Hokkaido F Village X (HFX) Selects 11 Global Startups for the 2025 Inaugural Cohort From Over 300 Applications Across 29 Countries

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scrum Ventures and Scrum Studio today announced 11 startups selected to join Hokkaido F Village X (HFX), a global acceleration program designed to foster collaboration between international startups, leading Japanese corporations, and local municipalities in Hokkaido, Japan. The program will focus on implementing cutting-edge technologies in Hokkaido and within the F Village, a mixed-use urban development project and home of the Nippon-Ham Fighters professional baseball team. The goal is to leverage innovative technology to enhance the region's appeal and address local challenges.

The program attracted more than 300 applications from 29 countries, from which 11 startups were selected. Through the program, these startups will collaborate with HFX partners, including Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., JTB Corp., and newly joined Tokyu Land Corp. and The Hokkaido Bank, Ltd., as well as municipal partner Kitahiroshima City, to drive business co-creation.

Operational support is provided by Fighters Sports & Entertainment, Co., Ltd. Moreover, Hokkaido Startup Future Creation Development by Mutual Support Networks (HSFC), led by Hokkaido University, has joined HFX as a resource partner.

Selected Startups

• Apptronik (U.S.) — Developing and commercializing a general-purpose, AI-powered humanoid robot called Apollo that is designed to collaborate thoughtfully with humans and transform the way we live and work
  
  
• Eztia (U.S.) — Advanced material HydraVolt that can be integrated into clothes and gear to cool user skin passively by up to 10°C for up to 8 hours
  
  
• Fainders.ai (South Korea) — The most economical retail AI automation.
  
  
• Mori (U.S.) — Makes food more resilient with a natural and edible protein from silk
  
  
• Nature Coatings (U.S.) — High-performance, bio-based black pigments that are both carbon negative and devoid of toxic chemicals
  
  
• Pontosense (Canada) — AI-based wireless sensing for safety, health, and wellness
  
  
• Seoul Dynamics (South Korea) — Autonomous robots for heavy-duty tasks with a foundation model trained on real industrial data
  
  
• STREAMING HOUSE (THE HYUIL) (South Korea) — Regional development and revitalization workation platform connecting companies, local governments, and communities
  
  
• Trip to Japan (Iceland) — Bookable trip builder for an effortless Japan trip, combining tours, transfers, and hotels into a personalized itinerary
  
  
• TechMagic (Japan) — AI and robotics solutions for commercial kitchens and food factories
  
  
• Waymap (U.K.) — Accessible, step-by-step navigation indoors, outdoors, and underground, with no external signals or special equipment required
  
  

HFX Kickoff Week in Hokkaido

On August 25, all 11 startups gathered in Hokkaido for HFX Kickoff Week. The week featured working sessions on go-to-market strategy, sharing of best practices for implementing new technologies in the region, site visits to local organizations, and business development meetings with corporate and municipal partners. The goal was to help startups understand how their technology can address local needs and contribute to Hokkaido's prosperity.

About Hokkaido F Village X (HFX)

Launched in March 2025, HFX is a three-year global acceleration program running through 2028. Scrum Ventures and Scrum Studio manage the program in partnership with Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd. Program partners include Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., JTB Corp., and newly joined Tokyu Land Corp. and The Hokkaido Bank, Ltd., with support from JETRO, ERIA, Smart City Institute Japan, British Embassy Tokyo, HSFC (Hokkaido Startup Future Creation), along with municipal partners Startup Hokkaido and Kitahiroshima City. Hideki Kuriyama, Chief Baseball Officer of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, serves as a program advisor. Official website: https://hfx.jp/

About Scrum Ventures

Scrum Ventures is a U.S.-Japan venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups across sectors such as mobility, fintech, sports & entertainment, healthcare, and deeptech. With a portfolio of more than 140 companies worldwide, it supports founders with capital, global market access, and connections to strategic partners. Website: https://scrum.vc/ja/

About Scrum Studio

Scrum Studio helps Japanese corporations co-create new businesses with global startups. Leveraging open innovation, it runs global co-creation programs, supports international market entry, and accelerates new business development. Website: https://scrum.vc/ja/studio/

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Scrum Ventures
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SOURCE Scrum Ventures