Plug and Play Japan Opens Applications for First Batch of Startups

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Aug 31, 2017, 19:20 ET

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play Japan announced today it has opened applications for its first batch of startups. The program will begin in November and Plug and Play will source startups in three categories: Internet of Things (IoT), Fintech and Insurtech.

Plug and Play Japan and its founding corporate members will select 20-25 startups, both international and Japanese-based companies. Founding members, along with previously announced Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., will include leading corporations such as Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, Dentsu, Panasonic, Sompo Digital Lab, Fujitsu, Fujikura and many more to be announced later.

Startups will receive free office space for three months at the new Plug and Play Japan office, located in the center of Shibuya, Tokyo, home to the majority of startups in Tokyo. The co-working space is in partnership with Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, one of the leading real estate companies in Japan and the newest founding corporate member of Plug and Play Japan. The office is set to open in early November, shortly before the start of the program.

During the three-month accelerator program, startups will have the opportunity to meet and create business opportunities with top tier Japanese corporations, investors and mentors. Plug and Play Japan will function to lessen the gap between key decision makers in Japan and the global startup community. Other benefits include coaching by Plug and Play mentors and advisors, corporate workshops, frequent pitch events and a large scale Demo Day pitch event in February for their graduation. For non-Japanese startups joining the program, Plug and Play Japan's ecosystem will make it easier to find the right partners to expand their business in the world's third largest economy. Japanese startups will enjoy access to Plug and Play's global network and will also have the opportunity to pitch at Plug and Play headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Startup entrepreneurs can submit applications through the Plug and Play Japan website: http://japan.plugandplaytechcenter.com/startups/

Applications will close during the first week of September.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. We connect startups to corporations and invest in more than 150 companies every year. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in 22 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 180 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $6 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com

Media Contacts

Plug and Play Japan
Phillip Vincent
[email protected]

Mariko Yazawa
[email protected]

Shingo Ehara
[email protected]

Plug and Play Silicon Valley
Allison Romero
(408) 524-1457
[email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play