#Japan #Tokyo #Customer Acquisition #Tokyo Startup #Acceleration Program

Tokyo's Acceleration Program for New Businesses

The Tokyo Startup Station, operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, has officially begun accepting applications for its Customer Acquisition Acceleration Program. This initiative aims to support new entrepreneurs in Tokyo by aiding them in developing sales channels and overcoming business challenges.

Overview of the Acceleration Program

The program, held on the third floor of the Tokyo Startup Station called 'Advance Port,' is specifically designed for startups that have been in operation for less than ten years. Applicants must meet several criteria to be eligible, including:

1. They must be a small or medium-sized enterprise based in Tokyo, established for less than ten years.
2. As of May 31, 2023, they must meet at least one of the following:
- Completed a planning consulting course.
- Received official confirmation of a business support grant.
- Be a finalist in the Tokyo Senior Business Grand Prix.
- Have previously been a resident of facilities like the Shirahige West R&D Center or the Aoyama Startup Acceleration Center.
3. The applicant's management experience must be less than ten years.

The program provides continuous support for improving and executing business plans that aim to resolve management challenges related to sales channel development. Additionally, it offers partial funding for costs associated with these activities, such as conducting customer need validations and product improvements.

Application Details

• - How to apply: Interested parties should fill out the application form on the program's official website.
• - Application Period: Applications are open from June 25 to July 15, 2023.
• - Program Start Date: The program will commence on July 28, 2023.

For more details, you can visit the Acceleration Program Website.

Support and Funding Details

The support will include financial assistance for selected businesses under the hands-on support phase, pending successful application review.

Eligible Costs for Funding

The fund will cover part of the expenses for:

• - Customer need hypothesis validation.
• - Sales channel development.
• - Improvements to products or services, including direct labor costs, validation expenses, outsourced expenses, advertising costs, and e-commerce site registration fees.

Funding Breakdown

Small Business Type (SB Type): 10 companies will be selected, with a funding rate of 50% and a maximum funding limit of 3 million yen.
Startup Type (SU Type): 5 companies will be selected, with a funding rate of 50% and a maximum funding limit of 15 million yen.
Funding duration:

• - SB Type: 6 months
• - SU Type: 18 months

Kickoff Seminar Overview

The program will host two kickoff seminars:

• - Kickoff Seminar 1:

- Date: July 28, 2023, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: Tokyo Startup Station, Advance Port
- Format: Hybrid (in-person for the first 50 participants or online via Zoom)

The first part will cover the importance of planning for sales channel development, led by Tomoyuki Hōguchi from EXPOLODIA. The second part will feature a panel discussion with prominent industry experts including Asako Mitake and Tatsuji Funabashi.

• - Kickoff Seminar 2:

- Date: July 31, 2023, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Location: Tokyo Startup Station, Advance Port
- Format: Hybrid (real or online via Zoom)

The second seminar will focus on "The Secret to Marketing Success: The Power of Hypothesis Validation" and will be presented by Takashi Tsutsumi, who has extensive experience in venture business development.

Inquiry Contacts

For more information regarding the program, you can contact:

• - Tokyo Bureau of Industry and Labor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government at 03-5320-4763
• - Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center at 03-5220-2000.