Plug and Play Japan Selected for Kawasaki City's "FY2026 Global Startup Creation Promotion Project"

Plug and Play Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Vincent Philippe; hereinafter "Plug and Play") has been selected by Kawasaki City to undertake the "FY2026 Global Startup Creation Promotion Project" (publicly solicited).

In conjunction with this, we are pleased to announce the commencement of applications for participating companies in the "Kawasaki Global Accelerator 2026."

What is the FY2026 Global Startup Creation Promotion Project?

Kawasaki City is home to over 550 research and development institutions and hosts K-NIC, a support hub for deep tech entrepreneurs, in collaboration with NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). This environment, which allows for a seamless transition "from R&D to commercialization," is an extremely rare and valuable ecosystem for deep tech startups that possess high technical capabilities but face challenges in commercialization and fundraising.

However, deep tech startups encounter a significant hurdle: the substantial funding required for research and development and commercialization. The "Kawasaki Global Accelerator 2026" focuses not merely on providing funds, but on cultivating the "capability" to attract investment from overseas venture capital firms and investors with large investment scales.

Main Support Contents of "Kawasaki Global Accelerator 2026"

This project will support startups in their global expansion and fundraising efforts through the following initiatives*1:

Domestic Intensive Training Sessions (1:00 PM - 8:00 PM x 2 days x 2 sessions)

*All applicants for this project can participate in the intensive training sessions.

We will provide intensive training sessions aimed at acquiring fundamental knowledge and fostering the mindset necessary for global expansion. These sessions will be divided into two parts: an introductory session (mindset, team building, pitch deck creation, etc.) and a practical session (formulating overseas expansion strategies and plans), also providing opportunities for community building through interaction among participants.

English Pitch Coaching and Individual Mentoring

We will provide hands-on support for preparing English pitches aimed at overseas investors for fundraising. Furthermore, we will assign external experts capable of addressing a wide range of challenges faced by DeepTech startups, offering opportunities for individual mentoring.

On-site Support During Overseas Travel (Silicon Valley) (Overseas Travel Program)

We will offer a program that includes visits to local universities, research institutions, government agencies, VCs, etc. Participants will travel to coincide with the Plug and Play Silicon Valley SUMMIT, which attracts over 3,000 attendees from around the world. Through booth exhibitions, customer interviews, participation in English pitch events, and one-on-one mentoring with investors, we will support participants in building their local networks intensively within a short period.

Post-Travel Follow-up

We will conduct follow-up on business plan refinement and ongoing business discussions through mentoring, on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. In collaboration with our US office and other entities, we will provide continuous matching support for participants' fundraising efforts, including ongoing introductions to overseas VCs.

Results Reporting Session

As a culmination of the overseas travel program, a results reporting session will be held at hubs like K-NIC, where participants will present the outcomes of their activities during the overseas trip. This will serve as an opportunity to widely disseminate the initiatives of each company, as well as the attractiveness and growth potential of the startup ecosystem within the city.

Support for Collaboration with External Organizations and Regional Ecosystem

In collaboration with Kawasaki City and the surrounding startup ecosystem (VCs, financial institutions, support organizations, corporations, universities, government bodies, etc.), we will provide support for participants to build continuous relationships with the regional ecosystem through advice on fundraising, utilization of incubation facilities, and matching support for collaborations and proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with corporations.

Regarding Applicant Recruitment

This project will provide business acceleration support to deep tech startups, including building networks with top overseas accelerators and investors, and improving business plans and mindsets. Leveraging Kawasaki City's optimal environment for the deep tech field, we will strongly support the creation of next-generation industries that drive Japan's growth and their leap into the global market.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this program, all of the following requirements must be met:

- Engaged in technology development fields such as robotics, AI, electronics, IoT, clean technology, materials, drug discovery, medical devices, life sciences, biotechnology, quantum, and aerospace, and whose technology contributes to solving social issues like achieving SDGs and decarbonization. - Individuals aiming for overseas expansion or currently engaged in overseas expansion. - Pre-startup individuals or startups up to Series A. - Those who have their headquarters or business office in Kawasaki City, or intend to establish a base in Kawasaki City within three years. - Able to communicate in English. - Must be the representative director, a person with decision-making authority regarding management, or the person responsible for overseas expansion. - Must be able to participate in all program activities, including in-person sessions, if selected. - Must not be delinquent in municipal inhabitant tax (including special ward inhabitant tax). - Must not have any individuals who are members of a yakuza organization among their representatives or officers. - Must be able to cooperate with a survey conducted approximately five years after participation (regarding startup location, business progress, etc.).

Selection of Participants for Overseas Travel (Silicon Valley)

Participants will be selected from those who attend the "Overseas Travel Program Information Session" to be held during the domestic intensive training.

Expenses and Participation Fees

Free

*While participation is free, indirect costs such as transportation, communication, and travel expenses to the US/Silicon Valley will be borne by the program participants.

Program Implementation Period

Intensive Training Sessions (Domestic):

Session 1: August 26 (Wed)

Session 2: August 27 (Thu)

Session 3: September 1 (Tue)

Session 4: September 2 (Wed)

*Each session from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Overseas Travel (Silicon Valley): November 2 (Mon) - November 6 (Fri)

*Various support will be provided to each company before and after travel.

How to Apply

Please visit the following website for details and to apply:

https://contents-jp.plugandplaytechcenter.com/kawasaki-global-accelerator-2026

Regarding the Public Information Session

A public information session for this project will be held on July 22.

Purpose

To explain the objectives, significance, and details of this project (domestic intensive training and overseas travel).

Format

Online

Date and Time

July 22 (Wed) 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Agenda

1: Introduction / Kawasaki City Greeting (5 minutes)

2: Domestic Intensive Training & Overseas Travel Program / Information on Individual Online Consultation Sessions for US Expansion (15 minutes)

3: Q&A (10 minutes)

Participation Registration

Those who wish to participate in the public information session, please fill out the required information in the application form below and submit it:

https://logoform.jp/form/FUQz/1663947

About Plug and Play Japan

Plug and Play is one of the world's largest innovation platforms connecting startups, large corporations, investors, academia, and government/municipalities. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, it has expanded to over 60 locations worldwide, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

We provide support at all stages, from startup scouting and trend research to innovation strategy and commercialization support, for over 550 global corporate partners and government/municipalities. We also accelerate innovation in various fields/industries and invest in over 250 startups worldwide annually through our accelerator programs and venture capital functions for startups.

Plug and Play Japan Company Profile

Name: Plug and Play Japan Inc.

Location: Shibuya Dogenzaka Tokyu Building 1F, 1-10-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043

Representative: President Vincent Philippe

URL: http://japan.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

Date of Establishment: July 14, 2017

*1 Regarding support, items 1 are available to all participants. Participants for items 2-6 will be selected.