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Innovation Course
@Los Angeles / Silicon Valley

FY2025 Activity Report

2024年度の応募はこちら

Accomplishments

OUTCOME
17

The number of achieved outcomes post-program such as various contract signings, personnel recruitments and establishment of bases outside of Japan

10 pilot projects / PoCs, 1 joint research & development project, 2 contract agreements executed, 3 local hires, and 1 U.S. office established, 3 successful fundraising achievements

Satisfaction
4.1

/5

Program Participants: 15 representatives from 15 startups
Participants were provided with investor-focused pitch events and networking opportunities with local companies
Business matching support in collaboration with the LAEDC(Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation)
An exclusive one-week track program geared towards select promising young entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional business potential
Several participating startups successfully signed into agreements with U.S. companies and established a presence in the United States

Program Schedule(PST)

01. Selection / Interview

5/21-6/19

Candidates who passed the document screenings were interviewed online in English. Interviews were per company and consisted of a 5-minute pitch followed by approximately 10 minutes of Q&A.

02. Domestic program (Online)

6/20~8/8

One-on-one mentoring sessions and workshops led by local professionals (approximately two sessions each)
One-on-One sessions helped participants address questions related to entering the U.S. market and identify potential challenges and key issues prior to their arrival in the United States
Workshop sessions focused on strategic approaches to the U.S. market and systematic frameworks for achieving success in the United States

03. Local program

9/15~10/3

Three-weeks in the United States
The cohort gets to immerse themselves in two cities during the program—Los Angeles, which offers strong access to potential customers and business partners for expansion, and Silicon Valley, home to a high concentration of investors
【One-week Course:9/15-9/19】
Taking advantage of Los Angeles and its high diversity across both demographics and industries, making it an ideal environment for proof-of-concept (PoC) validation, program participants received hands-on support to take their first step(s) toward entering the U.S. market.

01. Individual 1on1 mentoring

Participants selected their own mentor from a diverse pool of experienced professionals based on their individual needs. Personalized one-on-one mentoring sessions were provided twice a week in one hour sessions.

02. Various sessions

In addition to providing essential information required for doing business in the U.S. market, these sessions offered insights into the latest trends in the U.S. startup ecosystem, including the local investment landscape and specific criteria investors consider when making investment decisions.

03. Event

Pitch events were held in both Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, providing to the startups valuable networking opportunities with investors, public and private-sector ecosystem stakeholders, and potential local partners.

※Schedule and content are based on the 2025 program. Please note this year may be different.
※Unless otherwise specified, all programs will be conducted in English.
JP / EN