Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, has emerged as a significant player in the global startup ecosystem. Combining traditional corporate strength with innovative entrepreneurship, the city offers unique opportunities for startups looking to leverage Japan's technological prowess and market potential.
This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Tokyo's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Japanese market.
Top 20 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Tokyo, Japan
1. 01Booster
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Food, Health, social, lifestyle, sustainability, technology, and digital innovation.
One of Tokyo's premier accelerators, 01Booster, focuses on scaling technology startups through corporate partnerships. The program provides intensive mentorship, corporate matching, and funding opportunities up to ¥10 million. Their strong connections with major Japanese corporations make them particularly valuable for B2B startups looking to enter the Japanese market.
2. KDDI ∞ Labo
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Telecommunications and digital services.
KDDI's startup support program focuses on telecommunications and internet-related innovations. The program offers technical resources, mentorship, and potential partnerships with KDDI's extensive network. Startups receive hands-on support in developing products and services that align with Japan's advanced mobile and internet infrastructure.
3. Digital Garage
Target Audience: Early to growth-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Industry agnostic.
Digital Garage provides comprehensive support through its incubation and investment programs. The company offers strategic partnerships, market entry support, and potential investment opportunities. Their strong ties with both Japanese and international tech companies create valuable networking opportunities.
4. Plug and Play Japan
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: InsurTech, retail, health, smart cities, new materials.
Part of the global Plug and Play network, the Tokyo program connects startups with corporate partners. The accelerator runs industry-specific programs annually, providing mentorship, funding opportunities, and corporate connections. Their international network helps startups bridge Japanese and global markets.
5. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Accelerator
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with or without a team.
Niche: Urban innovation and technology.
Startup Station is a government-backed initiative supporting startups addressing urban challenges. The program provides funding, mentorship, and connections to city departments and corporate partners. Its focus on urban innovation creates unique opportunities for startups in smart city technologies.
6. SoftBank Innovation Program
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: AI, IoT, and robotics.
SoftBank's accelerator focuses on cutting-edge technology innovations. The program provides technical resources, potential investment, and access to SoftBank's global network. Their deep expertise in AI and robotics makes them particularly valuable for deep tech startups.
7. Monozukuri Hardware Hub
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Hardware and manufacturing technology.
Monozukuri Hardware Hub specializes in hardware and manufacturing innovations. It provides prototyping facilities, manufacturing expertise, and industry connections. Their focus on hardware makes them unique in Tokyo's startup ecosystem.
8. Samurai Incubate
Target Audience: Early to Series A stage startups with a team.
Niche: Industry agnostic.
Samurai Incubate, founded in 2008, is one of Japan's oldest and most respected startup incubators. The program invests between $200K and $800K per startup and provides comprehensive support, including mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities. Its strong presence in Japan and Africa makes it unique for startups looking for international expansion.
9. 500 Startups Japan
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Technology and digital innovation.
500 Startups Japan is a prominent accelerator offering a four-month intensive program with investments of $100K to $150K for 10% equity. The program provides extensive mentorship, global networking opportunities, and access to its worldwide investor network. Its focus on scalable technology startups and global expansion makes it particularly valuable for startups with international ambitions.
10. ABBALab
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Business innovation and technology.
ABBALab, founded in 2013, supports early-stage startups' growth journey. Their program offers mentorship, business development support, and networking opportunities within the Japanese startup ecosystem.
11. Open Network Lab
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Technology and digital solutions.
Open Network Lab is a seed accelerator that provides intensive support for internet and mobile startups. It offers seed funding, mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, and connections to investors.
12. Dream Incubator
Target Audience: Early to growth-stage startups with a team.
Niche: Business development and strategic consulting.
Dream Incubator combines venture capital investment with strategic consulting expertise. Its focus is on helping startups develop sustainable business models while providing access to its corporate network and strategic resources.
13. Beyond Next Ventures
Target Audience: Early-stage deep tech startups with a team.
Niche: Research commercialization and deep technology.
Beyond Next Ventures specializes in supporting deep tech startups emerging from research institutions. Their program focuses on commercializing advanced technologies and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
14. Deepcore
Target Audience: AI and deep tech startups.
Niche: Artificial Intelligence and advanced technology.
Deepcore, backed by SoftBank, specializes in AI and deep technology startups. They provide technical resources, research support, and connections to SoftBank's global network.
15. Tokyo XR Startups
Target Audience: Early-stage startups focusing on XR technology.
Niche: Extended Reality (VR/AR/MR).
Tokyo XR Startups is a niche accelerator dedicated to XR technology development. It provides mentorship from industry experts and access to cutting-edge XR equipment and development tools. The program also offers funding opportunities and connections to major gaming and technology companies in Japan.
16. Hitomedia
Target Audience: Digital media and content startups.
Niche: Content creation and distribution.
Hitomedia specializes in supporting digital content and media startups. It provides expertise in content strategy and distribution channels, and its program includes access to content creation resources and industry connections.
17. INDEE Japan
Target Audience: Early-stage startup with a team.
Niche: Hardware innovation and manufacturing.
INDEE Japan supports hardware startups that use technology to solve social problems. They provide product development and manufacturing expertise, access to prototyping facilities, and manufacturing networks. The program includes guidance on supply chain management and production scaling.
18. SGcapital
Target Audience: Tech startups with scalable solutions.
Niche: Fashion, food, beverage and digital innovation.
SGcapital provides both funding and acceleration support for promising tech startups. Their program focuses on rapid scaling and market expansion strategies. They offer extensive mentorship and access to their investor network.
19. Mainichi Future Creation Laboratory
Target Audience: Early-stage startups with innovative solutions.
Niche: Innovation and technology development.
Mainichi Future Creation Laboratory, backed by Mainichi Newspapers, focuses on media technology. It supports startups developing new solutions for the media industry and provides access to media expertise and potential partnerships.
20. Bonds Investment Group
Target Audience: Early to growth-stage startups.
Niche: Technology investment and business development.
Bonds Investment Group is a Japanese venture capital firm focusing on technology investments. It provides strategic support and business development resources to portfolio companies and partners with entrepreneurs to accelerate growth and market expansion.
AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo's startup ecosystem continues to evolve, offering entrepreneurs a unique combination of traditional business values and innovative opportunities. These accelerators and incubators are crucial in bridging cultural gaps and providing startups with the resources to succeed in the Japanese market.
The diversity of these programs, from established incubators like Samurai Incubate to specialized accelerators focusing on specific technologies, demonstrates Tokyo's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship while maintaining strong connections to Japan's corporate sector.