49 Companies Selected for 2018 JETRO Innovation Program

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has developed an initiative subsidized by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) under the Project for Supporting Startups in Developing Business Using Japan-Oriented Intellectual Properties called the JETRO Innovation Program (JIP). The purpose of the initiative is to support startups having outstanding technologies and helping them to develop their business overseas through regional hands-on support measures.

For the FY2018, JETRO has targeted six regions throughout the world to provide additional support. These regions are Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, Berlin, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. For companies selected as participants, JETRO will provided the following efforts:
1. Provide an intensive training course for helping to develop business models, marketing strategies, pitch-presentation train, as well as other related training.
2. Encourage collaborating accelerators to mentor startups and help discover customers.
3. Provide startups with business-matching opportunities such as international exhibitions.

This year 49 companies were selected from the applicants to be part of the JIP initiative. The breakdown for the companies selected from each location is as follows:
1. Silicon Valley 25 Companies
2. Shenzhen 16 Companies
3. Berlin 6 Companies
4. Indonesia 4 Companies
5. Malaysia 3 Companies
6. Thailand 7 Companies