After joining Calling2Scale Gunma: Gateway to Japan, this Italian cleantech startup built a strategic partnership with Japanese electronics manufacturer TAIYO YUDEN, secured €280,000 in public funding, and won a place in Techstars Tokyo with a US$120,000 pre-seed investment, accelerating the scale-up of its innovative battery and electronics recycling technology.
When AraBat joined Calling2Scale Gunma: Gateway to Japan, the company was looking to connect with industrial partners, validate its technology in international markets, and explore new business opportunities in Japan. Today, the company is continuing its growth journey with the support of newly secured funding and international collaborations.
Through this EIT Global Outreach programme, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, AraBat established relationships with Japanese industry leaders, developed a strategic partnership with TAIYO YUDEN, and advanced its technology validation efforts.
Founded in Italy, AraBat develops innovative solutions to recover critical raw materials from end-of-life lithium batteries, electronic waste, and industrial by-products through sustainable, low-environmental-impact processes. At the heart of its innovation is AraMet, a bio-based hydrometallurgical technology that uses agricultural waste, such as orange peels and artichoke residues, to recover valuable materials including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from battery waste.
From Startup Connection to Scaling Success
AraBat’s journey through Calling2Scale Gunma demonstrates how international partnerships can help innovative startups accelerate their growth. Recently, the company secured €280,000 in funding through Italy’s TecnoNidi programme to build a pilot facility for its innovative battery recycling technology. Combined with previous public support received earlier this year, AraBat has now secured €350,000 in public funding, strengthening its ability to scale and further develop its breakthrough recycling process.
The funding will support the next phase of the company’s growth as it works to bring sustainable battery recycling solutions closer to industrial deployment, contributing to Europe’s circular economy ambitions.
In 2026, AraBat’s Japanese momentum continued beyond the programme: the company was selected for Techstars Tokyo, an accelerator that admits fewer than one per cent of applicants, receiving a US$120,000 pre-seed investment alongside its place in the cohort.
Opening Doors to Japan
For AraBat, participation in Calling2Scale Gunma provided much more than market exposure. It created opportunities to engage directly with Japanese industrial partners and explore real-world applications for the company’s technology.
“AraBat joined the EIT Community through the Calling2Scale Gunma programme. Through the programme, we had many opportunities, including meeting Japanese industrial partners, accessing new markets, and working together with several companies, including Taiyo Yuden, on the challenge of recovering value from defective products and industrial waste.”
Raffaele Nacchiero, PhD, CEO of AraBat
From First Meetings to a Proof-of-Concept Agreement
AraBat and TAIYO YUDEN identified shared interests in recovering valuable materials from industrial waste and defective products. As the relationship strengthened, the collaboration progressed from exploratory conversations to formal commitments.
“A major milestone was our discussions with Taiyo Yuden in Japan. Through a series of face-to-face meetings and online meetings, we were able to move forward to the signing of a Letter of Intent, and finally to a Proof-of-Concept development agreement.”
Raffaele Nacchiero, PhD, CEO of AraBat
Through this agreement, AraBat uses samples and products supplied by TAIYO YUDEN to validate and test its hydrometallurgical technology in real industrial applications.
The collaboration serves as a clear example of the value that Calling2Scale Gunma can create for participating startups. By facilitating connections between European innovators and Japanese corporates, the programme helps companies move beyond networking towards concrete business opportunities, technology validation, and long-term partnerships.
“European startups bring a strong spirit of innovation, deep-tech expertise, and agility. These qualities can help reduce the risks associated with technology development for Japanese companies and accelerate the path toward sustainability and a circular economy.”
Raffaele Nacchiero, PhD, CEO of AraBat
Could Your Startup Be the Next Success Story?
If you are a European startup looking to connect with Japanese corporates, explore new markets, validate your technology, and build long-term business opportunities in Japan, this is your opportunity to take the next step.
Discover Calling2Scale Gunma: Gateway to Japan and become the next success story.
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