MoveEz Representative Director and CEO Eric Wei Wins the Tokai-Hokuriku Regional Entrepreneur Award (Challenging Spirit Category) at EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Japan

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MoveEz Inc. (Headquarters: Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan; Representative Director and CEO: Eric Wei (Wei Chia-Hung); hereinafter referred to as “MoveEz”), a company with world-class autonomous driving technology and a proven track record, is pleased to announce that its Representative Director and CEO, Eric Wei, has received the Tokai-Hokuriku Regional Entrepreneur Award (Challenging Spirit Category) at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Japan (EOY 2026 Japan), organized by EY Japan.

■ Background of the Award and Eric Wei’s Journey

Eric Wei’s commitment to autonomous driving stems from a traffic accident he experienced at the age of five. Having narrowly survived the accident, Wei came to realize that “being able to travel safely in everyday life should never be taken for granted.” His strong awareness that a lack of access to transportation can directly lead to the loss of opportunities in life, such as accessing medical care, commuting to school or work, and spending time with family, has been the driving force behind his mission to eliminate traffic accidents and mobility disparities.

Wei subsequently spent approximately 20 years launching new businesses and leading business development at global technology companies, including Amazon, Google, DiDi, and foodpanda. At DiDi, he worked directly with transportation operators and local governments in Japan to address the mobility challenges they faced. Drawing on these experiences and insights, Wei aspired to build a lasting company that would become an integral part of society’s infrastructure. In November 2025, he assumed the position of Representative Director and CEO of MoveEz.

Today, MoveEz is working to create a society where everyone can travel safely and with peace of mind, regardless of where they live. The company is particularly focused on rural and snow-prone regions, where mobility disparities are more likely to arise. MoveEz is advancing its business to transform world-class autonomous driving technology, developed through more than 25 years of research at Kanazawa University, into essential infrastructure that supports everyday mobility.

Leveraging Eric Wei’s extensive experience in launching businesses in international markets, MoveEz is working to establish its Japan-originated, all-weather robotaxi technology as an essential part of everyday life around the world.

■ Comments from Eric Wei

Having worked at Amazon and Google, I have always regarded Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin as figures I could only admire from afar. To now receive an award on the same EOY stage where they were once honored fills me with a profound sense of awe and joy.

My personal motivation for being involved with MoveEz stems from a traffic accident I experienced at the age of five. I never want anyone in the world to experience the fear I felt that day. This deeply held wish, almost like a prayer, has continued to drive me forward.

MoveEz aims to achieve more than simply implementing technology. Our vision is to create a future where “AI drivers” that protect human lives and put people first become an integral part of society’s infrastructure, making a world without traffic accidents and a future where everyone can travel freely a reality.

Building on 28 years of research at Kanazawa University, together with the colleagues who share our vision and everyone who has believed in and supported us along the way, we will continue to move forward with unwavering determination toward creating a new society where one billion people worldwide can benefit from autonomous driving.

■ About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is an international awards program that honors the efforts and achievements of entrepreneurs who strive toward their goals with the aim of building a better society. Today, the program is held in approximately 80 countries and territories around the world. In Japan, the awards program was launched in 2001. It has introduced and recognized numerous outstanding Japanese entrepreneurs and encourages their efforts to expand onto the global stage.

■ About MoveEz

MoveEz is a startup originating from Kanazawa University, established in May 2024 with the mission of “enabling freedom of mobility for everyone and creating a society without mobility disparities.” The company aims to realize fully autonomous robotaxi services.

MoveEz is built on 27 years of research and development conducted at Kanazawa University since 1998, when autonomous driving technology was still in its infancy. A pioneer in the industry, MoveEz began public road testing in 2015 and has since accumulated over 40,000 kilometers of driving experience and provided rides to more than 2,000 passengers. The company also holds numerous patents.

To date, MoveEz has successfully conducted autonomous driving pilot projects in various locations across Japan, including Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Chiba Prefecture.