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Fishpass Visualizes River Richness with "Biodiversity DX" ― Unveiling the Ecosystem Monitoring System at the "SME New Manufacturing & New Service Exhibition" ―

Fishpass Ecosystem Monitoring System

Fishpass Inc. (Headquarters: Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture; CEO: Narihiro Nishimura), a provider of digital recreational fishing ticket platforms, announced on December 15 that it will exhibit at the "SME New Manufacturing & New Service Exhibition," held at Tokyo Big Sight from Tuesday, December 16, to Thursday, December 18, 2025.

The company will exhibit and demonstrate the "Ecosystem Monitoring System (Ecosystem Visualization System using Environmental DNA Analysis)," which was built utilizing the Manufacturing Subsidy (Monodzukuri) program, proposing on-site Digital Transformation (DX) for inland fishery cooperatives.

■ Analyzing the Ecosystem with Just a Cup of Water

Ecosystem Monitoring System

The exhibition theme is "Even a Bear Can Understand!? Ecosystem Monitoring System."

While traditional biological surveys relied on capture by experts or paper-based records—requiring significant labor—this system solves these issues by fusing "Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis" with "DX." By simply scooping up water, the system can identify inhabiting fish species, allowing for the early detection of rare or invasive species and enabling broad, quantitative biodiversity assessments.

■ Fishpass's Three Strengths

Fishpass Inc.

Fishpass boasts three key strengths: rapid and high-precision analysis via its in-house analysis center, a wide-area sampling network utilizing connections with fishery cooperatives nationwide, and a patented proprietary analysis reporting system.

By providing reports that are intuitive and easy to understand even for those without specialized knowledge, Fishpass aims to support corporate "Nature Positive" initiatives and municipal resource management.

■ ICT Startup League
This support program began in FY2023, initiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Start-up Creation-type Germination Research and Development Support Project."
The ICT Startup League supports startups through four main pillars:
1. R&D Funding / Hands-on Support
Up to 20 million JPY in R&D funding is provided as a grant. Additionally, in terms of hands-on support, the selection evaluation committee members who were involved in selecting the league members continue to provide close guidance to foster growth. For companies that committee members "absolutely want to select," a support system akin to "Oshikatsu" (enthusiastic fan support) is built, where the evaluators themselves continuously support the startups by offering advice on business plans and providing growth opportunities.
2. Discovery & Development
The league provides opportunities for learning and networking to promote the business growth of league members.
It also expands the base of the ecosystem by discovering those aiming to start new businesses.
3. Competition & Co-creation
Serving as a venue for positive competition similar to a sports league, the program is designed so that startups learn together and improve through friendly rivalry to win the necessary funding (up to 20 million JPY). It also offers a space for co-creation where league members can collaborate to expand their businesses through various opportunities, such as sessions with selection evaluation committee members.
4. Dissemination
The initiatives of league members are broadcast in collaboration with media partners! By making their businesses known to a wider audience, the league aims to expand opportunities for new matching and chances.

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For more details on STARTUP LEAGUE's startup support, please see here.