[RFP] J-StartX Industry Event & Network Access Program
Aug 27, 2026
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Subject: J-StartX Industry Event & Network Access Program
2. Term of Contract: The contract start date to March 19th, 2027
3. Closing Date for Application: 5:00pm (PT) on September 10th, 2026
4. Contents of Contract: As indicated in Application Guidelines (Attachment 1)
INSTRUCTION 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 minimum specifications:
- Accelerator, venture capital, startup support organization, or similar entity with a strong U.S.-based innovation ecosystem network
- Demonstrated experience supporting startup business development and customer discovery
- Access to industry experts, advisors, and decision-makers across multiple sectors
- Capability to provide mentorship and facilitate industry event participation in the United States
- Ability to manage startup engagement, progress tracking, and stakeholder communications
4) In addition, Prospective candidate(s) will be evaluated by the following preferred specifications:
- Extensive mentor and industry expert network
- Proven track record of facilitating strategic introductions and business opportunities
- Experience managing cohort-based startup programs
- Strong reporting and project management capabilities
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:
A.) Project Implementation (See Attachment 1)
- Anchor Mentor sourcing, selection, and matching process
- Mentoring and industry event engagement plan
- Approach to generating Key Appointments and strategic introductions
- Support plan for pre-event preparation, in-event networking, and post-event follow-up
- Operating Procedure, Method, Proposal on how to complete all the tasks of the project in an effective manner and enhance project outcome
- Ability to conduct online *Description of online tools to be used
- Frequent communication *Description of digital communication tools with participants and JETRO to be used
B.) Experience and Capabilities of the Organization
- Experience with Similar Projects
- Networking and information gathering skills to enhance project outcome
- System to manage personal/confidential information
C.) Project Implementation Skills of Assigned Personnel
- Network list with profiles
- Profiles of each project personnel
- Sector experience
- Examples of industry networks, advisors, corporates, and customer connections available to participants
3. Delivery of Application
All Application forms (see below) shall be sent to the following address by
5:00pm (PT) on September 10th, 2026
Required to submit:
Application form
Proposal document or PowerPoint presentation
Price list
Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Masato Tanaka, Ms. Hiromi Hoshino
E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, Masato_Tanakai@jetro.go.jp, startup2@jetro.go.jp
4. Language of Application
English
5. Evaluation of Application
1st evaluation
Screening of Application documents by JETRO San Francisco
2nd evaluation
Zoom Presentation
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.
6. Number of Partners
We intend to select 1 partner for this program.
7. Announcement of Tender
Tender will be announced to bidders by email. Given the nature of the bidding process, JETRO will refrain from providing feedback on the results.
8. Contact:
Attn: Mr. Will Ferguson, Mr. Masato Tanaka, Ms. Hiromi Hoshino
E-mail: will_ferguson@jetro.go.jp, Masato_Tanakai@jetro.go.jp, startup2@jetro.go.jp
APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Application Guidelines ＜PDF＞ (112KB)
Attachment 2: Application Form ＜Word＞ (35KB)
Attachment 3: Price List ＜Excel＞ (21KB)
