TOKYO, April 29, 2026– Malaysian agritech startup Qarbotech was officially crowned the grand winner of the Sushi Tech Challenge 2026.
The announcement came during the final day of the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 summit, one of Asia’s largest innovation conferences. The Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike handed over the top prize, including the winner’s cheque of 1 million Japanese Yen to Qarbotech’s founder and CEO, Chor Chee Hoe, marking a historic moment for the Selangor and Penang-based company.
Qarbotech’s victory points to the disruptive potential in the global agricultural sector. The company emerged victorious from a grueling selection process that began with a massive pool of 820 entries from around the world. After multiple rounds of pitching and technical vetting, Qarbotech was one of the seven finalists to compete in the grand finale in Tokyo.
The startup’s winning technology centers on its patented “biocompatible photosynthesis enhancers.” By using specialized nanomaterials to increase the photosynthesis rate of plants, Qarbotech enables farmers to increase crop yields by up to 60% and shorten harvest cycles, even in low-light environments or urban farming setups.
In his immediate reaction to the win, Chor Chee Hoe said that this win is not only an important validation of their technology, but also the company’s readiness to scale. As the 2026 champion, Qarbotech is expected to use the momentum to accelerate its expansion into several Asian markets, where land scarcity and food self-sufficiency remain critical national priorities. The victory underscores Malaysia’s growing reputation as a hub for high-impact biotechnology and serves as a beacon for other Southeast Asian startups aiming for the global stage.
The Sushi Tech Challenge, a key highlight of the SusHi Tech Tokyo event, provides winners with international recognition and access to Japan’s expansive network of venture capitalists and corporate partners.