Tokyo’s fintech startup accelerator opens for new entrants

By Olivia Minnock
Tokyo has launched the 2019 iteration of its accelerator program for fintech startups: FinTech Business Camp Tokyo. The campaign is run by the Tokyo M...

Tokyo has launched the 2019 iteration of its accelerator program for fintech startups: FinTech Business Camp Tokyo.

The campaign is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and forms part of ‘Global Financial City: Tokyo Vision’.

The initiative, first launched in 2017, looks to encourage foreign companies to pioneer fintech solutions and business models not yet seen in Japan. Some of the advanced technologies the program cites as examples are AI, IoT, blockchain, VR/AR and robotics.

SEE ALSO:

The accelerator program promises successful applicants the opportunity to meet with mentor companies which operate in Tokyo, networking opportunities, PR, free office space and practical support with setting up in Tokyo, such as translation services and meeting facilitation.

TMG commented: “The program is targeted at foreign startup companies operating in the fintech industry and aims to provide them with mentoring from leading companies in Japan’s finance sector, as well as business matching with companies in Tokyo.”

Fintech in Japan has not taken off with the same gusto as other regions of Asia. For examples, cashless payments have seen relatively slow uptake: in 2016, only 20% of payments were cashless.

Applications for this year are now open, with a deadline of 5 July 2019. Up until this year, a total of 19 companies have been selected for the program. Around 10 companies will be chosen for the 2019 edition.  

Share

Featured Articles

Banks are capping crypto spending, but are they right to?

Several banks in the UK are limiting the amount of money that account holders can transfer to crypto exchanges. Is the move justified, or an overreach?

UBS agrees to rescue troubled Swiss bank Credit Suisse

UBS has agreed to rescue its troubled Swiss banking peer Credit Suisse, a move that has been welcomed by the Swiss National Bank and ECB alike

Credit Suisse gets $50bn emergency finance from central bank

Credit Suisse has secured US$50bn in emergency financing from the country's central bank, Swiss National Bank, as fears over its liquidity persist

Regulators race to salvage collapsed Silicon Valley Bank

Banking

Stripe's UK Head of Engineering talks 'women in fintech'

Digital Payments

Investors poised for action as President Xi set to open NCP

Venture Capital