CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO is a 4-month incubation program for those who aim to start a new business, create a new business, or raise funds in the circular economy field, which has recently been attracting attention due to climate change, loss of biodiversity, and increased risk of resource constraints.
Experts, researchers, and start-up entrepreneurs who are well versed in the circular economy field will serve as lecturers, mentors, and advisors to enhance the resolution of vein-side issues such as resource recovery and recycling from the initial stage of planning and development of new materials, products, and services. The program will also accelerate the construction of an eco-system for the transition to a circular economy in Tokyo and Japan.
The first term of the program was held from April 2024, with 50 groups applying for the program. After screening of applications and interviews, 16 groups and 24 people ultimately participated in the first term of the program.
At the final demo day (results presentation) of the first term held in August 2024, participating teams gave pitches of the projects they had refined through this project, and received enthusiastic feedback from the mentors. It was a stimulating time full of enthusiasm.
As a result of the 4-month program, the participating teams in the first term of the program have created several business partnerships, conducted demonstration experiments with local governments, raised funds, and obtained grants, in addition to establishing new businesses, and have been successful in joining the circular economy ecosystem in Japan.
The final demo day of the first term
Participants in the final demo day of the first term
3 features of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO
1. business development support for a circular value chain
In designing circular materials, products, services, and business models, it is important from the initial stages of planning and development to gain an accurate understanding of the current status of the venous industry, including resource recovery and recycling, and to take a systemic perspective in developing partnership-based businesses based on a circular value chain. CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO places the greatest importance on supporting business development that assumes a circular value chain.
2. Advice from entrepreneurs, experts, researchers, and investors with expertise in circular economy
CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO will provide lectures and mentoring for participants by more than 30 startup entrepreneurs and businesspeople, experts in various fields, university researchers, and investors who are well versed in circular economy and are active on the front lines of the field, as mentors and advisors. We offer a unique program that combines the usual startup business development and circular economy perspectives.
3. Fastest networking leading to start-up, business expansion, and fundraising
CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO will utilize Harch Inc.’s extensive domestic and international network in the field of circular economy, cultivated through the operation of its media business, to introduce corporate partners, demonstration fields, and grants that will lead to the fastest possible business development and expansion.
We will offer a range of matching and networking opportunities throughout the program. Additionally, on the final day, participants will have the chance to pitch their ideas to potential investors and media during Demo Day.
2 courses are available for each phase of start-up
Course A: Scale-up & Fundraising/IPO Preparation Course
For those who aim to scale up in a short period of time and are considering fundraising or IPO (including those who are in the process of preparing for start-up)
Course B: Social Impact Creation & Business Foundation Building Course
For those who place emphasis on solving social issues and aim to create sustainable social impact in the start-up or early stages of their business
Program Outline
- Program name: CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO
- Program period: Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Friday, February 28, 2025
- Program Content:
- Incubation (8 kick-off incubation lectures)
- Mentoring (exclusive mentoring and specialist mentoring)
- Demo Day (interim and final)
- Number of applicants (maximum 2 per group):
- Course A: Scale-up & Fundraising/IPO Preparation Course: 3 groups
- Course B: Social Impact Creation & Business Foundation Building Course: 6 groups
- Eligibility:
- Those who are considering establishing a business in the circular economy field in Tokyo.
- In principle, participants must be able to attend all programs.
- Up to two participants per group are eligible to participate.
- Application period: Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 12:00 pm
- Screening method: Document screening and interviews
- Management company: Harch Inc.
Comments from participants in the first term of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO
*In no particular order, titles omitted
Keiichi Fujishiro and Masami Terada / Oki Circular Design Lab
We joined the Oki Circular Design Lab to create a service that brings together thoughts and relationships through the circulation of things. We are still in the conception stage of our business, but the diverse professionals gave us encouragement through lectures and individual mentoring, and the fact that we were able to meet the ecosystem of the CE industry was an asset and a driving force for our future.
Ryota Namba / EcoLoopers Inc.
Through the adoption of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO, I was able to easily involve my colleagues (e.g., universities, raw material providers, etc.) who support my business based on empathy for my aspiration, which is based on solid trust. The advice we received on how to establish the business in addition to our aspirations was also a valuable asset.
Tomonobu Shigeta / PHI Corporation
The lectures were of a high level and practical, and provided me with an opportunity to brush up my own business concept. Thanks to the mentors, who I would not have normally met, I was able to take a business idea that was at the level of a personal fantasy and give it shape. I also felt how comfortable it is to gather with like-minded people.
Program information session
On September 19, we held a briefing session for prospective participants for this program. The event featured two guests from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Environment, which leads the city’s environmental policy, and the first-term participants of CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO, a venture capital firm that invests mainly in the sustainability field. The three parties, government, VC, and entrepreneurs, discussed the expectations and possibilities for startups to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Japan and around the world.
Program partners and media partners are also being sought!
CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO is looking for companies, organizations, investors, and media who are interested in working together to create startups, invest, and build ecosystems in the circular economy field as partners of this program. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in cooperating with the program.
[Related Page] CIRCULAR STARTUP TOKYO, a start-up support program specializing in the circular economy, is now accepting participants and partners for the second term! | PR Times (in Japanese)