way the event itself was conducted.
The competition took place entirely outdoors, surrounded by nature, and operated without the use of electricity. There were no spotlights, projectors, microphones, or digital displays. Instead, entrepreneurs stood before the audience with nothing but their ideas, their passion, and the natural environment around them.
This setting reflected the core philosophy of the award: meaningful innovation should create a positive impact without placing additional burdens on the planet.
At a time when large-scale conferences often rely on energy-intensive production, JUNGLE FORGE AWARD demonstrated a different approach. By returning to the essentials of human connection, dialogue, and purpose, the event showed that transformative ideas do not require a stage filled with technology. Sometimes, all they need is a vision, an audience, and the courage to share it.
Under the open sky of Malaysia, entrepreneurs from across Southeast Asia came together to explore solutions for Japan’s future, proving that innovation can be both impactful and sustainable.
Grand Prize｜Robopreneur Sdn Bhd
Left:Dr. Hanafiah Yussof Founder and CEO of Robopreneur Sdn Bhd
Right: Mariel Asami Fukase, Founder and CEO of SUMMYS
Robopreneur Sdn Bhd is a Malaysia-based service robotics company developing AI-powered robotics solutions for professional and domestic use across multiple industries. Founded in 2015, it evolved from humanoid robotics applications in autism education into a full-scale enterprise robotics provider headquartered in Cyberjaya, Selangor. The company operates across service robotics, AI software, and additive manufacturing, serving sectors including healthcare, hospitality, education, and smart cities.
A robotics company providing service robots and Physical AI solutions. CEO Dr. Hanafiah Yussof delivered his speech in fluent Japanese: “We are a robotics company. We will solve Japan’s labor shortage with robots.” — leaving a strong impression on the audience.
Judges’ Comments
- Akiyuki Minami (COCONALA Inc. CEO Crest Skill Partners):
“They present an actionable solution to the structural labor shortage challenge shared across Asia and Japan, leveraging service robots and Physical AI. Their technology aligns well with high-demand sectors in Japan including hospitals, security, cleaning, and tourism.”
- Takeshi Kanamori (TKOcean, Inc.):
“Their technology directly addresses multiple social challenges facing Japan, and we were impressed by their clear intent to actively pursue partnerships with Japanese companies and organizations.”
Silver Award & GREEN AWARD｜Qarbotech
Qarbotech is an agritech startup focused on enhancing plant productivity using nanotechnology-based solutions that improve photosynthesis efficiency and crop yield. It has previously won the startup competition at SusHi Tech Tokyo and was selected as the West Malaysia representative for Startup World Cup Malaysia 2025.
Left: Hiro Umemoto, CFO of SUMMYS
Center: Chor Chee Hoe, Founder and CEO of Qarbotech
Right: Mariel Asami Fukase, Founder and CEO of SUMMYS
Judges’ Comments
- Yuji Hara (Director & Partner, Apollo Capital):
“They address shared challenges including food security, climate change, and smallholder farmer income with a scalable, proven solution. We see significant potential for social implementation through partnerships with Japanese companies.”
- Junichi Eto (Managing Director, JRE VENTURES):
“With validation on actual farmland and clear economic benefits for farmers, this solution has strong applicability to Japan’s agricultural sector.”
- Akiyuki Minami (COCONALA Inc. CEO Crest Skill Partners): “Their approach to increasing yields without relying on labor makes it well-suited to address Japan’s declining number of agricultural workers.”
- Takeshi Kanamori (TKOcean, Inc.): “Highly relevant to Japan’s agricultural challenges such as labor shortages and improving food self-sufficiency. Selected for the maturity and feasibility of their approach.”
AI AWARD｜Pixelence
CEO Raheel (RZ) Zubairi
Pixelence is a medical AI company developing an artificial contrast imaging solution for brain MRI using deep learning trained on over 350,000 patient datasets. It eliminates the need for contrast IV injections and double scanning, while reducing imaging costs by up to 40% depending on the region. The system also enhances MRI quality through denoising, upscaling, fat suppression, and AI-assisted diagnosis for earlier tumor and cancer detection.
An AI startup enhancing brain MRI diagnostics without the use of contrast agents. As Japan’s population ages, early detection of dementia and brain diseases is becoming increasingly critical, and Pixelence’s technology is expected to reduce the burden on medical professionals while improving diagnostic accuracy.
Judges’ Comments
- Akiyuki Minami (COCONALA Inc. CEO Crest Skill Partners): “This AI has the potential to simultaneously address medical costs, patient burden, and operational challenges in diagnostic imaging — carrying significant social value in an aging Japan where demand for imaging continues to rise.”
- Daisuke Mitani (General Manager, SBI Investment):
“A true breakthrough grounded in scientific evidence. This technology has the potential to democratize MRI access in underserved regions across Asia and beyond.”
- Takeshi Kanamori（TKOcean, Inc.): “Highly compatible with Japan’s growing medical imaging needs. Selected for its long-term growth potential and strong development prospects.”
NEXT GENERATION AWARD｜Midwest Composites
CEO Sethu Raaj Munusamy
Midwest Composites is a Malaysia-based global materials startup specializing in sustainably reengineered advanced bio-composites for industrial applications. The company focuses on building a platform materials business through OEM engagement, material validation, and scalable production strategies supported by strong global partnerships and capital formation. It was the Startup World Cup Malaysia 2024 Champion, recognized for its innovation in sustainable materials and long-term industrial adoption potential.
Midwest Composites presented a technology that upcycles discarded tea leaves into high-performance composite materials. Children also participated as judges, with a 9-year-old commenting: “It was so cool that tea leaves that would be thrown away can become a new material.”
Judges’ Comments
- Yuji Hara (Apollo Capital): “Their biocomposite technology achieves both decarbonization and high-performance materials, targeting massive markets including automotive, EV, and aerospace. We see strong potential for collaboration with Japan’s mobility and manufacturing industries.”
- Daisuke Mitani (SBI Investment): “Still in its early stages, but they are actively exploring the path to mass production — and that ambition is what we chose to recognize.”
Open Innovation Award｜Global Cerah
Global Cerah is a Malaysia-based sustainability startup that transforms agricultural waste into alternative animal feed through an IoT-enabled circular economy solution. The company originated from the “Turn Waste into Protein” R&D project under MOSTI’s TechnoFund (USD 1 million grant) and has successfully completed key milestones with university partners. By integrating agricultural waste management, RPA, and optical sensor technologies, Global Cerah aims to convert farm waste into high-value protein feed while supporting sustainable agriculture.
Judges’ Comments
- Daisuke Mitani (SBI Investment): Hard work required, but they’re capable enough to overwhelm hardships to change the world. Proven technologies to real problem is the best way for startups to be succeeded. I felt they’re almost there.
- Junichi Eto (Managing Director, JRE VENTURES):Global Cerah delivers an innovative circular solution that converts organic waste into valuable protein and fertilizer, addressing both environmental and agricultural challenges. With demonstrated operational impact and a scalable model, the company shows strong potential for real-world application, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system in Japan.
A Prize That Moves With You: The Story Behind the Gift
The trophy presented to our winners was a watch — a gift chosen with great intention. In a competition dedicated to tackling the social challenges of the decades ahead, the watch carries a quiet yet powerful message:
“We move forward in time, together.”
To every entrepreneur embarking on the long journey of building something meaningful — the watch is a symbol. A reminder that progress is not measured in a single moment, but in the steady accumulation of time. And that SUMMYS will be there, walking that journey alongside you, every step of the way.
Global Expansion Opportunities through Partnership with IVS
This award is held in partnership with IVS, one of Japan’s largest startup conferences — an international platform bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and policymakers from around the world. The top two winning startups will receive:
- Exhibition booth opportunity at IVS
- Direct access to international investors and companies
- Opportunities for fundraising and business partnerships
We also plan to provide on-site support at the exhibition booth, including Japanese-language assistance and introductions throughout the event day. In addition, our involvement goes beyond simply offering a booth prize, as we aim to actively support the participating startups in navigating and engaging with the Japanese market.
Through this initiative, we are committed to fostering open innovation between Southeast Asia and Japan, and creating meaningful opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
Open Innovation Bridging Japan and Southeast Asia
The event was livestreamed on LinkedIn Live, with votes cast by venture capitalists, corporate innovation leaders, child judges, and general viewers.
SUMMYS will continue to foster open innovation between Japan and Southeast Asia, working toward a sustainable future that will endure for the next 100 years and beyond.
JUNGLE FORGE AWARD – Social Impact Edition by SUMMYS has been featured in e27
Organizer
Contact
Mariel Asami Fukase
CEO & Founder
SUMMYS VENTURES SDN. BHD
ceo★summysvc.com (replace ★ with @)
