Building Japan’s Sustainability Hub: Yuko on ESG Innovation & the Tokyo Startup Ecosystem

What does it take to make sustainability profitable?

Meet Yuko, founder of SustainaSeed, a Tokyo‑based platform connecting sustainable startups with large corporations and local governments. After building and selling multiple companies across Japan and Hong Kong, Yuko is now on a mission to make ESG and SDG‑focused innovation mainstream in Asia.

In this episode of The Startup Vagabond, host Grant Watkins speaks with Yuko about:

🌱 How SustainaSeed connects sustainability startups with corporate partners and local governments

💡 Why ESG and SDG‑focused innovation is accelerating in Japan

🇯🇵 The rise of Tokyo’s startup ecosystem and the government’s push for entrepreneurship

🌏 Lessons learned from expanding businesses across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong

💬 Candid advice for first‑time founders on customer validation, networking, and team building

If you’re interested in sustainability, ESG startups, or Japan’s growing innovation scene, this is a must‑watch conversation.