Techstars' Tokyo chapter, launched 2024 at Tokyo Midtown Yaesu with JETRO and Mitsui Fudosan.
- The offer:
- $120k per company
- Location:
- Tokyo, Japan
- Duration:
- 12 weeks
What you need to qualify
- Sector-agnostic program for high-potential emerging technology companies from all sectors.
- Open to startups from Japan and abroad, and eligible regardless of founder nationality.
- Special interest in deep tech, fintech, clean tech and climate tech.
- Early-stage company, which is the stage Techstars accelerators select for.
- Able to take part in an in-person program based in Tokyo for three months.
- Accepts the Japan-specific deal: 5 percent of the company in common stock plus the future value of the $100,000 uncapped MFN Safe.
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- All stages
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
How to apply
- 1
Read the application preview first
Techstars publishes the full question list at techstars.com/application-preview. It states that it takes most teams anywhere from one to four hours to complete their application for the first time, so draft the answers before you open the form.
- 2
Fill in the Founder Profile section
The application opens with basic information about you: first name, last name, title, contact email, current location, Linkedin URL, phone number, and whether you are working on your startup full time.
- 3
Complete the company section
Answer the company questions on the problem, the product, relevant industries, the team, traction, revenue and funding, how you make money, target audience, competitors, competitive advantage, why now, customer acquisition and next major milestones.
- 4
Prepare three media uploads
One form field asks for a product demo video, a pitch deck, and a team introduction video. This is the step founders most often start late, because it needs assets recorded outside the form.
- 5
Choose Techstars Tokyo Accelerator in Program Selection
Program Selection is an optional step in the form where you pick your preferred accelerators from those currently accepting applications. If this program is not in the list, its window is not open.
- 6
Submit through the Techstars apply portal
The Apply Today button on the program page goes to apply.techstars.com, which is where the application is submitted. Techstars notes you are able to update sections with new information as your company continues to develop.
- 7
Interview rounds and the screening committee
Techstars states you may receive an invitation to interview anytime between one and four weeks after the application deadline. First and second round interviews cover your competitive advantage and past accomplishments, then finalists meet a screening committee of the managing director and program manager, program mentors, corporate partners, other Techstars team members, alumni and subject matter experts virtually before a final decision.