January 2024 – February 2025
Japan Connect Initiative
The Japan Connect Initiative (JCI) is the first and only startup acceleration program in Vietnam dedicated to Vietnamese and Japanese startups.
Overview
The Japan Connect Initiative (JCI) is the first and only startup acceleration program in Vietnam dedicated to Vietnamese and Japanese startups. It is organized by Technology Seed Incubation (TSI) and Tsucrea under the sponsorship of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), and implemented in Vietnam by the Institute for Innovation and Development (IID). The program runs throughout the period from January 2024 to February 2025. With the mission of building a comprehensive startup ecosystem between Vietnam and Japan, the Japan Connect Initiative promises to bring valuable opportunities, knowledge, and networking connections within the Japanese business environment to the Vietnamese startup community.
Problem Statement
Vietnamese and Japanese startups face market knowledge gaps and limited local connections, making cross-border expansion challenging.
Core activities
- February – March 2024
Master Class
Providing essential knowledge for entering the Japanese market, including the business environment, relevant regulations, sales strategies, and human resource management.
- January – April 2024
Mentoring Sessions
Guiding startups on how to optimize company resources, manage key tasks, and develop global expansion strategies.
- January 2024 – January 2025
Hands-on Interviews
Conducted continuously to clarify goals, monitor progress, and address challenges, ensuring the effectiveness of the overall plan.
- April 2024
Demo Day
With the participation of Japanese investors and stakeholders, Demo Day offers startups the opportunity to present innovative ideas and showcase their startup plans.
- May – July 2024
Travel Support
Providing partial support for travel expenses (airfare, visa, etc.) and facilitating meetings with partners in Japan, enabling startups to exchange knowledge and gain practical insights.
- April 2024 – January 2025
Business Matching Support
Supporting Vietnamese startups in establishing and implementing agreements with Japanese investors after Demo Day in the smoothest and most effective way possible.
Impact Metrics
- 03
business matching sessions per startup
- 04
online mentoring sessions per startup
- 04
online masterclasses
- 01
field trip and demo day
Gallery
Stories
“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with potential partners in Vietnam through JCI.”
Through JCI, Japanese GreenTech company PEEL Lab connected with Vietnamese partners to develop products using plant-based leather. The program report records completed samples with Craft Link and Chie Du, demonstrating how cross-border collaboration can connect sustainable materials with local design and craftsmanship.
Partners
Tsucrea Co., Ltd
A Startup Incubator that accompanies and supports entrepreneurs and people who want to start their own businesses by planning events, providing consultation services, developing acceleration programs, collaborating with entrepreneurs, developing products, and more. In recent years, the company has also focused on supporting overseas startups entering the Japanese market.
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TSI is an incubation consulting company that provides support for fundraising and business partnership for business development, M&A advisory services, recruiting, and new technology market research.