X-Hub Tokyo Programme

Masako Eguchi-Bacon, CEO and Founder

Ocean Bridge Management (OBM)

Masako Eguchi-Bacon brings over 25 years of expertise in forging bilateral business relationships across Japan, the UK, Asia, and the US. As former Head of Ingram Micro Japan and a senior leader in Ingram Micro UK, she managed large-scale European projects. In 2010, she founded OBM, connecting innovative ideas with global markets. Masako drives UK-Japan collaborations, including the Thames Valley–Kansai regional link, and advises organisations on energy, mobility, AI, and IoT. Passionate about innovation, she mentors impactful ventures like Digireha, an interactive rehabilitation system for children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).

Sammy Fry, Head of Climate

Tech Nation

Sammy Fry is the Head of Climate at Tech Nation, part of Founders Forum, focusing on accelerating the growth of the most impactful climate tech start-ups. Previously, Sammy has led its two flagship programmes, supporting the growth of 130 climate tech companies. Companies part of the programme have grown three times as fast as the industry average. Alongside this, Sammy is a founding member of the ClimateTech Policy Coalition, providing policy recommendations to the UK Government. In 2021, Sammy co-created Tech Zero; a collaborative initiative, currently supporting over 350 tech companies to achieve net zero which is a partner to UN Race to Zero. Sammy is also a regular voice across the ecosystem, contributing to media, including The Times and the Economist and chairing events, such as London Tech Week and the London Climate Technology Show.

Simon Hombersley, Venture Builder & Founder

Puntios

Simon Hombersley is a serial cleantech entrepreneur and founder of Lontra, an engineering firm specializing in energy-saving compressors. He has previously founded TwentyNinety and Puntios Limited and served as CEO of Oxford Flow. With expertise in plastic alternatives, energy efficiency, and water tech, Simon has built two companies from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge IP to Series A funding. He advises on venture building, corporate strategy, and early-stage finance. Recognized as a European Tech Pioneer by Sifted and a Tech Leader of the Year by TechRound, Simon is also passionate about ESG and impact-driven ventures.

Pete Blake, Co-Founder

Sapphire Steel

Pete began working with entrepreneurs in the '90s supporting the launch of digital products and ethical consumer brands. He’s built and sold two digital agencies, and co-founded two social enterprises that invest in young talent across the UK. For five years in the early 2000's he worked at IBM to drive the commericalisation of deep tech, before leaving to lead large scale tech innovation programmes across media, consumer technology and health sectors. Since 2013 he has focused on working with mission minded tech founders, and in 2018 established Sapphire & Steel with his business partner Anna-Lisa Wesley.

Joseph Oliver, Emerging, Impact & Deep Tech Innovation Specialist

Joseph Tenzin Oliver is a visionary leader specialising in sustainability, innovation, and peak performance. He has over a decade of global experience advising organisations on embedding AI, advancing ESG strategies, and fostering conscious leadership. As a pioneer in eco-innovation, Joseph founded Bash Creations to drive sustainability in the entertainment industry and led transformative projects like Gung Ho Pizza's B Corp certification. A sought-after speaker, he inspires change through topics like frontier technology and sustainable lifestyles, empowering businesses to thrive responsibly.

Viola Jardon

Viola is currently working as a Senior Programme Manager with CISL Canopy where she has worked with more than 150 early-stage start-ups with sustainability innovations. Her expertise and experience are in business innovation, go-to-market strategy and sustainability storytelling for the creative industry, tech industry, and the built environment. She is a business mentor for Tech Nation, Digital Catapult, Plug & Play, MSDUK and L Marks Corporate Accelerators and a business advisor for a few tech businesses. Before joining CISL, she was part of the founding team establishing the London Fashion Fund, which supported start-ups and entrepreneurs to address innovation and sustainability in the fashion industry. 

Sam Laakkonen

Senior Programme Director of the Canopy & Accelerator Team at CISL, Sam started his career as a management consultant in the City of London. He was headhunted to his first startup, FirstMark Communications Europe, which raised one of the largest Series A rounds in European history, over $1 billion. He has since been an early employee at Spotify, privately invested in 25+ startups, had 3 further exits from his own companies, helped 250+ startups accelerate growth, and works as an expert for the European Commission to distribute EIC equity and grant funding. Sam has been active in the Techstars ecosystem for a number of years, having been an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for Techstars Amsterdam, and a Lead Mentor on a number of programmes including Techstars Lisbon, Techstars Korea, Techstars Boulder and Techstars Energy in Oslo.

James Cole

James Cole brings over 15 years of expertise at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation. As a senior leader at CISL, he oversees business policy and finance initiatives, empowering leaders and institutions to drive systemic sustainability. In 2022, he founded The Canopy, CISL’s Cambridge-based incubator for impact-driven startups and innovators. Previously, James worked at Friends of the Earth, launched a digital media startup, developed Vodafone UK partnerships, and implemented sustainable agriculture projects in Peru. He also serves as a trustee for The Partnering Initiative and PECT, with academic credentials in Rural Estate Management and Leadership for Sustainable Development.

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