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AUGUST 2025

J-StarX Silicon Valley Extended Program by 500 Global

500 Global has propelled over 3,000 startups and backed more than 5,000 founders globally, from pre-seed to IPO1.


500 Global is excited to bring back the J-StarX Silicon Valley Extended Program, an immersive program tailored for Japanese startups. This 11-week program, split between Tokyo and the US, focuses on global market validation, global VCs attraction, and strategic business growth through workshops and personalized mentoring.

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You will be redirected to JETRO's program page to apply to this program.

First deadline: July 7, 2025

Second deadline: July 18, 2025


*Apply by July 7, 2025, to be considered for this program. If capacity is reached by the first deadline, applications submitted after may not be reviewed.

Hear from 500 Global

Clayton Bryan, Partner at 500 Global, speaks about an exciting new opportunity for ambitious Japanese startup founders.
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Program Details

This program is designed to help Pre-Seed to Series A startups in Japan (tech-driven and/or tech-enabled) accelerate their globalization.


Each startup may nominate up to 2 participants to attend the program. It is strongly recommended that startup founder(s) commit to the program. Participants will be expected to attend all sessions, workshops and activities.


*Please note that this is a non-investment, equity-free, and free-of-charge program. For the selected startups joining Phases 3 and 4 in Palo Alto (US), the expenses for the accommodations will be covered, but flight fees and daily expenses will need to be covered by the startups.

Dates: November 3-6, 2024

Ideal Candidates:

  • Japan-based startups incorporated in Japan
  • Startups with a working product and demonstrated traction
  • Have an established and solid team
  • Proficient in written and spoken English (program is delivered in English)
  • Able to commit at least 50% of 1 executive's time for the entire duration of the program.
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About the Program

The J-StarX Silicon Valley Extended Program will unfold in four main phases.

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PHASE 1: Aug 18 - 29

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2 WEEKS IN TOKYO

Mindset Development & Pitch Preparation

Startups will participate in an intensive 5-day bootcamp led by global mentors, pitch preparation through 1:1 and group mentoring, and a 3-minute pitch presentation to a selection panel to evaluate readiness for market expansion. Those startups demonstrating market expansion readiness will move on to Phase 2*.


*Participation beyond Phase 1 will be based on a selection process.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

Phase 2: Sep 8 - 26

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

3 weeks in Tokyo (Online / In-person)

In-Depth Preparation

Phase 2 builds mindset and tactical readiness through mentorship, goal-setting, outreach planning, social media visibility, and hands-on preparation for global validation.


Selected startups for Phase 2 will prepare for their upcoming travel to the US by honing in on key areas like sales, marketing, and product development, customized to each startup’s needs. Startups focus on creating an outreach list and a strategic plan for international expansion with guidance from dedicated growth coaches.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

Phase 3: Oct 6 - 31

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

4 weeks in Palo Alto, US

Global Market Validation

During phase 3, startups will travel to Silicon Valley to deepen their learnings through various workshops, panel discussions, guest speakers, group activities, office hours, and 1:1 mentoring sessions to further support their international expansion efforts.


As part of Phase 3, startups will participate in an in-person event, where startups will demo their products and build their networks with stakeholders in the ecosystem to build traction.


We will also be filming for the Virtual Demo Day where startups will present their company to a global network of audiences including local and international partners, and ecosystem stakeholders.


This phase is crucial as it validates the suitability of startups’ products for a global audience. 

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

Phase 4: Nov 3 - 14

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

2 weeks in Tokyo (Online / In-person)

Follow Up Support

Support continues after the US-leg of the Program with a debrief and roadmap for next steps. Furthermore, startups will continue to check-in to discuss progress, participate in community events and receive coaching support as needed to help sustain momentum for outcomes in their market expansion efforts.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

(Optional) Additional Expansion

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

Up to 12 weeks in Palo Alto, US

Continued Personalized Mentoring

Optional portion of the program offers continued personalized mentoring, providing startups with tailored guidance and support to address their unique challenges and opportunities.


*Startups that are eligible for this Phase will be determined through discussions.

The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.

By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.

The program offers founders

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Global Mindset & Fundraising Strategies

Gain insights through tailored workshops and mentoring sessions led by local experts, focusing on global scalability. Learn about global fundraising including investment criteria and language to meet global standards, and attract international VCs.

Accelerate Global Expansion & Global Market Validation

Access tools, frameworks, and participate in an in-person event and Virtual Demo Day to build global networks, and fine-tune your product/service to facilitate global growth.

Access to Global Networks

Tap into 500 Global’s extensive network of experts, mentors, VCs, and startups who have deep knowledge and experience in global market expansion. Leverage this network to gain valuable insights and strategic guidance, helping you navigate international markets more effectively.

On-Ground Support

Receive in-person guidance to craft a robust product growth strategy through lectures, workshops, and user feedback sessions to ensure your product evolves in alignment with global standards, positioning your startup for sustained growth in international markets.

Why 500 Global?

Our first program was founded in Silicon Valley in 2010. With a proven track record of accelerating startups globally, 500 Global is among the first US-based VCs to offer accelerator programs for startup founders in Japan. We launched our initial program in 2016 and have since conducted 13 successful programs in Japan, supporting over 300 startups to date2.


We’re committed to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in Japan. Read more about our recent engagement in the region.

Read more
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14
years of experience in startup acceleration

190+

Startup program batches launched3

3,000+

Startups accelerated worldwide4

300+

Japanese startups supported5

Why 500 Global?

Our first program was founded in Silicon Valley in 2010. With a proven track record of accelerating startups globally, 500 Global is among the first US-based VCs to offer accelerator programs for startup founders in Japan. We launched our initial program in 2016 and have since conducted 13 successful programs in Japan, supporting over 300 startups to date3. We’re committed to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in Japan. Read more about our recent engagement in the region.
Read more
→
14
years of experience in startup acceleration
170+
Startup program batches launched4
2,900+
Startups accelerated worldwide5
300+
Japanese startups supported6

Partner

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.

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Frequently asked questions

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Are there any fees or equity given out for participating in this program? What about investment?
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No, this is an equity-free, non-investment program.

What is the deadline to apply?
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We have the following two deadlines, with priority screening for early applicants, so make sure to apply early!


1st deadline: July 7, 2025

2nd deadline: July 18, 2025


*If applicant seats reach capacity by the 1st deadline, we may not review further applications.


How many phases are there during the program?
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There are 4 phases in the program. Phase 1 (Foundation in Tokyo for 2 weeks) will be attended by every startup accepted into the program, while participation in Phase 2 (In-Depth Preparation in Tokyo for 3 weeks), Phase 3 (Global Market Validation in Palo Alto for 4 weeks) and Phase 4 (Follow up support in Tokyo or online for 2 weeks) will be based on a selection process.


Can all the participating startups join phase 2 -4?
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No, there will be a selection process at the end of Phase 1, and only selected startups will move on to join Phase 2, 3, and 4.


Do I need to be in Tokyo (Japan) and Palo Alto (US) for the in-person part?
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Yes, (co)founders/participants must be willing to commit to attend the in-person portion of the program in Tokyo (Japan) and in Palo Alto (US). Only selected startups will be able to go to Palo Alto.

Will the fees for the flights and accommodations in the U.S. (Phase 3) be covered?
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For the selected startups joining Phase 3 in Palo Alto (US), the expenses for the accommodations will be covered but flight fees will need to be covered by the startups.

Who evaluates the applications?
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Each application is reviewed by the program team members from 500 Global and JETRO, and decisions are made through a dedicated committee.

Will I get any investment from participating in this program?
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No, this program is NOT an investment program but you will be able to learn about what it takes to fundraise from global investors.

Am I eligible to re-apply if I wasn't accepted to a past 500 program?
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Yes absolutely! We always recommend founders to re-apply even if they haven’t been successful in the past. In fact, many of our most successful program participants were not accepted in their first time applying.

Disclaimer

1 FIGURES ARE BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATES AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2024 AND HAVE NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.

2 FIGURES ARE BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATES AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2024 AND HAVE NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.

3 FIGURE IS BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATE AS OF 28 FEBRUARY 2025 AND HAS NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.

4 FIGURE IS BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATE AS OF 30 APRIL 2025 AND HAS NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.

5 FIGURE IS BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATE AS OF 24 APRIL 2024 AND HAS NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.


THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATED BY 500 STARTUPS INCUBATOR, L.L.C (TOGETHER WITH ITS AFFILIATES, “500 GLOBAL”). ALL CONTENT PROVIDED IN THIS WEBPAGE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 500 GLOBAL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBPAGE. WHILE 500 GLOBAL HAS TAKEN REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBPAGE IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE, NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSIONS. NOTHING IN THE CONTENT DELIVERED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM SHALL CONSTITUTE OR IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL, TAX OR INVESTMENT ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL (INCLUDING INVESTMENT ADVICE AS DEFINED IN THE U.S. INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940). THIS WEBPAGE IS UPDATED AS OF MAY 2025. THIS IS A NON-INVESTMENT PROGRAM, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE OR GUARANTEE AN INVESTMENT FROM 500 GLOBAL, OR ITS RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. HOWEVER, PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT PRECLUDE 500 GLOBAL AND ITS AFFILIATES FROM CONSIDERING FUTURE INVESTMENTS IN A PARTICIPATING COMPANY. THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM ARE CONDUCTED SOLELY IN FURTHERANCE OF THE PARTICIPANTS’ BONA FIDE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, OR FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AND ARE NOT BEING UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF DIRECTLY PROMOTING THE PUBLIC OR POLITICAL INTERESTS OF “GOVERNMENT OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY” OR “FOREIGN POLITICAL PARTY”, AS DEFINED AT 22 U.S.C. SECTION 611.

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