STARTUP HOKKAIDO has announced the five startups selected for its HOKKAIDO Next Frontier Program, an initiative designed to integrate cutting-edge innovation with Hokkaido's core industries. In collaboration with CIC Institute, the program provides seed and early-stage companies with hands-on mentorship, industrial matching, and exclusive access to Hokkaido’s vast open areas for prototype testing.

The 2026 cohort focuses on deep-tech solutions for sustainability and maritime efficiency. In the Agri-Food sector, the program welcomes ASTRA FOOD PLAN (food waste upcycling), Teraform (soil water-retention technology), and Ocean Eyes (AI-driven fishing ground prediction). These companies will collaborate with Hokkaido’s agricultural and fishery industry to scale their technologies.

In the Space sector, the selection highlights global and academic expertise with ONDO SPACE, a Mongolia-based satellite connectivity provider, and Kick Space Technologies, a Fukuoka-based CubeSat manufacturer.