Apply now for OIST Innovation Accelerator

The OIST Innovation Accelerator is not your traditional accelerator program. They are an entrepreneurship training program, a bootcamp competition, and a startup incubator all rolled into one. They offer an entirely unique environment for the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs to launch their startup companies.

As Okinawa’s first global startup accelerator program, the OIST Innovation Accelerator gives entrepreneurs from anywhere in the world a chance to incubate their startups in Japan. Each year, they bring entrepreneurs to OIST, one of the top research universities in Japan. They will give you funding up to 10,000,000 Japanese Yen, personalized coaching, and facilitate introductions to investors. You will also gain access to the state-of-the-art lab facilities and specialized equipment on the university campus.

By catalyzing startups in Okinawa, OIST Innovation aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem around the university and contribute to self-sustaining economic development in the region.

Themes​

• Okinawa Sandbox
  • Entrepreneurs seeking to get a foothold in Japan, to tap into one of the world’s leading technological powerhouses, have an opportunity to test and launch their solutions from Okinawa.
  • As an island nation, Japan is a microcosm of the world. The major challenges facing Japan, (aging population, energy, food security, disease, biodiversity loss, etc.), are shared with many parts of the world. At the same time, Japan has a prominent history of innovation and of being an early adopter of new technologies. This makes Japan a perfect testbed for innovative solutions, and Okinawa is well-positioned as a platform to bring these solutions to the World.
• Bioconvergence
  • Recognizing that the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected, they are seeking entrepreneurs working at the interface of multiple research fields to solve problems facing people and the planet and converge towards a “One World, One Health” society.
  • The need for innovation to solve complex global problems has never been greater. At the same time, amazing technological breakthroughs have been developed in biotechnology, AI/ML, nano/quantum systems, advanced materials, and imaging/sensing over the last 20 years. These factors pave the way for a Bio-Convergence, synergies between research fields that could not otherwise exist, creating an engine of innovation that drives solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrepreneurs from Japan and overseas with an innovative technology ranging in Technology Readiness Level of 3-6.
• All technology fields are considered.
• If selected, at least 1 founder who has (or will have) ownership of the startup must relocate to Okinawa and devote 100% effort on the project for the duration of the program.

Selection Criteria

• Passion and commitment to the technology and project
• Fit to OIST environment and resources
• Team
• Technical merit
• Market potential
• Goals achievable within program duration (up to 12 months)
• Societal impact (Okinawa, Japan, the World).

For more information, visit OIST.