One year after receiving an Honorable Mention in the Yokohama Matching Program’s 2025 cohort, Italian food-tech startup HealthyFood Srl is continuing to expand its presence in Japan, demonstrating the long-term value that international startups can gain through Yokohama’s innovation ecosystem.

HealthyFood is the company behind MyCIA, a personalized dining platform that helps consumers communicate dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances, and food preferences through a digital “Food Identity Card.” Through its participation in the Yokohama Matching Program, the company was introduced to local partners, investors, and business stakeholders while exploring opportunities to bring its technology to the Japanese market.

What is the Yokohama Matching Program?

The Yokohama Matching Program was established to connect innovative overseas startups and venture capital firms with Yokohama’s business ecosystem. Through tailored introductions, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the program helps participants build relationships with Japanese corporations, investors, and support organizations that can accelerate market entry and business development. HealthyFood is just one such company considering establishing a presence in Yokohama that the Matching Program has assisted.

Pietro Ruffoni, CEO and Founder of HealthyFood

After his participation in the Yokohama Matching Program, CEO and Founder of HealthyFood Pietro Ruffoni worked closely with local advisors and ecosystem partners to better understand the Japanese market, refine his approach, and begin building the relationships necessary for long-term success.

Connections built through Yokohama’s Ecosystem

Among those advisors was Akihiro Hikita, Founder and CEO of Yokohama-based company COSIMO LLC, who supported HealthyFood throughout its engagement with the Yokohama Matching Program and the larger Yokohama startup ecosystem. The Yokohama Matching Program, and greater Yokohama Innovation ecosystem play a big part in helping its overseas startups connect with advisors like Hikita and COSIMO to help them through their journey. Drawing on extensive experience in cross-border innovation and startup market entry, Hikita helped facilitate introductions to investors, financial institutions, and potential business partners in both Yokohama and the greater Tokyo area. Pietro had the following to say about the support he received from the connections provided to him by the Yokohama Matching Program.

Pietro Ruffoni and Akihiro Hikita, CEO and Founder of Yokohama-based COSIMO LLC

“Coming to Japan to take part in the Yokohama Matching Program opened the door for us, and through that we were able to connect with Hikita-san and, beyond the program, with organizations such as SDG Impact Japan. These introductions allowed us to engage with numerous Japanese companies, multinational corporations, investors, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.”

The relationships developed through the Yokohama ecosystem have since translated into tangible progress in the Japanese market. HealthyFood has begun building an early customer base in Japan while continuing discussions with potential partners and collaborators introduced through the program.

Presenting HealthyFood’s MyCIA platform to potential Japanese partners

“From an operational perspective, we are also pleased to share that we already have our first users of MyCIA services in Japan. These include the Indian restaurant chain Nirvanam, with whom we have started a collaboration, as well as an independent restaurant located in the Hokkaido area. While these are still the early stages of our journey in the Japanese market, they represent meaningful validation of both the market opportunity and the value of the relationships developed through the Yokohama ecosystem.

Meeting between HealthyFood and Nirvanam

“More broadly, the program enabled us to establish connections that remain active today and with whom we continue to engage regularly. Several discussions regarding potential commercial collaborations are still ongoing and represent one of the most important long-term outcomes of our participation in the program.”

Reflections on Japan and Yokohama

Reflecting on his experience, Ruffoni emphasized the importance of local support networks when entering Japan. He noted that direct feedback from Japanese companies helped his team better understand market needs and refine its strategy. “If you find the correct advisor or the correct people that can help you connect with Japanese companies, it becomes much easier,” he explained.

Ruffoni also spoke highly of Yokohama itself, describing the city as a welcoming environment for international startups. He highlighted the value of the city’s collaborative approach to innovation and praised facilities such as Tech Hub Yokohama for creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners to meet, exchange ideas, and develop new business relationships.

The Outlook for New Applicants

For startups considering expansion into Japan, Ruffoni’s advice is simple: be patient, build relationships, and take advantage of the support available through programs such as the Yokohama Matching Program. “The difficulty is at the beginning,” he said. “When you do the first step, the second step, everything becomes easier and faster.” One year after participating in the program, HealthyFood’s continued growth in Japan serves as a testament to the power of those first connections.