Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative|Cabinet Secretariat

Change society with deep tech
that the world has never seen.

News

Advancing Science and Technology as a Driver of Japan’s Economic Growth

GSC Initiative is an initiative to establish a world-class hub for an innovation ecosystem in Japan that promotes high-risk research and development and drives Japan’s growth.

Although deep-tech demands long development cycles, significant capital, and involves high uncertainty, successful commercialization and deployment can deliver transformative societal impact, addressing global challenges and reinforcing economic security.It is, therefore, a key driver of future economic growth.

GSC brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and supporters committed to deep-tech research and development, forming an ecosystem that connects bold ambition to economic growth. GSC Initiative provides comprehensive support ― covering globally oriented fundraising, talent development, and the full journey from research and development to commercialization and international expansion ― to accelerate the realization of cutting-edge innovation.

Addressing global societal challenges while driving Japan’s economic growth. Leveraging international competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies to strengthen economic security and enhance diplomatic capabilities. GSC Initiative promotes the advancement of science and technology, helping to drive Japan’s future growth.

To develop a world-class hub
for an innovation ecosystem
in
deep-tech

To develop an environment that facilitates the creation of new businesses and their growth through the utilization of research and development outcomes

Social and Economic Impact Expected from the GSC Initiative

Solving social challenges

Accelerated efforts to address climate
change (clean energy etc.), healthcare (establishment of new therapies etc.),
labor shortages (humanoid robots etc.),
and others through business creation by exploiting new technologies

Innovation for economic growth

Contribution to GDP, stock markets, and major companies to promoting innovation

* Startups account for 44% of the total market capitalization of S&P 500 of the U.S., and 62% of the amount of investments in R&D made by U.S.-listed companies. [Ilya Strebulaev, “What It Takes to Build a Unicorn”]

* The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) announced a proposal about startups. ["Vision for Startup Breakthrough," 2022]

Economic security

Securing economic independence and competitive advantage, and strengthening supply chains through the utilization of advanced critical technologies.

Support for applied R&D

・ Supporting applied R&D in the deep
tech field

・ Support, along with venture building, from the early stages
of research,
including thorough market
feedback

Venture building

・ Implementing global-level venture building
(providing business management
know-how, market
research,
acquisition of intellectual property rights, etc.)

・ Collaboration with domestic and overseas VC firms,
and startup
support organizations

Talent development etc.

・ Fellowship programs are being implemented to cultivate key talent essential for ecosystem-building, including outstanding researchers, startup founders, and VCs.

・ Research and study on the domestic
and overseas trends
in R&D related to
advanced technologies

Community development

・ Promoting interaction through events and others for the formation of
domestic and overseas networks.

Pilot activities are being conducted ahead of the facility opening and the establishment of the operating entity, serving as a catalyst to attract top talent and investment from around the world.

International
Research Programs

Venture Builder
Programs

Talent Development
(Fellowship) Programs

International Research Program

Total Budget: Approximately
21 billion yen

International research is conducted in collaboration with foreign institutions under socially impactful innovative themes in order to attract talents and funds globally.

This program has the following features:

The Venture Director (VD), who oversees management with a view toward commercialization, defines innovative themes in high-impact deep-tech fields.
Based on the innovative themes, Principal Investigators (PIs) are selected, and ambitious researchers aiming for commercialization are supported.

Schedule

Appoint Venture Directors (VDs) who manage with a focus on commercialization and make swift decision: around summer 2026
Setting innovative research themes: around summer 2026
Call for and select principal investigators on the themes: around summer 2026

Open Call Information for Venture Directors (VDs)

Venture Builder Program

Total Budget: Approximately
3 billion yen

Targets include not only the outcomes of international research programs, but also research seeds and startups in the deep-tech field originating from Japanese universities, research institutions, and hub cities, with a focus on global expansion.

Providing commercialization support (*) through partnerships with leading domestic and international organizations experienced in bringing university research to market.

(*)For example, support measures may include providing business management know-how to researchers aiming to become entrepreneurs, mentoring, assistance in building communities, provision of gap funding, opportunities for networking between overseas VCs and startups, and establishing collaborative frameworks with domestic universities.

The program is characterized by the implementation of a global-level program, utilizing domestic and international commercialization support organizations with a proven track record as partner entities.

Schedule

Applications open starting in April 2026, depending on the program

Calls for Applications for Each Program

Talent Development Program

Total Budget: Approximately
3 Billion yen

Developing the talent needed for strengthening the ecosystem, such as the development of PhD-CEOs, by fostering outstanding young researchers (postdocs) and others

Talent development through long-term overseas OJT Characterized by the implementation of the programs utilizing proven external organizations domestically and overseas as partner entities

Dispatching young researchers to overseas universities' labs that can produces startups
Promoting the formation of networks by accepting outstanding overseas researchers to pioneering labs in Japan
From one year to a maximum of three years

*As for Japanese organizations that accept young researchers, an open call will be issued separately.

Schedule