Deadline: February 20, 2022 23:59 JST
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Who should apply: Deeptech entrepreneurs with innovative, pre-commercial technologies and boundless passion to bring their solutions to the world. Sectors of particular interest include health and wellbeing (biotech, life sciences), Ai/ML/robotics, sustainable living (energy, environment, ag/food, water), quantum and post-quantum, advanced materials.
Funding: Up to 10 million JPY plus resources and services your venture needs to thrive + all-expenses-paid relocation of the founding team to Okinawa
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Are you a deeptech entrepreneur looking for funding and resources to set up your venture?
How about growing your business in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world?
Sounds tempting? Then apply now for the:
🎎 Innovation Square Startup Accelerator Program: a springboard for your business from Japan to the world
Since 2019, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), ranked 1st in Japan and 9th in the world by Nature Index for the quality of its research publications in the natural sciences, selects the best tech entrepreneurs from around the world to join its I2 Accelerator Program.
This unique, university in-residency program gives your science-based startup the time and specialized resources needed to move your technology from lab to market.
Do you have what it takes to join this year’s cohort?
The Innovation Square Startup Accelerator Program combines talent, facilities, and resources from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology with innovative, global technology entrepreneurs to build startups together.
With generous funding from the Okinawa Prefectural Government, the program helps innovative startups and founders from anywhere in the world build next-generation solutions to meet local and global market needs and realize Okinawa’s potential as Asia’s hub for innovation in science and technology.
As a cherry on top: the magic happens in the unique, vibrant surroundings of Okinawa, a beautiful island Prefecture in Japan. Selected teams will work together with the OIST Technology Development & Innovation Center and its network of mentors based around the world to grow and scale their businesses.
Recommended: Why is Okinawa one of the best places to live?
Benefits of joining the program
- 🗾 Relocate to Okinawa, Japan for an intense business-building period of 9 to 12 months.
- 💰 Receive up to 10 million JPY of non-dilutive funding to build your MVP.
- 🤓 Get personalized coaching from technical experts, government stakeholders, and industry mentors.
- 🔬 Access to lab and office space as well as the state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment at the globally ranked Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
- 🤝 Get introduced to a global network of industry experts and venture capital investors.
- 🖨️ Tap into professional services related to intellectual property and corporate set-up as well as administrative support services.
Join EF Polymer and other successful OIST-born startups
EF Polymer a startup from India, successfully completed the I2 Program in 2020 and went on to raise a seed round of venture capital funding from Japanese investors to bring their technology closer to market.
To help farmers across the world struggling with water scarcity and fertilizer requirements, the company developed a polymer made from specially-processed crop residues. The polymer increases the water-holding capacity of the soil, meaning less water is needed to irrigate crops, and re-purposes agricultural waste to contribute to a circular economy.
In 2019, EF Polymer won the Carbon Tech Award at the global grand finale of Climate Launchpad the world’s largest green business ideas competition.
We cannot wait to share the success story of YOUR startup! Apply now to join the Innovation Square Startup Accelerator Program.
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We have an idea regarding the farming get in atomisation & smoothly do their work using technology. With also we have food production idea for that we required funding agri start up plan.
Hello Laxmikant, thanks for leaving a comment and expressing your interest to join! 🙂 Your idea sounds like a great fit for the program. Have you already started your application? Make sure to click the “Apply Now” link and follow the instructions.
Be aware that the application deadline has been extended until 11:59pm JST / February 20, 2022. Good lukc andlLet us know once you submit the application!
UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended until 11:59pm JST / February 20, 2022!