Plug and Play Japan Announces 42 Startups Selected for Summer 2026 Batch Accelerator Program

In a significant move to bolster innovation, Plug and Play Japan has officially announced the selection of 42 startups for its Summer 2026 Batch Accelerator Program, set to take place from June to September 2026. This program aims to connect large enterprises with startups from both domestic and international markets, fostering an environment of open innovation.

Plug and Play, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, prides itself on its robust track record, having previously supported over 1,200 startups. The program facilitates numerous opportunities for engagement, including one-on-one meetings, workshops, mentoring, networking, and educational sessions, all designed to nurture business growth between startups and major corporations. The true strength of this program lies in its ability to create diverse matching opportunities across various industries, enabling startups to engage directly with decision-makers from large companies, thereby accelerating collaborative efforts.

In this batch, the program has expanded its reach to embrace collaborations with regional industrial clusters in locations such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Tokai, and Fukuoka. This initiative is aimed at ensuring startups encounter real-time challenges faced by these markets, fostering the discovery of innovative solutions.

Overview of Selected Startups by Industry

This year's program features a diverse range of startups categorized under six innovative domains, one of which includes the newly established "AI Center of Excellence." The highlights among the selected startups are:

AI Center of Excellence

- Crafting Inc. (USA, California)
- Hootfolio, Inc. (Japan, Tokyo)
- KAGUYA, Inc. (Japan, Shibuya)
- Rubilabs, Inc. (Japan, Chuo)
- SYSLEA, Inc. (Japan, Shinagawa)
- Tenchijin, Inc. (Japan, Chuo)

Deeptech

- Ascension Earth Resources Ltd (UK, Oxford)
- LiSTie, Inc. (Japan, Aomori)
- Phosio Corporation (USA, Oregon)
- Photon Bridge BV (Netherlands, Eindhoven)
- Swave (Belgium, Leuven)
- Taiwan Ruomei Technology Corp. (Taiwan, Taipei)
- VisCure Co., Ltd. (South Korea, Cheongju)
- Yplasma Actuators Inc. (USA, New Jersey)

Energy

- Atieera, Inc. (Japan, Okinawa)
- EQUIUM (France, Nantes)
- Exnaton AG (Switzerland, Zurich)
- FloatSync Ltd (UK, London)
- GreenPow (Germany, Berlin)
- Greenfluidics Corp. (Mexico, Toluca)
- Kyushu University, led by Associate Professor Takashi Yamamoto (Japan, Fukuoka)
- Oktogrid (Denmark, Copenhagen)
- Phoenix Tailings (USA, Massachusetts)
- Terraton Industrial (USA, California)
- Bolo AI (USA, California)

Health

- Quadritics, Inc. (Japan, Kyoto)
- Quantum Flowers & Foods (Japan, Ibaraki)
- Rebio Health (Japan, Tsukuba)
- Senno Therapeutics (Japan, Shinagawa)

Insurtech

- Chai, Inc. (Japan, Tokyo)
- MAX NOW PTE. LTD. (Singapore)
- KH Strategy, Inc. (Japan, Kanagawa)
- Tsukumo Labs, Inc. (Japan, Shibuya)

Mobility & Physical AI

- Karmalion, Inc. (Japan, Shibuya)
- Every WiLL, Inc. (Japan, Shinjuku)
- Foundation LLM Technologies, Inc. (USA, California)
- Imiron, Inc. (Japan, Chiyoda)
- Lightwheel AI (USA, California)
- NanoResonance, Inc. (Japan, Hyogo)
- Phononic Vibes Srl (Italy, Milan)
- Refined Robotics, Inc. (Japan, Shibuya)
- SYNRA, Inc. (Japan, Ota)

Selection Data for Summer 2026 Batch

After a thorough selection process from over 260 applicants, a total of 42 startups have been chosen for this program. The composition of these startups is balanced, with 21 from Japan and 21 from abroad, highlighting the global perspective of the accelerator. From a regional standpoint, the startups include nine from North, Central, and South America, nine from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as three from the Asia-Pacific region.

This initiative demonstrates Plug and Play Japan's unwavering commitment to supporting innovative startups while creating valuable connections across various industries.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play serves as one of the world’s largest innovation platforms, bridging startups, large corporations, investors, academia, and government entities. With its headquarters located in Silicon Valley and spanning over 60 locations worldwide, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, Plug and Play provides a spectrum of support ranging from startup exploration to innovation strategy development. Additionally, its accelerator programs and venture capital capabilities accelerate innovation across multiple sectors, making significant investments in startups globally.