Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP)

Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP)

Offers startup acceleration for Japan-based founders, helping teams refine strategy, raise capital, and expand internationally.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP) is an equity-free acceleration initiative operated by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) to help Japan-based startups expand their businesses or raise capital in overseas markets, primarily the United States. JETRO covers program fees for all participating companies; participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, visas, insurance, and communications costs. JETRO takes no equity stake in participating companies. The 2026 cohort organized five distinct courses, each run in partnership with a different US accelerator: Enterprise B2B with Alchemist (20 slots, 8–18 weeks), AI with StartX (20 slots, approximately 12 weeks), AI-CTO with ERA — Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (15 slots, approximately 12 weeks), Sustainability and green transformation with Third Derivative (15 slots, 8–24 weeks), and ManufacturingTech and HardTech with Centrepolis (8–10 slots in Phase 1, 3–5 slots in Phase 2).

Eligibility is restricted to companies based in Japan that are actively pursuing overseas business development or fundraising. Decision-makers or founders must participate directly — delegating attendance to other staff is not permitted. The AI courses require a founder to participate; the AI-CTO course specifically requires the company's CTO or a technical co-founder. English-proficiency sufficient for business negotiation is a baseline requirement across all five courses. Simultaneous enrollment in two courses is permitted only when the AI-CTO course is one of the two. Past participants include AironWorks, bitgrit, and Citadel AI. Stage eligibility spans pre-seed through Series A for most courses, and pre-seed through Series B for the AI-CTO and Sustainability tracks.

The master application deadline for the 2026 cohort was May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM JST. Applications are submitted through the startup-facing JETRO GSAP page at jetro.go.jp. Prospective participants for future cohorts should monitor JETRO's website in early calendar-year months, as GSAP calls have historically opened in spring. Selection is competitive given limited slot counts per course, and demonstrating a credible international expansion plan and English-fluent leadership are the primary factors evaluated.