Selected as Finalist at JETRO J-StarX Oxford Programme

Completed the JETRO J-StarX Oxford Programme

In February 2026, DreamDive founder Hiroya Mitachi participated in the JETRO J-StarX Oxford Programme. After two intensive weeks of workshops, hackathons, and mentoring at Oxford Saïd Business School, he was selected as a finalist for the final pitching event.

Pitching DreamDive's Dream Engineering

At the final pitch, Hiroya presented DreamDive's core vision — a neuroscience-based app that lets you choose what you dream about.

What meant the most was that the audience engaged with the science seriously. No one dismissed it as science fiction. Instead, constructive discussions emerged around the technology and its potential.

Key Takeaways

Going into the programme, the belief was simple: if the technology is real, customers will come. Two weeks at Oxford completely shifted that perspective.

• Understanding your customer isn't a step in the process — it is the process — Start from the customer's problem, not the technology
• A pitch that lands is built on honesty, not hype — Authenticity is the most persuasive approach
• Discomfort is where the growth happens — Jumping in turned out to be exactly what was needed

The workshops, hackathon, mentoring sessions, and conversations with fellow participants pushed DreamDive to be seen not just as a research project, but as a venture.

What's Next

Grateful to the Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre and JETRO for making this possible.

From here, DreamDive is accelerating full speed ahead.