私たちについて
About Us
Innovation Lighthouse Japan (ILJ) is a community-based consultancy established in Tokyo to foster and promote collaboration and innovation between Japanese companies and startups, scaleups, research institutes and academia originating from the Baltics, Central Europe, the Adriatic, Ionian region, Southeastern Europe and the Middle East.
We help Japanese corporations to foster growth and catalyze change by revealing untapped creative and innovation potential from Europe and the Middle East.
01
Building up a Collaborative Ecosystem that is Inclusive and Innovation-driven
Our programs and activities focus on connecting startups, scaleups, academia, research centres with Japanese corporates to enhance the growth of all parties involved and bring new value through innovation. In order to accelerate innovation, we are building an inclusive and collaborative network of innovators and partners.
02
Forward-thinking and Human-centred
At Innovation Lighthouse Japan, we are driven to create positive solutions, collaboration and idea-sharing to empower our community and create the next generation of innovation leaders to be at the forefront of the innovation movement in Japan.
We work on empowering entrepreneurs and Japanese organizations to foster innovation and encourage an open learning-focused mindset through international cooperation.
03
The Power of the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Innovation Lighthouse Japan supports cross-border activities and brings together Japanese corporate leaders and the most promising enterprises and innovation centres to provide solutions to the biggest challenges faced by society.
04
Ocean of Creativity and Endless Possibilities
We believe that great ideas and solutions are born across the globe.ILJ is determined to connect the most innovative and impact making ventures with Japanese corporations.
About Innovation Lighthouse Japan
得意分野
Message
At Innovation Lighthouse Japan,
we are convinced that the key to a successful organization is the ability to go beyond the existing possibilities.
Lighthouses serve as a navigational aid and preserve safety on the sea. The lighthouse light is a concentrated beam of a very bright light called a beacon. This beam of light can travel very long distances and is used by sailors to help guide their ships at night. Regardless of its location, the purpose of a lighthouse is always the same; to warn ships of danger and guide them safely on their journey.
As a lighthouse seeks out sailors in the night, we made Innovation Lighthouse Japan be a place of encouragement and serve as a guide and focus to find the best solutions to the challenges of our society. ILJ's purpose is to illuminate the path for innovations and guide clients to success and meaningful business partnerships.
ILJ helps Japanese corporations to navigate, tie up new partnerships, explore business opportunities and capture new demands on the market. We are determined to bring empowerment, transformation, support and guidance to our clients.
Innovation Lighthouse Japan offers guidance and serves as a navigational aid to create meaningful collaboration between the most promising projects and leading entrepreneurs, executives and organizations.
Our Vision
Japan as a global innovation lighthouse - a leading knowledge and innovation society.
Our Mission
Accelerating business transformation for leading Japanese corporations through innovation. Our mission is to promote collaboration programs and create new value through innovation that will eliminate regional, gender, language gaps and create a sustainable Japanese innovation ecosystem.
Our Value
Our company culture is about making a social impact and creating a better future for our society. We strive for building a human-centred society based on long-lasting relationships, integrity, constant progression, and loyalty. Innovation Lighthouse Japan is dedicated to supporting the local community and embracing sustainability.
得意分野
Our Clients
Startups
ILJ offers various support services for start-ups in the form of mentoring, acceleration growth programs, lectures and international networking events.
Our international networking events gather relevant start-ups and leading innovation eco-system players such as innovation hubs, technology parks, business support agencies and others.
Corporations
We serve corporations with in-depth analysis of tech, business trends, VC, startup networks in the Baltics, Central Europe, the Adriatic and Ionian region, Southeastern Europe and the Middle East. ILJ helps Japanese corporations to scout compatible technologies and identify current and rising innovation stars.
We work side-by-side with clients to identify new opportunities, build lasting collaborations and help them bring the desired transformation. We are determined to help Japanese companies to catalyze transformation and reshape industries on a local and global scale.
Innovation Lighthouse Japan offers key support for Japanese corporations for:
Research Collaboration and Alliances
M＆A
In-licensing, Out-licensing
Strategic Partnerships
Co-Development
Governments and NGOs
ILJ provides various consulting services, matchmaking events for public and private organizations, and helps governments build innovative communities.
お客様の声
Introducton of CEO
Passionate to pull out all stops to revive Japanese innovation culture
Founder＆CEO
Ivana Ohbayashi
Ivana Ohbayashi is a strategic advisor specializing in cross-border innovation decisions involving Japan.
Her professional background spans European industrial sectors, Japanese corporate environments, and international policy and innovation ecosystems. She has advised organizations operating at the intersection of technology, culture, and institutional governance.
Ivana founded Innovation Lighthouse Japan in 2021 to address a recurring gap she observed across sectors:
innovation decisions involving Japan were being made without sufficient cultural and institutional orientation.
In addition to her advisory work, she has held corporate roles within Japan, including at Nissan Motor Corporation, and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Waseda University.
She is formally ordained in the Buddhist tradition, a background that informs her emphasis on ethical leadership, discernment, and long-term responsibility in decision-making.
Ivana is permanently based in Tokyo.