#Japan #Tokyo #MINT #FLAP #ivy

FLAP's 30th Edition Launch for Entrepreneurs

Overview of the FLAP Program

On October 2, 2023, mint, a venture capital firm based in Shibuya, Tokyo, announced the launch of the 30th edition of its free office support program, FLAP, aimed at early-stage entrepreneurs and those preparing to start their businesses. This initiative provides up to five selected companies with a six-month office space and various support programs, aiming to alleviate financial burdens during their startup journey.

FLAP is designed not only as a physical workspace but also as a vibrant community for entrepreneurs. Participants gain access to the incubation office, ‘ivy’, located just a six-minute walk from Shibuya Station, which is available 24/7 and can be used for official registration. This enables startups to focus their resources, particularly the precious asset of time, on developing their business without the constraints of traditional accelerator programs that often demand a rigid schedule.

Since its inception in August 2018, FLAP has seen participation from over 120 companies across 29 previous cycles. The program runs quarterly, encouraging entrepreneurs to apply at any stage of their preparatory process. Many past participants have successfully secured funding from venture capitalists and angels, and some have even achieved mergers and acquisitions with larger companies, showcasing the program's effectiveness.

Benefits of Joining FLAP

1. Office Space at ivy

The selected companies will benefit from six months of complimentary access to the ‘ivy’ incubation office, significantly reducing the costs typically associated with office setup and registration. The facility not only caters to startup needs but also alleviates the stress of searching for locations like cafes and rental spaces. There is potential for extension beyond the six-month period, upon consultation.

2. Cost-Effective Service Packages

To minimize initial expenses for startups, FLAP offers discount and free packages through its ‘Service for FLAP’ initiative. This includes access to various essential business tools at reduced costs along with consultation plans involving legal and tax professionals.

3. Entrepreneurial Community

Participants will engage with fellow entrepreneurs in similar business phases, allowing for the exchange of insights and mutual support. The backgrounds of past members are diverse, including serial entrepreneurs, students, young professionals from large corporations, and experts from various fields like medicine and law. The community fosters collaborative problem-solving and the sharing of knowledge relevant to their industry.

4. Networking with Experts and Leaders

FLAP enhances networking opportunities with mentorship from industry experts and prominent business leaders. The ‘ivy’ office houses members involved in design and product development, holding monthly networking events to facilitate communication. During the program, participants can also partake in guest dinners and workshops featuring notable industry figures, fostering a rich learning environment.

5. Funding Support from mint

For companies with fundraising needs, mint will consider investments up to 150 million yen during the program. To date, 17 startups have benefited from mint's financial support across the previous cycles, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to aiding startup growth.

Key Information and Application Period

The office support program at ‘ivy’ will run from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, as part of FLAP's 30th edition. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• - Be either preparing to launch or in the early stages of their business.
• - Operate within the IT startup domain.
• - Be willing to actively engage with the FLAP community.

Applications will be accepted from September 2, 2025, to September 10, 2025. Interested individuals can apply through the following form: Application Form.

About mint

Founded in 2021, mint is a venture capital firm specializing in seed and pre-seed investments. It is actively managing its first fund of approximately 5.2 billion yen and planning to establish a second fund of about 10 billion yen by 2025, focusing on investments in domestic and international startups. The firm operates the FLAP office support and entrepreneur community, offering comprehensive assistance from startup to growth stages.

Company Name: mint Co., Ltd.
Leading Partners: Keisuke Kogure, Tomoki Shirakawa, Hironori Takeda
Address: 2-17 S 南平台町, Shibuya, Tokyo, A-PLACE Shibuya 2F
Website: mint-vc.com