Business ExpandingCanada's Largest Startup Incubator DMZ Establishes a Japanese Subsidiary in Tokyo

DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) is funded by government grants and partner companies, and primarily provides incubator programs and boot camps for early- to lead-stage startups.

In Japan, since 2020, the company has worked with local governments and universities, such as the City of Yokohama and Chiba University, to develop programs to support startups' growth and assist companies seeking to expand overseas. In 2023, Japan was selected as the first Canadian incubator partner in the Global Acceleration Hub of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and in 2025, it was selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Startup Support and Development Project by Diverse Actors (TOKYO SUTEAM) project, which offers three programs: Launchpad for Entrepreneurs, an online program for early-stage entrepreneurs; Launchpad for Women, which addresses issues specific to female entrepreneurs; and Basecamp, a short-term intensive program for young entrepreneurs.

To assist with establishing DMZ’s Japanese subsidiary DMZ Japan GK, JETRO's Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) assisted with business matching with local governments and universities, consultation on tax, labor, and registration matters, introductions to real estate agents and other service providers, and temporary office space.