18 Tokyo-Based Startups Head to the Global South: Startup Support Program Launched to Tackle Social Issues in Africa and Southeast Asia
IMA Inc. and Uncovered Fund Inc. have selected 18 startups for the 'Global South Co-Creation Program (GSCP)' to support business expansion and solve social issues in Africa and Southeast Asia.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 11:19 (47 min after Collected)
IMA Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kei Umino, hereafter IMA) and Uncovered Fund Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takuma Terakubo, hereafter Uncovered Fund) have selected 18 companies to receive support under the 'Global South Co-Creation Program (GSCP)', a program adopted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Startup Support Development Project by Diverse Entities (TOKYO SUTEAM)'. These selected companies will embark on a commercialization program lasting approximately one year.
Global South Co-Creation Program Selected Companies
A serious support system to learn locally and materialize business in the rapidly growing Global South
The 'Global South' region, centered on Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, which is said to account for about 70% of the world's population by 2050, is garnering global attention as a region with rapid economic growth and massive market potential, despite facing a mountain of diverse social issues such as energy, healthcare, food, infrastructure, and finance.
GSCP targets Tokyo-based startups and entrepreneurs aiming to expand their business into these Global South markets. It provides support for field research expenses (Category A: 500,000 yen/company, Category B: 200,000 yen/company), expert mentoring, field research tours, and hands-on commercialization support over a period of approximately one year.
By combining IMA's expertise in building startup ecosystems and Uncovered Fund's experience in investment and business development on the ground in Africa, we have prepared a practical support system that ensures efforts don't end as mere 'desk studies'.
Initially, we planned to select 10 companies, but due to a large number of applications, we expanded the selection quota. Following a rigorous screening process, a total of 18 companies were selected: 8 targeting Africa and 10 targeting Southeast Asia and India.
■ Program Support Details
GSCP provides the following support to selected companies:
Provision of Field Research Funds
Category A (10 companies) will receive up to 500,000 yen, and Category B (8 companies) will receive up to 200,000 yen in field research funds. These can be used for actual travel and local activity expenses.
Expert Mentoring
New business representatives from Japan's leading large corporations, as well as experts and investors deeply familiar with Africa and Southeast Asia, will conduct individual mentoring. A minimum of one mentoring session is guaranteed for all selected companies.
Field Research Tours
Field research tours to Southeast Asia, Africa, and India hosted by the secretariat will be prepared. Companies that find it difficult to travel alone will gain the opportunity to dive into local ecosystems.
Hands-on Commercialization Support
In the latter half of the program, 5 companies will be selected to receive deeper commercialization support. The ultimate outcomes aimed for include initiating MOUs/PoCs, establishing JVs/corporations, fundraising support, and collaboration with public-private partnership organizations.
Interim Reporting Session (Scheduled for July 30, 2026)
Opportunities for pitching and networking by all selected companies will be provided.
■ Background and Outlook
This program is jointly operated by IMA, which has strengths in the Southeast Asian market, and Uncovered Fund, a venture capital firm that has specialized in investment and business accompaniment in African and emerging markets.
Under the mission of 'Stir up the present', IMA has been promoting the construction of ecosystems where entrepreneurs, large corporations, government administration, and local communities connect organically. Since 2026, it has been particularly strengthening its business expansion in the Global South, and this program is one of its core initiatives.
Uncovered Fund possesses local networks and commercialization know-how gained through investing in and supporting startups in Africa. They also have experience in establishing and selling a JV in Kenya, and have practiced building 'winning local business models' with many companies.
Through this program, which combines the strengths of both companies, we will create businesses where Tokyo-based startups tackle global social issues, while concurrently establishing a Japanese public-private partnership model in the Global South.
Corporations, local governments, investors, and others interested in co-creation with the companies selected for this program are encouraged to contact IMA Inc.
*Those interested in co-creation within this program should feel free to reach out via the inquiry form at the URL below.
URL: https://tokyo-globalsouth.studio.site/
■ List of Selected Companies (18 Companies)
*Alphabetical order by area
1. PathAhead Inc.
Expansion Area: Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania)
Business Category: Cleantech
Business Description: Provides highly durable paving materials utilizing desert sand, realizing low-cost and sustainable road infrastructure construction
Future Vision: Advancing technology verification through local trials
Global South Co-Creation Program Selected Companies
A serious support system to learn locally and materialize business in the rapidly growing Global South
The 'Global South' region, centered on Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, which is said to account for about 70% of the world's population by 2050, is garnering global attention as a region with rapid economic growth and massive market potential, despite facing a mountain of diverse social issues such as energy, healthcare, food, infrastructure, and finance.
GSCP targets Tokyo-based startups and entrepreneurs aiming to expand their business into these Global South markets. It provides support for field research expenses (Category A: 500,000 yen/company, Category B: 200,000 yen/company), expert mentoring, field research tours, and hands-on commercialization support over a period of approximately one year.
By combining IMA's expertise in building startup ecosystems and Uncovered Fund's experience in investment and business development on the ground in Africa, we have prepared a practical support system that ensures efforts don't end as mere 'desk studies'.
Initially, we planned to select 10 companies, but due to a large number of applications, we expanded the selection quota. Following a rigorous screening process, a total of 18 companies were selected: 8 targeting Africa and 10 targeting Southeast Asia and India.
■ Program Support Details
GSCP provides the following support to selected companies:
Provision of Field Research Funds
Category A (10 companies) will receive up to 500,000 yen, and Category B (8 companies) will receive up to 200,000 yen in field research funds. These can be used for actual travel and local activity expenses.
Expert Mentoring
New business representatives from Japan's leading large corporations, as well as experts and investors deeply familiar with Africa and Southeast Asia, will conduct individual mentoring. A minimum of one mentoring session is guaranteed for all selected companies.
Field Research Tours
Field research tours to Southeast Asia, Africa, and India hosted by the secretariat will be prepared. Companies that find it difficult to travel alone will gain the opportunity to dive into local ecosystems.
Hands-on Commercialization Support
In the latter half of the program, 5 companies will be selected to receive deeper commercialization support. The ultimate outcomes aimed for include initiating MOUs/PoCs, establishing JVs/corporations, fundraising support, and collaboration with public-private partnership organizations.
Interim Reporting Session (Scheduled for July 30, 2026)
Opportunities for pitching and networking by all selected companies will be provided.
■ Background and Outlook
This program is jointly operated by IMA, which has strengths in the Southeast Asian market, and Uncovered Fund, a venture capital firm that has specialized in investment and business accompaniment in African and emerging markets.
Under the mission of 'Stir up the present', IMA has been promoting the construction of ecosystems where entrepreneurs, large corporations, government administration, and local communities connect organically. Since 2026, it has been particularly strengthening its business expansion in the Global South, and this program is one of its core initiatives.
Uncovered Fund possesses local networks and commercialization know-how gained through investing in and supporting startups in Africa. They also have experience in establishing and selling a JV in Kenya, and have practiced building 'winning local business models' with many companies.
Through this program, which combines the strengths of both companies, we will create businesses where Tokyo-based startups tackle global social issues, while concurrently establishing a Japanese public-private partnership model in the Global South.
Corporations, local governments, investors, and others interested in co-creation with the companies selected for this program are encouraged to contact IMA Inc.
*Those interested in co-creation within this program should feel free to reach out via the inquiry form at the URL below.
URL: https://tokyo-globalsouth.studio.site/
■ List of Selected Companies (18 Companies)
*Alphabetical order by area
1. PathAhead Inc.
Expansion Area: Africa (Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania)
Business Category: Cleantech
Business Description: Provides highly durable paving materials utilizing desert sand, realizing low-cost and sustainable road infrastructure construction
Future Vision: Advancing technology verification through local trials