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The Tokyo Innovation Base was established to create the world's most startup-friendly Tokyo, and aims to be a nexus for innovation around the world. This project, "TIB CATAPULT," is based on the platform formed at Tokyo Innovation Base, and aims to support startup collaboration efforts in various industries and technology areas in Tokyo, and to create Clusters that challenge global innovation.

Events

2024.10.24 THU
15:30 - 17:30

We are taking place the TIB CATAPULT kick-off event.

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2024.10.16 WED
18:00 - 19:30

Recruitment info-session for startups who want to implement their technolgy to solve urban issues in Global City tech Bridge project.

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Information

About

"The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has concluded an agreement with a" Cluster "consisted of several companies formed to inspire innovation in various industry and technology areas in Tokyo. The aim is to promote cooperation and collaboration with startups in the Cluster area and to create innovation.
Each of the adopted Clusters will aim to create more than 20 collaborative achievements * by large companies and startups over 3 years.
*For details of the "Results of Collaboration," please refer to the guidelines for the public offering. "

"The Cluster will create distinctive collaboration with startups in the areas of industry and technology, which will eventually become the strangth of Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The purpose of this project is to uncover promising startups and nurture startups that are active on a global scale through the collaboration of various players in this innovation Cluster. "

Scheme

In order to create innovation in various industry and technology areas in Tokyo, the Cluster will play the following roles. For details, please refer to the guidelines for the public offering.

  • Selection and support of startups

    Support initiatives to create innovation through collaboration with startups that contribute to solving urban issues and high-growth startups with high economic growth traction.

  • Creation of examples of collaboration

    Create more than 20 examples of collaboration between large enterprises and startups in 3 years in each Cluster.

  • dissemination of information

    Disseminate examples created in this project, such as implemented services and results of collaboration, to citizens of Tokyo and stakeholders in Japan and overseas.

  • Reporting business progress and KPI achievement

    Based on the project plan, the Cluster regularly reports to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Secretariat on the progress of the project and the progress in achieving KPIs during the project period.

  • Global Cluster Formation

    Engage domestic and overseas players to expand the number of constituent companies, etc. with the aim of challenging global innovation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government makes an agreement with the Cluster and pays the agreement fee for the results of the efforts made by the Cluster under the agreement.
The amount of the agreement fee will be determined in accordance with the status of achievement of the KPIs set by the Cluster and the evaluation of the overall results of the initiatives (evaluated by a committee consisting of external experts).

The Integrator provides support for Cluster mentoring, networking and branding, and provides advice that contributes to the efficiency and maximization of Cluster efforts. "

Schedule

Cluster

  • Climate techDeep tech
    Econovation City Cluster (ECC)
    Focusing on environmental and energy issues in cities (regions), major companies and research institutes in Japan and overseas with a strong interest in decarbonization and resource recycling businesses and startups possessing innovative technologies co-create a business-creation cluster with Tokyo as a starting point, aiming to create businesses that can be used globally, thereby achieving both social issues resolution and economic impact.
    Read More
  • City-tech
    Global City-tech Bridge
    An innovation creation cluster in which Japanese companies and universities involved in technology related to big cities and Connected Places Catapult, one of the UK's innovation creation organizations, work together to implement startup products that solve problems in big cities.
    Read More
  • AgriTechFoodTech
    Sustainable AgriTech ＆ FoodTech Cluster
    A wide variety of players in the food and agriculture industry are participating. We will work to advance each process of the food value chain (Procurement of production materials, food production, food processing, food distribution and consumption) and, through that, we develop sustainable economy.
    Read More
  • RailwaysTransportation
    Tokyo Railway Innovation Partnership（TRIP）
    A cluster centered on railway operators with diverse assets throughout Tokyo that creates innovations with social impact, such as solving social issues and expanding the possibilities for building the future
    Read More
  • Universe
    MUGENLABO UNIVERSE
    A cluster that aims to lower barriers to entry into the space business through diverse assets and solve global issues beyond that
    Read More
  • Life Science
    LINK-BioBAY TOKYO
    The Startup Incubation Cluster is composed of various ecosystem players in the life sciences and aims to support and realize sustainable growth of startups in the life sciences at the global level through support programs backed by abundant experience and knowledge.
    Read More

Entry

In this project, we will recruit six Clusters to promote collaborative efforts with startups to create global innovation.
The selected Clusters will conclude an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and work on this project with the aim of creating more than 20 collaborative cases in 3 years for each Cluster.
There are no specific industry or technology areas, but you will be asked to define areas of focus for collaboration when applying. Specific examples of focus areas are as follows.

[Focus Area (Example)]
Robotics/Life Sciences/Deep Tech/Climate Tech/Food Tech/Art Culture/Infrastructure/Space/Well-being, etc.

In addition, one of the six partners will be selected as the Global Promotion partner Cluster in cooperation with a leading overseas support organization (Overseas universities, overseas accelerators, etc.) to provide strong global standard support.

In a Cluster, various players, mainly the member of the Cluster, work together to create a field for large companies and startups to work together, and to implement collaboration with startups by putting appropriate assets into the Cluster when needed. The following are examples of the Cluster requirements for this project.

  • It should be composed of members who have the same sense of purpose for specific themes, areas, technologies, and issues, and who share a vision and goals of their goals and initiatives, or the Cluster companies, etc. support the objectives and projects of the representative companies.
  • Activities will be widely publicized, and everyone will be able to obtain information about the activities.
  • Open to companies and organizations seeking participation and cooperation in initiatives.
  • Intent to expand and spread initiatives outside the Cluster with a view to global expansion.

The main application requirements are as follows:

  • ①Partnerships and consortia among multiple operators.
  • ②Clarify the joint objectives to be aimed at by the Cluster component companies, etc.
  • ③Appoint a representative business operator and a person responsible for liaison and coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Integrator.
  • ④The division of roles and the location of responsibilities of the constituent enterprises, etc. can be clearly defined in writing and submitted at the time of application.

*For other detailed application requirements, please refer to the application guidelines.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will pay the agreement for the results of the Cluster's efforts in line with the objectives of this project. The KPI Evaluation Committee evaluates the status of achievement of the KPIs set by the Cluster and the results of the initiatives, and determines the agreed amount according to the evaluation.

Up to 80 million yen in the first year (up to 300 million yen */3 years)

Add the following amount to the above amount
Up to 70 million yen in the first year (up to 300 million yen*/3 years)
Total amount of agreement: Up to 150 million yen in the first year (up to 600 million yen*/3 years)

*The maximum amount of the agreement for fiscal 2025 and subsequent years will be determined based on the amount approved in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's revenue and expenditure budgets for fiscal 2025 and 2026.

The briefing session of this project will be published on the video site from Wednesday, June 12 (scheduled) after the application starts. If you would like to watch it, please contact the "Integrator" below by e-mail.
After the release, the Integrator will contact you with the URL. Please note that you will not be able to watch the video after the public subscription period.

  • Target
    Cluster applicants and related companies and organizations
  • Main contents
    Business overview, application requirements, KPI indicators and evaluation methods, payment of agreement fees, application methods, overall schedule, etc.
  • Other
    If you have any questions, please e-mail them to Contact Us. Questions will be accepted by Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

The selectiong process will be done by a panel of expertsin two satages, reviews documents and presentations. The presentation review will be conducted around July (scheduled) only for applicants who have passed the primary document review.

The selectiong process

From Monday, June 3, 2024 to 17:00 on Monday, July 8, 2024

Businesses interested in applying should contact the Integrator in the "Contact Us" section by e-mail on or before Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
The purpose of the pre-entry is to confirm the applicant's intention in advance, and it does not prevent the applicant from declining the application after the pre-entry or applying without the pre-entry.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as the integrator, has separately entrusted the following businesses with the operation of this project and support for Cluster mentoring, networking, branding, etc.
If you would like to apply for this project or inquire about it, please contact the following office. (We cannot respond to inquiries about the progress and results of the examination.)

Trustee:
Deloitte Touche T Tohmatsu LLC
In charge:
Miyata, Kokubo, Eguchi
Phone:
03-6213-1251
Email:
tib_catapult@tohmatsu.co.jp

Please download the application form below and send the complete application form by e-mail.
(If the total data size exceeds 10MB, please contact the integrator.)
If you do not receive an email notifying you that we have received your application within two days of submitting your application (Please note that the application will not be accepted until the application acceptance email arrives.), please contact the office by phone.

Download

FAQ

  • A. In principle, startups, etc. that will be collaborators are not included. A Cluster is an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote cooperation with a startup. At the application stage, please indicate the constituent entities that understand the purpose and can promote the project in the prescribed format. It doesn't prevent you from including startups in your Cluster that you don't want to count as collaborators.
  • A. It's not necessary. It is expected that appropriate businesses will participate as members in promoting the business, and that they will collaborate with startups in the areas of focus.
  • A. For clusters other than the Global Promotion Cluster, cooperation with overseas support organizations and cooperation with overseas business operators are not essential. On the other hand, this does not preclude the creation of clusters to challenge global innovation, which is our business objective, from cooperating with overseas support organizations as appropriate.
  • A. There is no set time limit, and the requirement for the output item is that it has been achieved within the three-year agreement period. However, the objective is not to attract startups, but rather to attract them and then cooperate with them to support startups. Therefore, we believe that it is desirable to attract startups at an earlier stage and start initiatives for business purposes.
  • A. If the Cluster itself does not have legal personality, it is necessary to designate a representative business operator with legal personality in Japan and appoint a person in charge of liaison and coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the secretariat.
    After adoption, the representative operator will conclude the agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Also, if the Cluster itself has legal personality, the Cluster itself can be the contracting party.
  • A. No particular area or granularity is specified.
    On the other hand, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as a Cluster, would like to promote cooperation in this focused area over a period of three years, so that it will be an area where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Cluster can gain strength, so please designate areas where these efforts are possible.
  • A. It's possible. In particular, there are no restrictions on the participation of the same business operator in multiple Clusters.
  • A. Yes. Applicants are asked to choose whether to apply for the Global Promotion Cluster when applying for the Cluster. (In other words, applicants for the Global Promotion Cluster must also apply for the regular Cluster.)
    Therefore, after selecting six Clusters, one of them will be selected as the Global Promotion Cluster.
  • A. There are no specific requirements, and it is assumed that each constituent company, etc. will elect a person responsible for the business and sign the agreement. When the agreement is actually concluded, it is expected that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the selected business entities will separately confirm the content of the agreement and the representatives.
  • A. Form 3-1 is mandatory.As for Form 3-2, it is essential to submit this Form 3-2 as a confirmation document pertaining to the business entity (Cluster) in lieu of the collective constitution, articles of incorporation, etc., or contracts and agreements within the Cluster. "
  • A. We would appreciate it if you could provide us with the relevant criteria.
    Please be advised that there is a typographical error in the "description of which items in the application form correspond to."
  • A. Due to the format of the screening, businesses that apply for the "Global Promotion Cluster" are also subject to screening as a regular "Cluster". Therefore, please notify the Secretariat that you will not apply for a regular "Cluster". As a business premise, we expect that the formation of Clusters with a global perspective, including the involvement of domestic and overseas players, will be conducted not only in the Global Promotion Cluster but also in regular Clusters. I would appreciate it if you could consider this point and decide on the application type.
  • A. "Economic support" is based on the assumption that financial evaluation can be conducted objectively.
    As for in-kind support, we think it is possible to include such support as long as the price is determined objectively and the nature of such support is widely open to the public (e.g., free provision of paid event space to startups). On the other hand, it is assumed that those whose prices are not officially announced or disclosed objectively (Examples: Employee mentoring, matching opportunities, etc.) will not be included as "economic support.". "
  • A. The names of the companies comprising the Cluster will be announced after the adoption.
    The Cluster will also cooperate in disseminating the results of this project. Therefore, we ask for your cooperation in accumulating companies and case studies that can share their results.
    All content and results will not be disclosed without the consent of the Cluster. If there are any parts that cannot be disclosed, please let us know at the time of prior consultation.
  • A. The outcome evaluation is assumed to be a 9-point scale. The evaluation committee will not be based on a relative evaluation, but rather a comprehensive evaluation of the cluster's efforts in the current fiscal year. It is currently assumed that outstanding results will receive the highest evaluation, and standard results will receive the third or fourth highest evaluation.
  • A. The agreed-upon amount for each fiscal year will be the sum of the output and outcome portions of each evaluation.
    The output portion will be determined by the degree of achievement of the KPI items, and the outcome portion will be determined by the results of the 9-step evaluation, with the amount of money divided equally among them.
  • A. This refers to examples of partnerships with startups that contribute to startup growth, business expansion, and the creation of global Clusters. It assumes activities such as (1) introduction of procurement, technology, and services, (2) capital and business tie-ups, and investment from large companies in startups, and (3) product-out through partnerships.
  • A. In principle, PoC and joint research cannot be counted as collaboration.
    However, if a report is submitted as a subject of evaluation by an evaluation committee consisting of experts, and the report is highly evaluated in terms of the scale of the project, the degree of difficulty, and the impact on the project in the relevant field, it is assumed that the number of collaborative projects will be counted.
  • A. It's possible. However, you will be asked to clarify the relationship between the company you worked with and the Cluster. We would also like to encourage the companies concerned to participate in the Cluster.
  • A. Payments are made to the operator (representative operator) that concluded the agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
  • A. It is assumed that the agreement money is paid by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for the results created, and therefore it is not required to be appropriated for a specific purpose. However, we may require documentary evidence to verify what and how much money was spent on the project.
  • A. Based on the evaluation at the end of the fiscal year, in principle, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will make a lump-sum payment by the end of May of the following fiscal year.

Contact

Applications and inquiries for this project can be submitted using the form below.
(We will not be able to respond to inquiries about the results of the screening.)

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