Accelerating Tokyo:
The data-driven revolution behind a $66B ecosystem
Ranked #10 globally, Tokyo’s startup ecosystem is on a fast track to global relevance. In close partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Startup Genome has supported its transformation into one of the world’s most ambitious, data-driven innovation hubs.
Startup growth drives economic value
Between 2020 and 2024, Tokyo’s ecosystem value surged from $25B to $66B—a remarkable 164% increase. This growth reflects the city’s focused investment in startup innovation, international connectivity, and supportive policy frameworks.
Driven by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s strategic collaboration with Startup Genome, the city has evolved into a high-performing innovation hub with significantly greater global competitiveness and scaleup success.
Client: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The startup strategy unit of Tokyo Metropolitan Government actively supports Tokyo’s sizable startup ecosystem through a coordinated policy agenda. In recent years, the ecosystem has become more globally connected and displayed an impressive performance trajectory across a number of key sub-sectors of innovation.
Establishing a Benchmark for Growth
We launched our multi-year partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2019 based on our signature approach to ecosystem analysis, methodically evaluating key trends and benchmarking the city’s performance against global peers.
The key objective at the time was to establish a clear reference for the requirements for Tokyo to accelerate its ecosystem growth rapidly and become as competitive as the leading US hubs. Our actionable insights informed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s strategic decisions, laying the groundwork for future innovation.
GSER as a blueprint for innovation growth
Our annual analytics presentations spark discussions about a comprehensive ecosystem strategy to accelerate the growth of Tokyo’s startup ecosystem.
At a joint event with the Financial Times, Tokyo’s Vice Governor highlighted the transformative role of our Global Startup Ecosystem Report in guiding strategic economic decisions.
Launch of TMG’s startup ecosystem strategy
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved Japan’s first comprehensive startup strategy, known as the “Startup Development Five-Year Plan”, while the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched its first startup ecosystem strategy. Startup Genome’s global analysis and advisory work has been a core pillar in this development process.
Startup Genome leading Tokyo’s innovation dialogue
We deepened our engagement in Tokyo’s vibrant ecosystem by playing a pivotal role at its most prominent events. Recognizing the value of bridging global insights with local expertise, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government invited our Founder & President, Marc Penzel, to speak at its inaugural global event, City.Tech Tokyo. Marc's presentation reflected our deep understanding of global startup dynamics and reinforced our commitment to empowering local innovation conversations.
Fueling international startup growth with Global Hypergrowth Tokyo
In order to produce more globally connected scaleups in Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government generously supported our newly designed program Global Hypergrowth Tokyo. This comprehensive program was designed to work with 20 companies that are willing and able to go global with their innovative products and scalable business models.
Strengthening our presence in Tokyo
Under the direction of our newly appointed president of Startup Genome Japan, Mr. Hiro Nishiguchi, we opened our office in Tokyo. This allowed for a deeper collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and other key stakeholders in the market.
Fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem is not just advantageous, but essential for Japan’s sustained competitiveness, economic vitality, and effective response to societal changes.
GSER in Japanese language
Startup Genome released the Japanese translation of the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 (internal note: add link), empowering readers in Japan with a deeper understanding of the global startup economy and fostering stronger connections between international benchmarks and domestic innovation strategies.
Launching the first cohort of Global Hypergrowth Tokyo
In partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Startup Genome selected 21 leading startups across sub-sectors, including AI, Deep Tech, and Healthtech to join its inaugural Tokyo cohort.
We were fortunate enough to welcome some of the best scaleups from Tokyo to the program, including BitBiome and Fermenstation. The collaboration between our team and our cohort proved highly successful, as confirmed by scaleups, mentors, and city officials.
During Hypergrowth, Fermenstation has doubled its revenue, and the Startup Genome's program has been invaluable in it’s support. Without Ricky’s knowledge I would not have won the SushiTech global pitch event!
Tokyo today
$66B
GLOBAL AVERAGE: $29.4B
$26.1B
GLOBAL AVERAGE: $8.9B
People behind the success
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