Light Touch Technology Founder, CEO Koichi Yamakawa

――What does your startup do?

Light Touch Technology is a company which has developed a non-invasive technology to assess blood glucose level that meets measurement accuracy requirements of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), under certain conditions. The company has fused cutting-edge solid-state laser technology and optical parametric oscillation to develop a high-brightness mid-infrared laser a billion times brighter than conventional products.

“Zero collection of blood and medical waste – simply place your finger against the light to measure the blood glucose level in five seconds.”

――What problem are you trying to solve?

We are developing needle-free (non-invasive) glucose-sensing devices to reduce the pain when diabetics prick their fingers to monitor blood glucose levels daily. There are 400 million diabetics worldwide, who face stress and infection risks every time they prick their finger. In addition, our device will help healthy people easily monitor and manage their blood glucose levels to maintain health which will curb any increase in diabetics, medical expenses, and nursing care costs as well as helping extend healthy life expectancy so that people can work and stay active throughout their life.

――Why did you choose Osaka?

I thought it would be a nice idea to create a venture eco-system in Osaka to energize the Osaka economy – there is no reason why everything should be in Tokyo.

――What do you think about Osaka’s startup community?

This relates to the previous question – but the Osaka startup community is much smaller than Tokyo and it is harder to get investment.

――How has Osaka’s Governments (City & Prefecture) helped your startup?

We are currently going through the Osaka Top Runner Growth Support program, which offers hands-on support from Osaka City and I believe this is a great program. Also, we are expecting to receive a subsidy from Osaka Prefecture’s initiative called “Growing UP” during the next fiscal year.

――Where is your favorite place in Osaka and why?

I like Minami (the southern area of metropolitan Osaka), which is representative of Osaka in various senses.

――Do you have advice for people considering doing a startup in Osaka?

Let’s help each other, collaborate and have the courage to build the startup ecosystem together with other entrepreneurs in Osaka.