Be among the first European start-ups to explore Japan's innovation ecosystem.
We're excited to announce the launch of Valley and Sunrise in partnership with the University of Tokyo and leading Japanese institutions and corporations. This market exploration program will bring up to two Cyber Valley start-ups to Tokyo for insights, connections, and opportunities in one of the world’s most advanced economies.
Join the first edition and shape the future of cross-border innovation between Europe and Japan.
Key Facts:
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Location: Japan and online.
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Focus Industries: AI and robotics.
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Goal: Corporate partner discovery (one–two weeks) with the chance of undertaking a Proof of Concept (POC) with a Japanese corporation.
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Funding and POC support: Financial support for market exploration plus additional funding for pilot projects (POCs) with Japanese corporates. Up to 50,000 Euros in funding available.
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Partners: University of Tokyo’s network of Japanese corporate partners and investors.
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Language: English (with Japanese interpretation as needed).
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Application: 28 October–28 November, 2025.
Who can apply?
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Start-ups wanting to join and visit the Japanese market.
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Start-ups must be members of the Cyber Valley Start-up Network to be eligible.
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Applicants should already have Product-Market Fit (PMF) in their home country (Germany).
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Ideally, with annual revenues of €100,000 or more.
What makes the Valley and Sunrise program special?
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Exclusive access: Participants gain direct access to Japanese corporates, investors, and universities, opening the door to future pilot projects (POCs).
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Tailored insights: Learn about Japan’s market potential, business culture, and regulatory environment.
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Cross-cultural exchange: Contribute to shaping a lasting Europe–Japan start-up bridge.
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Be a pioneer: Join the first edition and set the tone for the future.
Japan is the world’s third-largest economy, boasting thriving AI, robotics, and healthcare sectors. The Valley and Sunrise program enables start-ups to evaluate Japan’s potential as a growth market.
The Valley and Sunrise program focuses on MVP validation in the Japanese market. Start-ups should provide a proposal on how they envision achieving Product-Market Fit in Japan.
Selected start-ups will receive financial support that covers the core program participation costs. Start-ups must cover their travel expenses upfront, and 1st Round/Uni Tokyo IPC will reimburse them later.
Yes. One of the Valley and Sunrise program's goals is to enable POCs with Japanese corporates and partners. POCs are always individual and depend on interest from corporate partners. The program facilitates connections and creates the right setting, but the concrete outcome depends on the match between your solution and the partner's needs.
Yes. Start-ups must comply with all legal travel requirements. A dedicated visa advisory team will be available to support participants.
Each start-up may participate only once in the Valley and Sunrise Program. There are spaces for up to two start-ups in the first edition. If your start-up's application to join the first edition is unsuccessful, you may apply to future editions.
Yes. By joining, start-ups agree to appear in communication and marketing materials about the Valley and Sunrise Program.
Contact
For any questions regarding the Valley and Sunrise Program, please reach out to angelina.jukic@cyber-valley.de.
UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC) is a venture capital firm wholly owned by the University of Tokyo, established in 2016 to strengthen Japan’s global industrial competitiveness through startup investment and ecosystem building.
As a public–private venture capital firm, UTokyo IPC has invested in more than 80 university-affiliated startups and venture funds both in Japan and overseas.
Beyond investment, UTokyo IPC operates the Startup Building Program, which supports the commercialization of research outcomes; 1stRound, Japan’s largest academia-linked accelerator; and DeepTech Dive, a program dedicated to cultivating deep-tech talent. In 2024, UTokyo IPC launched the ASA Fund under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s initiative to promote global collaboration and establish Japan as a hub for deep-tech innovation.
Cyber Valley is Europe's leading center for excellence in advanced AI and robotics. Cyber Valley creates a vibrant ecosystem that enables seamless collaboration and rapid exchange between academia, business, and society.
As an ambassador for entrepreneurship, Cyber Valley's mission is to strengthen the research, development, and application of intelligent systems, providing a platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and advancement of modern AI and robotics. With a focus on the ethical and societal aspects of AI, Cyber Valley fosters dialogue between society and AI researchers and strives for a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is used for the benefit of society.