GIA Tokyo Acceleration Programme

Organised by Leave a Nest (LVNS), there are two tracks offered under the GIA Tokyo (Outbound) Acceleration Programme:

Phase 1: Market Discovery Programme
This programme is targeted at tech startups/innovative SMEs across all sectors that are in the earlier/exploratory stage of their market entry journey to Japan. LVNS will focus on working with participants to create a clear action plan to enter the Japan market.

1. Component 1: Education

   A series of lectures for participants to gain an overview of the startup and innovation landscape in Japan. This includes but is not limited to learning about the investment scene, manufacturing possibilities, and incorporation.

2. Component 2: Hypothesis Creation Course

   1-on-1 discussions with LVNS personnel, in order to brainstorm for potential partners, craft strategies to enter the market, as well as discuss current and relevant technologies from Japan to leverage. At the end of this component, participants will create an action plan to enter the Japan market.

3. Component 3: Immersion Trip

   A physical trip is necessary to gain a proper understanding of Japanese business culture and problem statements. Participants will visit key ecosystem players in Japan who can offer opportunities and give feedback on their action plan.

4. Component 4: Crystalise

   Following the immersion trip, participants will revise their action plan with LVNS and discuss the next steps forward. This includes further feedback on their action plan during this component.

Phase 1 takes place twice a year, and more information on the next cohort can be found here.

Phase 2: Business Creation Programme
This programme is targeted at Singapore-based tech startups/innovative SMEs across all sectors that are suitable and committed to entering the Japan market. This can include companies who have completed Phase 1 of the GIA Tokyo (Outbound) Acceleration Programme, or other companies who have been assessed by LVNS to be suitable for the programme. LVNS will focus on working with participants to generate 1-to-1 business meetings with key innovation stakeholders in Japanese companies to facilitate partnerships.

1. Component 1: Strategy Generation

   1-on-1 discussions with LVNS personnel to learn about the specific business domain(s) or outcomes to target, list out partners to meet whilst in Japan, and hypothesise how best to gain traction with the target entities identified.

2. Component 2: Business Development Trip

   In-market visit with a minimum of five 1-on-1 curated business meetings with potential partners in Japan. Each company will have one dedicated LVNS personnel supporting communications with meeting targets.

3. Component 3: Deepen

   Following the business development trip, participants will discuss the next steps forward with LVNS and work together to follow up with the potential partners they met in Japan. This includes further feedback on their action plan during this component.

Phase 2 takes place on a rolling basis. Interested participants can register their interest here.

Aside from the GIA Tokyo (Outbound) Acceleration Programmes above, LVNS also offers the following GIA Tokyo (Inbound) Acceleration Programme:

Inbound Acceleration Programme

This is targeted at Japanese deep tech startups across all sectors that are looking to entering the Singapore market. The programme lasts three months, ending with a business development trip to Singapore, usually during the Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SWITCH) flagship conference.

The GIA Tokyo (Inbound) Acceleration Programme takes place once a year, and more information on the next cohort can be found here.

For enquiries on any of the GIA Tokyo Acceleration Programmes, please contact LVNS (attention: Addi or Leeyon).

Leave A Nest (LVNS) is a leading deep technology innovation platform in Southeast Asia, rapidly expanding across the region with the aim to discover and nurture startups in the deep science and technology space. Composed of a team with scientific background, Leave a Nest personnel understand technology deeply to curate business collaborations.

Applications for the GIA Tokyo Acceleration Programmes are now open. Interested applicants will have to fill in and submit the respective forms linked above.

For enquiries and further information, please contact LVNS (attention: Addi or Leeyon).