Techstars Tokyo will launch equity-based accelerator program
Executive Summary
- Mitsui Fudosan has concluded a partnership with Techstars, the largest pre-seed investor in the world, to establish Techstars’ first equity-based accelerator program in Japan as well as the sole accelerator program in Asia and will hold Techstars Tokyo at Innovation Field Yaesu, the 4th floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu
- Mitsui Fudosan will invest in an investment vehicle managed by Techstars, which will make US$120,000 investments in each startup selected to Techstars Tokyo
- Techstars Tokyo is the first project under initiatives which Cabinet Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have promoted to attract global accelerators and venture capitals to Japan
Mitsui Fudosan, a leading global real estate developer headquartered in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Techstars, the world’s largest pre-seed investor, announced today the launch of Techstars Tokyo, a new accelerator program for early stage companies. The program will empower globally-minded entrepreneurs who are looking towards international expansion or aiming to break into the Japanese market.
Techstars Tokyo marks a collobrative effort to energize Japan’s startup ecosystem. While Techstars Tokyo is Techstars’ first equity-based accelerator in Japan as well as the sole accelerator in Asia, it builds on Techstars’ ecosystem development work which has supported entrepreneurs at the earliest stages through Founder Catalyst and Startup Weekend. More than 100 founders in Japan have participated in the Founder Catalyst pre-accelerator in partnership with JETRO, gaining essential startup education, mentorship, community-building skills, and access to Techstars’ global network, over the course of a 10-week intensive program. Over 27,000 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs have participated in Startup Weekend events in Japan.
Through its venture arm, 31VENTURES, Mitsui Fudosan supports startup innovation by engaging global startups to provide funding, develop workspaces, and connect startup and mentor communities. Mitsui Fudosan is also working alongside JETRO in its efforts with the Cabinet Office, the Ministory of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to bring global startup accelerators and venture capitals to Japan.
Mitsui Fudosan will invest in an investment vehicle managed by Techstars, which will make investments in the startups selected to Techstars Tokyo. Paired with Techstars’ programming and network, Mitsui Fudosan will not only help innovative and promising startups succeed but also help raise the global competitiveness of Japan and strengthen the connections between the Japanese and other global startup ecosystems.
Applications
Techstars Tokyo will select 12 early-stage startups from around the globe with a focus on those based in Japan that are aiming to succeed in a global market as well as those from other countries that are looking to expand into the Japanese market. Selected startups will come to Tokyo, receive access to funding, training and mentorship over the course of the 13-week program, which will be held at Innovation Field Yaesu, a place on the 4th floor of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu.
Following the inaugural program in 2024, Techstars Tokyo will conduct a series of this program roughly once yearly from 2025 onward, with plans to continue holding the program over multiple years.
An overview of Techstars Tokyo 1st round is as follows. For applications, please visit the Techstars website.
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