Supporting Second Startups Through Business Succession in Tokyo

In a bid to foster innovation and support businesses in Tokyo, Creww Corporation has kicked off the first phase of public recruitment for its 'Tsugi no Tsugi' project, aimed at facilitating 'second startups' through business succession. This initiative, backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is set to start in 2025 and is designed to provide comprehensive support for businesses that have recently undergone a succession process.

The Purpose of the 'Tsugi no Tsugi' Project

Launched to enable companies that have transitioned management to create new business ventures, the 'Tsugi no Tsugi' project will offer a bespoke business development program. This program includes personal support tailored for new management teams to help them succeed in developing new businesses following their succession.

Who We Are Looking For

The program is primarily aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises that have undergone business succession within the last five years, or those wishing to expand into Tokyo. Interested parties are encouraged to apply and take on the exciting challenge of launching new initiatives.

Details of the Support Provided

The 'Tsugi no Tsugi' program offers a variety of substantial supportive measures:

1. Matching with External Partners: The program will assist in connecting successors with external business development partners. Participants must generally seek out their own partners but can rely on the program's administration to recommend suitable candidates if they face difficulties.

2. Expert Guidance: The initiative incorporates startup studio methodologies, akin to traditional incubators, designed to provide mentorship and practical advice on business development. Participants will receive guidance tailored to their specific needs to help turn ideas into successful ventures. This includes support from a dedicated mentor who will have regular meetings with the teams to track progress and provide feedback.

3. Financial Support for Trials: Financial backing of up to 5 million yen will be available to help cover necessary expenses related to trial runs of new business ideas, alleviating some pressures of initial venture startup costs.

Application Process and Schedule

The application period for the first phase runs from August 25, 2025, to October 27, 2025. Following this, applications will go through various stages of review, culminating in interviews for selected candidates. All interested parties are urged to keep the following timeline in mind:

- Preliminary Review: Late October to Late November 2025
- Preliminary Results Notification: Late November 2025
- Secondary Review: December 1 to December 5, 2025
- Final Results Notification: Mid-December 2025

Information Sessions

To provide further insight into the program, an informative community event is scheduled for September 4, 2025, where potential applicants can ask questions and gather pertinent details about the program. This session will be held at the NN Life Insurance Training Room in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Contact and Support

For more details, interested parties can reach out to the Tsugi no Tsugi management office operated by Deloitte Tohmatsu Risk Advisory LLC. They can provide comprehensive assistance regarding applications and program details.

Creww Corporation Overview

Founded in August 2012, Creww Corporation stands as a leader in open innovation platforms in Japan, supporting entrepreneurs and businesses alike. With a mission to create a challenging era, Creww has facilitated over 550 open innovation programs, connecting startups with various organizations resulting in approximately 1,500 collaborations. Their platform boasts around 9,000 registered startups, playing an essential role in fostering the Asian startup ecosystem, including initiatives in countries like South Korea and Taiwan.

For more information on the application process and program details, please visit: Tsugi no Tsugi Official Page.