OIST 2023 Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator

The Innovation Square Startup Accelerator (I2@OIST) is Okinawa’s first global startup accelerator programme. Each year, a highly selective group of entrepreneurs from all over the world is chosen to participate in a fixed-term residency programme at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), where they receive the funding, mentoring, and partnerships required to launch their technology ventures right here in Okinawa, Japan. The I2@OIST Accelerator combines talent, facilities, and resources from OIST with the most innovative, global technology entrepreneurs to build startups together.

• About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
• OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator
• Aim and Benefits of OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator
• Requirements for OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University is a private, interdisciplinary graduate school located in Onna, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school offers a 5-year PhD program in Science. Over half of the faculty and students are recruited from outside Japan, and all education and research is conducted entirely in English. OIST relies on public subsidies paid by the Japanese government.... read more

OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator

• Type Entrepreneurs
• OrganisationOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
• Country to study -
• School to study -
• Course to study Not specified
• State of Origin
• Gender Men and Women
• Application Deadline November 20, 2022

Aim and Benefits of OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator

• Awards will range from 3-10 million JPY
• Funds can be used for:
  • Personnel (salary, benefits)
  • Lab supplies
  • Contract research
  • Travel to conferences and exhibitions
• Lab and office space
• Access to?OIST core research equipment and resources
• Connect with OIST research and business network
  • faculty and researchers
  • Venture?capital?and industry partners
• Mentorship
  • Expert industry mentors assigned to each project
• Professional Training
  • Lean Startup Entrepreneurship Program
  • Business Planning Courses
  • Project Management Courses
• Professional Services
  • Corporate legal advice
  • Intellectual property advice
• Administrative Services
  • Programme management by staff of the OIST Technology Development & Innovation Center
  • IT services

Requirements for OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator Qualification

• Open to entrepreneurs from Japan and overseas with an innovative technology ranging in Technology Readiness Level of 3-6.
• All technology fields are considered except projects requiring pharmaceutical/drug clinical trials (pre-clinical is eligible).
• If selected, at least 1 founder who has (or will have) ownership of the startup must relocate to Okinawa and devote 100% effort on the project for the duration of the accelerator programme.

Interview date, Process and Venue for OIST Innovation Square Start-up Accelerator

Selection Criteria

• Passion and commitment to the technology and project
• Fit to OIST environment and resources
• Team
• Technical merit
• Market potential
• Goals achievable within programme duration
• Societal impact (Okinawa, Japan, the World)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

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