The Keihanna Global Acceleration Program Plus (KGAP+) wants to provide startups with more efficient access to Japanese market and provide them with everything they need to achieve this. The program offers mentoring from professionals who share the same industry experience and goals as their mentees, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Participating startups can also expect various networking events and demo days where they can present themselves to potential partners from Japan. Through its network of contacts in industry, academia, and government, the program also offers targeted partnership opportunities and insights into industry trends, customer preferences, and competitors in the Japanese market.
KGAP+ was launched in 2019 by the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), the core institute of Keihanna Science City. The program's partners include numerous startup and business organizations from around the world, including Invest in Bavaria. KGAP+ alumni also have access to this network.
Startups must be nominated by one of the program's partner organizations to participate. Interested Munich startups should contact Susanne Schierok, Head of the Bavarian Foreign Representation in Japan, under schierok@bayern-japan.orgThe deadline for this is April 19. Pitch events will then be held in each region under the name "Local Challenge" to select a total of 20 startups to participate in the program. For Munich startups, this will be the "KGAP+ Batch 11 Europe Challenge" on May 21. The kickoff for the next batch of the program is planned for June 25. Several startups from Munich have already participated in KGAP+, including Kewazo, Dyemansion, Kinexon and also Twaice.
For more information about the Keihanna Global Acceleration Program Plus, please visit the Program website.
