UnlocX & Co., in collaboration with KitchenTown, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., and The Spoon, is officially launching a program to support food startups that are seriously pursuing global expansion.
UnlocX (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hirotaka Tanaka; “UnlocX”), together with KitchenTown, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., and The Spoon, has selected the following 10 companies to participate in the “Foodtech Cross Bridge Program,” a program dedicated to food startups focused on entering the U.S. market, following a screening process on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Going forward, after formulating strategies, refining visions, and assessing competitive advantages, UnlocX will conduct an intensive support program in August 2026 at KitchenTown in California, USA, to deepen participating companies’ understanding of the U.S. food and beverage market.
List of Selected Companies
Following a review process, the 10 companies listed below have been selected.
ASTRA FOOD PLAN Co., Ltd.
Development of a superheated-steam drying/sterilization device “JOSEN (Superheated Steam drying machine)” and the manufacture and sale of the Upcycled powder “Gururiko®”
Fit & Recovery Co., Ltd.
Development and production of high-quality, highly nutritious rice flour and brown rice flour using proprietary milling technology
Kitasanriku Factory Co., Ltd.
Development of sixth-industrialization* hubs for the fisheries industry and overseas expansion centered on a sea urchin regenerative aquaculture system
*“Sixth-industrialization” refers to integrating production, processing, and distribution/sales.
KULBAY Co., Ltd.
Manufacture and sale of low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie protein ice cream
Nakahara Suisan Co.,Ltd. Makurazaki, Kagoshima
Sharing “dashi culture” with the world from Makurazaki, Kagoshima—Japan’s leading producer of katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
「LaLa Corporation」（株式会社楽々）
Manufacture and sale of patented “mushroom fermentation culture beds,” and promotion of circular agriculture
ovgo co., Ltd.
Manufacture and sale of plant-based American cookies and other baked goods
Toymedical Co., Ltd.
Development of supplement and food businesses applying salt-adsorbing fiber technology
United Silk Co., Ltd.
Technology development and product manufacturing to utilize silk across multiple fields including food, beauty, and healthcare
vitom Co., Ltd.
Development and sale of shelf-stable, complete-nutrition foods such as “Onimochi”
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About the “Foodtech Cross Bridge Program”
This program is provided by UnlocX in collaboration with KitchenTown, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., and The Spoon. It offers startups that are earnestly aiming for global expansion the “strategic frameworks,” “local networks,” and “consumer testing” necessary to succeed in the U.S. market.
UnlocX has also been selected as a partner organization for Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “TOKYO SUTEAM” initiative for FY2025, and this program will be implemented as an affiliated collaborative project under that agreement.
For details, please visit our website.
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Program Overview
What Participants Can Achieve
This program serves as a bridge for startups that want to change the world through food, expand into the United States, and become globally impactful companies—helping them move forward as a cohort toward global expansion. Participating companies will be able to achieve the following:
•Gain and develop foundational knowledge needed to build and grow a business in the United States
•Build connections with key stakeholders and local communities essential for U.S. expansion, and prepare for entry into the U.S. market (strategy, products, etc.)
Program Structure
Ready 2 Go Program (Feb–Apr 2026 | Tokyo & Online)
Refine and elevate startup strategy and vision + team building
Brand & Product Audit (Feb–Apr 2026 | Online)
Assess product-market fit and competitive advantages, and identify priority challenges
Thematic Workshop [Monthly] (May–Sep 2026 | Online)
Workshops led by KitchenTown and experts in each field, where all participating companies can learn fundamental knowledge needed to enter the U.S. market
US Immersion Week [MasterClass] (Aug 10–14, 2026 | California)
An intensive support program at KitchenTown (California, USA) to deepen understanding of the U.S. food and beverage market
US Consumer Sensory Tasting (Sep 2026)
Collect feedback from U.S. consumers (sensory evaluation tasting)
1-on-1 Mentoring (Mar–Sep 2026 | Online)
Individual, intensive mentoring tailored to themes critical to U.S. expansion
Demo Day [JAPAN + USA] (Nov–Dec 2026)
Share initiatives through the media to increase awareness and create business opportunities
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Comments from Program Operators
Hirotaka Tanaka (CEO, UnlocX)
UnlocX is working to build an ecosystem for the evolution of food—driven by the belief that, “in order to leave truly valuable things for the future,” we need to create the functions and mechanisms that are currently missing in society.
Japan is home to many world-class food-related technologies, expertise, and food culture, as well as outstanding talent, and these strengths are drawing attention from around the world. At the same time, there are simply too many hurdles for a single company to expand globally on its own, and we believe a mechanism is needed that enables companies to expand internationally as a “group” or cohort.
We launched the Cross Bridge Program to serve as a bridge for players who want to challenge global markets. In the first year, we will build a bridge to the United States. In the future, we hope to expand to other regions—and also become a bridge for companies and startups that want to enter Japan.
We started this program with the determination to take “the globalization of Japan’s food industry” one step further. We look forward to receiving applications from startups that are truly committed to expanding into global markets!
Rusty Schwartz（KitchenTown CEO）
Japan’s food innovation scene is extraordinary, and we’re excited to help these entrepreneurs translate that excellence for American consumers. Success here isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about understanding what resonates in this market. We’re here to provide the insights, connections, and real-world testing ground these founders need to refine their approach. This program is about rolling up our sleeves together and building something that works globally.
Shuhei Tsukada (Executive Officer, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.)
What Leave a Nest does is “knowledge manufacturing”—creating new knowledge by combining knowledge across disciplines and even national borders. At the core of this is thoroughly sharpening each individual’s Question and Passion.
This program is a practical arena where diverse knowledge and experiences intersect through food: participants articulate their essential questions in words, share them with others, and reconnect them in new ways. Together with UnlocX, KitchenTown, and The Spoon, we will support participants so that their knowledge and questions can expand outward to the world through bridge communication.
Michael Wolf（The Spoon Founder & CEO, Editor in Chief）
Since the launch of SKS Japan almost a decade ago, I’ve worked closely with founders, investors, and global brands shaping the future of food, and one thing is clear: Japanese food innovators bring a level of rigor, craft, and a dedication to quality that resonates strongly with the U.S. market. The Foodtech Cross Bridge Program is exciting because it focuses on real market readiness through strategy, consumer validation, and trusted relationships on the ground. I’m looking forward to working directly with these companies in Japan and the U.S., helping them sharpen their narratives and connect with the partners who can help them scale. This program represents an important bridge between two food cultures, and a powerful platform for Japanese startups to build lasting impact in the U.S.