Reflections from Jessy LeClair, Director, CIC Japan Desk
Japanese startups entered 2024 propelled by Japan’s unprecedented five-year plan announced in 2022, aimed at fueling the growth of the Japanese innovation ecosystem.
In 2024 alone, over 2,800 startups in Japan received funding, raising over 779 billion Japanese yen (approximately 5 billion USD). Further, the number of startups in Japan increased remarkably from 16,000 in 2021 to 24,000 in 2024. However, economic slowdown posed new challenges for startups around the world, including those in Japan.
CIC Japan Desk joined the community of tenacious Japanese innovators to push forward despite the tough times.
Our team expanded our scope to Philadelphia, providing five cell and gene therapy startups the opportunity to tap into Philadelphia’s thriving regenerative medicine ecosystem. Local biotech founders, government officials, clinicians, and others warmly welcomed us to the city, opening a new global landing spot for our ambitious startups.
CIC Japan Desk also launched programming in New York, organizing a student program to immerse 20 aspiring biomedical entrepreneurs in the innovation ecosystems of Boston and New York City. We were energized by these students, who represent Japan’s next generation of globally minded startup founders.
Throughout the past year, we supported a total of 60 startups, 230 students, and 28 corporates. We partnered with Japanese government organizations including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to organize multi-month accelerator programs, which engaged more than 140 local experts as mentors, speakers, and workshop facilitators. Additionally, we hosted 25 events, including three demo days in collaboration with Venture Café, that attracted over 1,300 guests interested to network and learn about innovative technologies from Japan.
We invite you to learn more in our CIC Japan Desk Year in Review report below.
