Supporting Overseas Expansion for Startups in Sendai and Tohoku | ICMG Inc.

Centering on local programs in Singapore and Indonesia, we provide integrated support from business hypothesis verification to local network building. The application deadline is noon on Friday, July 17, 2026.

ICMG Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Hitoshi Funabashi) began accepting applications for Sendai City's overseas expansion support project "Sendai & Tohoku Expansion Program ~STEP for ENTRY~" (hereinafter referred to as "STEP for ENTRY") from Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

This program primarily targets companies that are considering "eventually expanding into Southeast Asia" but have not yet taken the leap due to a lack of connections or information for decision-making regarding target countries. Approximately 7 startups based in the Sendai/Tohoku region aiming to advance into the Southeast Asian market will be selected to participate in local programs in Singapore and Indonesia from Monday, November 2, 2026, to Friday, November 6, 2026. The application deadline is noon on Friday, July 17, 2026, and participation is free.

The core of the program is a 5-day local dispatch to Singapore and Jakarta. We will provide opportunities for business meetings with investors, corporations, and local startups, individually arranged according to the selected companies' businesses, along with site visits to the local ecosystem and meetups. The aim is to generate concrete results such as sales channel development, securing business negotiations, fundraising, and technology collaboration.

We offer integrated support, from pre-travel input on business customs and English pitch training to regular follow-up meetings after returning to Japan, allowing companies new to overseas expansion to participate with peace of mind. Unlike one-off events, a key feature of this program is our continuous support from before travel to after returning.

Special Page: https://step-for-entry.jp

Program Overview

Item

Details

Program Name

Sendai & Tohoku Expansion Program ~STEP for ENTRY~

Implementation Period

August 2026 - March 2027 (Final presentation meeting scheduled for February-March 2027)

Implementation Location

Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia

Local Program

Scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026 - Friday, November 6, 2026

Number of Selected Companies

Approximately 7

Participation Fee

Free (Travel expenses etc. subsidy of up to 200,000 yen per company/team is planned)

Application Deadline

Noon on Friday, July 17, 2026

* Participation in multiple online meetings prior to the local program, as well as follow-up meetings and the final presentation meeting after returning to Japan, is required.

Target Audience

Startups and other entities headquartered or with business operations in the Sendai/Tohoku region aiming to expand into the Southeast Asian market. While corporate registration is not a requirement, applicants must have a certain business hypothesis and a willingness to concretely proceed with verification and development towards commercialization.

Example Fields: Healthcare/Life Sciences, Software/SaaS, Environment/Energy (CleanTech, etc.), Education/EdTech, FoodTech, etc.

Main Support Contents

Pre-travel training on business customs and market trends in overseas markets, primarily focusing on Singapore.

Verification of product/service adaptation based on Southeast Asian market needs, and support for refining business concepts.

Provision of opportunities for individual meetings and networking with local startups, government agencies, corporations, universities, investors/VCs, etc.

Site visits to local social implementation examples (smart cities, healthcare, environment-related, etc.).

Provision of English pitch training opportunities.

Program Introduction & Interview

We interviewed the Sendai City official in charge of this program to understand their motivations. We hope you will view this alongside the voices of participating companies to understand the program's background.

Interview with Sendai City Official / Participating Companies ▼

https://www.step-for-entry.jp/step-for-entry-interview

Recruitment Briefing Session (Online)

Date & Time: Monday, July 6, 18:00 - 19:30

The first half will explain the overall program and selection criteria, and the second half will feature short sessions on various Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. As this is a joint session with "STEP for GROWTH," which is for companies already engaged in overseas expansion, you can consider options tailored to each stage.

Support organizations and supporting companies are also welcome to participate broadly.

Apply for the briefing session here ▼

https://www.step-for-entry.jp/step-for-entry-briefing

Application Method

Application Deadline: Noon on Friday, July 17, 2026

How to Apply: Please apply through the entry form below. After document screening, the results will be notified by early August 2026.

Entry Form: https://logoform.jp/form/3PrJ/1583799

Recruitment Details (Sendai City Official Page): https://www.city.sendai.jp/startup-sogyo/globalhub.html

Organizer & Operator

Organizer: Sendai City / Operator: The 77 Bank, Ltd. & ICMG Inc. (Joint Venture)

This program is implemented as Sendai City's commissioned project "Support for Initial Entry into Global Markets (Sendai Global Startup Hub)".

Inquiries regarding this matter (Operations Secretariat)

ICMG Inc. (Contact: Takashi Ogawa) Email: takashi.ogawa@icmggroup.com

【About ICMG Group】

ICMG Group is a business co-creation partner that visualizes the invisible value (intellectual capital) of companies, which is not reflected on the balance sheet, and supports the creation of results through co-creation with diverse stakeholders. For over 25 years since its founding, with bases in Tokyo, Singapore, Bangalore, Abu Dhabi, Nairobi, San Francisco, Shanghai, Stockholm, etc., we have consistently handled everything from strategy formulation based on intellectual capital assessment to execution support, leadership development, business investment, venture capital, M&A, design & engineering, and the establishment and operation of joint ventures.

Corporate Site: https://www.icmggroup.com/