#Japan #Tokyo #Sports Tech #Creww #Tokyo Sports

Introduction

Creww Inc. has teamed up with the Tokyo metropolitan government to establish 'THE DOJO - TOKYO SPORTS TECH STUDIO', a startup studio dedicated exclusively to sports tech. This initiative is under the 'Tokyo SUTEAM' project, which supports startups through diverse partnerships. Starting from December 8, 2025, the program aims to harness Tokyo's rich resources in the sports industry, including professional teams and related companies, to create a thriving hub for sports tech innovation.

What is 'THE DOJO'?

This startup studio, orchestrated by Creww in collaboration with Tokyo, focuses on accelerating startups innovating in the sports tech sector. The strategic location of Tokyo, abundant with unmatched sports resources and varying professional sports teams, lays a unique foundation for establishing a new positioning: 'Sports Tech Tokyo'. By leveraging local assets, the program seeks to facilitate the startup creation process through hypothesis testing, verification, and social implementation.

The term 'startup studio' refers to an environment that continuously generates multiple startups in a manner akin to a film studio, primarily targeting individuals at the pre-startup stage.

Support Provided by the Program

1. Regular Mentoring: Participants will receive ongoing mentorship from the program office, alongside the opportunity to consult with experts from a broad network.

2. Industry Insights: Attendees will benefit from firsthand input from sports professionals and industry specialists.

3. Support for Collaboration and Testing: Through active business matching facilitated by our extensive network, the program aims to propel the commercialization of projects with high feasibility.

4. Funding for Validation Experiments: Selected entrepreneurs/startups can receive up to 1 million yen to cover costs for initial validation experiments, a crucial first step in their journey.

Program Schedule (Tentative)

• - December 8, 2025: Entry begins, entrepreneur orientation
• - January 12, 2026: Entry deadline
• - January 15, 2026: Notification of document review results
• - January 22, 2026: Presentation review (online)
• - January 30, 2026: Notification of acceptance results
• - February 16 - March 13, 2026: Three sessions of lectures on sports marketing
• - March 23, 2026: Hypothesis testing/mentoring
• - May 15, 2026 (tentative): Matching event
• - May 18, 2026 onward: Start of validation experiments

Target Audience

Who Can Apply

• - Entrepreneurs/startups planning to develop business within the sports-tech sphere.

Eligibility Requirements

• - Must have headquarters in Tokyo or intend to establish a corporation within the city during the program's duration.
• - Should either currently have a headquarters in Tokyo or show intent to set up a base of operations there.
• - Must commit to being actively involved during the program period (February - June 2026).
• - Startups within three years of founding, without equity fundraising, and lacking PMF in the sports sector.
• - Entrepreneurs considering starting new businesses in the sports field as a second venture.

Anticipated Number of Acceptances

• - Up to five companies.

How to Apply

Interested parties can apply through the recruitment page:
https://spot.creww.me/the-dojo-2026
*Application Deadline: January 12, 2026, by 23:59.

Comments from Mentors and Advisors

Tomohiro Masumi, CEO of Sports Strategy Inc.

“There are untapped values waiting to be discovered at the intersection of sports and technology. This program aims to bridge the realities of the field with technological potential, committing fully to support from validation to implementation. I believe the challenges faced by startups will drive Tokyo's sports industry to the next stage, and I'm excited to create new value together.”

Yoshitaka Yokoi, Account Manager at Splat Inc.

“I see immense potential in the vision of this program that aims to create new value through 'Sports Tech Tokyo'. By leveraging the experiences and networks we've built in the sports sector, we hope to support entrepreneurs at each stage—from hypothesis validation to social implementation. I eagerly anticipate the emergence of outstanding startups from this program, establishing a new wave of sports tech originating from Tokyo. I also look forward to learning and growing alongside everyone involved.”

About Creww Inc.

Creww Inc.
Location: 5th Floor, JMF Building Shibuya, 2-11-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Sorato Ijichi
Founded: August 13, 2012
Capital: 1.084 billion yen (including surplus capital)
Main Activities: Operations of one of Japan's largest open innovation platforms, along with managing a startup community.
Website: https://creww.in/
Creww aims to create a 'Great Era of Challenges' by offering total support to all who wish to tackle challenges, including startups, entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals, providing a variety of services tailored to specific needs. Since 2012, they have hosted over 550 open innovation programs with corporate partners, realizing about 1,600 collaborations, establishing one of Japan's most significant tracks. They maintain a registered community of around 9,000 startups on their platform and aim to promote the growth of startup ecosystems not only in Japan but across Asia, facilitating global open innovation.