Japan Startup Ecosystem and Entrepreneur Toolbox

Japans Startup Ecosystem
& Entrepreneurial Toolbox
New South Innovations Pty Limited trading as UNSW Innovations, UNSW Sydney NSW 2052
Australia
Telephone +61 2 9385 5008 | Email innovations@unsw.edu.au
Presented by Intern Saki Yanagihara under supervision of Joshua Flannery
2015

Agenda
STARTUP
Ecosystem
Company
People
Programs
Fund Raising
Networking & Competitions
Places
Recruitment
Visa
Resources

Startup Ecosystem in Japan
The 6th country out of 144 economies
in the Global Competitiveness Index,
considering its higher level of
Innovation, business sophistication,
market size, and infrastructure
(Source: The Global Competitiveness Report 2014–2015;
The World Economic Forum)
The 16th most reputable country
in the world in 2015
(Source: The World’s Most Reputable Countries;
Reputation Institute)
5 Japanese cities
(Tokyo:15th, Kyoto:34th, Osaka:36th,
Kobe:61st, and Fukuoka:88th)
named Top 100 global cities for an
innovation economy in 2014
(Source: Innovation Cities™ Index 2014; 2thinknow)
The 29th easiest doing business
environment among 189 countries
in 2015
(Source: Doing Business 2015; The World Bank)
JAPAN’s Ranking

Source: The World Factbook; Central Intelligence Agency
PEOPLE & SOCIETY
Ethnic groups: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%
Languages: Japanese
Population: 126,919,659 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Major urban areas - population: Tokyo (capital) 37.833 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.123 million;
Nagoya 9.373 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.528 million;
Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.239 million; Sapporo 2.579 million (2014)
Birth rate: 7.93 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
Death rate: 9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
ECONOMY
GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.751 trillion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars (1USD=JPY105.8)
GDP - real growth rate: -0.1% (2014 est.); 1.6% (2013 est.); 1.8% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $37,400 (2014 est.); $37,400 (2013 est.); $36,800 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars(1USD=JPY97.6)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.2%; industry: 24.5%; services: 74.3% (2013 est.)
Labor force: 65.48 million (February 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.9%; industry: 26.2%; 'services: 70.9% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (2014 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2014 est.); 0.4% (2013 est.)
Central bank discount rate: 0.3% (31 December 2014)
JAPAN’ Facts

FUKUOKA
city
HIROSHIMA
prefecture
NARA
city
MIE
prefecture
HAMAMATSU
city
CHIBA
city
YOKOSUKA
city
STARTUP
CITY
PROMOTION
CONSORTIUM
OSAKA
city (2nd largest city)
NATIONAL
STRATEGIC
SPECIAL
ZONES
TOKYO
city (Capital city)
The National Strategic Special Zones
are designated by the national
government based on the
perspectives of boosting the
international competitiveness of
industry and promoting the creation
of centres of international economic
activities by giving priority to
advancing structural reform of the
economic system.
Especially, three of the six business-
friendly zones including in “Tokyo
area (aiming to be a real global
business hub),” “Kansai area
(promoting innovation reform)” and
“Fukuoka city (supporting business
foundation as part of employment
reform)” can be selected to generate
new internationally competitive
businesses through startups and
innovation by building the most
business-friendly environment in the
world.
The Startup City Promotion Consortium was launched in Dec
2013. Currently, governors of Japanese five cities and two
prefectures are taking an initiative to support startups and
enhance starup ecosystem in Japan.
With the aim of turning Japan into a country where
entrepreneurship is highly valued, local municipalities that
are actively promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging
startup businesses established this consortium.
In cooperation with economic organizations, members share
advanced approaches and know-how while seeking ways to
be role models by using the unique features of each
municipality.
“Japanese startups have been gaining
momentum with government support”
JAPAN’s Starup Momentum

[Accounting Service]
http://corp.moneyforward.co
m/
Money Forward is a
Japanese personal
accounting app.
Money Forward, Inc
株式会社マネーフォワード
[Financial Service]
http://www.freee.co.jp/
Automatic cloud accounting
software designed for
letting business people put
more focuses on creative
activities
[Financial Service]
https://kanmu.co.jp/#clo
Just pay with a credit card
to receive deals and other
benefits
Kanmu, Inc.
株式会社カンム
[Invoice Management]
Service]
https://info.misoca.jp/
Cloud invoice management
system that lets users
create and send snail mail
from within the browser.
Misoca Inc.
株式会社Misoca
[Business Card Service]
http://www.corp-
sansan.com/
Creating a worldwide
business card market.
Sansan, Inc.
Sansan株式会社
[Consulting Service]
http://studist.jp/
Studist Corporation
provides simple manual
creating tool, "Teachme
Biz."
Studist Corporation
株式会社スタディスト
freee K.K.
freee 株式会社
Hot Startups in Japan
[Settlement Service]
https://www.showcase-
gig.com/
A mobile payment platform,
“O:der” which connects
between consumers and
merchants.
Showcase Gig.
株式会社Showcase Gig
[Recruiting]
http://site.wantedly.com/
A Japanese social
recruiting platform that
allows employers to find
potential employees.
Wantedly, Inc.
ウォンテッドリー株式会社
[Accounting Service]
http://crowdcast.jp/
Crowd Cast is a Tokyo
based software company
that focuses mobile-first &
consumer-driven enterprise
app called "bizNote".
Crowd Cast, Ltd.
クラウドキャスト株式会社

[Settlement Service]
https://webpay.jp/
WebPay is a payment
gateway for developers in
Japan
WebPay
ウェブペイ株式会社
[Personnel Service]
http://www.cydas.com/
A cloud-based human
resource empowerment
platform.
CYDAS Inc.
株式会社サイダス
[Statistical Analysis]
http://xica-inc.com/
Xica, which provides “xica
adelie,” is a statistical
analysis tool for business
persons without expertise,
XICA Co., Ltd.
株式会社サイカ
Business Service

[Media]
http://about.smartnews.com
/en
A news aggregation and
reading app.
SmartNews, Inc
スマートニュース株式会社
[Media]
http://gunosy.co.jp/
A news app that determines
your interests based on
your social media accounts,
serving up news updates
that will likely fit your taste.
[Media]
http://www.uzabase.com/
Provides information
infrastructure supporting
decision-making in business
activities.
UZABASE, Inc.
株式会社ユーザベース
[Media/E-commerce]
http://otakumode.com
A Japanese digital media
site focused on Japanese
Otaku culture.
Tokyo Otaku Mode Inc.
[Crowdsourcing]
http://www.lancers.co.jp/
A Japanese crowdsourcing
giant that competes with
Lancers.
CrowdWorks Inc
株式会社クラウドワークス
[Crowdsourcing]
http://www.lancers.co.jp/
A Japanese crowdsourcing
giant.
LANCERS,INC.
ランサーズ株式会社
Gunosy Inc
株式会社Gunosy
[E-commerce]
http://hachimenroppi.com/e
n/index.html
A Japanese search and
portal site for perishable
goods such as fish,
vegetable, and fruit.
Hachimenroppi Inc.
八面六臂株式会社
[E-commerce]
https://stafes.co.jp/
A Japanese search and
portal site for lunch box and
catering.
STAR FESTIVAL INC.
スターフェスティバル株式会社
[E-commerce]
https://thebase.in/
A service that lets you
create your own commerce
site.
BASE inc.
BASE株式会社
[E-commerce]
http://bracket.co.jp/
A service, called “Stores.jp”
that allows users to build
online stores. A BASE
competitor.
Bracket, Inc
株式会社ブラケット
[E-commerce]
https://monoco.jp/
A mobile/web flash sale site
that sells unique designer
goods from around the
world.
MONOCO, Inc.
株式会社MONOCO
[E-commerce]
http://www.ohmyglasses.jp/
An e-commerce site for
eye-glasses.
Oh My Glasses Inc.
オーマイグラス株式会社
Lifestyle Service

[Game]
http://www.gu3.co.jp/
A Japanese social and
mobile game development
company with offices in
Korea and Singapore.
gumi Inc
株式会社gumi
[Music]
https://company.nana-
music.com/index.html
A Tokyo-based startup
which develops Karaoke
app called nana.
[Video Streaming]
http://about.moi.st/en/
A service that lets you
stream live video for free
right from your
iPhone/Android.
Moi Corporation
モイ株式会社
nana music, Inc.
株式会社 nana music
[Hardware]
https://pluto.io/
A Japanese smartphone-
based remote control
system for consumer
electronics products.
Pluto Inc.
株式会社Pluto
[Marketplace]
https://www.mercari.com/jp/
A mobile marketplace app
for second-hand goods.
Mercari, Inc.
株式会社メルカリ
[Marketplace]
https://fablic.co.jp/
A mobile marketplace app
for girls where they can buy
and sell clothing.
Fablic,inc.
株式会社Fablic
[Marketplace]
http://eventregist.jp/en/
A ticketing marketplace for
buying and selling event
tickets.
EventRegist Co., Ltd.
イベントレジスト株式会社
[Marketplace]
http://peatix.com/
A ticketing marketplace for
buying and selling event
tickets.
Peatix Inc
Orinoco Peatix株式会社
[Real Estate]
http://ietty.co.jp/about.html
A Japanese real estate
startup that offers a housing
service where agents
suggests listings to users.
ietty
株式会社ietty
[Restaurant]
http://en.toreta.in/
A Japanese iPad based
online reservation system
for restaurants and bars.
Toreta, Inc.
株式会社トレタ
[Child-rearing]
http://asmama.jp/
A childcare sharing service
with the aim to link service
users and neighbouring
service provider using cell
phones.
AsMama Inc.,
株式会社AsMama
[Fitness]
https://www.finc.co.jp/index.
php
A Japan’s healthcare
startup, providing online
weight-loss advice solutions
through smartphone.
FINC, Inc.
株式会社FiNC
Lifestyle Service

36 People You Should Know
YOSHITERU
AKIRA
Former Founder
LINE Corporation
MATTHEW
ROMAINE
HIROSHI
MIKITANI
TOMOKO
NAMBA
HIRONAO
KUNIMITSU
AKIRA
MORIKAWA
YOSHIKI
YASUI
EMI
TAMAKI
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Cookpad Inc.
Rakuten, Inc.
Co-Founder & Director
DeNA Co., Ltd.
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Gengo, Inc.
gumi Inc.
iemo
Mercari, Inc.
Happy Hacking Life
Origami
ChatWork
WHILL, Inc.
MARI
MURATA
SHINTARO
YAMADA
TOSHIYUKI
YAMAMOTO
SATOSHI
SUGIE
穐田誉輝南場智子三木谷浩史森川亮
國光宏尚山田進太郎村田マリ
玉城絵美康井義貴杉江理山本敏行
Successful Entrepreneurs

SHOKEI
SUDA
AnyPerk.
YOKIKO
MUTO
SOUICHIRO
MINAMI
KAORU
HAYASHI
TAICHI
MURAKAMI
TARO
FUKUYAMA
HIKARI
SAKAI
LISA
KATAYAMA
Enigmo Inc.
BizReach, Inc.
Digital Garage, Inc.
President
Travelzoo Japan
Livesense Inc.
MONOCO Inc.
Founder
The TOFU Project
Interest-marketing Inc.
Cinnamon
Bracket, Inc.
TAKEHIRO
KAKIYAMA
MIKU
HIRANO
YUSUKE
MITSUMOTO
須田将啓林郁南壮一郎福山太郎
村上太一柿山丈博片山理沙
坂井光光本勇介平野未来
武藤友木子
YO
SHIBATA
Spotlight, Inc.
柴田陽
Successful Entrepreneurs

HIROYUKI
WATANABE
Former Chairman & Group Chief
Executive Officer Sony Corporation
JOICHI
ITO
GEN
ISAYAMA
SHOGO
KAWADA
SOICHI
KARIYAZONO
NOBUYUKI
IDEI
KIYOTAKA
KOBAYASHI
SHINJI
KIMURA
B Dash Ventures Inc.
WiL LLC
Co-Founder & Director
DeNA Co., Ltd.
Director
MIT Media Lab
Partner
Globis Capital Partners
Founder& Group Chief Executive
Officer Sun Bridge Inc.
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Gunosy Inc.
Chanoma Inc.
MOVIDA JAPAN Inc.
ALLEN
MINER
TAIZO
SON
渡辺洋行川田尚吾伊佐山元出井伸之
屋薗聡一木村新司
小林清剛孫泰蔵
伊藤穰一
TAIGA
MATSUYAMA
Partner
East Ventures & Kronos Fund
松山太河
Skyland Ventures
YOSHIHIKO
“MAX”
KINOSHITA
木下慶彦
Established Venture Capitalists

Program Length: 3months - 1 year
Application Due: August
URL: http://incubatefund.com/fellow-program/
Incubate Fund Fellow Program
KDDI CORPORATION
KDDI株式会社
Samurai Incubate Inc.
株式会社サムライインキュベート
StartupGoGo Committee
StartupGoGo実行委員会
NTT DOCOMO, INC.
株式会社NTTドコモ
Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
株式会社リバネス
DG Incubation, Inc
株式会社DGインキュベーション
Entrepreneurial Training for
Innovative Communities
特定非営利活動法人 ETIC
Incubate Fund
インキュベイトファンド
MOVIDA JAPAN Inc.
モビーダジャパン株式会社
Startup Support Program
Program Length: 6months
Application Due: -
URL: http://www.movidainc.com/program/
MOVIDA Seed Acceleration Program
Application Due: -
URL: https://onlab.jp/
Open Network Lab: Seed Accelerator Program
Application Due: September
URL: http://www.susanoo.etic.or.jp/
ソーシャルベンチャー・パートナーズ東京
ソーシャルベンチャー・パートナーズ
SUSANOO: Social Startup Accelerator Program
Application Due: June
URL: http://kigyojuku.etic.or.jp/
Social Startup Initiative Program
URL: http://www.kddi.com/english/ventures/mugenlabo/
KDDI ∞ Labo: KDDI Ventures Program
Program Length: 4.5months
Application Due: February
URL: https://www.nttdocomo-v.com/village/en/
Docomo Innovation Village
Program Length: 1 - 6months
URL: http://www.samurai-incubate.asia/
Samurai Startup Day
URL: http://tenjin-color.jp/
TENJIN COLOR: Seed Acceleration Program
Program Length: -
Application Due: -
URL: http://en.techplanter.com/entry/
TECH PLANTER.: Seed Accelerator Program
Incubator & Accelerator programs

Program Length: -
Application Due: May
URL: http://sido2015.com/#toppage
Sido Next Innovator
Livesense Inc.(株式会社リブ
センス) / Cookpad Inc.(クッ
クパッド株式会社)
IBM
日本アイ･ビー･エム株式会社
Microsft
日本マイクロソフト株式会社
The Asahi Shimbun
Company
株式会社朝日新聞社
BUSINESS BANK GROUP,
INC.
株式会社ビジネスバンクグループ
Osaka prefecture
大阪府
Initiative for Development of
Entrepreneurship in Asia
NPO法人アジア起業家村推進機構
Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry
経済産業省
Tokyo Metropolitan
Government
東京都
Organaization for Small & Medium
Enterprises Regional Innovation
独立行政法人中小企業基盤整備機構
Startup Support Programs
Program Length: -
Application Due: -
URL: http://osaka-startupper.jp/
Seed Accelerator Program
Program Length: 5.5 months
Application Due: October
URL: http://www.asia.or.jp/
Seed Accelerator Program
Program Length: 6months - 1year
URL: http://businest.smrj.go.jp/
BusiNest Accelerator Course
Program Length: -
URL: http://www.startup50.jp/
STARTUP 50
URL: http://www.asahi.com/shimbun/medialab/accelerator/
Asahi Shimbun Accelerator Program
Program Length: -
Application Due: -
URL: http://www-07.ibm.com/ibm/jp/bluehub/
IBM BlueHub : Incubation Program
Program Length: 3 - 6months
Application Due: -
URL: http://aka.ms/msvjp
Microsoft Ventures: Acceleration Program
Program Length: 6months - 1year
Application Due: -
URL: http://www.entrepreneur-ac.jp/
Entrepreneur Academy
Program Length: -
Application Due: -
URL: http://www.bdc-tokyo.org/?cat=3
Business Development Center TOKYO
Government & Other programs

INCUBATOR
&
ACCELERATOR
URL:
http://east.vc/
URL:
http://www.movidainc.com/
MOVIDA JAPAN Inc.
モビーダジャパン株式会社
URL:
http://www.samurai-
incubate.asia/
Samurai Incubate Inc.
株式会社サムライインキュベート
URL:
http://www.sunbridge-gv.jp/
SunBridge Global Ventures
Inc.
株式会社サンブリッジグローバルベンチャーズ
URL:
https://onlab.jp/en/company
/
DG Incubation, Inc
Fund Raising
East Ventures
URL:
http://www.kddi.com/english
/ventures/
KDDI CORPORATION
KDDI株式会社
URL:
https://www.nttdocomo-
v.com/village/
URL:
http://en.incubatefund.com/
Incubate Fund
インキュベイトファンド
URL:
http://www.j-seed.com/
J-Seed Ventures, Inc
ジェイ・シード株式会社
URL:
http://skyland.vc/
Skyland Ventures
URL:
http://femto.vc/fs.html
Femto Startup LLP
有限責任事業組合フェムト・スタートアップ
NTT DOCOMO, INC.
株式会社NTTドコモ
URL:
http://www.ntvp.com/english
.html
Nippon Technology Venture
Partners
株式会社日本テクノロジーベンチャーパートナーズ
URL:
http://partyfactory.vc/
URL:
http://www.archetype.co.jp/
en/
Archetype Corporation
アーキタイプ株式会社
URL:
http://globalbrains
.com/en/
Global Brain
グローバル・ブレイン
URL:
http://www.etic.or.jp/english/
index.html
URL:
http://mistletoe.co/
Mistletoe, Inc.partyfactory, Onc.
株式会社partyfactory
URL:
http://www.fvc.co.jp/english/
index.html
Future Venture Capital
Co.,Ltd.
フューチャーベンチャーキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.hokkaido-
vc.com/index.php/english.ht
ml
Hokkaido Venture Capital,
Inc.
北海道ベンチャーキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.h-vc.co.jp/
Hiroshima Venture Capital
CO., LTD.
株式会社広島ベンチャーキャピタル
URL:
http://www.kvp.jp/about/ind
ex.html
Kyushu Venture Partners
Co.,Ltd.
九州ベンチャーパートナーズ株式会社
ANGEL CAPITL CO.,LTD.
エンゼルキャピタル株式会社
INDEPENDENT
URL:
http://www.angelcapital.jp/in
dex.html
Equity (Venture Capital)

INDEPENDENT
URL:
http://www.dcm.com/en
URL:
http://anri.vc/
ANRI
URL:
http://www.infinityventures.c
om/main_eng
Infinity Venture Partners
インフィニティ・ベンチャー・パートナーズ
URL:
http://wilab.com/en/
WIL, LLC.
株式会社WiL
URL:
http://www.globiscapital.co.j
p/en/
GLOBIS CAPITAL
PARTNERS & Co.
株式会社グロービス・キャピタル・パートナーズ
Fund Raising
DCM Ventures
DCMベンチャーズ
URL:
http://femto.vc/fgc.html
Femto Growth Capital LLP
フェムトグロースキャピタル有限責任事業組合
URL:
http://voyage-
ventures.com/english
URL:
http://improvista.jp/?lang=e
n
ImproVista LLP.
URL:
http://www.insprout.com/
insprout Corporation
株式会社insprout
URL:
http://www.mickk.com/en/
Mobile Internet Capital, Inc
モバイル・インターネットキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.leadcapital.jp/Pa
ges/default.aspx
Lead Capital Management
Co.,Ltd.
リード・キャピタル・マネージメント株式会社
VOYAGE VENTURES, Inc.
株式会社VOYAGE VENTURES
URL:
http://www.sun-8.jp/profile-e
Suneight Investment
Co.,Ltd.
株式会社サンエイトインベストメント
URL:
http://bdashventures.com/in
dex.php
URL:
http://www.nvcc.co.jp/en/ind
ex.html
Nippon Venture Capital Co.,
Ltd.
日本ベンチャーキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.jaic-
vc.co.jp/eng/index.html
Japan Asia Investment
Company, Limited
日本アジア投資株式会社
URL:
http://www.miraicapital.co.jp
/
Nippon Mirai Capital Co.,
Ltd.
日本みらいキャピタル株式会社
ココン株式会社
URL:
http://www.icp5.co.jp/en
ICP Inc.
株式会社アイシーピー
B Dash Ventures Inc.
B Dash Ventures株式会社
URL:
http://www.whizp.com/e/
URL:
http://www.biofrontier.co.jp/
BioFrontier Partners, Inc.
株式会社バイオフロンティアパートナーズ
URL:
http://www.innovation-
engine.co.jp/e/top.htm
Innovation Engine Inc.
イノベーション・エンジン株式会社
URL:
http://www.ut-ec.co.jp/cgi-
bin/WebObjects/1201dac04
a1.woa/wa/read/120a3bb30
cb+++/
The University of Tokyo
Edge Capital Co., Ltd.
URL:
http://www.weruinvest.com/
WERU INVESTMENT Co.,
Ltd.
ウエルインベストメント株式会社
Whiz Partners Inc.
株式会社ウィズ・パートナーズ
URL:
http://www.entrepia.com/
Entrepia Japan
アントレピア株式会社

FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION
URL:
http://www.jafco.co.jp/englis
h/
URL:
http://www.mucap.co.jp/eng
lish/tabid/66/Default.aspx
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co.,
Ltd.
三菱UFJキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.mizuho-
vc.co.jp/english_info/index.
html
Mizuho Capital Co.,Ltd.
みずほキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.smbc-
vc.co.jp/index.html
SMBC Venture Capital
SMBCベンチャーキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.nissay-
cap.co.jp/index.html
NISSAY CAPITAL
CO.,LTD
ニッセイ・キャピタル株式会社
Fund Raising
JAFCO Co., Ltd.
株式会社ジャフコ
URL:
http://www.shinsei-
ci.com/en/
Shinsei Corporate
Investment Limited
新生企業投資株式会社
URL:
http://www.daiwa-
inv.co.jp/english/
URL:
http://www.smtcap.jp/englis
h/profile/
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust
Capital Co.,Ltd.
三井住友トラスト・キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.tmcap.co.jp/engli
sh/index.html
TOKIO MARINE CAPITAL
CO., LTD.
東京海上キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.msivc.co.jp/top_
en.html
MITSUI SUMITOMO INSURANCE
Venture Capital Co.,Ltd.
三井住友海上キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.yedvc.co.jp/
YASUDA ENTERPRISE
DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
安田企業投資株式会社
Daiwa Corporate
Investment Co., Ltd.
大和企業投資株式会社
URL:
http://www.sbinvestment.co.
jp/
SBI Investment Co., Ltd.
SBIインベストメント株式会社
URL:
http://www.orixcapital.co.jp/
URL:
http://www.resona-
gr.co.jp/resonacapital/
Resona Capital Co.,Ltd.
りそなキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.seibucapital.co.j
p/
Seibu Shinkin Capital
Corporation
西武しんきんキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.shinkin-vc.co.jp/
Shinkin Capital Co.,Ltd.
信金キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.chibagincapital.c
o.jp/
CHIBAGIN CAPITAL
CO.,LTD.
ちばぎんキャピタル株式会社
ORIX Capital Corporation.
オリックス・キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.ikegin-c.jp/
URL:
http://www.tottoricap.com/
Tottori Capital.Co.
とっとりキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.g-cp.jp/
The Gogin Capital Co.,Ltd.
ごうぎんキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.neostella-
cap.co.jp/en/index.html
NEOSTELLA CAPITAL
CO.,LTD.
ネオステラ・キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.fidelitygrowthpart
ners.jp/en/about-us
Fidelity Growth Partners
Japan
SENSHU IKEDA CAPITAL
CO.,LTD.
池田泉州キャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://www.hcc82.co.jp/inde
x.html
Hachijuni Capital Co.,Ltd.
八十二キャピタル株式会社

CVC
URL:
http://www.klabventures.jp/
en/
URL:
http://www.greeventures.
com/en/
GREE Ventures, Inc.
URL:
http://www.recruit.jp/compa
ny/about/group/
Recruit Global Incubation Partners
Co.,Ltd.
株式会社リクルートグローバルインキュベーションパー
トナーズ
URL:
http://gmo-vp.com/en/
GMO VenturePartners, Inc.
GMO VenturePartners 株式会社
URL:
http://www.gumiventures.jp/
gumi ventures
株式会社gumi ventures
Fund Raising
KLab Ventures Inc.
KLab Ventures株式会社
URL:
http://www.cyberagentventu
res.com/en/about/
CyberAgent Ventures, Inc.
株式会社サイバーエージェント・ベンチャーズ
URL:
http://ventureunited.jp/
URL:
http://www.intelcapital.com/
Intel Capital
インテルキャピタル
URL:
http://www.dgincubation.co.j
p/en
DG Incubation, Inc.
URL:
http://www.kizuna-
capital.co.jp/
KIZUNA CAPITAL
PARTNERS Co..Ltd
きずなキャピタルパートナーズ株式会社
URL:
http://www.i-sigma-
capital.co.jp/
iSigma Capital Corporation.
アイ・シグマ・キャピタル株式会社
VENTURE UNITED, inc.
ベンチャーユナイテッド株式会社
URL:
http://www.inteccap.co.jp/in
dex.html
INTEC IT Capital.
株式会社インテック・アイティ・キャピタル
URL:
http://www.techv.co.jp/en/a
bout/index.html
URL:
http://www.mitsui-
global.com/
Mitsui & Co. Global
Investment, Inc.
URL:
https://lne.st/
Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.
株式会社リバネス
URL:
http://yj-capital.co.jp/en/
YJ Capital Inc.
YJキャピタル株式会社
URL:
http://cybridgeventures.jp/
CYBRiDGE Ventures.
サイブリッジベンチャーズ
ITOCHU Technology
Ventures, Inc.
伊藤忠テクノロジーベンチャーズ株式会社
URL:
http://www.dbj-
cap.jp/english/
URL:
http://www.incj.co.jp/english
/
Innovation Network
Corporation of Japan
株式会社産業革新機構
URL:
http://www.sbic.co.jp/
Tokyo Small and Medium Business
Investment ＆ Consultation Co.,Ltd.
東京中小企業投資育成株式会社
URL:
http://www.sbic-cj.co.jp/
Nagoya Small and Medium Business
Investment & Consultation Co.,Ltd
名古屋中小企業投資育成株式会社
URL:
http://www.sbic-wj.co.jp/
Osaka Small and Medium Business
Investment & Consultation Co.,Ltd
大阪中小企業投資育成株式会社
DBJ Capital Co.,Ltd.
DBJキャピタル株式会社
GOVERNMENT

Startup
Networking &
Competitions

Connect, learn, and share with professionals
at networking events!
Startup Weekend is a global
network of passionate leaders and
entrepreneurs on a mission to
inspire, educate, and empower
individuals, teams and
communities.
http://tokyo.startupweekend.org/
Social Venture Partners Tokyo
(SVP Tokyo) is a network of engaged
philanthropists (Partners) that aims to
accelerate social entrepreneurship in
Japan. They offer various networking
events every month.
http://www.svptokyo.org/events/
Skyland Ventures Fest Tokyo
(#SVFT) is a global startup event (all
English). They are aiming to create a
platform where "global startups meet
global talents” in Tokyo.
http://svft.skyland.vc/
Innovation Weekend
serves as a platform to
develop “global venture
business originating and
discover promising
entrepreneurs and support
them by offering a chance to
raise seed money and receive
other supports by linking
investors and startups
together.
http://innovation-weekend.jp/
Samurai Incubate has been
organizing startup showcase
events in many cities in Japan in
partnership with
Deloitte’s Tohmatsu Venture
Support, called Zenkoku Startup
Day or literally All-Japan Startup
Day.
http://www2.deloitte.com/jp/ja/page
s/about-deloitte/articles/news-
releases/nr20140501.html
Samurai Venture Summit
is one of biggest conferences
gathering more than 100
companies including startups,
venture capitalists, incubators.
http://samurai-venture-
summit.asia/
StartUP Engine is an
networking event for anyone
interested in staring new
business.
http://startup-
engine.com/event/731
HackerNews is held monthly,
and there is usually a good mix of
Japanese and foreigners, and
programmers and business types.
https://hntokyo.doorkeeper.jp/
Major Networking Events

TechCrunch Tokyo
Nov
http://jp.techcrunch.com/events/
Seedstars Tokyo
Oct
http://www.seedstarsworld.com/startup-competition/
Year-round pitch event: Tohmatsu Ventures Support’s Morning Pitch (every Thu; https://www.facebook.com/MorningPitch)
IE KMD Venture Day Tokyo
Dec
http://www.venturedaytokyo.com/
SEMICON Japan (Innovation village)
Dec
http://www.semiconjapan.org/ja/node/3586
START UPPER CONTEST
Dec
http://osaka-startupper.jp/
Samurai Venture Summit
2-3 sessions /year
http://svs10.reacher.jp/
Infinity Ventures Summit
2 sessions /year
http://www.infinityventures.com/ivs/
TOKYO STARTUP GATEWAY
2 sessions /year
http://tokyo-startup.jp/about
SF Japan Night
2 sessions /year
http://sfjapannight.com/
RISING EXPO
Jun-Aug;
http://www.rising-expo.com/en/
Microsoft Innovation Award
Jun
https://www.microsoft.com/ja-jp/ventures/mia15/
B Dash Camp
Sep
http://bdashventures.com/en/events/
Mashup Award
Oct-Nov;
http://ma9.mashupaward.jp/
NES STARTUP COMPETITION
Apr
http://nes.jane.or.jp/en/pitchevent
SLUSH ASIA
Apr
http://asia.slush.org/
AEA(Asian Entrepreneurship Award)
May
http://www.fdc.or.jp/aea2015/en/index.html
Innovation Weekend (Tokyo; Osaka)
2 sessions /year
http://innovation-weekend.jp/
Decoded Fashion Startup Summit (Tokyo)
Year-round in worldwide
http://japan-bmc.com/2015/english-page/
CONNECT ENTERPRENEOURS AND INVESTORS! PRESENT YOUR IDEA TO THEM!
- Pitch events and competitions offer great opportunities to fundraise and network.
Major Pitch Event & Competition

Support Places & Co-working Spaces
Area
Area Area
Area
STARTUP CAFE
Offered by Fukuoka city
Free consulting services for
startups, network events &
shared working spaces are
available
http://www.startupcafe.jp/index.
html
OITA CITY INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAZA
Offered by Oita city
24h accessible private office
rooms with reasonable price
http://sangyo.horutohall-oita.jp/
ASHISUTA
Offered by Sendai city
startups & various seminars to
support startup business are
provided
http://www.siip.city.sendai.jp/ass
ista/index.html
IBPC（International Business
Promotion Center)
Offered by Osaka city
Support services to potential
incoming businesses &
temporary offices etc are offered
http://www.investosaka.jp/en/ind
ex.php
S-CUBE
Offered by Sakai city (Osaka)
startups, network events &
shared working spaces are
available
http://www.s-cube.biz/index.html
ITABASHI-KU
KIGYOUSHIEN FORUM
Offered by Itabashi-ku (Tokyo)
Consulting services, network
events & shared working spaces
are available
http://www.itabashi-kigyou.jp/
CHIBA-LABO
Offered by Chiba city
Co-working office spaces,
consulting services & various
seminars/events to support
startups are provided
http://www.chiba-labo.jp/
F-SUS YOKOHAMA
Offered by Yokohama city
Office spaces, consulting
services, & networking events
for female startups.
http://www.idec.or.jp/kigyo/wom
an/index.php
HAMAMTSU KIGYO-KA
CAFE
Offered by Hamamatsu city
Free consulting services &
networking events/seminars for
startups
http://www.hamamatsu-
startup.com/
Major Startup Support Public Facilities

Support Place & Co-working Space
Place name URL
Area City
Share
Office
Meeting
Space
Senier/
event
Space
Consulting
Servise
event
Learning
Opportunity
Share
house
Sendai cocolin ● ● ● - ● ● - http://cocolin.jp/
Sendai IRORI ISHINOMAKI ● ● - - - - - http://ishinomaki2.com/v2/english/
Sendai SOCiAL Laboratory ● ● ● - - - - http://socilabo.com/
Kisennuma co-ba kesennuma ● ● ● - - - - http://ima210.com/co-bakesennuma/
Kisennuma Coworking!@Ishinomaki ● ● ● - ● ● - http://cwyappesu.jimdo.com/
Tokyo BOAT ● ● - ● - ● - http://boat.voyagegroup.com/
Tokyo Hatch Cowork + KIDs ● ● - - - - - http://hatchcowork.com/space/
Tokyo Venture Generation ● ● ● ● - ● - http://www.venturegeneration.jp/about
Tokyo HUB TOKYO ● ● ● - ● - - http://hubtokyo.com/
Tokyo PORTAL ● ● ● - - - - http://www.hituji.jp/portal/
Tokyo HAPON Shinjyuku ● ● ● - - - - http://hapon.asia/shinjuku/
Tokyo WILLFU Startup Village ● ● - - - ● ● http://willfu.jp/startup_village/
Tokyo Tokyo Share Shirogaredai - - - ● - - ● http://irodorifactory.com/shirokanedai/
Kanagawa BUKATSUDO ● ● ● - ● ● - http://bukatsu-do.jp/about/index.html
Chiba KOLI ● ● ● - ● ● - http://koil.jp/en
Osaka Osakan ● ● ● ● ● ● - http://www.osakan-space.com/
Osaka Bluetas ● ● ● - ● - - http://bluetas.com/
Osaka CommonPlace ● ● ● - ● - - http://thecommonplace.the-place.jp/
Osaka Kowledge Capital ● ● ● - ● - - http://kc-i.jp/facilities/salon/p02.html
Osaka GVH#5 ● ● ● - ● - - http://www.gvh-5.com/
Osaka FACTO ● ● ● - - - - http://facto.jp/
Osaka SHIGOTOBA BASE ● ● ● - ● - - http://shigotoba-base.com/#service011
Kobe Plug078 ● ● ● - ● - - http://www.plug078.com/
Nagoya My Café ● ● ● - ● - - http://www.nagoya-mycafe.com/index.html
Kyoto oinai Karasuma ● ● ● - - - - http://oinai-karasuma.jp/
Fukuoka OnRAMP ● ● ● - - - - http://onramp.jp/
Fukuoka TENJIN COLOR ● ● ● ● ● ● - http://tenjin-color.jp/
Kitakyushu Fabbit ● ● - - ● - - http://fabbit.in/
Kitakyushu Himitsukichi ● ● ● - ● - - http://xn--ces3r67g0s5b.net/
Kumamoto Mirai Kaigishitu ● ● ● ● ● ● - http://mirai-k.or.jp/
KANSAI Area
KYUSHU Area
Location Major Services
TOHOKU Area
KANTO Area
Major Co-working Office & Share House

Support Place & Co-working Space
URLLocation
Nationwide
Site Name Note
Nationwide
http://tsukuruba.com/co-ba/co-ba
[Operator] Tsukuruba Inc.
[Note]10 places in many parts of the nation are available
by becoming a co-ba networking member.
Coworking.com
[Operator] Coworking.com
[Note]One of large co-working office searching site in
Japan.
http://co-work-ing.com/
Nationwide
the incubator
[Operator] BUSINESS BANK GROUP, INC.
[Note]The site introduces 637 rental offices and public
Incubation facilities.
http://the-incubator.jp/office/official/tohoku/index.html
Nationwide
e Share Office
[Operator] Bizceed co.ltd
[Note]Information of share offices, co-working spaces,
and rental offices throughout the nation are available.
http://eshareoffice.jp/
Tokyo
About Tokyo Office
[Operator]Real Tokyo Estate
[Note]Information of a number of unique, qualified share
offices and rental offices in Tokyo is provided.
http://www.tokyorealoffice.jp/
Tokyo The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce
and Industry Official Site
[Operator]The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry
[Note]The site introduces incubation facilities in Tokyo
https://www.tokyo-cci.or.jp/entre/sisetsu/
Useful Co-working Office Searching Site

Recruitment
URL
9
Green Green is the largest career site in IT and Web industries in Japan.
https://creww.me/ja
http://www.green-japan.com/
TalentBase
Atrae, Inc., an operator of TenantBase, officers the recruitment service by using computer-based matching
system which can access more than 5 million social data.
8
Combinator Combinator offers an opportunity to meet with Over 50 professional startup companies in Japan. https://www.combinator.jp/
6
Creww Creww is one of largest startup communities in Japan and offers matching servises for startups.
https://talentbase.io/
5
Startup
The site is operated by PE&HR Co.,Ltd. to match between starup copampanies and venture-minded job
seekers.
http://www.s-venture.jp/
4
Ambitious
The site is operated by Wild Card Co., LTD. to match between starup copampanies and venture-minded job
seekers.
https://b-ambitious.jp/
3
WANTEDLY Wantedly is a hotbed for startups looking for employes and for aspiring founders looking for each other. https://au.wantedly.com/about/overview
2
Justta Justa is an English-language jobs board catering exclusively to the Japanese startup community. https://justa.io/en
1
AngelList Over 2,200 companies have hired candidates from AngelList. https://angel.co/tokyo/jobs
Site Name Note
7
Major Recruitment Site

Visa
Foreign nationals with the following residential status are permitted to work in Japan.
Residential statuses permitted to work in any type of industry or job:
"Permanent Resident", "Spouse or Child of Japanese National", "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" and "Long term Resident"
Foreigners having one of the above residential status are completely free to engage in any type of activities in Japan. They are free to do any type of
job and also to change it if they wish.
Residential status with which people are permitted to work within the limit of certain types of job, industries or job
contents:
"Professor", "Artist", "Religious Activities", "Journalist", "Business Manager", "Legal/Accounting Services" "Medical Services",
"Researcher", "Instructor", "Engineer", "Specialist in humanities and International services", "Intra-company transferee", "Entertainer",
"Skilled Labor" and "Designated Activities"(under this status, it is permitted to work only in the activities designated by the Ministry of Justice, such
as those on the working holiday scheme or in technical intern training program)
Foreigners having one of the above residential status can receive job counselling and placement service.
However, please note that even with this residential status, if he/she wishes to execute an income-generating business or receive remuneration in a
different kind of residential status, then this person must obtain a permit for extra-status activities or change his/her residential status.
[Note]
Foreign nationals with the following residential status can not work in Japan unless they obtain a permit for extra-status activities:
"College Student", "Pre-college Student" and "Dependent"
Foreigners with the above residential status are not allowed to engage in income-generating business nor receive remuneration.
In case the foreigners with the status of "College Student", "Pre-college Student" and "Dependent" wish to work must obtain a permit for extra-status
activities from the Immigration Bureau before they start working. However, the permission is given only when it is clear that such activity does not affect
his/her primal activity. Part-time job by college students and pre-college students is permitted to be within the scope that will not be a hinder to their
study which is their primal activity. For example, college students are permitted to work up to 28 hours a week (occasional students and research
students, up to 14 hours a week). Besides, part-time job by pre-college students has to be within four hours a day.
Basic Information for Foreigners Working in Japan

Visa
The most common way to start a business in Japan is to get
an BUSINESS MANAGER VISA.
[Authorized Activities]
Applicants can allow starting or investing into a business in Japan,
or managing business on behalf of foreign investors.
[Basic Requirements]
Applicants must first secure office space
and prepare at least 5 million yen capital to invest in the business
or hire at least two full-time workers before they even apply for it.
In Japan, there are basically three ways for foreigners to run a company.
One is to have an business manager visa. The second is to receive
permanent residency and the third avenue is to marry a Japanese.
To attract more foreign investment and
help grow the economy, Japanese
government is looking to encourage more
foreigners to start their own businesses in
Japan by easing visa requirements in
specially designated zones. Uprated Visa
Information is available on Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Japan’s Web site:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/index.htm
ACROSEED Co. LTD
[Location] Tokyo
[URL] http://www.kigyojapan.com/index.html
Visa Application Support Agents
Shiodome Partners Group.
[Location] Tokyo
[URL] http://www.tokyoto23ku.com/en/index.html
NAKAI IMMIGRATION SERVICES LPC
[Location] Osaka
[URL] http://mu9noki.com/gaikokujinnkigyou/
Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents
[Location] Tokyo
[URL] http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/info/index.html
Business Manager Visa

Other Resource
URLCategory Site Name Note
1
Startup News TECH IN ASIA A general site for startup news in Asia including Japan. https://www.techinasia.com/tag/japan/
2
Startup News THE BRIDGE A general site for updated startup news in Japan. http://thebridge.jp/en/news/
3
Startup News THE STARTUP
It presents current startup trends in Japan, especially
focusing on new product release and funding news.
http://thestartup.jp/
4
Startup News STARTUP X
An Interactive site for statup-minded people, which is
oprated by Nikkei Inc, a major Japanese newspaper
company.
http://pr.nikkei.com/stux/
5
Startup News TechCrunch Japan It provides startup news in Japan with mainly IT startups. http://jp.techcrunch.com/
6
Startup Information Japan External Trade Organization
The Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-
related organization that works to promote mutual trade
and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.
http://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/
7
Startup Information Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners
It offers useful information for Foreigners who seek
employment in Japan and Foreign nations with eligible
work visas.
http://tokyo-foreigner.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/english.html
8
Startup Information Japan Entry 101
A wiki for startups that aim to expand their business to
the Japanese market.
http://www.jpentry101.com/
9
Startup Information Startup Innovators
A blog for entrepreneurs to access useful legal and
practical information on venture capital ecosystem, fund-
raise, and so on.
http://startupinnovators.jp/
Useful Web Site

Japan Startup Ecosystem and Entrepreneur Toolbox

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