CIC Institute
The CIC Institute is a team that works with the Japanese government, local governments, universities, and other organizations to support the growth of startups that can achieve global success by leveraging our expertise in building innovation ecosystems and supporting startups, especially those related to deep tech.
- management of industry specialized communities and
- operation of startup growth support programs.
Industry Specific Communities
The Industry-specific communities that aims for collaboration that leads to practical application through events, seminars, and business support programs.
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Energy & Environment
One of the largest communities in the energy and environment fields in Japan, with more than 560 startups, large companies, research institutions, and local governments participating. It aims to create innovations through events in related fields and hands-on innovation programs in which startups and large companies collaborate.
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Life Science
A community of alumni, mentors, and others involved in the life science startup support program implemented by CIC. Regular information exchange and networking opportunityare conducted.
Growth Support Program
(Startup Support Program)
This program is designed to support the growth and overseas expansion of startups, mainly in the energy/environment, and life science fields.
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Aichi GX Acceleration ProgramDiscover
This program encourages collaboration between corporates in Aichi Prefecture and startups in the GX area (especially in the circular economy area). CIC will provide selected startups tailor-made support, including business growth support, matching with business companies in Aichi Prefecture, and support for POC.
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Kering Generation AwardDiscover
In collaboration with Kering, the global luxury group, we are organizing an awards program with a 10 million yen prize for the 1st place. Under the main theme of “Sustainable Fashion & Beauty,” we are looking for startups who has technologies related to the four sub-themes.
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Science2Startup JapanDiscover
In this program, top Japanese researchers in the life science field refine their plans for applying their technological seeds to the development of pharmaceuticals and other products together with top global investors, and present their plans to investors, pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, university officials, and others at an invitation-only symposium.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government “Be Smart TOKYO (Smart Service Implementation Promotion Project)Discover
This program aims to discover startup with cutting-edge technologies and services, then implement them to Tokyo. We connect the selected startups to assets owners and provides growth support including cost for initial POCs, mentoring, and promotion.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government “SUTEAM (Startup Support and Development Project by Diverse Actors)Discover
Pitch training and pitch practice opportunities in English for startups interested in overseas markets, as well as opportunities to connect with overseas investors will be provided thourough an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
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Chiba Prefecture “Innovative Venture Companies Growth Program”Discover
This program provides short-term, intensive support to encourage the growth of venture companies in Chiba Prefecture into companies that will drive the local economy.
The program provids tailor-made support such as mentoring, business matching by CIC & Local support network to the selected companies. -
Ibaraki Prefecture “Venture Business Growth Promotion Project (Growth Program)Discover
This program supports startups based in Ibaraki Prefecture in the deep tech area, which is expected to grow significantly in the future. Taking advantage of the strengths of Ibaraki Prefecture, which has a high concentration of research institutions, the program provides tailor-made support such as mentoring and matching for business growth.
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Aichi Prefecture “Aichi Deeptech Launchpad (Deep Tech Promotion Project)Discover
This program supports startups in the deep tech field, which has a high affinity with the industrial structure of Aichi Prefecture. In addition to providing growth support and educational programs for startups over multiple fiscal years, the program also share information on support programs and other topics through a portal site community called “Aichi Deeptech Launchpad.
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government “Blockbuster TOKYO (Drug Discovery and Medical Startup Development Support Project)Discover
To promote the formation of an ecosystem for the development of drug discovery and medical startups in Tokyo, LINK-J, CIC Institute, and Mitsubishi Research Institute are jointly participating as promoters. The program promotes the creation of an ecosystem that leverages the strengths of Tokyo’s concentration of pharmaceutical companies, support organizations, investors, and other entities.
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JETRO “Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP) Bio/Healthcare Course *CIC Japan Desk in collaboration with CIC Institute
※CIC Japan DeskがCIC Instituteと協働で実施
DiscoverThis program supports overseas expansion for startups in the Bio/Healthcare field by providing individual mentoring, matching, and other services that leverage CIC’s connections to the pharmaceutical, life science, and healthcare industries in Boston to help them connect with overseas investors and operating companies.
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Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) ”Student-centered higher education ecosystem through Digitalization (Scheme D)”Discover
This program aims to realize student-centered higher education ecosystem through digitalization. University faculty, startups, and large companies collaborate on ideas for excellent educational initiatives that poduce efficient use case of digital technology, and work together to disseminate and implement them in the field.
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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry “J-StarX U.S. East Coast Course *CIC Japan Desk in cooperation with CIC Institute and MassChallenge
※CIC Japan Deskが、CIC Institute・MassChallengeと協働で実施
DiscoverThis program supports overseas expansion for startups in the clean tech and robotics fields as well as early-stage startups by providing business-to-business matching and mentoring through CIC and MassChallenge’s network in the Boston area in the United States.
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NEDO “ESG TECH BATTLE 2022, 2023 (Pitch contest for ESG-based R&D startups & researchers)Discover
Pitch competition for startups, researchers, and others who aim to solve social issues in the energy and environmental fields. Speakers who achieve outstanding results are awarded prizes and business growth support program by CIC and external experts.
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JETRO Hiroshima “Hiroshima Global Unicorn Incubator (Hiroshima Ecosystem Innovation Creation Program)Discover
A support program for startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students in Hiroshima and neighboring prefectures to build their mindset in overseas expansion. The program supported startups’ business growth and overseas expansion, and some startups traveled to Boston.
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MIT Professional EducationDiscover
In cooperation with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Professional Education (courses for working professionals), we invite MIT professors and lecturers to Japan to conduct intensive courses (with certificates, held mainly on weekends and in person) for professionals.
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Keio University Independent Self-Respect ProjectDiscover
CIC Japan Desk
Japan Desk strives to connect Japanese innovators, founders, and organizations to the U.S. market, ensuring a richer, quicker, and smoother expansion experience. In partnership with Japanese government agencies and associations, we connect businesses across the innovation ecosystems of Japan and Boston. Our services include developing customized, hands-on programming, making strategic stakeholder introductions, and expanding professional networks.