Office of the Governor for Policy Planning

Call for Applications for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Accelerator Program:
New Tech Business Camp Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has been actively working to attract foreign companies to raise international competitiveness and bring about further growth for the city by promoting the creation of a more business-friendly environment for overseas businesses and startups.
Building on its efforts to date, the TMG will hold for the first time, the New Tech Business Camp Tokyo accelerator program for foreign companies that possess advanced technologies related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence. By matching up Tokyo's hardware businesses with foreign software businesses, this program will help Tokyo to achieve its vision of becoming a "safe city," a "smart city," and a "diversity (diverse city)."
This program will follow the steps below and focus on initiatives 2 and 3 over a short period of about three months.

1. Call for applications from foreign businesses that possess business models or advanced technologies in IoT, big data, artificial intelligence, etc., and selection of program participants
2. Provide support for drawing up business plans through efforts including matching up selected foreign and Japanese businesses, IT vendors, etc.
3. Host a business plan presentation geared to Tokyo's investors, businesses, etc.

* "Business Camp Tokyo" is a three-month program for about five foreign companies. Along with being mentored by major Japanese companies, networking events with Tokyo businesses and opportunities to present business plans will be provided.

1 Eligibility and applying

a. Eligibility

Foreign companies that possess advanced technologies or business models and have yet to establish a business in Japan. Refer to the program website noted below for application details.

b. How to apply

After confirming the application details provided on the website, send the required documentation to the program secretariat by Friday, November 3, 2017 11:59 p.m. (JST).

https://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/bdc_tokyo/english/bizcamptky/newtech( External link )

2 Schedule (tentative)

• Applications are accepted from September 22, 2017.
• Application deadline: Friday, November 3, 2017
• Announcement of companies selected for the program (about five companies): December 2017
• Introductory seminar: Late-January 2018
• New Tech Business Camp Tokyo (mentoring, creating a business plan, networking event(s), connecting with businesses in Tokyo): End of January through early March 2018
• Presentation of business plans (pitch event): Mid-March 2018 (open to the public)

This project is part of the "Action Plan for 2020."
"Smart City" Key Policy 4: A global financial and economic center