WINWILL’s CashBridge Chosen for Shinagawa Social Innovation Accelerator Program 2025

Introduction

WINWILL Inc., headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has made significant strides in the startup ecosystem by being selected for the Shinagawa Social Innovation Accelerator (SIA) program for 2025. This accelerator aims to support startups that address social and community issues by providing various resources and mentorship.

The SIA is a revamped version of the Gotanda Valley Acceleration Program, which has been operational since 2020. The new program continues to foster an ecosystem where startups and local industries can thrive together. For its inaugural 2025 cohort, 20 companies have been chosen based on their innovative approaches to supporting societal challenges.

SIA Program Overview

The SIA program carries a renewed focus and has undergone a branding refresh from its predecessor program. It will run from 2025 to 2026 and aims to create synergies between startups and local industrial partners through structured support. Activities will include mentoring, specialized training, and Demo Days that will help accelerate business growth.

WINWILL’s Revolutionary Project: CashBridge

WINWILL operates CashBridge, a marketplace-style factoring platform designed to facilitate the online trading of corporate accounts receivables. The goal is to transform the often opaque factoring process into a more transparent and easily comparable medium, thereby lowering the barriers to funding for businesses. Some key features of CashBridge include:
1. Marketplace Comparison: Sellers can compare multiple offers and select the most favorable conditions, while buyers can expand their investment opportunities.
2. Minimal Costs: Sellers can participate for free, and buyers incur only a 1% success fee, a significant decrease from traditional factoring fees ranging from 5% to 15%. This makes initiation of transactions almost cost-free for sellers.
3. Trust Through Reviews: The platform implements a review and rating system that enhances transaction security and can serve as a last resort for companies previously declined for funding.

Future Developments

The program's duration is set from September 2025 to March 2026, which includes a Kick-Off event and a series of six workshops focusing on fundraising, public relations strategies, and tackling social issues through effective collaboration. This initiative will be pivotal for WINWILL as it seeks to implement funding rounds and enhance collaborations with financial institutions and strategic partners.

Program Details

- Organizer: Shinagawa City and the Gotanda Valley Association
- Eligibility: Seed to early-stage companies utilizing IT to resolve societal issues
- Number of Participants: 20 companies
- Support Provided: Training, one-on-one/group mentoring, Demo Days, and opportunities for PR

About WINWILL

WINWILL, under the leadership of CEO Daichi Nakashima, operates CashBridge and aims to revolutionize the factoring industry. With its headquarters located at 2-4-1 Nishi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa, Tokyo, the company blends technology with finance to simplify and enhance access to capital for businesses in need. For more information, please visit WINWILL's website and check out CashBridge.