TX Entrepreneur Partners

What TX Entrepreneur Partners does

TX Entrepreneur Partners (TEP) is a Japanese general incorporated association (nonprofit) established on November 19, 2009, headquartered at KOIL in Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, Chiba Prefecture. The organization's stated mission is to commercialize top-level Japanese technologies and accelerate their social adoption by building a technology startup ecosystem. TEP brings together experienced angel investors, specialized mentors, large corporations, venture capital firms, universities, research institutions, local governments, and international startup communities to support deep tech and seed-to-early-stage technology startups with long development cycles.

The organization's core programs include the J-TECH STARTUP certification and annual SUMMIT for identifying promising deep tech startups, the Asian Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) for cross-border innovation, the KOIL STARTUP PROGRAM in partnership with Mitsui Fudosan, a 4-day Business Plan Creation Seminar (60,000 JPY per attendee), and Medical Device Innovation in Kashiwa-no-ha. TEP maintains overseas presence through offices in Los Angeles and Shanghai and a Global Partner Program spanning 16 cities and 27 partners across the US, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Core institutional partnerships include AIST (since 2016), Mitsui Fudosan (since 2015), University of Tsukuba (since 2017), JAXA (since 2016), NEDO, Kashiwa City, METI Kanto, and Japan Management Association.

TEP generates revenue through membership fees from startups, corporations, and individuals; program participation and seminar fees; corporate partner support (e.g., Mitsui Fudosan, TMI Associates); and government program management contracts (e.g., Kashiwa City Startup Concierge, Ibaraki new business challenge program, Cabinet Office S-Booster, University of Tsukuba EDGE-NEXT and SCORE/Tsubasa programs). Cumulative post-recognition fundraising by J-TECH STARTUP certified companies has exceeded 361.4 billion JPY, and multiple portfolio companies including AxelSpace Holdings and EDP have completed IPOs on the TSE Growth Market. The organization is led by Representative Director Shingo Kokudo and Vice Representative Director Noriaki Ozaki, with Ryoko Goto and Akira Sugawara serving as Directors.

Name

TX Entrepreneur Partners

Legal name

一般社団法人TXアントレプレナーパートナーズ

Website

https://tepweb.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TX Entrepreneur Partners is a Japanese nonprofit technology startup support organization established in 2009 that runs the J-TECH STARTUP certification, mentorship programs, and ecosystem-building services connecting deep tech startups with investors, corporations, universities, and government bodies through its Kashiwa-no-ha base and a 16-city global partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Support and Business Incubation Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Startup ecosystem support
• Venture mentorship programs
• Angel investment network
• Technology incubation services
• Open innovation facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kashiwa

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and program participation: TEP generates revenue through membership programs where startups, corporations, and individuals join the ecosystem. The organization also receives support from partner corporations, government bodies, and derives income from event participation fees, seminar fees (e.g., 60,000 JPY for 4-day business plan creation seminar), and program coordination services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TX Entrepreneur Partners (TEP) is a nonprofit startup support organization that builds a technology-startup ecosystem by certifying promising seed/early-stage deep tech ventures through the J-TECH STARTUP program, delivering the annual J-TECH STARTUP SUMMIT, running incubation programs such as the KOIL STARTUP PROGRAM (with Mitsui Fudosan), the Business Plan Creation Seminar, and the Asian Entrepreneurship Award (AEA), and providing ongoing mentorship, consultation, and global partner network introductions to connect startups with angels, VCs, large corporations, universities, and research institutes.

Product overview

TEP operates as a technology startup ecosystem facilitator rather than a software product company. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including the J-TECH STARTUP certification program and annual J-TECH STARTUP SUMMIT event for identifying and showcasing promising deep-tech startups; the Business Plan Creation Seminar and KOIL STARTUP PROGRAM (in partnership with Mitsui Fudosan) for startup education and incubation; the Asian Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) competition for cross-border startup networking; and the Medical Device Innovation program for medical technology ventures. These programs are interconnected through TEP's Global Partner Network spanning 16 cities internationally, with mentorship support and corporate partnership integration as common threads across all offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• J-TECH STARTUP Certification Program A certification program that identifies and recognizes promising seed and early-stage technology-based startups in Japan, providing certified companies with mentorship, networking opportunities, and visibility to investors and corporations.
• J-TECH STARTUP SUMMIT An annual conference and pitch event where J-TECH STARTUP certified startups present their technologies and business models to investors, corporations, and the broader Japanese startup ecosystem.
• Business Plan Creation Seminar A multi-day intensive program teaching entrepreneurs how to develop and refine business plans, including workshops on market analysis, financial planning, intellectual property strategy, and investor presentations.
• KOIL STARTUP PROGRAM An incubation and acceleration program operated in partnership with Mitsui Fudosan, offering startups free access to KOIL (Kashiwa-no-ha Open Innovation Lab) workspace, mentorship, and networking with corporations.
• Asian Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) An annual innovation award competition that brings together entrepreneurs from Asian countries and regions to pitch their technologies, with winners receiving mentorship, network access, and support for market entry in Japan.
• Medical Device Innovation in Kashiwa-no-ha A specialized program fostering innovation in medical devices by connecting startups with the National Cancer Center Hospital East, large corporations, and support organizations in the Kashiwa-no-ha medical innovation ecosystem.
• Global Partner Program A network of 27 startup community leaders across 16 cities worldwide providing Japanese startups access to international networks including incubation facilities, mentors, VCs, experts, and research institutions.
• TEP Membership Program Formal membership for startups, corporations, mentors, and individuals that provides access to TEP's ecosystem, events, programs, and network, forming the core community and revenue base of the organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Past J-TECH STARTUP certified companies have raised over 361.4 billion JPY in cumulative funding post-recognition
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• 国立大学法人 筑波大学 (University of Tsukuba)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Entrepreneurship education cooperation, EDGE-NEXT program support, hands-on mentoring for selected teams through SCORE/Tsubasa programs.
• 国立研究開発法人 産業技術総合研究所 (AIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016MOU for cooperation in venture creation and support, joint support for AIST-originated ventures, providing venues for venture interaction, and related PR activities.
• 国立研究開発法人 宇宙航空研究開発機構 (JAXA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016JAXA venture support system, fostering JAXA-originated ventures, creating new businesses from space technology.
• 三井不動産株式会社 (Mitsui Fudosan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Provides office space and operates KOIL (Kashiwa-no-ha Open Innovation Lab), co-develops startup support programs including KOIL STARTUP PROGRAM, offers network introductions and business partnerships, potential investment.
• 国立研究開発法人 新エネルギー・産業技術総合開発機構 (NEDO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-backed R&D support organization providing funding and support for deep tech startups.
• 柏市 (Kashiwa City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEP serves as planning and operation partner for Kashiwa City Startup Concierge service, operating consultation windows, supporting startup community formation, and promoting startup aggregation in Kashiwa-no-ha area.
• 経済産業省 関東経済産業局 (METI Kanto)majorOthersAdvisory board member providing government perspective and policy alignment for startup ecosystem development.
• TMI総合法律事務所 (TMI Associates)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate member providing legal expertise and support to startups in the ecosystem.
• 一般社团法人日本能率協会 (Japan Management Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of J-TECH STARTUP SUMMIT and related programs, provides access to JMA member corporations.
• Fred Walti II (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal partner in USA, provides network introductions to LA startup ecosystem, mentorship, and cross-border support.
• Global Partners (27 individuals across 16 cities)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal partner network spanning USA, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, Russia - providing local network introductions, mentorship, and business advisory for international expansion.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Leave a Nest: Deep tech-focused startup support organization bridging academic research and commercial ventures in Japan. Closely comparable mission to TEP's deep tech commercialization focus, with similar university/research institution partnerships.
• Plug and Play Japan: Japan arm of global Plug and Play accelerator network, operating corporate innovation programs and startup acceleration in Tokyo. Directly competes with TEP for Japanese deep tech startups, corporate sponsorship, and government partnership mandates.
• 01Booster: Tokyo-based startup accelerator offering seed funding, mentorship, and corporate open innovation programs. Competes with TEP for Japanese early-stage founders and corporate partnerships.
• Creww: Japan's largest open innovation platform connecting startups with large corporations. Direct overlap with TEP's corporate-startup matching programs and open innovation mandate.
• Samurai Incubate: Japan-based startup incubator/accelerator providing funding, mentorship, and global expansion support to early-stage Japanese startups. Comparable target market (seed/early-stage founders) and similar program structure to TEP.
• Open Network Lab: Operated by Digital Garage, Open Network Lab runs seed acceleration programs and provides office space for Japanese and international startups. Overlaps with TEP in mentorship, seed funding, and international startup support.

Others

• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO): Government-affiliated trade and investment promotion agency supporting international startups entering Japan. Complementary rather than directly competitive; relevant as an adjacent ecosystem participant and potential partner.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operator with the Startup Weekend and mentorship-driven accelerator programs. Comparable accelerator/mentorship model; relevant as global benchmark though not Japan-domiciled.
• 500 Global: Global venture firm and accelerator formerly known as 500 Startups, operating programs worldwide including in Japan. Comparable accelerator/investor model; broader geographic footprint than TEP.

Regional players

• Real Tech Fund: Japan-focused deep tech venture capital fund supporting university and research-originated startups. Shares TEP's deep tech and academic spin-off focus but operates as a fund rather than ecosystem builder.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tx.entrepreneur.partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about TX Entrepreneur Partners