The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has been actively working to attract foreign companies to raise international competitiveness and bring about further growth for the city by promoting the creation of a more business-friendly environment for overseas businesses and startups.

Building on its efforts to date, the TMG will hold for the first time, the Blockchain Business Camp Tokyo(*) accelerator program for foreign companies that possess blockchain technology that is considered one of the fields of the growth strategy of Japan, in such areas as transactions, securities, supply chains, the sharing economy and IoT.

In addition to having Tokyo-based, leading Japanese companies that are involved in these areas serve as mentors at the camp, the opportunity to connect with Tokyo-based businesses and others will also be provided.

This program will follow the steps below and focus on initiatives 2 and 3 over a short period of about three months.

1. Call for applications from foreign businesses that possess business models or advanced technologies in blockchain and selection of program participants
2. Provide support for drawing up business plans through efforts including matching up selected foreign and Japanese businesses.
3. Host a business plan presentation geared to Tokyo’s investors, businesses, etc.

* “Business Camp Tokyo” is a three-month program for about five foreign companies. Along with being mentored by major Japanese companies, networking events with Tokyo businesses and opportunities to present business plans will be provided. Programs for other fields of businesses are as follows.

“Fintech Business Camp Tokyo”
http://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/bdc_tokyo/english/bizcamptky/fintech

“New Tech Business Camp Tokyo”
http://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/bdc_tokyo/english/bizcamptky/newtech

1. Eligibility and applying

a. Eligibility
Foreign startups that possess advanced blockchain technology and business models in transactions, securities, supply chains, the sharing economy, and IoT and have yet to establish a business in Japan.
Refer to the program website noted below for application details.

b. How to apply
After confirming the application details provided on the website, send the required documentation to the program secretariat by Friday, November 24, 2017, 11:59 p.m. (JST).

http://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.jp/bdc_tokyo/english/bizcamptky/blockchain

2. Schedule (tentative)

Applications are accepted from October 20, 2017
Application deadline: Friday, November 24, 2017
Announcement of companies selected for the program (about five companies): December 2017
Introductory seminar: January 2018
Blockchain Business Camp Tokyo (mentoring, creating a business plan, networking event(s), connecting with businesses in Tokyo): January through March 2018
Presentation of business plans (pitch event): March 2018 (open to the public)

Contact

the Blockchain Business Camp Tokyo Office
E-mail: bcaccelerator@bcbc.tokyo