Shizuoka Prefecture Fund Support Program: Call for Certified Venture Capitalists Begins

1. Summary

Shizuoka Prefecture is implementing the "Shizuoka Fund Support Program" to support startups (SUs) in raising capital. Under this program, grants are provided to SUs that receive investment from venture capitalists (VCs) certified by the prefecture.

We are now inviting applications from VCs who will support SUs together with the prefecture, from Monday, May 11, to Wednesday, June 10.

Furthermore, prior to the call for SUs, we have started accepting pre-consultations from SUs considering applying, starting on the same day.

2. Project Overview

### Category

Content

### Project Overview

Grants are provided to SUs that receive investment from VCs certified by the prefecture.

### Eligible Projects

Projects that fall under any of the following and are implemented within the prefecture:

- Fields related to next-generation industry projects (e.g., Pharma, CNF, MaOI) - Fields that contribute to collaboration with local companies or solving regional issues

### Main Target Audience

Requirements

- Small and medium-sized enterprises with a head office or main business office in the prefecture (registration required) - Newly employ full-time employees or appoint new executives at a business office within the prefecture within two years - "Seed category" is for businesses within five years of establishment

### Grant Rate and Upper Limit

- <Seed Category> 2/3, up to 10 million yen - <General Category> 1/2, up to 40 million yen

### Total Grant Amount

310 million yen * Approximately 10 projects are envisioned in total

### SU Support After Adoption

- Growth support (expert advice, business development support, etc.) - Strengthening financial management systems (accounting guidance, regular inspections)

### Schedule (Planned)

### Project Scheme

3. About the Call for Certified VCs

### (1) Overview

#### Category

Content

#### Call Overview

This project certifies VCs prior to providing grants to SUs. SUs that receive investment from certified VCs can apply for grants that will be publicly offered separately. This time, we are recruiting VCs who will support SUs within the prefecture.

Certification will be granted after document and interview screening.

Please check the application guidelines on the project website below for certification requirements and necessary documents. https://shizuoka-fundsupport.com

#### Application Deadline

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, until 5:00 PM

#### Application Method

Please apply through the Shizuoka Prefecture Electronic Application System. https://apply.e-tumo.jp/pref-shizuoka-u/offer/offerList_detail?tempSeq=20251

#### Main Application Requirements

- Corporations with investment functions and business commercialization support functions for SUs as a business - Have a base in Japan and assign full-time staff (plans are also acceptable) - Full-time staff have a track record and ability to support SUs - Cooperate and contribute to the development of the prefecture's startup ecosystem

### (2) Online Briefing Session for VCs

#### Category

Content

#### Date and Time

Friday, May 22, 2026, 18:00-19:00

#### Method

Online

#### Target Audience

- VCs considering applying - SUs that are investees or planned investees of VCs

#### Content

- Overview of this project - Q&A, etc.

#### Participation Application

Please apply using the dedicated application form. https://forms.office.com/e/1z4fssjYsY

* The briefing session is scheduled to be archived and distributed at a later date.

### (3) Metropolitan Area Briefing Session

#### Category

Content

#### Date and Time

Monday, June 1, 2026, 17:00-19:40

#### Venue

Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park (New Tokyo Building 8F, 3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

#### Target Audience

- VCs and SUs considering applying - SUs that are investees or planned investees of VCs

#### Content

- Overview of this project - Reverse pitch by local companies - Networking event, etc.

#### Participation Application

Please apply from the link below. https://peatix.com/event/4977851/view?k=6f81da354d625eee8b636e5d053c587e9cd1e349

### (4) Schedule (Planned)

#### Date

Content

May 11 (Mon)

Call for applications begins

May 22 (Fri)

Online briefing session for VCs

Mid to late May

Individual consultations

June 1 (Mon)

Metropolitan area briefing session

June 10 (Wed)

Application deadline

Early to mid-July

Screening (1st screening: documents, 2nd screening: interview)

Late July

Announcement of certified VCs

4. About the Call for SUs

### (1) Pre-consultation

Category

Content

#### Overview

For startups planning to apply for this project, pre-consultations will begin on May 11.