Climate-KIC, in partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), has launched an open call seeking European partners to collaborate with a curated cohort of Japanese climate technology start-ups visiting Europe in February 2026. The initiative forms part of the J-StarX Global Growth for Climate Tech in Europe Programme, which aims to support Japanese climate innovators in establishing partnerships, pilots, and strategic investment opportunities within European markets. Among the cohort, Innovare offers a biochar-relevant innovation that converts waste rubber seeds into biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More and other bioproducts, positioning this call as an entry point for international collaboration on carbon removal solutions alongside broader climate technologies.

The primary challenge addressed in this initiative is the gap between promising climate technologies developed in Japan and their integration into European climate innovation ecosystems. Japanese start-ups often face barriers when entering European markets — including establishing local partnerships, navigating regulatory landscapes, and accessing networks of investors and corporate partners. This challenge extends to technologies relevant to carbon removal and circular bioeconomy strategies, where finding suitable partners and market channels is critical for scaling their impact.

To address these barriers, Climate-KIC and JETRO are inviting European investors, corporates, research institutions, and innovation partners to engage directly with the cohort. The February 2026 programme will bring the selected start-ups physically to Europe, where they will participate in key events, meetings, and collaboration discussions designed to spark concrete partnerships, pilot projects, and investment conversations. Innovare — whose process produces biochar as one of several outputs from rubber seed upcycling — is specifically looking for corporate partners interested in purchasing certified carbon removal credits and utilizing bioproducts such as rubber seed oil.

If successful, this open call could yield multi-sector outcomes. European partners can gain access to emerging climate technologies, including biochar-related solutions like Innovare’s, while Japanese start-ups benefit from market entry support and partnership pipelines. Over time, such collaborations could accelerate technology deployment, commercial scaling, and cross-border innovation exchange, contributing to broader carbon mitigation and circular economy objectives across international markets.