TERRIA Inc. Hosts Tasting Event for Land-Based Cultivated Sea Urchin

AgVenture Lab (Agu Labo), a nonprofit organization established by eight national organizations of the JA Group to promote collaboration with startups (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson of the Board: Tomoko Tsuchida), operates the entrepreneur development program "GROW&BLOOM" (https://grow-bloom.agventurelab.or.jp/). TERRIA Inc. (Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Koyo Yamamoto), selected for this year's BLOOM course, held a tasting event on August 31 for its land-based cultivated sea urchin, targeting major domestic construction-related enterprises.

TERRIA (https://terria.co.jp/) is a startup that connects regional resources such as sea urchins designated for removal, unused vegetables, and idle assets to create new industries. Currently, the company is focusing on land-based aquaculture of purple sea urchins (Murasaki uni), advancing research and development, market expansion, and partnerships with companies and research institutions.

At the tasting event, representatives from participating companies sampled TERRIA's cultivated sea urchin, discussing its quality and commercial potential. Topics included taste profile, roe yield, and flavor differences due to feed, with exchanges on specific challenges toward commercialization.

In early October, TERRIA plans to host an expanded tasting event inviting venture capitalists (VCs) and other stakeholders. By showcasing actual products, the company aims to broaden connections with businesses and investors, further advancing market development, business partnerships, and fundraising to achieve social implementation.

【About GROW&BLOOM】

GROW&BLOOM is an entrepreneur development program hosted by AgVenture Lab. Targeting students, professionals interested in entrepreneurship, those aiming to launch ventures within one year, and early-stage startups, the program launched in fiscal year 2024. Leveraging the JA Group’s extensive assets and expertise, along with mentorship support, it aims to realize and commercialize business ideas.

The program offers two tracks: GROW and BLOOM. The GROW course targets individuals without concrete plans, providing input through online workshops on mindset development and business model formulation. The upcoming BLOOM course offers specialized support to those establishing companies and seeking funding. Through mentoring and structured steps, it elevates ideas and ventures to the next level.

【About AgVenture Lab (Agu Labo)】 (https://agventurelab.or.jp/)

AgVenture Lab is an innovation lab jointly established on May 27, 2019, by eight national JA Group organizations: the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu), the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zen-Noh), the National Federation of Mutual Aid Agricultural Cooperatives, Norinchukin Bank, the Kaji no Hikari Association (a nonprofit corporation), Nihon Nogyo Shimbun Co., Ltd., the National Federation of Health Agricultural Cooperatives, and Nokyo Kanko Co., Ltd. Collaborating with startups, partner companies, universities, and government agencies, the lab aims to create new businesses, develop services, and solve regional challenges by leveraging diverse knowledge and technologies.