The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) continues to advance one of its core missions: translating research into real-world impact and building a global innovation ecosystem rooted in Okinawa. Now, a key milestone of this effort has been completed with the opening of two new on-campus incubation facilities-OIST Innovation Core 1 & 2-realized with strategic support from the Cabinet Office of Japan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
To commemorate the occasion, an inauguration ceremony was held on May 24, 2025. The event brought together members of the OIST community and leadership, alongside representatives from the national and local governments, as well as leaders from the business sector, in celebration of this new chapter for OIST. Comments from the distinguished guests are available below.
"Today's opening is not a starting line-it's a scaling point," said Gil Granot-Mayer, OIST's Executive Vice President for Innovation and Outreach. "Over the past several years, OIST has been steadily building the foundations of an innovation ecosystem: from invention to incubation to industry partnerships." The new facilities expand upon the achievements of the original Innovation Incubator, a smaller-scale initiative launched in 2019. Designed to meet more diverse and sophisticated needs, the Innovation Core will not only support the business development of OIST-born startups but also serve as a central hub for collaborative research with domestic and international partners, as well as engagement with investors and innovation support organizations.
Comprising two buildings with a total floor area of approximately 2,000 square meters, the Innovation Core offers a comprehensive environment to support early-stage startups through every phase. The facilities are equipped with wet labs, dry labs, shared equipment spaces, offices, co-working areas, and meeting rooms. Up to 30 companies per building are expected to join, with a total occupancy of 140 people. Existing OIST-affiliated startups will continue their activities within the new space, and the OIST Innovation administrative office will relocate here to strengthen its support framework close to the startups.
This initiative represents a major step toward fulfilling OIST's mission of contributing to society through scientific excellence. By nurturing startup creation, serving as a soft landing zone for international companies, advancing collaboration across academia, industry, government, and finance, and promoting entrepreneurial education, OIST is working to transform Okinawa into global innovation hub.
"At OIST, we believe that tomorrow's breakthroughs begin with today's connections-across disciplines, across sectors, and between people," emphasized OIST President and CEO Karin Markides in her opening remarks. "These buildings are more than just physical structures-they are catalysts for innovation, collaboration, and the creation of new knowledge. They represent a bridge between science and society, and a platform for 21st-century entrepreneurship that OIST and Okinawa are uniquely positioned to lead."
Over the past ten years, OIST has successfully incubated 31 startups-21 of which were founded in the past five years alone-and since it was launched in 2022, the OIST-Lifetime Venture Fund has already invested in 30 companies, more than half of which are directly connected to the OIST community. "Innovation does not happen in isolation," explains Granot-Mayer. "These incubators are part of a larger strategic vision. In five to ten years, I see a thriving innovation park on the OIST campus, home to dozens of successful startups helping drive regional and national economic growth while tackling global challenges. This is how we are seeding an innovation-driven economy in Okinawa."
You can view more photos of OIST Innovation Core 1 & 2 here.
Comments from distinguished guests
Kisaburo Tokai, House Representatives member and Acting Chair of the Liberal Democratic Party Parliamentary League for the Future of OIST
"For OIST to continue its growth, it is essential to not only enhance its education and research activities, but also to strengthen its ties with industry and generate a positive cycle involving startups and the regional economy."
Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa
(in a statement delivered by Vice Governor of Okinawa, Takekuni Ikeda)
"We hope that the new incubator facility will attract outstanding startups and companies from Japan and abroad, and that the research collaboration with OIST will produce a series of results that will contribute to the sustainable development of society."
Yoshimi Nagahama, Mayor of Onna Village
(in a statement delivered by Vice Mayor of Onna Village, Masato Yamashiro)
"The newly completed facility is a major step toward the further development of the region, and we would like to express our deep appreciation for the efforts of everyone involved to date. We hope that this facility will serve as a base for startup companies and entrepreneurs in Okinawa, Japan, and overseas, to support their challenges and growth, and to foster many possibilities for the future. We recognize that their growth is essential for sustainable economic development."
Kaoru Saito, Director-General of the Okinawa General Bureau, Cabinet Office
"In order to further accelerate OIST's support for start-ups, the Cabinet Office has supported the development of the recently completed incubator facility. We will continue to support OIST to promote the development of Okinawa through industry-academia collaboration and support for entrepreneurship by leveraging OIST's research capabilities."
Wataru Imamura, Deputy Director-General Innovation and Environment Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI)
"METI has indicated that the role of research and human resource development at universities is becoming more important in an era in which science and business are becoming closer together. The OIST Innovation Core is a unique facility that will allow us to promote the social implementation of research results by strengthening industry-government-academia-finance collaboration."
