TiB Catapult kicks off to foster innovation: Tokyo embraces 6 innovation 'clusters' to propel startups globally

J-STORIES - Tokyo’s ambition to become a global hub for innovation took a significant step forward with the launch of TiB Catapult, an initiative designed to connect Japan’s most promising startups with international partners. Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the program seeks to foster collaboration, accelerate technological advancements, and help startups scale beyond Japan's borders.

A bold vision for global expansion

The initiative comes on the heels of Japan’s broader efforts to position itself as a startup powerhouse. In November 2022, the Japanese government unveiled a five-year plan aimed at nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem. The plan targets an investment boost of ¥10 trillion and aims to foster 100,000 new startups, along with 100 unicorns — startups valued at over $1 billion — by 2027.

Despite Japan’s strong track record in industries such as agri-tech, biotech, and urban innovation, many of its startups have struggled to expand globally. Startups that focus only on local opportunities are hampered by the country’s aging population and shrinking domestic market. Cultural and language barriers, along with a tendency to prioritize short-term success, have kept many startups inwardly focused, limiting their growth prospects abroad.

This inward orientation has contributed to Japan’s relatively low number of unicorns. While the U.S. is home to 739 unicorns, Japan has just 14. TiB Catapult aims to remedy this by bringing together promising startups and empowering them to scale globally. The initiative offers a platform for startups to access international networks, collaborate with industry giants, and address global challenges through innovation.

At the heart of TiB Catapult is a series of six innovation “clusters,” each focused on a sector with significant global potential. The clusters are designed to foster sustainable growth through unique partnerships between startups, established businesses, and academic institutions. The six clusters cover categories such as climate tech, agri-tech, space tech, mobility, smart city and life sciences.

Strategic investment in Tokyo’s future

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has committed up to ¥600 million ($4 million) per cluster over the next three years, providing crucial support for the initiative’s ambitious goals. Each cluster aims to generate over 20 collaborative projects between large corporations and startups within the next three years. One of the clusters will be designated as a “Global Promotion Cluster,” receiving additional support in collaboration with leading international organizations, such as universities and accelerators.

With a target of nurturing 100 unicorns by 2027, TiB Catapult is more than just a support program — it is a strategic investment in the future of Tokyo as a global startup hub.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and key industry leaders attend the TiB Catapult kickoff event.              Source: TiB (Same below) — Entrepreneurs, investors, and key industry leaders attend the TiB Catapult kickoff event. Source: TiB (Same below)

At the kickoff event held at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB) on Oct. 24, Keiichi Yoshimura, who heads the Office for Startup and Global Financial Strategy at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, stressed the importance of collaboration in today’s rapidly evolving markets. Yoshimura highlighted Tokyo’s ambition to become a major player in the global startup ecosystem.

Keiichi Yoshimura, the Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment’s startup chief, wears a “happi” coat while giving the opening speech at TiB Catapult. The “happi” coat has become a symbol of Tokyo’s annual “SusHi Tech" startup event.

Global insights: Industry leaders weigh in

Kathy Liu, Vice President at Plug and Play Tech Center, shared her insights into the initiative’s global potential. Plug and Play, which works with over 40 partners in Japan and supports more than 1,000 startups, is playing a pivotal role in the Econovation City Cluster. Liu emphasized the importance of building bridges between universities and startups, particularly in sectors like agri-tech and biotech.

Kathy Liu, vice president at US-based venture capital Plug and Play Tech Center, representing the climate tech “cluster,” speaks at the kickoff event.

“By linking academic institutions such as the University of Tokyo and Keio University with the startup ecosystem, we are fostering an environment conducive to breakthrough innovations,” Liu said. “Through TiB Catapult, we aim to drive 20 collaborative projects within the next three years.”

A highlight of the event was a presentation by Ai Kanayama of Japan’s telecom giant KDDI, who shared insights into the space-tech cluster. Kanayama discussed Japan's burgeoning space industry, which currently counts around 100 startups, and emphasized the vast potential for growth.

KDDI’s Ai Kanayama, who leads the Japanese telecom giant’s business “co-creation” unit, speaks at the event.

“By collaborating globally, we can accelerate the creation of new businesses in the space sector,” Kanayama said. “Sharing resources and technology will be key to advancing our capabilities.”

KDDI, along with other cluster members, plans to foster over 20 collaborations in the space sector over the next three years, integrating startups from various industries to push the boundaries of space exploration.