Global ambition is easy. Global execution is hard.
In industrial and deep tech, success depends not just on technology, but on the ability to scale across real environments, integrate into existing systems, and operate under real constraints.
Across our work with founders, we see strong technology, early traction, and a compelling global story, but real challenges when moving from pilot to production and expanding internationally.
That execution gap is where the most meaningful conversations happen.
Takeoff Tokyo has become one of Asia’s most relevant gatherings for globally minded founders. It is now a forum for pressure-testing ideas against real-world execution.
This year, Momenta will be represented by two of its founding partners.
Ken Forster will serve as a judge, bringing his perspective as a venture industrialist working at the intersection of industrial AI, automation, and operational deployment.
Sandra Mueller will engage with founders, investors, and partners throughout the conference, focusing on how early-stage companies convert initial traction into scalable international growth.
Japan’s startup ecosystem is changing;
More founders are building with global markets in mind from day one, particularly in robotics, physical AI, and industrial systems. They have already demonstrated technical excellence; the challenge is translating that excellence into commercial scale beyond domestic ecosystems.
That bridge between innovation and global deployment is where exposure to international operators becomes critical.
Takeoff Tokyo connects startups with capital, partners, and talent.
But for companies building production-critical technologies, the real value is direct feedback from operators who have scaled in real environments. At this stage, the key questions are not about the pitch. They are about execution:
Where does this integrate into existing workflows?
What does deployment look like in a live environment?
How does it scale beyond a pilot?
What are the adoption barriers inside real enterprises?
These are the questions that determine whether a startup scales or stalls.
Momenta works with founders building for real industrial environments, where success is measured in uptime, safety, and performance.
Ken’s role as a judge reflects that mindset. It is not about evaluating ideas in isolation, but about understanding the path to production.
As industrial innovation becomes more global, connecting regional talent with experienced operators becomes essential.
Takeoff Tokyo offers a clear view into the next generation of companies building for that reality.
“Takeoff Tokyo brings together founders who are thinking beyond their local markets and building with a global mindset. I’m looking forward to meeting teams focused on Physical AI and discussing what it takes to scale across industries.”
— Ken Forster
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: March 31 to April 1, 2026
More information: Takeoff Tokyo
Momenta is the leading Industrial Impact® venture capital firm, accelerating innovators across energy, manufacturing, smart spaces, and the supply chain. Our team of deep industry operators has helped scale industry leaders and innovators to improve critical industries, the environment, and people's quality of life for over a decade. PitchBook named Momenta among the world's top ten digital industry venture funds for both 2023 and 2024 in its Global Manager Performance Score League Tables, one of just two European-headquartered VCs to achieve a Top 10 ranking. For more information, please visit: www.momenta.vc.
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