#Japan #Tokyo #startups #Angel Bridge #Accelerator Program

Angel Bridge Launches the North Star Program for Early-Stage Startups

Angel Bridge, an independent venture capital firm based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has announced the introduction of their new accelerator program, "Angel Bridge North Star." Targeted towards entrepreneurs and startups in their inception to pre-seed fundraising stages, this three-month intensive support program aims to significantly bolster their chances of success.

The program utilizes the vast expertise that Angel Bridge has developed over a decade in investment judgment and support for portfolio companies. It aims to assist in various crucial areas such as business development, organizational structure, and finance design, thereby increasing the likelihood of success during the challenging seed phase. Importantly, accepting funding from Angel Bridge is not a prerequisite for participation, allowing entrepreneurs to focus solely on building their ventures without the pressures of financial decisions.

Goals of the Angel Bridge North Star Program

Entrepreneurs in the startup phase often find themselves making critical decisions that can dramatically influence the direction of their businesses, sometimes with limited information or resources. Angel Bridge North Star seeks to serve as a “True North” for these entrepreneurs during this pivotal period where a single decision can determine the fate of their startups.

Key Features of the Program

1. No Initial Investment Requirement

Angel Bridge North Star is designed as a hands-on accelerator program that does not require an initial investment. This distinguishing feature allows startups to set aside the often irreversible financial decisions that come with fundraising and instead focus on the core aspects of launching and refining their business.

2. Potential Investment After Program Completion

While participating in the program does not necessitate prior funding, those whose ventures align well with Angel Bridge may attract an investment of up to 200 million yen post-program. This approach acknowledges the importance of adequate capital during the fast-paced market where early investment can lead to significant competitive advantages in the future.

3. Expertise in Creating Mega Ventures

Angel Bridge has demonstrated its capability in nurturing startups like Heartseed, which has successfully progressed to an IPO in 2024, achieving a peak market value of approximately 100 billion yen. This program will draw on the practical knowledge and replicable expertise cultivated during such successful ventures, providing valuable support to new entrepreneurs.

Program Components

Hands-On Guidance from Experienced Capitalists

Participants will benefit from support by seasoned partners and capitalists who come from professional firms such as strategy consulting and investment banking. Their role extends beyond ordinary mentoring; they will actively assist in tasks such as market research, business strategy formulation, hypothesis testing, capital policy planning, and client introductions, offering comprehensive support in both conceptual and operational dimensions.

Dedicated Teams for Functional Support

For specialized domains like product development, hiring, and PR, dedicated teams will offer targeted assistance. Notably, former executive officer of Gree and COO of Mitsumore, Yoshiki Ino, will provide ongoing mentorship, guiding startups from early product designs to scaling decisions.

Access to Angel Bridge’s Extensive Network

Over the past decade, Angel Bridge has developed a vast network through its investment activities, giving startups access to invaluable learning and networking opportunities with the CxOs of already successful portfolio companies.

Application Requirements

The Angel Bridge North Star program is open to entrepreneurs who meet the following conditions:

• - They must either have already registered their company or plan to do so by April 2026.
• - They should not have conducted seed funding from VCs (although participation is allowed if they have gone through angel or pre-seed rounds).

Investment Terms

• - Participation does not require prior investment from Angel Bridge.
• - Investments will be considered after the program concludes, typically around June to July 2026, with amounts ranging from 30 million to 200 million yen under J-KISS terms.

Timeline

Applications will be accepted from February 2 to February 20, 2026, with info sessions scheduled from February 9 to February 18. The actual program will run from April 1 to June 30, 2026.

About Angel Bridge

Founded on October 21, 2015, Angel Bridge operates with the mission of fostering the emergence of Japan’s mega ventures through strategic capital deployment. The firm is currently managing a fund of 41.2 billion yen and emphasizes hands-on support to both seed and early-stage ventures. Their collaborative approach and extensive experience are evident in their backing of successful companies and nurturing of entrepreneurial talent.