Seven Japanese Web3 companies have been selected to advance to the next phase of the J-StarX Program, collectively representing over $17 million in funding raised and spanning critical areas of blockchain infrastructure, AI-powered solutions, and next-generation financial technologies. The startups were chosen after an intensive qualifying three-day bootcamp in Tokyo in August.

 

The advancing companies tackle diverse challenges across high-growth sectors:

 

·         Curvegrid, a blockchain development company building Japan's sovereign blockchain infrastructure with $3 million raised and 8 years of enterprise experience including partnerships with Toyota

·         Kyuzan, a Web3 product studio building wallet, payment, and gaming tools with $4 million+ ARR and partnerships with major enterprises including Square Enix

·         Creatant, an AI-powered visual workspace platform for the creative industry with 500+ users

·         MIKI, a cross-chain interoperability and DeFi infrastructure provider with over $10 million in transaction volume and 40,000 users served

·         Laplace, a luxury real estate tokenization platform with strategic partnerships to tokenize over $500 million worth of properties

·         XENEA, a storage layer for AI and DePIN infrastructure with 4 million wallet users worldwide

·         Aniark, an AI-powered content creation platform with partnerships with leading Japanese anime studios including MAPPA and KADOKAWA.

The startups have been part of the program since August, hosted at the JETRO offices in Tokyo for a three-day immersive bootcamp. Founders attended workshops covering the MENA Web3 landscape, received one-on-one mentorship sessions with industry experts from Outlier Ventures, Sei Labs, CV VC, and SC Ventures by Standard Chartered, and gained strategic insights from ecosystem partners including Offchain Labs and Startale. The experience culminated with a showcase at WebX 2025, one of Asia’s premier Web3 events.

 

Over the next month, the founders will prepare for an eventful UAE immersion with the support of JETRO, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, and Elixir Capital teams alongside experts from XBTO, AMINA Bank, and more. 

 

Upon arrival in the UAE in October, the startups will be hosted at Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, where they will gain direct access to investors, corporates, regulators, and fellow impactful founders. Through curated introductions, community events, and participation in GITEX Global 2025, the world’s largest tech and startup conference, the startups will be positioned to capitalize on the UAE’s rapidly growing Web3 and fintech markets.

 

Mr. Nobuyuki Nakajima – Managing Director of JETRO Dubai & MENA

 

“JETRO Dubai has long supported Japanese companies in the UAE and we are proud to announce the launch of its first-ever acceleration program dedicated in UAE to be dedicated to Web3 companies in Partnership with Hub71.

 

In collaboration with Hub71, this program will provide specially selected Japanese startups with direct access to the UAE’s dynamic ecosystem of business opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships. Through this initiative, participating companies will be able to deepen their understanding of the Web3 market in the region, while exploring pathways to expand and scale globally from the UAE.

 

We are delighted to connect innovative Japanese Web3 companies with the UAE’s vibrant innovation ecosystems like Hub71, we believe this program will foster new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and market entry.”

 

Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71

“Welcoming promising Web3 startups from Japan to Hub71 reflects our ambition to attract pioneering technologies into Abu Dhabi. This program will enable Japanese startups to access markets, capital, and global networks, while contributing to the growth of our community and turning global innovation into real outcomes from Abu Dhabi.”

About Hub71:

Hub71 is Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem that enables founders to build globally enduring homegrown tech companies in any sector by providing access to global markets, a capital ecosystem, a global network of partners, and a vibrant community filled with highly skilled talent, governed by forward-thinking regulation.

 

Backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment Company, Hub71 is growing its vibrant community of tech startups, investors, government, and corporate partners to ensure the availability of investment, commercial activities, and incentives from the public and private sectors. Through Hub71’s entrepreneurial infrastructure, value-add programs, enabling services and support packages, founders can build and scale widely adopted technologies with purpose and impact. Hub71 is on a mission to introduce new minds and technologies to Abu Dhabi, finding new ways to build globally enduring technology companies and sustain the nation’s continuous economic development.

 

About JETRO:

 

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.

As part of its activities, JETRO had introduced innovation support activities to connect start-ups, corporations, and VCs/CVCs to solve social issues in Japan and to grow the start-up innovation ecosystem. Since 2013, JETRO has helped thousands of Japanese start-ups scale globally. JETRO support 700+ Japanese start-ups per year through its 15 different acceleration programs, and 3,000+ through mentoring.

JETRO Dubai has been support Japanese companies expanding to UAE since 1981. Through JETRO's strategic participation, we facilitate transformative cross-border collaborations that create mutual value for Japanese companies and international partners.

About Elixir Capital:

Elixir Capital is a web3 venture studio and accelerator operator investing in next generation digital economies. Based in Abu Dhabi, Elixir partners with governments, investors, and corporates to design and deliver high-impact startup programs, including Hub71’s Digital Assets vertical. The firm supports founders through hands-on advisory, while also driving ecosystem growth through partnerships, strategic advisory, and venture building.