CIC Tokyo

What CIC Tokyo does

CIC Tokyo is the Japanese operating arm of Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), the global innovation hub founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1999. Operated by the Japanese godo kaisha CIC Japan合同会社, CIC Tokyo opened in October 2020 as a 6,000 sqm co-working and innovation center on the 15th and 16th floors of Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, hosting 300+ tenant companies alongside 1,300+ members of the E&E (Energy & Environment) Innovation Community launched in 2021. The core offering combines furnished co-working and private office space, professional event venues (supporting 400+ annual events), and structured startup support programs delivered through sub-brands including CIC Catalyst APAC (innovation consulting) and CIC Institute (deep-tech and government-academia collaboration).

CIC Tokyo generates revenue across three streams: subscription-based co-working and private office leasing (monthly/annual memberships for hot desks, dedicated desks, and private suites), professional services fees from corporate innovation programs (ISSIN in Fukuoka, Aichi GX Acceleration, Kering Generation Award, MIT Professional Education), and recurring community membership and event venue rental fees. The GTM motion is dual-pronged: event-driven community building for long-tail startup acquisition combined with enterprise field sales to large corporations (Boeing, Honda, L'Oréal Japan, Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Tohoku Electric Power) seeking curated startup ecosystem access.

The business sits within a global CIC network of 11 innovation centers across the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, which provides distribution advantage and international market access pathways for tenants. The company has expanded domestically to Fukuoka (March 2025) and Osaka (May 2026), and supports regional acceleration programs in partnership with Japanese prefectural governments. Governance sits under Chairman 梅澤高明 (also Japan President of A.T. Kearney) and CEO Denise Medlenka, with founder Tim Rowe as Executive Chairman of the global parent.

Name

CIC Tokyo

Legal name

CIC Japan合同会社

Website

https://jp.cic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CIC Tokyo operates a 6,000 sqm innovation center and shared office space in Toranomon Hills, hosting 300+ startup tenants and 1,300+ energy-environment community members, while delivering corporate innovation programs for enterprise clients and serving as the Japanese hub of the global Cambridge Innovation Center network spanning 11 locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Co-working / Innovation Center Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG)

Keywords

• Co-working office spaces
• Innovation community programs
• Startup acceleration services
• Corporate innovation hubs
• Ecosystem facilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Toranomon

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Co-working Space and Office Leasing: CIC Tokyo generates primary revenue through leasing dedicated office suites and hot desk/flexible workspace memberships to startups, scale-ups, and corporate innovation teams. The 6,000 square meter Toranomon Hills facility offers various workspace configurations with different membership tiers. This is a recurring revenue stream with monthly or annual billing cycles for tenants.
2. Innovation Programs and Consulting: CIC Tokyo offers structured innovation programs including accelerator cohorts, corporate innovation workshops, and custom engagement programs. These programs generate fee-based revenue from corporate partners seeking structured access to startup ecosystems and innovation methodology. Programs like ISSIN (Fukuoka) and Aichi GX Acceleration represent examples of this revenue stream.
3. Event Venue and Community Membership: Revenue is generated through event venue rental fees and E&E (Energy & Environment) community memberships that provide access to networking events, pitch sessions, and the broader innovation community. The E&E Innovation Community with 1,300+ members represents a recurring community membership revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CIC Tokyo operates a 6,000 sqm shared office and innovation campus in Toranomon Hills, Tokyo, leasing private offices, dedicated desks, and hot desks to startups, scale-ups, and corporate innovation teams. It layers on community programming (400+ annual events), the E&E Innovation Community subscription, accelerator cohorts (ISSIN Fukuoka, Aichi GX), pitch competitions (ESG TECH BATTLE), and corporate innovation consulting through CIC Catalyst APAC. Customers gain physical workspace plus structured access to corporates, investors, academic partners, and 10 sister CIC campuses worldwide.

Product overview

CIC Tokyo operates as a major-scale innovation center and shared office space provider, functioning as a platform-plus-programs architecture. The core offering is the CIC Tokyo physical innovation center in Toranomon Hills providing workspace for over 250 startups, supplemented by the E&E Community (Environmental Energy Innovation Community) for environmental/energy sector innovation with 1,300+ members, and CIC Catalyst APAC for innovation consulting and startup acceleration programs. The platform is further supported by event space rentals, pitch competitions (ESG TECH BATTLE), award programs (Kering Generation Award), and regional acceleration programs (Aichi GX, ISSIN Fukuoka). Related offerings include MIT Professional Education partnership courses and Venture Café Tokyo community events. CIC Tokyo does not appear to be a software product with an API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIC Catalyst APAC: Innovation consulting and startup growth support organization within CIC, managing programs for companies, governments, and institutions.
• CIC Institute
• E&E Community (環境エネルギーイノベーションコミュニティ)
• E&E Innovation Community
• Kering Generation Award Japan

Products and services

• CIC Tokyo Innovation Center (Co-working & Private Offices) Shared office space in Toranomon Hills offering private offices, dedicated desks, hot desks, meeting rooms, and event venues for startups, scale-ups, and corporate innovation teams. Designed for early- to mid-stage companies and enterprises seeking a central Tokyo base and curated networking.
• CIC Tokyo Event Space Rentals Rental event spaces within the CIC Tokyo facility for hosting startup events, seminars, networking gatherings, and corporate functions, supporting over 400 events held annually.
• E&E Community (Environmental Energy Innovation Community) Subscription-based innovation community focused on environmental and energy innovation, providing networking events, practical innovation programs, startup support, and pitch competitions to foster collaboration between startups and corporations. The community has 1,300+ members from 560+ companies.
• CIC Catalyst APAC Innovation consulting and startup growth support organization that designs, launches, and scales science-based startups and commercialization ecosystems in partnership with governments, municipalities, and academic institutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
• ISSIN 2026 (Fukuoka Startup Acceleration Program) Acceleration program operated by CIC Catalyst APAC in partnership with Global Connect Fukuoka Network, supporting startups based in Fukuoka Prefecture with business development, VC matching, seminars, and overseas expansion support.
• Aichi GX Acceleration Program Acceleration program supporting pre-seed/s-seed startups in green transformation sectors, providing tailored business growth mentoring, matching with Aichi Prefecture companies, and POC support for environmental and circular economy innovations.
• ESG TECH BATTLE Pitch competition for pre-seed/s-seed R&D-type startups and researchers in ESG-related fields, organized with NEDO, offering ¥1 million prize for top performers along with business growth support.
• Kering Generation Award Japan Award program co-organized with Kering luxury group offering a ¥10 million grand prize for startups with technologies related to sustainable fashion and beauty, including alternative raw materials, manufacturing processes, retail, and consumer engagement.
• MIT Professional Education Programs at CIC Tokyo Professional education courses conducted in partnership with MIT, including project management and sustainability programs, offering certificates and intensive lectures by MIT professors at CIC Tokyo venues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ tenant companies hosted at Tokyo facility
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• K-Bio Lab HubflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024K-Bio Lab Hub is a Korean biotechnology innovation hub that partners with CIC Tokyo to facilitate cross-border bio and AI venture collaboration between Korea and Japan. The partnership creates a pipeline for Korean bio ventures to access Japanese markets and corporate partners through CIC Tokyo's ecosystem. 10 Korean bio ventures have been positioned at Shonan I-Park through this collaboration.
• K-StartHubflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024K-StartHub is a Korean startup support organization that partners with CIC Tokyo to run the K-Startup Center, which supports Korean startups entering the Japanese market. 24 Korean startups have been supported through this initiative, gaining access to CIC Tokyo's co-working space and ecosystem connections.
• Keio UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeio University collaborates with CIC Tokyo on innovation programs, research commercialization initiatives, and startup support. The partnership provides CIC with access to academic talent, research outputs, and university ecosystem connections.
• OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOIST partners with CIC Tokyo on technology commercialization and startup support, leveraging the institute's research expertise and international talent pool. The partnership supports OIST researchers seeking to commercialize technologies through startup formation.
• Kyoto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKyoto University collaborates with CIC Tokyo on innovation ecosystem development, providing access to university researchers and technology transfer opportunities. The partnership supports startups emerging from Kyoto University's research ecosystem.
• Mitsubishi UFJ BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMitsubishi UFJ Bank has established an innovation presence at CIC Tokyo to engage with startups and access innovation ecosystem. The partnership provides financial industry perspectives and potential banking services for CIC community members.
• L'Oréal JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Oréal Japan has an innovation hub at CIC Tokyo to engage with beauty tech startups and access the broader innovation ecosystem. The partnership supports L'Oréal's open innovation strategy and provides startups with potential corporate partnership opportunities.
• Kajima CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKajima Corporation has established a corporate innovation presence at CIC Tokyo, engaging with construction tech and sustainability-focused startups. The partnership supports Kajima's innovation initiatives and provides startups with access to a major Japanese construction company.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing has an innovation presence at CIC Tokyo to access aerospace and advanced manufacturing startups in the Japanese ecosystem. The partnership supports Boeing's Asia-Pacific innovation strategy and provides access to emerging technologies.
• HondacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonda has established an innovation hub at CIC Tokyo to engage with mobility and transportation startups. The partnership supports Honda's open innovation initiatives and provides startups with potential corporate partnership and pilot opportunities.
• Tohoku Electric PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTohoku Electric Power has an innovation presence at CIC Tokyo focused on energy transition and sustainability startups. The partnership supports the utility's engagement with emerging energy technologies and innovation ecosystem.
• WWDJAPANcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWWDJAPAN (Women's Wear Daily Japan) is a media partner for CIC Tokyo, providing press coverage and brand visibility for CIC events and programs. The partnership amplifies CIC's reach to fashion, lifestyle, and business audiences.
• GOYOHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOYOH co-organizes the CRREM Japan Forum 2026 with CIC Tokyo and CRREM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor). The partnership focuses on sustainability and real estate decarbonization in the Japanese market.
• CRREM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRREM partners with CIC Tokyo and GOYOH to co-organize the CRREM Japan Forum 2026, focusing on carbon risk assessment and decarbonization pathways for real estate in Japan.
• Kering Generation AwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC Tokyo partners with Kering Generation Award to support sustainable fashion innovation, providing workspace and ecosystem access to award finalists and winners entering the Japanese market.
• Venture Café TokyocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenture Café Tokyo partners with CIC Tokyo on innovation programming, extending CIC's reach into the broader Tokyo startup ecosystem through joint events and networking sessions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Antler: Antler is a global early-stage venture firm that runs residency-style programs for founders. It shares CIC's model of cohort-based startup support and international expansion, though it is not primarily a workspace operator.
• 500 Global (500 Startups): 500 Global is a venture firm and accelerator operating programs across multiple geographies including Japan. It overlaps with CIC's accelerator and seed-investment activities, though with a more VC-centric rather than physical-community model.

Broad incumbents

• WeWork: WeWork is the largest global flexible-office and co-working operator. It competes directly with CIC Tokyo's workspace subscription offering but lacks CIC's curated innovation programming and corporate-startup facilitation, making it a partial overlap rather than full substitute.
• IWG (Regus): IWG operates Regus, Spaces, and HQ flexible-office brands globally and is the largest incumbent by footprint. It overlaps with CIC's core workspace leasing model but does not focus on innovation community building or deep corporate-startup matchmaking.
• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the world's most prominent startup accelerator, running cohort programs for early-stage startups globally. It is comparable in accelerator DNA but operates a primarily virtual model without CIC's physical co-location and event-venue infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play runs global startup accelerator programs and corporate innovation platforms with on-site spaces, directly comparable to CIC Catalyst APAC and the E&E Community model. It shares the venture/ecosystem focus and Fortune 500 corporate partnership approach that defines CIC Tokyo.
• Techstars: Techstars operates a global accelerator network with corporate-sponsored programs (similar to CIC Catalyst APAC) and partnerships with major enterprises. Its accelerator-plus-ecosystem model overlaps significantly with CIC's program offerings.
• MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a global non-profit accelerator with strong corporate partnerships that was co-founded by Tim Rowe, CIC's founder. It shares the same DNA as CIC Catalyst APAC's accelerator programming and corporate-startup matchmaking.

Regional players

• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus located in Paris, offering co-working, accelerator hosting, and corporate innovation programming. It is directly comparable to CIC Tokyo's Toranomon Hills flagship but operates in Europe rather than Japan.
• Serendipity Labs: Serendipity Labs operates premium flexible-office spaces focused on enterprise clients and professionals. While not primarily startup-focused, it competes with CIC's workspace offering for corporate tenants seeking prestigious Tokyo locations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CICTokyo
• Facebookfacebook.com/cictokyo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cic-tokyo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIC Tokyo