[RFP] Venture Creation Program in the Kansai Region

Jul 17, 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. Subject: Venture Creation Program in the Kansai Region
  2. Term of Contract: The contract start date to March 19, 2027
  3. Closing Date for Application: 15:00 (PDT) on July 30th, 2026
  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 minimum specification:
      1. Accelerator, Venture Capital, or any other related organization
      2. Unicorn Alumni in past 5 years (preferable)
      3. Experience working with international startups
      4. Investment team or department
      5. Adaptability and flexibility to various markets

    4. In addition, Prospective candidate(s) will be evaluated by the following preferred specifications:
      1. Project implementation skill
      2. Wide, various, open mentor network which matches the selected courses

  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 for each phase, including Participant scouting, screening, due diligence, CxO Candidate sourcing and matching, and venture creation support.
      2. Project details on the methodology for identifying and selecting Participants, building a pool of CxO Candidates, and conducting matching.
      3. Project details on organizing CxO Candidate visits and the final reporting session.
      4. Implementation Structure (arrangement of personnel in charge / each responsibilities)
      5. Operating Procedure, Method, Proposal on how to complete all the tasks of the project in an effective manner and enhance project outcome.
      6. Ability to conduct online   *Description of online tools to be used.
      7. Frequent communication   *Description of digital communication tools for applicants, Participants, CxO Candidates and JETRO to be used.

        *Note: The Applicant’s methodology should consider differences in research commercialization readiness, global mindset, and market readiness.

    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

    3. Project Implementation Skills of Assigned Personnel
      1. Mentor or Key Expert network list with their profiles
      2. Profiles of each project personnel
      3. Sector experience
      4. Strong connection to Venture Capital, Accelerators, Corporates, Universities, research institutions, legal professionals, intellectual property specialists, and other relevant ecosystem stakeholders.
        *List of the Angels/VC/CVC connections or partners should be included (They should be invited to the pitch/demo day)

  3. Delivery of Application
    All Application and proposal document (see below) shall be sent to the following email address by 15:00 (PDT) on July 30th, 2026

    Required to submit:
    Application form
    Price list
    Proposal document or PowerPoint presentation

    Attn: Ms. Shiori Takeda, Mr. Masato Tanakai, Mr. Ken Yoshida
    E-mail:  Shiori_Takeda@jetro.go.jp, Masato_Tanakai@jetro.go.jp, Ken_Yoshida@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
    (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 and Osaka 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: Ms. Shiori Takeda, Mr. Masato Tanakai, Mr. Ken Yoshida
    E-mail:  Shiori_Takeda@jetro.go.jp, Masato_Tanakai@jetro.go.jp, Ken_Yoshida@jetro.go.jp

 

 

 

APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Application Guideline ＜PDF＞ (254KB) 

Attachment 2: Application Form ＜Word＞ (38KB) 

Attachment 3: Price List Form ＜Excel＞ (35KB)