Applications Open for the 3rd 'Alchemist Japan' Program by Renowned US Accelerator Alchemist

JETRO, in collaboration with the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is conducting 'Alchemist Japan,' an equity-based startup acceleration program by Alchemist Accelerator LLC (headquartered in the US), which specializes in the B2B sector. Applications for the 3rd program are now open, with the acceleration program scheduled to run for approximately three months starting in October 2026.

There are three key points regarding the 3rd 'Alchemist Japan' program:

1. Among the equity-based acceleration programs operated by Alchemist worldwide, Japan remains the only location in Asia where the program is conducted.

2. This program serves as a bridge to the US market, granting participants eligibility for the six-month Alchemist global program held in San Francisco. After completing the three-month program in Japan, startups can continue to the global program, allowing them to reach domestic and international venture capitalists and investors, including those who invest in Alchemist.

3. In the 2nd program, nine companies were selected from Japan and abroad after a rigorous screening process, and eight of them participated in the global program (Alchemist Accelerator). Startups that have graduated from the global program have raised over $6 billion in total funding after Demo Day. Investors include world-class venture capital firms such as Accel, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Bessemer Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, and Sequoia. In the recent Class 41, eight companies had already raised a total of $14 million before the Demo Day, demonstrating high expectations from global investors. The Class 41 Demo Day (online) began streaming on a dedicated platform on May 27, 2026. Many startups are currently in individual meetings with VCs, accelerating the birth of next-generation global companies.

The 'Alchemist Japan' program selects 9-12 seed-stage startups—both Japanese startups aiming for the global market and B2B startups from around the world—provides investment from the Alchemist Accelerator Fund, and conducts a three-month acceleration program. In the 2nd program, a 'Showcase Event (Japan Demo Day)' was held on December 9 last year, where all nine selected startups presented their achievements and prospects for global market expansion to approximately 160 domestic and international investors.

JETRO, together with the Cabinet Office, METI, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, has been promoting initiatives to attract global accelerators to conduct acceleration programs. The 'Alchemist Japan' program responds to the call for attracting overseas VCs and accelerators as stated in the 'Strategy for Building Startup Ecosystem Hubs' formulated by the Cabinet Office and the 'Global Innovation Strategy 2.0 STARTUP & SCALEUP' formulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

■ Results from the 1st Cohort

Glidely, an AI startup that participated in the previous Alchemist Japan program, joined the Alchemist Accelerator Demo Day in Silicon Valley and achieved additional funding. CEO Osamu Oikawa stated regarding the benefits of the program:

'Participating in Alchemist was a major turning point for Glidely, evolving from an "interesting AI demo" to a "procurement support product for enterprise companies." Practical feedback from the cohort clarified our positioning, and through Alchemist's partner network, we were able to secure business opportunities with decision-makers at enterprise companies that were difficult to reach on our own. In particular, the enterprise sales expertise and practical support provided by Alchemist were a great boost for us, a Japanese founding team without a trust base in the US, to enter the US market and secure concrete business and introduction opportunities with Fortune 1000 companies.'

The application requirements for the 3rd 'Alchemist Japan' program are as follows. An information session event will be held on Thursday, June 25, featuring an overview of 'Alchemist Japan,' a panel discussion, a Q&A session, and networking with entrepreneurs, investors, and partners.

■ 'Alchemist Japan' Program Application Overview (Planned)

Item: Details
Application Start: May 18, 2026 (Mon)
Application Deadline: August 3, 2026 (Mon) 23:59 JST
Target: Japanese and global startups aiming for the world
Number of Companies: 9-12
Investment: Approximately $100,000 per company from Alchemist Accelerator Fund (planned)
Program Period: Approximately 3 months starting October 2026 (planned)
Showcase Event: December 8, 2026 (planned)
Program Location: Global Business Hub Tokyo (Otemachi Financial City Grand Cube 3F)
Program Content: Business model validation/improvement using Alchemist's mentor network, pitch training, capstone event, etc.
How to Apply: Via the Alchemist Japan website
Information Session: June 10, 2026 (Wed) Online session, June 25, 2026 (Thu) In-person event