Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP)

JETRO's Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP) is Japan External Trade Organization's flagship accelerator for Japanese startups that want overseas customers, partners, and capital. It is equity-free: JETRO covers program fees, while companies cover travel, accommodation, visas, insurance, and communications. In the 2026 cycle, GSAP is organized as a set of five courses rather than a single generic cohort, and each course pairs startups with a named accelerator partner. The 2026 lineup includes Enterprise B2B with Alchemist, AI with StartX, AI-CTO with ERA, Sustainability (GX) with Third Derivative, and ManufacturingTech & HardTech with Centrepolis. Course lengths range from about four weeks to thirty weeks depending on the track, with slots capped at 15 to 20 participants per course. The program is open to Japan-based companies pursuing overseas business development or fundraising, and the AI courses require founder participation, while AI-CTO requires the CTO or a technical founder. GSAP is built for founders who can operate in English and work closely with accelerator partners. JETRO says decision-makers or founders must participate, and the manufacturing track is split into two phases for companies that need a more extended technical path. Past participants include AironWorks, bitgrit, and Citadel AI, which gives the program a clear profile as a global expansion route for Japanese startups.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.