Topic: ​Foreign Investment in the DFW Healthcare Ecosystem: Perspectives from Japan and Regional Investors

Speakers:  Chihiro Shinzaki, Founder & CEO, JPEX America | Co Founder, J-THINK (Japan-Texas Healthcare Innovation Network) and Elvin Fenton, Founder, Eyeing Opportunities LLC | Healthcare M&A Advisor | Practice Transition & Acquisition Strategist

Presentation:

- Why Texas, Why Now — Understanding Texas’s rapid growth and expanding healthcare, life sciences, and innovation ecosystem.

- Japan–Texas Innovation Opportunities — Exploring areas where Japan and Texas can complement each other in healthcare, biotechnology, digital health, medical AI, and life sciences.

- Cross-Border Business & Investment — Identifying opportunities for investment, market expansion, commercialization, and strategic partnerships.

- Healthcare Innovation & Emerging Technologies — Highlighting new technologies, solutions, and trends shaping the future of healthcare.

- Academic, Research & Clinical Collaboration — Exploring joint research, university partnerships, talent exchange, clinical collaboration, and technology transfer.

- Building a Long-Term Innovation Corridor — Creating sustainable connections among industry, academia, healthcare, investors, government, and entrepreneurs across Japan and Texas.

Speaker's bio:

Chihiro Shinzaki is a Japan–U.S. business leader, entrepreneur, and investor with more than a decade of experience building businesses and supporting cross-border expansion between Japan and the United States.

He is the Founder and CEO of JPEX America, a Texas-based company focused on helping Japanese companies navigate and grow in the U.S. market. Throughout his career, Chihiro has supported more than 100 Japanese companies in their U.S. business development and market-entry initiatives, while building an extensive network across corporations, universities, healthcare systems, startups, investors, and government organizations.

Chihiro is also the Co-Founder of J-THINK (Japan-Texas Healthcare Innovation Network), an initiative designed to strengthen the healthcare and life sciences corridor between Japan and Texas. J-THINK brings together leaders from academia, healthcare, industry, investment, and government to create opportunities for cross-border investment, research collaboration, commercialization, and market expansion.

In addition to his operating roles, Chihiro is an active angel investor and is involved in the North Texas investment ecosystem. He also serves as Vice Chair of External Relations for the Japan-Texas Economic Summit, where he works to strengthen economic and strategic relationships between Japan and Texas.

Originally from Tokyo, Chihiro earned his degree from Keio University and studied at the University of California, Irvine, before completing graduate studies in Sports Business at St. John’s University in New York.

Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, he is particularly focused on connecting Japanese companies, technologies, and capital with the rapidly growing Texas innovation ecosystem.

Elvin Fenton is a healthcare entrepreneur, investor, and M&A leader with nearly three decades of experience helping healthcare providers grow, transition, and maximize enterprise value. His career has been dedicated to advising physician and healthcare practice owners through acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and practice transitions, with a particular focus on the healthcare services sector.

He is the Founder of Eyeing Opportunities LLC, where he advises healthcare organizations, investors, and physician groups on buy-side acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives, and transaction execution. Leveraging his extensive experience as both a healthcare practitioner and business owner, Elvin works closely with founders and investors to identify opportunities that create long-term value while preserving quality patient care.

Throughout his career, Elvin has held senior acquisition and leadership roles with organizations including Espire Dental, Amcare Clinic, MyEyeDr., and Texarkana Eye Associates. His experience spans practice ownership, operational leadership, healthcare roll-ups, and M&A strategy, giving him a unique perspective on both the clinical and business sides of healthcare.

Originally trained as an optometrist, Elvin earned his degree from Northeastern State University College of Optometry before transitioning into healthcare acquisitions and strategic advisory. His background as both a clinician and operator allows him to bridge the gap between physicians, investors, and healthcare executives during complex transactions.

Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, Elvin remains actively engaged in the North Texas healthcare and investment community. He is passionate about helping healthcare entrepreneurs successfully navigate growth, succession planning, and acquisitions while building stronger healthcare organizations for the future.