Activate BRIDGE Japan Program

Activate BRIDGE Japan Program

Program Type: Nine-month entrepreneurial training curriculum for early-stage deep-tech founders

Duration: 9 months per cohort

Geographic Scope: Japan (based in Tokyo and connected to U.S.)

Partners: Innovation Platform for the University of Tokyo (UTokyo IPC), Japan's Bureau of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hakuhodo (global integrated marketing and innovation agency)

Focus Areas: Deep-tech and hard technology innovation aligned with global challenges

Target Participants: Scientists and engineers in Japan at early entrepreneurial stage, ideally still based in research labs and pre-incorporation

Program Features:

Core curriculum on entrepreneurial mindsets

One-on-one monthly mentoring by Activate entrepreneur-in-residence

Monthly group coaching sessions

Biweekly peer pods

Two in-person workshops in Tokyo

U.S. immersion trip to connect with Activate Fellows and U.S. deep-tech networks

Expected Outcomes:
Participants will leave with clear path forward for science-driven venture—equipped to validate, launch, or confidently decide not to pursue commercialization

Cohort Details:

First three cohorts will support five founder teams each

Programming begins Summer 2026

Applications now open for first cohort

Funding Source: Global Campus Startup (GSC) initiative, funded by Japan's Bureau of Science, Technology and Innovation

Program Context: Japan making significant investments to develop nascent hard-tech ecosystem. Initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurial landscape by fostering international collaboration and creating pathways for research-driven innovation to scale globally.

BRIDGE Acronym: Bolstering Resources for Innovators from Developing and Growing Ecosystems

Background: Announced May 22, 2026. Represents critical step in ensuring breakthrough technologies move from lab to real-world impact globally. Builds on Activate's 10+ years of supporting founders scaling deep tech.