INBOUND
PROGRAM

The Inbound Program is an online startup accelerator program to help foreign entrepreneurs to expand their business into Tokyo by providing networking opportunities with startups and companies in Tokyo. In 2024, we are looking for startups in two business domains: Mobility and Food/AgTech.

This program provides the following 3 types of support to overseas startups aiming to enter the Tokyo market.

1. Lecture
Legal and market information necessary for entering Tokyo will be provided in the form of lectures from experts.

Lecture topics (examples)
・Lectures on legal affairs and intellectual property in the Japanese market
・Lectures on employment and work necessary for entering Japan
・Pitch brush-up course for Japanese companies
・Lectures on trends and characteristics of Tokyo
・Lectures by senior entrepreneurs that actually expanded into Tokyo
・Introduction of incubation facilities available for overseas SU, etc.

2. Event
Pitch events for companies in Tokyo and networking events with startups from Tokyo will be held to provide opportunities for collaboration.

Click here for an overview of last year’s event☟
Pitch event(https://www.x-hub-tokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/event/8617

3. Mentoring ・Business Matching
Mentoring by experienced business professionals and business matching with companies and VC in Tokyo as potential collaborators and funding sources will be provided.

※If you are not sure about which course you should choose, or whether you are qualified to apply, please feel free to contact with X-HUB TOKYO Administration Office.
※INBOUND PROGRAM is operated by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC.

Mobility Course
Support period:
Mid – October 2024 ~ March 31st, 2025 (JST)
Number of companies to be selected:
Approx. 8 companies
Place:
Online
Language:
English
Fee:
Free
In Mobility Course, we are looking for startups providing products or services related to the movement of people and such as e-hailing, semiconductors, AV sensors and advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) components, batteries, AV software and mapping, electric vehicles and charging, telematics and intelligent traffic, transportation system, MaaS, logistics, drones, etc.
Application Requirements
  1. Must be an overseas startup (a startup without an office in Japan)
  2. Must be an unlisted company
  3. Operating business in Mobility
  4. Have a specific business plan for expanding business into Tokyo
  5. Have a business level of English proficiency
  6. Being able to attend ALL sessions throughout the program
  7. Attendees must possess decision-making authority related to management or possess those in charge of overseas expansion.
  8. Be able to participate in an Online Interview if the applicant passes the first screening.
Application guideline
Please click here to check.
How to apply
Please read the application guideline carefully and fill out the entry sheet, and upload pitch deck. Please note that all the materials must be submitted in English.
Application Period:Jul 1st 2024(Mon) – Jul 31st 2024 (Wed) 5:00pm (JST)
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Food/AgTech Course
Support period:
Mid – October 2024 ~ March 31st, 2025 (JST)
Number of companies to be selected:
Approx. 8 companies
Place:
Online
Language:
English
Fee:
Free
In Food/AgTech course, we are looking for startups developing products and services that utilize ICT technology to revitalize agriculture or employ cutting-edge food technology to achieve sustainable agriculture and food supply.
Alternative proteins, Genome-edited foods, Insect-based foods and feeds, Cellular agriculture, Health food tech, Food waste reduction and upcycling, Smart agriculture, Plant factories, Next-generation aquaculture technology, etc.
Application Requirements
  1. Must be an overseas startup (a startup without an office in Japan)
  2. Must be an unlisted company
  3. Operating business in Food/AgTech
  4. Have a specific business plan for expanding business into Tokyo
  5. Have a business level of English proficiency
  6. Being able to attend ALL sessions throughout the program
  7. Attendees must possess decision-making authority related to management or possess those in charge of overseas expansion.
  8. Be able to participate in an Online Interview if the applicant passes the first screening.
Application guideline
Please click here to check.
How to apply
Please read the application guideline carefully and fill out the entry sheet, and upload pitch deck. Please note that all the materials must be submitted in English.
Application Period:Jul 1st 2024(Mon) – Jul 31st 2024 (Wed) 5:00pm (JST)
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Screening
Application deadline:Jul 31st 2024 (Wed) 5:00pm (JST)

1st step Screening:Late August 2024

2nd step Online Interview:
Sep 10th 2024 (Tue) or Sep 13th 2024 (Fri) 9:00am ~ 6:00pm (JST)

Announcement of results:Early October 2024 (tentative)

*Online interviews will be conducted by external judges for companies that have passed the 1st step Screening. Applicants will be notified separately of the schedule for the Online Interview.
Contact information
Marunouchi Nijyubashi Building, 3-2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
X-HUB TOKYO Administration Office, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC
Email: x-hub.tokyo@tohmatsu.co.jp