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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.

Information

Events

#Sustainable AgriTech ＆ FoodTech Cluster#EVENT

Japanese Sake Symposium "Discussing the Future of Sake: Tradition × Innovation × Global Development" (lottery system)

2025.03.21 FRI 15:30 - 19:00

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#Tokyo Railway Innovation Partnership#EVENT#PICH

The 29 Introduction to Startup Solutions

2025.03.19 WED 16:00 - 18:30

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#MUGENLABO UNIVERSE#EVENT

MUGENLABO UNIVERSE Event "Utilization of Space in Entertainment"

2025.03.11 TUE 16:00 - 18:30

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#Global CityTech Brdge#EVENT

"Global CityTech Bridge - Demo Day 2024" – Showcasing Technologies and Services from Startups Tackling Urban Challenges –

2025.03.05 WED 17:00 - 19:30

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#LINK-BioBAY TOKYO#EVENT#TOUR

TIB CATAPULT/LINK-BioBAY TOKYO Kick-off Symposium and Lab Tour

2025.02.20 THU 15:00 - 19:00

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#Event report#October 24th#kick-off event#Tokyo Innovation Base#introduction of adopted Clusters

【October 24th】TIB CATAPULT Kick-off Event was held!

2024.10.24 THU 15:30 - 17:30

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EVENTTIB

Tokyo Innovation Base are Taking Place the TIB Global Day 2025 winter.

2025.01.30 THU 15:30 - 17:30

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Global CityTech BrdigeMUGENLABO UNIVERSEEVENT

TIB CATAPULT Collaboration Event【KDDI∞Labo & CIC Institute】

2025.1.21 TUE 17:00 - 19:30

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EVENT

【offline event】The 1st SA&F Cluster Matching Event will be held.If you are interested in food and agriculture startups, please come.

2024.12.17 TUE 16:00 - 18:30

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EVENT

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

2024.10.24 THU 15:30 - 17:30

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Global CityTech Bridge

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

2024.10.16 WED 18:00 - 19:30

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About

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has concluded an agreement with a "Cluster" consisting of multiple companies formed to generate innovation in various industries and technology areas in Tokyo, and aims to create innovation by promoting collaboration with startups in the cluster area.
The selected Clusters will promote collaboration with startups during the 3 year agreement period, and create more than 20 collaborative cases with the aim to create a sustainable and impactful Cluster.

*Please refer to the "Cluster Application Guidelines" for details on "Collaborative Cases"

The Clusters aim to create a sustainable and impactful Cluster by creating distinctive collaborations with startups in the areas of industry and technology, which are the strengths of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The purpose of this project is to discover promising startups and nurture startups that are active on a global scale through collaboration among various players in the 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 guideline 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 Collaborative Cases

    Create more than 20 collaborative cases between large enterprises and startups in 3 years in each Cluster.

  • Dissemination of Information

    Disseminate cases created through 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 will regularly report to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Integrator 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.

  • Cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TIB, and the Integrator

    The Cluster will cooperate with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the TIB, and the Integrator in their efforts to disseminate information in Japan and abroad, and to coordinate promotion activities.

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

Entry

This project will publicly recruit and select six Clusters to promote collaborative efforts with startups aimed at creating global innovation.
The selected Clusters will enter into an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to create more than 20 collaborative cases over 3 years in each Cluster, with the aim of creating a sustainable and impactful Cluster.
While there are no specific restrictions on the industries or technology fields for collaborative cases, the following are examples of potential focus areas.

[Examples of Focus Areas]
Circular Economy / Blue Carbon / Well-being / Art & Culture / Robotics / Life Sciences / Deep Tech / Food Tech / Infrastructure / Space / etc.
*Clusters are not prohibited from creating collaborative cases outside their defined focus areas. However, at least half of the collaborative cases must be aligned with the proposed focus areas (up to two areas) specified at the time of application.

*In addition, one of the six Clusters will be selected as the "Global Promotion 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:

  • Clearly define the collaborative objectives that the constituent companies of the Cluster aim to achieve.
  • Appoint a representative business entity and establish a person responsible for liaison and coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Integrator.（The responsible person must, in principle, be a full-time member of the representative business entity and reside in Japan.）
  • Clearly specify the division of roles, responsibilities, and other relevant details among the constituent companies in a written document that can be submitted at the time of application.
  • The representative business entity, in particular, has the necessary expertice necessary for implementing the project, and the ability to plan, coordinate and manage the progress of the project as a whole, as well as the communication ability necessary for coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Integrator.

*For other detailed application requirements, please refer to the "Cluster Application Guidelines".

① Up to 300 million yen in total for 3 years
② Up to 300 million yen in total for 3 years (added to the amount in ①)

Total amount of agreement fee in 3 years (① + ②) 600 million yen maximum

*Please note that the maximum amount of agreement fees may be subject to change depending on the budgetary measures for fiscal year 2026 and 2027. Applicants are requested to apply with this understanding.
*For details on the timing of payment of the agreement fee, please refer to the "(Attachment) Evaluation Method and Explanation of KPIs Related to Agreement Payments to Clusters".

The information session for this project will be released on a video platform from Friday, May 30 (scheduled) after the start of the application. If you would like to watch it, please apply through the "Information Session Video Application Submission" at the bottom of this website. Please note that the video of the information session cannot be viewed after the end of the public application period.
*Please note that this video is only available in Japanese.

  • Target
    Cluster applicants and related companies and organizations
  • Main contents
    Business overview, application requirements, KPI indicators and evaluation methods, payment of agreement fees, application method, overall schedule, etc.
  • Other
    If you have any questions, please contact the e-mail under "Contact Us." The deadline for accepting questions is 17:00 on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The selectiong process will be done by a panel of experts in two satages (document screening and presentation screening). The presentation screening will be conducted around Late June(scheduled) only for applicants who have passed the primary document screening.

The selectiong process

From Tuesday, May 27, 2025 to 17:00 on Monday, June 16, 2025

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has separately entrusted the following entity as the Integrator, to conduct the operation of this project and support Cluster mentoring, networking, branding, etc.
If you would like to apply for this project or have any inquiries, please contact the Integrator below. (We cannot respond to inquiries about the progress and results of the evaluation)

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

Please download the application form below and submit the set of application documents using the online forms.
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 we send out the acceptance email), please contact the Integrator by phone.

Download

Please refer to the following online forms, for the submission of your application as well as aplplication for the video information session.

Application form for the explanatory meeting video
application form

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. The Long-Span Evaluation Project is designed for initiatives with an anticipated timeframe of over five years to achieve final goals, and include a Proof of Concept (PoC) or validation phase requiring more than three years, focusing on endeavors with significant societal impact. The definition of "societal impact" varies depending on the business domain where collaborative examples are conducted. However, it generally refers to initiatives that lead to the creation of new markets in the envisioned business domains, generate outcomes addressing societal challenges, deliver significant economic ripple effects, or drive notable behavioral changes within the society.

    [Examples]
    ・Development of treatments for untreatable diseases in the pharmaceutical domain (e.g., utilizing gene therapy technologies to address conditions previously considered untreatable).
    ・Enhancement of natural disaster forecasting and response through satellite technology (e.g., disaster monitoring systems leveraging remote sensing technologies).
    ・Advances in medical technology derived from experimental results conducted under microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
  • 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 focus area or granularity is specified.
    The Tokyo Metropolitan Government expects the Cluster to develop into a distinctive entity that appeals globally through three years of collaboration in the designated focus areas.
  • 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. 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. There are no restrictions on applying for this program due to overlapping focus areas with clusters selected in previous years. Applicants are expected to propose initiatives or collaborations distinct from those of the FY2024 selected clusters or efforts that complement them. These initiatives should aim to contribute to the growth and expansion of startups, as well as the creation of global clusters, by fostering collaborative examples with startups. Please ensure that your proposal clearly outlines these details.
  • A. For companies not located within Japan that wish to apply for this project, the following two requirements must be met:

    ・Registration as a legal entity within Japan.
    ・Appointment of a responsible representative who resides in Japan and is affiliated full-time with the lead organization overseeing the project.
    In cases where legal entity registration cannot be completed by the time of application, applicants can submit "Form 4: Declaration of Establishment of a Japanese Legal Entity" and complete the registration process by the designated deadline.
    Additionally, it is mandatory for the cluster to establish a structure capable of responding in Japanese and adhering to Japan Standard Time (JST).
  • A. There are no documents required to be submitted by the cluster member companies. However, the lead organization is requested to confirm the intent to participate in this project (the cluster) with the candidate companies. Please list the names of the companies deemed likely to participate, along with the respective contact person's information, in "Form 1: Application Format."
  • 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 representative business entity and cluster members will be disclosed only after the Clusters have been selected. They will not be disclosed prior to the final selection.
    Additionally, we kindly request the Cluster's cooperation in disseminating/promoting the outcomes of this project. We would appreciate your assistance in compiling companies and cases that can contribute to the dissemination of these results.
    Please note that information or outcomes will not be disclosed without the prior consent of the Cluster. If there are any parts that cannot be disclosed, please kindly inform us in advance.
  • 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. 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 fee 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. The payment schedule for the agreement fee will vary depending on the adoption year of each cluster, and the following timeline is anticipated:

    [Clusters Adopted in FY2025]
    As a general rule, the first payment will be made in May 2027, combining the activities from FY2025 and FY2026. (An evaluation will be conducted at the end of FY2026.)
    The second payment is scheduled for May 2028. (An evaluation will be conducted at the end FY2027.)

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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