Kinish Inc., a pioneering food tech company founded by Hiroya Hashizume, has been chosen as the first Japanese brand to participate in a comprehensive food business support strategy program created by Union Kitchen and Wildcard Incubator. This milestone program, which will commence in February 2025, aims to empower and accelerate the growth of Kinish's unique rice-based dairy alternatives, including their signature “rice ice cream.”
The strategic partnership of Union Kitchen and Wildcard Incubator aims to enhance Kinish's market presence through expert guidance, hands-on support, and access to their robust network, enabling the company to innovate and expand both locally and globally.
"We are thrilled to support Kinish Inc. in their journey to redefine the future of rice-based dairy alternatives," said Cullen Gilchrist, Founder of Union Kitchen. "Our phased approach to food business development aligns perfectly with their innovative vision, and we are eager to help them grow within the US market and beyond."
About Kinish Inc.
Kinish Inc. is at the forefront of food technology with its research, development, and sale of innovative products made from rice, including traditional Japanese varieties. The company focuses on crafting rice-based dairy alternatives that redefine the possibilities of plant-based foods.
About Union Kitchen
Founded by Cullen Gilchrist, Union Kitchen is one of the leading food business Accelerators in the United States, providing holistic support to food startups. With over 650 supported companies as of June 2024, Union Kitchen offers product planning, development, shared kitchen space, manufacturing support, distribution, retail sales, and training programs, making it a comprehensive partner for scaling food businesses.
About Wildcard Incubator
Founded by Nobu Kumagai, Wildcard Incubator is a dynamic business co-creation incubator focusing on building connections between Japanese enterprises and leading European and American startups. Based in Tokyo with a strong presence in Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia, Wildcard supports strategic market entry and execution for startups in agri-food, wellness, and environmental sectors, facilitating US market launches for Japanese companies and European, American, and Asia-Pacific market entry for global startups.