How Tokyo Is Building a Smart, Diverse, and Data-Driven City
Japan
Tokyo #15
Attraction Phase
MEMBERS:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Tokyo will mobilize all efforts to provide maximum support for global startups expanding in ‘Mega City’ Tokyo and Asia and continue to offer the best opportunities for startups to access world-leading companies, talent and cutting-edge technologies.
Sub-sector Strengths
Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics
Japan is the world´s predominant industrial robot manufacturer and produces more than half of the global supply. Japan Robot Association, the world’s first trade association for robots was formed in Tokyo in 1971 with members such as Denso, Hitachi, Sony, Toshiba, Yamaha Motors, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric, and others. Synstpective, a space technology firm developing small SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), raised $99.9 million in a Series A round in July 2019.
Fintech
The Global Financial Centers Index ranks Tokyo the third most competitive financial center in the world. In 2017 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) announced the “Global Financial City: Tokyo” vision. As part of this vision, the TMG grants the “Tokyo Financial Award” to financial institutions who offer innovative products and services that meet Tokyo citizens’ needs or promote ESG investments. In 2019, Paidy, a postpaid payment service provider, raised $162 million in a Series C round.
Why you should invest in Tokyo
TOTAL EARLY STAGE FUNDING
$1.7 bn
GLOBAL AVG.
$431 m
ECOSYSTEM VALUE
$25 bn
GLOBAL AVG.
$10.5 bn
Top 10 Global Ecosystem
Knowledge
Top 20 Global Ecosystem
Performance
7
Exit Growth
INDEX
INDEX
10
Investor Activity
INDEX
INDEX
8
Funding Growth
INDEX
INDEX
Reasons to move your startup to Tokyo
Tokyo Startup Ecosystem Consortium
Tokyo established a Startup Ecosystem Consortium in early 2020 to support and incubate innovative local startups through collaboration between government, research institutions, and the private sector.
Government Focus on Ecosystem Development
The government of Japan has laid out a 7 step strategy titled “Beyond Limits, Unlock Our Potential” to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem. It includes the creation of a startup city, providing entrepreneurship education, improved accelerator programs, state procurement and funding for startups.
COVID-19 Policy
The government of Japan, as part of its emergency policy package, has committed $15 billion to zero interest loan programs to help small businesses across Japan who have had to suspend operations because of the outbreak. In addition, the TMG has announced a $1.8 billion supplementary budget to strengthen support for economic activities, including SMEs.
Startup Community
Startup Genome
Members
MEMBER
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Startup Genome
Partners
Japan Venture Capital Association (KII, UTEC)
Keidanren
Keio University
Mitsubishi Estate
Mitsui Fudosan
Mori Building
Plug n Play
The University of Tokyo
Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Tokyu
Tokyu Land Corporation
Waseda University
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