Announcements
Nov 09,2022
Aim for further growth by strengthening business strategy and R&D
EF Polymer, which was born in India, was selected for the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) accelerator program in 2019, and the Japanese headquarters was established in Onna-mura, Okinawa-ken in March 2020, triggered by founder and CEO Narayan Gharjahl's visit to Japan. Initially, Narayan carried out tasks such as polymer product development and negotiations with investors and partners alone, but the number of team members who sympathized with the company's vision gradually increased, and as of 2022, there were 8 members enrolled in Japan. Members with diverse backgrounds have joined together and are working to popularize polymers. Currently, about 20 people are enrolled in the India branch office, and they are mainly responsible for polymer production and sales activities in the Indian market.
Narayan Lal Gurjar
Founder/CEO
Born in Rajasthan, India. I majored in agricultural engineering at university. Seeing farmers suffering from water shortages, including my father, in my hometown, I decided to start EF Polymer while attending university. I came to Japan in 2019 after being selected for the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) startup accelerator program.
Hobbies: Meditation in nature, outdoor games
Favorite vegetables: I like all vegetables (!)
Kunihiro Shimoji
COO
Born in Okinawa. After graduating from American University (International Relations Theory), after going through an American think tank (Washington DC) and a foreign consulting firm (Tokyo), he returned to Okinawa from 2020 and engaged in external funding, industry-academia-government collaboration, and regional cooperation as an employee of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). He has been in current position since 2022/8.
Hobbies: weight training, soccer, reading
Favorite vegetable: Okra
Hiroshi Yoshikawa
CFO/Certified Public Accountant
Born in Chiba. After graduating from International Christian University (College of Liberal Arts), he passed the certified public accountant exam in 2008, went through a Big 4 audit firm and financial advisory (Tokyo), and engaged in financial accounting, budget requests, and the establishment of an incubation center as an employee of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) in 2015. He has been in current position since 2022/10.
Hobbies: Matchlock, ceramics, cat protection
Favorite vegetable: eggplant
Yoshiaki Ishii
Operations Logistics Manager
Born in Tokyo. My previous job was an acupuncturist and masseuse. As a result, he had a high interest in medicinal herbs and food, and stayed in New Zealand and Australia for several years and experienced farming at various farm orchards. I met Narayan, the representative when I moved to Okinawa, sympathized with the appeal and vision for EF Polymer and joined the company. He has been in current position since 2021/8.
Hobbies: hiking, cacti
Favorite vegetable: carrots
Yusuke Yagisawa
R&D manager
Born in Chiba. Graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology Graduate School. My major is polymers. After graduation, he worked in research and development at Canon Inc. He has been in current position since 2022/10.
Hobbies: cats, stargazing, driving
Favorite vegetables: various
