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.
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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Technology Seed Incubation Co., Ltd (TSI)
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.
Visit websiteCore 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
- Organized an offline info session
- Successfully recruited one Vietnamese business
- 4 online masterclasses
- 4 online mentoring sessions for each startup
- 1 field trip and 1 demo day
- 3 business matching sessions for each startup
- EndophyteSigned an NDA with SFI
- Peel LabCompleted sample products with Craft Link and Chiedupadupu
Success story
PEEL Lab K.K.
PEEL Lab K.K., a pioneering Japanese GreenTech company, is shaping a more sustainable future by transforming leaves, fruit peels, and plant waste into soft, eco-friendly leather materials. One of its signature innovations is plant-based leather made from pineapple peels — a clear example of turning waste resources into sustainable value.
As a B2B partner, PEEL Lab not only supplies bio-based materials but also provides design and manufacturing services, while maintaining a strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company ensures that its production processes and supplier selection align with its mission of environmental protection and community empowerment.
Through the Japan Connect Initiative (JCI), PEEL Lab is one of two Japanese companies currently expanding into the Vietnamese market.
PEEL Lab is steadily building a sustainable bridge between Japan and Vietnam, moving toward a future where every leaf can become a symbol of innovation and sustainable development.
“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with potential partners in Vietnam through JCI. Our mission is not only to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural by-products, but also to support vulnerable communities — which strongly aligns with the shared goals of Vietnam’s social enterprise ecosystem.”
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Interested in the Vietnam–Japan startup bridge?
Get in touch to learn more about the Japan Connect Initiative and future cohorts.
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