Aichi Prefecture - Landing Pad - Landing Pad Winter 2026

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Manufacturers in Aichi Prefecture are looking to collaborate with Your Startup!

Aichi Prefecture—the heart of Japan’s manufacturing industry—is looking to collaborate with your startup! Join this exclusive business matchmaking program and showcase your cutting-edge solutions to major companies from the region—each presenting real-world challenges and collaboration opportunities.

Selected startups will gain:

Direct access to decision-makers at top Japanese companies
Support to refine your pitch and strategy for the Japanese market
Direct access to tenants of STATION Ai, Japan’s largest startup incubation hub
Access to investors, during VC・CVC networking event
A chance to exhibit at TechGALA 2026, the hottest startup and tech conference in the region
Continuous business development support such as interpretation and PoC facilitation before, during and after your stay in Japan.

With the launch of STATION Ai in October 2024—Japan’s largest startup support hub—Aichi is opening the doors for global startups to build the next era of innovation.

For startups aiming to enter the Japanese market, collaborating with companies in Aichi Prefecture opens doors to meaningful business expansion in Japan.

Final application ends on October 5th, Apply now!

Participate

Testimonials by previous participants

Aichi Landing Pad gave us not just market access, but the relationships and insight needed to navigate Japan with confidence.

Dustin Jefferson S.

Co-Founder and CEO of uHoo

The participation on the Aichi Landing Pad event was not only a very enriching experience as participants were able to meet peer companies with the common dream of growing in the japanese market but also for the great opportunity to meet japanese companies interested in our technologies.

Emilio Vicente Yepes

Senior Manager of Methanol Reformer

Aichi launching pad gave us the perfect opportunity to expand into the Japanese market. Working with Aichi prefecture government and Abeam has been invaluable for our experience in understanding Japanese culture and business practices. The abundant of events hosted in this program has also exposed us to large Japanese manufacturing customers and strong networks in Japan.

Joel Lee

CEO & cofounder of KinetixPro

We gained significant insights into the Japanese market through meeting, pitching and hearing feedback from Aichi companies, entrepreneurs and investors. The mentorship from industry experts provided us with fresh perspectives on our strategy and operations, helping us refine our approach for the Japanese Market. Engaging with the local entrepreneur community was another highlight, allowing us to better understand the Japanese market and the needs of Robot Builders in Japan. Overall, the program laid a foundation for future growth, and we encourage other startups to consider this unique opportunity for learning and connection.

Brenton Welford

Co-Founder of Vilota

By participating in the Aichi landing pad event, we were able to access Japanese customers, investors and other stakeholders. The team helped us on various aspects including refining our pitch, improving our understanding of the market, and during discussions with potential customers and partners. In addition to the 3-week in-person program, they provided extended support and follow-up for the subsequent three months to help take the discussions forward. The support, mentorship and feedback from the entire team helped instill confidence in us and enabled us to navigate a new country like Japan, her culture, people and market with conviction. Overall, our experience with Aichi landing pad has been very positive and useful for Chara.

Mahalingam Koushik B

Co-Founder & CTO of Chara Technologies

We highly appreciated the Aichi Landing Pad Program for its excellent organisation, relevant and committed partner selection, and strong networking opportunities. Through the program, Evolium signed three NDAs and continues active discussions to support its market entry into Japan. The social events were also very valuable in building relationships. We strongly recommend the program to startups looking to develop in Japan.

Alexandre Staub

CEO, Evolium Technologies

Aichi Landing Pad provided a strong entry point into the Japanese manufacturing market, particularly in automotive. Through close collaboration with the Aichi Prefecture Government, STATION Ai and ABeam Consulting, we developed a clear understanding of local business practices and how decisions are made within our target customers. What stood out most was the team behind the program (thoughtful, hands- on, and genuinely invested in our progress) which made a real difference. Their support enabled direct engagement with major Japanese manufacturers and helped us move forward with multiple discovery and demo meetings.

Anil Uzengi

Co-Founder & CEO, Stroma

THEMES

TIMELINE

Application Phase

August 10 ~ October 5, 2026

Register an account and submit the application form before the deadline.
Selection Phase

~ October 20, 2026

Expert judges will review your submission. You may be contacted for an online interview.
Finalists Announcement

~ October 21, 2026

Selected startups will be announced on this day.
Preparation Period for Arrival

October 22, 2026 ~ December 4, 2026

22 October to 13 November: Visit preparation (Japanese-language materials, target company selection).

Selected startups will begin to prepare for the day of arrival. Japanese pitch deck proofreading, mentoring, online matching arrangements.
Matching Program (Stay Period at Aichi)

DEMODAY will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

BUSINESS MATCHING EVENT will be held on Monday, December 14, 2026.

TechGALA
Conference will be held from Dec15- 17

※ Mandatory stay period: Monday, December 7, 2026 ~ Friday, December 18, 2026.
Follow-up

January ~ March 31, 2027

This is the period during which the business leads acquired during the matching program are thoroughly followed up together with the supporters.

How to get started!

INCENTIVES

Mentoring & Japan Market Readiness

Get expert guidance to refine your business model and go-to- market strategy, with tailored education sessions on entering and succeeding in Japan.

Pre-identified Real World Problems

Identify real-world challenges from Japanese companies and propose your solutions or technologies. Work together to co-create impactful outcomes and build proof of success in Japan.

Business Matching

Connect with leading Japanese manufacturers and partners, including tenants of STATION Ai through curated sessions, pitch events, and networking.

Post-Program Support

Receive ongoing support after the program, including introductions, resource referrals, professional interpretation and business follow-up for long-term success in Japan.

Direct Access to Leading Companies

Selected startups will receive access to STATION Ai's community platform, where you can connect directly with counterparts from more than 400 leading companies and 700 fellow founders.

Exhibition Booth at premier tech conference "TechGALA"

A chance to exhibit at Tech GALA 2026, the hottest startup and tech conference in the region, where you can meet and connect with more than 5,500 visitors from 39 countries.

DEMO DAY

The Demo Day
December 9, 2026, 4:00pm ~ 7:00pm JST
Venue: STATION Ai

Demo Day is an event that provides an opportunity for overseas startups participating in the Landing Pad 2026 program to connect with business enterprises and cooperating partner companies in Aichi Prefecture with the aim of full-scale development in the Japanese market. We invite you to experience the moment when innovative ideas and synergies are born at this event. On the day of the event, each startup will present their business model and solution. This will be followed by a networking session where you can interact with the startups and enjoy the exhibition of their products and services.