Global Accelerators, Incubators, Awards and more in Japan
We have gathered and listed global accelerators, incubators, awards, and others in Japan which allows startups and growing companies to participate in and gives the opportunity to tap into the Japanese markets.
*Information as of July 2021. Receive up-to-date information by subscribing to our monthly newsletter!
Accelerate Aichi by 500 Global Landing Pad
The Accelerate Aichi by 500 Global Landing Pad program is designed to help international startups develop a customised Japan-focused go-to-market business plan and growth strategy.
Recent application deadline: Nov. 12nd, 2021
https://ecosystems.500.co/accelerate_aichi/landing_pad
Asics Accelerators Program
Launched in 2019, this Asic’s program aims to create new value through working together with passionate entrepreneurs in the sports tech field. Asics has a vision to contribute more to people’s mind and physical health, and they are looking for ideas towards creating new lifestyles that enriches the lives of people
Recent application deadline:Feb. 14th, 2022
https://corp.asics.com/en/ventures/accelerator_program
ENECHANGE Insight Ventures
This program is unique in that all selected startups will be matched to at least one of ENECHANGE’s subscribing corporates, which consists of top leaders of Japan’s energy market. Their team will support startups and corporates to achieve successful relationships.
Recent application deadline:: Apr. 15th, 2021
https://japanenergychallenge.com/
ENEOS Accelerator Program
Led by ENEOS, the program has a special focus on community development, mobility, decarbonization, and circular economy. Selected projects will receive hands-on partnerships, including PoC, investment, and dispatch personnel.
Application received throughout the year
https://www.eneos-innovation.co.jp/english/eneos-accelerator-program
500 Kobe Founder Academy
This virtual 4-week program is custom-designed to support startups in an independent manner while they explore scaling in Kobe and beyond. All global startups at an early stage with global solutions are welcomed.
Recent application deadline:: Oct 22th, 2021
https://programs.500.co/kobe-500-founder-academy
Food Tech Studio Bites!
Food Tech Studio Bites! aims to bring food entrepreneurs to the front lines and connect them with leaders in the industry, helping them realize growth opportunities. Focus categories are: wellness, health, next generation & functional food, supply chain & logistics, at home & consumer focused tech, and sustainability.
Recent application deadline:: Nov. 30th, 2020
https://www.foodtech.studio/
Fujitsu Accelerator
Fujitsu Accelerator aims to combine innovation startup technologies with Fujitsu's products and services to create new business opportunities and provide new values to the world. Focus technology areas for their most recent season was IoT, Digital Twin, Security, Mobility, 5G, and Hybrid IT.
Recent application deadline:: Oct. 1st, 2020
https://www.fujitsu.com/jp/innovation/venture/en/
Google for Startups Accelerator Tokyo
For startups already with a product in the market, this program features mentoring from Googlers, access to Google's technologies, and various trainings. Key focus areas are graying society and shrinking workforce; energy, environment and sustainability; rural revitalization; medicine, health and well-being; education; diversity, inclusion, and social equality.
Recent application deadline: Oct. 30th, 2020
https://www.campus.co/tokyo/accelerator/
Hitachi Innovation Challenge for Circular Economy
Hitachi’s Water & Environment Business Unit and Corporate Venturing Office is joining to offer startups to scale in the Japanese market through collaborating with them. The three focus themes are: ensuring the sustainability of water resources, creating a zero waste society, and reducing food waster in Southeast Asia.
Apply by: Jan. 8th, 2021
https://www.agorize.com/en/challenges/hitachi/pages/theme?lang=en
Innovation Leader’s Summit
ILS is Japan’s largest matchmaking event aiming to accelerate collaborations between assets of established corporates and innovative ideas of startups. As part of the event will be held “Tokyo Challenge 100”, where registered startups can pitch to provide solutions for problems Japanese corporates have announced.
ILS 2022 : Feb. 7-10th, 2022
https://ils.tokyo/
Local Innovation Challenge HOKKAIDO
Led by Startup City Sapporo, 12 municipalities in Hokkaido are offering PoC opportunities to selected startups in the fields of “DX in public administration” & “Population exchange”. No requirements to reside in Hokkaido, but communication during the project will be mainly in Japanese.
Recent application deadline:: July 31st, 2022
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/local-innovation-challenge-hokkaido-2022-due-july-/?trackingId=QIc71QauS%2B68exHQEjgU6w%3D%3D
Open Network Lab
Started in 2010, Open Network Lab is a pioneer of seed accelerator programs in Japan opened to foreign startups. It organizes programs focusing on specific sectors (Bio-Tech, Resi-Tech), and regions (Fukuoka, Hokkaido). plus a program that is industry agnostic as long as the business is a disruptive idea made possible by the internet.
Recent application deadline:: May 6th, 2022
https://onlab.jp/en/
Plug and Play
Plug and Play Japan’s accelerator program is held twice a year, each with a duration of 3 months long. The winter/spring 2023 batch will be held in Tokyo and Kyoto, focusing on Fintech, Energy, Insurtech, Mobility, Food and Beverages, Health, and New Materials.
Recent application deadline: Aug. 5th, 2022
https://japan.plugandplaytechcenter.com/startups/apply-program-en/
Smart City X
Organized by Scrum Ventures and its Japanese partners from relevant industries and municipals,, Smart City X is for startups all around the world at any stage of growth. Their verticals are 1)Consumer Products & Service, 2)Mobility, 3)Smart Building, 4)Energy, Resource & Sustainability, 5)Connectivity & Infrastructure, and 6)Social Innovation.
Recent application deadline:: Dec. 31th, 2021
https://en.smartcity-x.com/
Startupbootcamp Scale Osaka
Focused on seed-funded companies with validated business models, this 3-months program helps founders scale their business in Japan, by collaborating with billion-dollar companies on PoCs across various sectors under the broad theme of “Smart Cities & Living”. Limited to 10 companies to provide tailored support.
Recent application deadline:: Aug. 26th, 2021
https://www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/scale-osaka/
Tokyo Financial Award
This Award by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is divided into two parts; one is an award for financial institutions engaging in ESG investing, businesses practicing SDGs management, and another one is for startups with innovational financial services. The focus area for the latter is decided by the resident’s poll previously held to the application.
Recent application deadline:: Jul. 29th, 2022 for the Financial Innovation category and Sept. 2022 for the ESG investment category
https://www.finaward.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/
Well-Being X
Well-BeingX is a global open innovation program in which large corporations representing various industries from around the world collaborate to enhance the health of individuals, not merely from the absence of disease of infirmity, but for the overall state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.
Recent application deadline: May 31st, 2022
https://en.well-beingx.com/
X-Hub Tokyo
X-Hub Tokyo's Inbound Program supports the scale-up for overseas startups which is seeking interactions with companies in Tokyo in the three business domains; Fintech, Mobility, and Life Science. The program is organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and operated by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC.
Apply by: Oct. 22nd, 2021
https://x-hub.tokyo/en/inbound_program