Sunshiki Co., Ltd.

Team

Ryo Kubota

久保田 遼

Founder & CEO

2019 University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering
2019–2024 Engineering Manager at two startups
Feb 2024– Founded Sunshiki Co., Ltd., CEO

While conducting deep learning research at the University of Tokyo, Ryo built and launched an app that reached tens of thousands of users. After graduating, he led global engineering teams at two startups. A meeting with Professor Hiraoka's laboratory at Kochi University sparked his interest in the potential of seaweed, leading him to found Sunshiki in 2024.

Yuya Watanabe

渡部 勇哉

Chief Scientist / Head of R&D

2019–2023 Kochi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering (Phycology)
2023–2025 Kochi University Graduate School, Master of Science and Engineering (Phycology)
Feb 2024– Joined Sunshiki Co., Ltd. (while enrolled in Master's), Head of Technology

Completed a Master's degree at Kochi University (Hiraoka Lab), specializing in seaweed aquaculture. Researched green algae as aquaculture feed during his undergraduate years, then pivoted to optimizing Asparagopsis growth conditions from his first year of graduate school, presenting at the Japanese Society of Phycology twice. One of the few experts in Japan with hands-on expertise in mass seaweed cultivation and seedling production. At Sunshiki, he leads R&D in Asparagopsis cultivation and processing technology, as well as coordination with research institutions and demonstration experiments.