Entrepreneur Support Program Specialized in Physical AI Launches. Creating Next-Generation Industries with a Powerful Ecosystem Including a Humanoid Lab
First Light Capital has officially launched 'Physical AI Thinka', an entrepreneur support program targeting Physical AI, selecting 13 startups for a 6-month hands-on backing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 11:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 19:08 (224h 8m after Collected)
**First Light Capital Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Osamu Iwasawa, hereinafter 'First Light') has officially launched 'Physical AI Thinka', an entrepreneur support program specialized in the Physical AI domain, starting in April 2026.**
**The press release from when applications opened is available here.**
**We received over 50 applications for this program. After rigorous screening, we selected 13 startups possessing technologies such as VLA, autonomous robots, Physical AI data infrastructure, and digital twins. Over the next 6 months, we will implement a hands-on support program aimed at customer acquisition, fundraising, and social implementation.**
**Furthermore, through this program, we will strengthen entrepreneur support by collaborating with ecosystem partners who have a humanoid lab, next-generation hands, and a co-creation base accommodating 2,000 people.**
### **What is 'Physical AI Thinka'?**
It is a 6-month entrepreneur support program aiming to solve structural challenges faced by Japan's core industries using 'Physical AI', thereby creating a next-generation industrial foundation.
Built on a dense community of entrepreneurs specialized in the Physical AI domain, it drives the business progress of each participant through a two-wheel approach: professional input through joint sessions with instructors/advisors, individual mentoring, and reverse pitches; and practical output through hands-on work such as PMR (Primary Market Research), identifying ICP (Ideal Customer Profile), and organizing on-site business flows.
Additionally, capitalists well-versed in the Physical AI field will provide hands-on support, considering investment as appropriate. On the final day's demo day, we provide opportunities for direct pitches to business corporations and VCs, leading to business growth post-program, such as customer acquisition and fundraising.
### **Selected Startups**
A total of 13 companies were selected across a wide range of industrial domains such as logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, covering diverse categories within the Physical AI field, including VLA, autonomous robots, Physical AI data infrastructure, and digital twins.
**The press release from when applications opened is available here.**
**We received over 50 applications for this program. After rigorous screening, we selected 13 startups possessing technologies such as VLA, autonomous robots, Physical AI data infrastructure, and digital twins. Over the next 6 months, we will implement a hands-on support program aimed at customer acquisition, fundraising, and social implementation.**
**Furthermore, through this program, we will strengthen entrepreneur support by collaborating with ecosystem partners who have a humanoid lab, next-generation hands, and a co-creation base accommodating 2,000 people.**
### **What is 'Physical AI Thinka'?**
It is a 6-month entrepreneur support program aiming to solve structural challenges faced by Japan's core industries using 'Physical AI', thereby creating a next-generation industrial foundation.
Built on a dense community of entrepreneurs specialized in the Physical AI domain, it drives the business progress of each participant through a two-wheel approach: professional input through joint sessions with instructors/advisors, individual mentoring, and reverse pitches; and practical output through hands-on work such as PMR (Primary Market Research), identifying ICP (Ideal Customer Profile), and organizing on-site business flows.
Additionally, capitalists well-versed in the Physical AI field will provide hands-on support, considering investment as appropriate. On the final day's demo day, we provide opportunities for direct pitches to business corporations and VCs, leading to business growth post-program, such as customer acquisition and fundraising.
### **Selected Startups**
A total of 13 companies were selected across a wide range of industrial domains such as logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, covering diverse categories within the Physical AI field, including VLA, autonomous robots, Physical AI data infrastructure, and digital twins.