Yes, participation in Tokyo is required, and the core Connect & Experience event provides you with professional training and builds the community. You will have the chance to travel around the city, meet Japanese peers, and learn from one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.

The cohort will be comprised of ecosystem leaders from all over Europe that were carefully selected to join the programme. You will meet peers and ecosystem leaders from Tokyo and Japan, top speakers and lecturers on several topics, executives from global companies active in Tokyo, and many more.

An ecosystem leader is an experienced senior professional at the management/decision-making level in an organization boosting European start-up growth, significantly impacting the European ecosystem. They should deal with innovation or business creation in any of the following sectors: industry, academia, and government. For example, VCs, TTOs, heads of accelerators, innovation agencies, labs, incubators, or other business creation activities from academia, industry, and government.

The programme encompasses various subjects, including an overview of the Tokyo ecosystem and meetings with leading figures from the industry. You will have the chance to get your hands ‘dirty’ and delve into an ecosystem-building workshop, learn the dos and don’ts of branding, visit academia and governmental offices, meet with VCs, and become inspired by the many opportunities that will arise.

The applicants will be ranked according to the criteria noted here, and the Global Outreach Working Group will make the final decision as to the participants. Applicants will receive responses by 9^th May 2024.

If you wish to submit an inquiry about the answer you got following the selection process, you can email Ido: [email protected]

Please explain your inquiry as clearly as possible; the deadline is 15^th May 2024.

Past participants have established long-standing collaborations with experts they met and cohort members. You can expect to be left with a change of mindset that will enable you to approach your day-to-day activities with a newfound sense of purpose, as well as a tangible toolkit to establish the best practices you were exposed to. The Connect & Experience community is extremely active, with joint ventures taking place regularly; you can expect to expand your network and be part of a supportive and professional group of people that will take your ecosystem to the next level.

Dive into the heart of global innovation at Tokyo’s vibrant tech ecosystem, ranked as the top hub in Japan, 3rd in East Asia, and a powerhouse amongst global players. Immerse yourself in the energy of the world’s 3rd largest economy, concentrated in this dynamic city. Leverage the expertise of Japan’s world-renowned educational system, ranked 4^th globally, with Tokyo at its helm. Use Tokyo as a friendly bridge to unlock the vast potential of Asian markets. Collaborate with government initiatives leveraging significant funding programmes, and tap into leading domains like advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI, and life sciences.