Press and News Alliance inks pact with Hokkaido University to launch Japan-CGIAR Food-Agri Innovation Hub
SAPPORO, JAPAN — Hokkaido University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), forging stronger partnerships to transform shared scientific knowledge and technologies into products, services, and businesses to contribute to solving global food and agriculture challenges and bolster regional economic development in Japan and around the world.
The agreement officially marks the start of the process to establish the first Japan-CGIAR Food-Agri Innovation Hub, which will explore linkages between Japan’s food and agriculture innovation ecosystem with CGIAR’s research knowledge, international networks, and overseas research and implementation partners. The Hub will serve as an international platform for the co-creation and implementation of opportunities primarily for food and agriculture startups and venture companies originating in the country.
“We are very proud to seal this partnership with Hokkaido University as this positions us in the right direction and aligns with our new research agenda while underscoring our role more clearly as a science-and-partnership engine that connects innovation, finance and policy to deliver measurable impact for people and the planet,” - Alliance Managing Director for Asia Stephan Weise
Stephan Weise
Managing Director, AsiaAs the Hub’s international implementation partner, the Alliance will leverage its global network of experts across various research areas and facilitate connections with regional government and private partners, as well as fellow CGIAR centers, to better support global expansion of existing startups and venture companies supporting initiatives geared directly towards food and nutrition security, agricultural competitiveness, and economic development.
Closing the gap towards global implementation
Food and agriculture startups often face major barriers when moving technologies from successful research and development into overseas markets. From compounding climate threats to market structure limitations, subsequent business expansions hit a roadblock and call for an integrated approach towards project identification and evaluation, overseas demonstration, local market adaptation, commercialization, financing and investment, and market expansion.
With Hokkaido University as the principal base in Japan, the Hub will enable better industry-academia-government collaboration platform and consider developing education and human resource development programs through which students, young researchers, and future professionals responsible for practical implementation and commercialization can gain practical experience.
“At the core of it all, the Hub is envisioned to assist with the global expansion of existing food and agriculture startups. We are committed to making use of our strength as a reputable higher education and research institution and to collaborate closely with the Alliance in ensuring we help transition startups and venture companies into investment-ready and globally equipped business entities,” - Hokkaido University President Kiyohiro Houkin
The MOU formalizes the partnership between Hokkaido University and the Alliance starting 2026.
Note for Editors
About the Alliance
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Its research is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.
We would like to thank all Funders who support this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.
About Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University, founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, is one of Japan’s oldest and leading comprehensive universities. Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, it has a long tradition of excellence in agriculture and the natural sciences and today comprises 12 undergraduate schools and 23 graduate schools. The University is committed to addressing global challenges through education and research, including sustainability, food security, climate change, and the responsible use of natural resources.
Media contacts
- Manabu Ishitani ([email protected]), Principal Scientist for Crops for Nutrition and Health, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
- Dr. Takanori Nishimura ([email protected]), Vice President, Professor, Institute for Integrated Innovations, Hokkaido University
