[RFP] Global Startup Acceleration Program (Equity-Based Program) 2025

Mar 18, 2025

 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

1.     Subject: Global Startup Acceleration Program: "Equity-Based Program (Silicon Valley Hub Program)"

2.     Term of Contract: The contract start date to March 31st, 2026.

3.     Closing Date for Application:  3:00 pm (PDT) on March 31st, 2025 

4.     Content of Contract: As indicated in Application Guidelines (Attachment 1) 

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

  1. Qualification Requirement
    1. Prospective candidate(s) engaged in the project must satisfy conditions stated in the Application Guidelines (Attachment 1)
    2. NOT under the circumstances of being denied participation due to unethical and/or unlawful activities by either JETRO or Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) from previous procurement offerings.

    3. Prospective candidate(s) must meet the following specifications:
      1. Accelerator or Venture Capital firm
      2. Unicorn Alumni (highly preferred)
      3. Experience working with international startups
      4. Dedicated investment team or department (Investment function for startups through acceleration fund)
        ※All startups in the cohort should receive seed funding from the accelerator.
      5. Adaptability and flexibility to various markets

    4. In addition, Prospective candidate(s) will be evaluated by the following preferred specifications:
      1. Project implementation ability
      2. Strong connection to top-tier VC firms, CVC firms and angel investors for subsequent investments (series A and series B)
      3. Experience working with government agencies or other economic organizations to build strong global ecosystems or build innovation bridges between Silicon Valley and other regions.
      4. Ability to support alumni companies through follow-ups and checking in.
      5. Willingness to continue to invest in Japan beyond the program end date.

  2. Preparation of Application
    No oral, telephone, or facsimile will be accepted. All costs of preparation shall be borne by the Applicants.

    In addition, the proposal document or presentation submitted by the applicant should include the following:
      1. Project Implementation (See Attachment 1)
        1. Project details about program structure and schedule
        2. Project details about building a PR brand
        3. Project details about seminar and interactive coaching session
        4. Project details about mentor assignment process
        5. Project details about Demo Days
        6. The list of potential LPs
        7. Implementation Structure (arrangement of personnel in charge + their responsibilities)
        8. Operating Procedure, Method, Proposal on how to complete all the tasks of the project in an effective manner and enhance project outcome.
        9. Frequent communication *Description of digital communication tools with startups and JETRO to be used.
      2. Experience and Capabilities of the Organization
        1. Experience with Similar Projects
        2. Networking and information gathering skills to enhance project outcome
        3. System to manage personal & confidential information
        4. Include 2 or 3 notable recent successful case studies of international alumni going global from their local market
        5. Track record of co-investment with top-tier VC firms
      3. Project Implementation Skills of Assigned Personnel
        1. Mentor network list with mentor profiles
        2. Profiles of each project personnel
        3. Experience building a strong global ecosystem or bridging innovation between Silicon Valley and other regions
        4. Strong connection to Venture Capital, Accelerators, Corporates, and/or Universities
          *List of the Angels/VC/CVC connections or partners should be included (To be invited to the pitch/demo day).

  3. Delivery of Application
    All Application and proposal document (see below) shall be sent to the following address by 3:00 pm (PDT) on March 31st, 2025

    Required to submit:
    Application Form
    Proposal document or PowerPoint presentation

    Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida
    E-mail:  will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp, startup2@jetro.go.jp, startup2@jetro.go.jp
  4. Language of Application
    English or Japanese

  5. Number of Partners
    We intend to select 1 partner for this program.

  6. Evaluation of Application
    1st evaluation
    Screening of Application documents by JETRO San Francisco

    2nd evaluation
    Zoom Presentation
    (Please include your scheduled availability for an interview after the application deadline). The call will include staff from JETRO San Francisco as well as JETRO Tokyo organizers. The detailed schedule for the presentation will be notified to the companies who pass the 1st evaluation.
  7. Announcement of Tender and Next Step
    Tender will be announced to bidders by email. Given the nature of the bidding process, JETRO will refrain from providing feedback on the results.
    *JETRO will negotiate with tender about the contract after reviewing the investment plan.
  8. Contact
    Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Ken Yoshida
    E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, ken_yoshida@jetro.go.jp


 

Attachment 1: Application Guideline - Equity-Based Program (Silicon Valley Hub Program) ＜PDF＞ 

Attachment 2: Application Form ＜Word＞