The Future of Japanese Innovation is ready to scale through the JETRO Startup Program

France is the new place to be for Japanese startups with the JETRO Startup Program! As part of our International Landing Program, the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute is thrilled to announce the launch of the JETRO program in partnership with JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization, our Incubateur HEC Paris program and Station F. For the first edition of the program, we recently welcomed 10 of the most promising Japanese startups. Here is all you need to know about this new JETRO-HEC Paris Acceleration Program and each startup.

JETRO Startup Program: The springboard to scale in Europe and beyond 

JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization is a government-affiliated organization dedicated to promoting mutual trade and investment between Japan and the world, helping Japanese startups and SMEs expand their global footprint. Since its inception in 1958, the organization has evolved from primarily supporting Japanese export initiatives to becoming a comprehensive platform for global economic engagement. Today, JETRO concentrates on two key objectives: attracting foreign direct investment into Japan, and empowering Japanese startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their international market presence.

Through the JETRO initiative, participating companies will gain access to the ecosystems of both StationF and HEC Paris as they explore the European market. For four months, the 10 startups founders will benefit from various resources to scale in Europe, including connections to investors, business mentors, and industry experts through targeted matchmaking and workshops. Drawing on the success of previous International Landing Pad programs with South Korea: KOSME and KISED, HEC Paris team is excited to welcome these startups and help them leverage our ecosystem to develop their solutions. 

At HEC Paris, 50% of our students and 33% of our supported startups are international. We believe innovation flourishes when entrepreneurs embrace an international mindset and diverse perspectives. This new International Program with JETRO offers Japanese startups unique opportunities across France, Europe, and beyond.
Antoine Lepretre, Director of the HEC Paris Incubation and Acceleration Center

Among the milestones of the program, the 10 founding teams will get the opportunity to pitch in front of an audience of Business Angels, Venture Capitals, tech leaders, and curious alumni from Station F and HEC Paris.

Welcome to the 2024 JETRO Startup Program startups

For this very first edition, 10 pioneering Japanese startups working at the forefront of technology and sustainability have been selected. This cohort covers diverse verticals, including manufacturing, aquaculture, artificial intelligence, XR, quantum, computing, communication, internet, aerospace, mobility services, agritech, and materials for healthcare, luxury, and cosmetics. 

BULL develops space debris prevention and on-orbit test equipment. (Masakazu KOYANAGI, Yasuhito 恭士 Uto 宇藤)

Corpy&Co. leverage cutting-edge XAI and QAAI technologies to deliver dependable AI solutions for mission-critical industries. (Kohei Yamamoto)

Emulsion Flow Technologies has an innovative solvent extraction technology to recover rare metals in lithium ion batteries. (Yuriko Iida, Masahito Osada)

Jikantecho transforms agricultural and food residues such as rice husks and wheat hulls into silica and carbon for use in industrial biomaterials. (Masaaki Makino, Shoko Yoshida, takahiro K, Kae Fumiyama)

LQUOM develops advanced quantum repeaters that enable secure, long-distance quantum communication and paving the way for the quantum internet. (Yuya Mochizuki)

meleap invented AR sports “HADO" that 8B people dreamed of (Yukiharu Tomita)

NeuralX leverages advanced AI to transform aquaculture to foster sustainable and profitable fish farming. (Masaki Nakada)

PEEL Lab provides a sustainable leather-like material which is affordable and durable eco-friendly alternatives to animal leather. (Jim Huang)

Striemo is addressing the safety issue in mobility by offering a three-wheel electric scooter with balance-assist system. (Panji Agustian, Satoshi Sagino)

UNITED SILK is a silk protein manufacturing company that has one-stop silk manufacturing factories. They extract protein from cocoons and provide products that are ideal for healthcare and food tech with strong traceability. (Takashi KAWAI)

“We are thrilled to welcome 10 Japanese startups into the French ecosystem with the robust support of HEC Paris and STATION F. JETRO is committed to fostering business opportunities between the key players in the Japanese French ecosystems,” states NAOKI INOUE, Innovation Director at JETRO Paris.

Entrepreneurial Showcase - JETRO x Incubateur HEC Paris x Station F

On November 26th, 10 innovative startups participating in the JETRO-HEC Paris Acceleration Program presented their solutions at Station F in a vibrant entrepreneurial showcase. The Demo Day with Japan brought together a diverse group of participants, including top investors such as Eurazeo, Airbus Ventures, and Bpifrance. In attendance were staff and students from HEC Paris, as well as experts in various fields. Representatives from government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Direction Générale du Trésor, were present, along with JETRO staff from both headquarters and JETRO Paris. Organizations like the Comité d’Échange Franco-Japonais and Choose Paris Region also participated. Major corporations, including Stellantis, Michelin, Chanel, Air Liquide, and Total Energies, actively contributed to the event, fostering innovation and strengthening Franco-Japanese collaboration.

The event was further enriched by the presence of notable representatives from JETRO, leaders in the startup ecosystem, venture capital firms and other major accelerator programs, including:

• Akihiko Tamura, Director General of JETRO Paris,

• Naoki Inoue and Yutaro Ono, both Directors of JETRO Paris, 

• Yoshio ANDO, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in France

• Koichi Horinouchi, Secondary Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in France, 

• Louise Longuepee, Program Manager at LVMH,

• Mourad EL Yaalaoui, Chairman of the Board of Public Ventures. 

This broad and influential audience highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration between Japan and Europe.

This showcase did not feature a jury, jury prizes, or audience awards. Instead, it was a unique platform to elevate visibility, attract potential partnerships, and foster meaningful connections for the startups. The focus was firmly on showcasing groundbreaking solutions across diverse fields like AI, quantum communication, sustainable materials, and mobility, all tailored for European market entry.

Spanning four months and providing access to 1,000+ experts, the JETRO-HEC Paris Acceleration Program embodies a robust collaboration with Station F. This Demo Day, a milestone of progress, is just the beginning of their ambitious journey to forge partnerships and unlock opportunities in Europe.

As emphasized by Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director of the HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute in her opening remarks, the event was a testament to the startups' hard work and their pivotal role in fostering global innovation and collaboration:

"Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of 10 exceptional Japanese startups as they embark on their European journey. This Demo Day represents more than pitches—it is a vibrant testament to collaboration between JETRO, HEC Paris, and Station F, building bridges between Japan and Europe. With access to mentorship, 1,000+ experts, and tailored resources, these startups are creating opportunities, forging partnerships, benefiting from the network and advancing global innovation. Together, we are driving the future of entrepreneurship and strengthening the bonds of international collaboration."
 Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director of the HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute