20 Companies Selected for the 14th Cohort of "FASTAR" Startup Growth Acceleration Program

The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (President: Tadashi Miyagawa; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has selected and announced the recipient companies for the 14th cohort of "FASTAR," its acceleration program supporting startup growth. This cohort places emphasis on fostering regional startups to drive local socioeconomic development, with 16 out of 20 selected companies (80%) being based outside of Tokyo.

FASTAR was established as a startup support initiative leveraging SMRJ's resources. Selected companies receive approximately one year of hands-on support from SMRJ specialists who assist with fundraising and business expansion. A pitch event "Demo Day," where companies present their post-support growth strategies and business plans, is scheduled for around February 2027.

Selection Overview Application period: Monday, October 20, 2025 – Thursday, December 4, 2025, 12:00 noon Number selected: 20 companies

Selected Companies AI / DX / IT Services EfficiNet X Co., Ltd. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) https://efficinetx.co.jp/ EfficiNet X enables AI and robots to work as a team, achieving overall optimization across various industries NousLagus Co., Ltd. (Nagoya, Aichi) https://nouslagus.com/ DX and AI consulting services, as well as development of DX-focused data management tools such as "Kikumemo" and other efficiency tools verbal and dialogue Co., Ltd. (Himeji, Hyogo) https://lp.cheez.ai/ Realizing next-generation site management through the construction photo AI app "Cheez," where the entire process is completed simply by taking photos Dioptra Co., Ltd. (Nomi, Ishikawa)