Healthcare Acceleration Programme

Accelerate from Japan to the world

The J-StarX Healthcare Acceleration Program "MedTech Cohort" is a 9-month program co-organised by the MedTech Actuator and JETRO to help early-stage founders in Japan fast-track their commercialisation journey and launch into international markets. Backed by expert support and global networks, this is your launchpad from Japan to the world.

Healthcare Acceleration Programme

Accelerate from Japan to the world

The J-StarX Healthcare Acceleration Program "MedTech Cohort" is a 9-month program co-organised by the MedTech Actuator and JETRO to help early-stage founders in Japan fast-track their commercialisation journey and launch into international markets. Backed by expert support and global networks, this is your launchpad from Japan to the world.

Healthcare Acceleration Programme

Accelerate from Japan to the world

The J-StarX Healthcare Acceleration Program "MedTech Cohort" is a 9-month program co-organised by the MedTech Actuator and JETRO to help early-stage founders in Japan fast-track their commercialisation journey and launch into international markets. Backed by expert support and global networks, this is your launchpad from Japan to the world.

Overview

What to Expect

Over two high-impact phases, the program equips founders with commercialisation expertise, investment readiness, international exposure, and critical strategic and clinical insights.

Over two high-impact phases, the program equips founders with commercialisation expertise, investment readiness, international exposure, and critical strategic and clinical insights.

Through a powerful mix of online content, expert mentoring, and immersive local and international experiences, this program offers a comprehensive pathway for startups preparing to raise capital and go global.

Through a powerful mix of online content, expert mentoring, and immersive local and international experiences, this program offers a comprehensive pathway for startups preparing to raise capital and go global.

Delivered in English with Japanese interpretation where possible, the program is designed to support Japanese healthcare innovators to access the global startup ecosystem.

Delivered in English with Japanese interpretation where possible, the program is designed to support Japanese healthcare innovators to access the global startup ecosystem.

Phase 1: Foundations & Global Exposure

Sep-Dec, 2025 | Japan + Australia

Phase 1 is all about building the foundations for international growth. Over three months, startups will participate in monthly online sessions and in-person intensives designed to strengthen commercial strategy, market understanding, and investor readiness. Between sessions, teams are expected to apply learnings, refine their business models, and build out their global market strategy.

Learn More

Phase 1: Foundations & Global Exposure

Sep-Dec, 2025 | Japan + Australia

Phase 1 is all about building the foundations for international growth. Over three months, startups will participate in monthly online sessions and in-person intensives designed to strengthen commercial strategy, market understanding, and investor readiness. Between sessions, teams are expected to apply learnings, refine their business models, and build out their global market strategy.

Learn More

Phase 1: Foundations & Global Exposure

Sep-Dec, 2025 | Japan + Australia

Phase 1 is all about building the foundations for international growth. Over three months, startups will participate in monthly online sessions and in-person intensives designed to strengthen commercial strategy, market understanding, and investor readiness. Between sessions, teams are expected to apply learnings, refine their business models, and build out their global market strategy.

Learn More

Phase 2: Mentoring & International Expansion

Feb-May, 2026 | Japan + Global

Phase 2 is all about scaling your startup-strengthening your leadership, sharpening your investment strategy, and building international traction. It features an international immersion designed to test and validate your global strategy, with conference participation, ecosystem site visits, pitching opportunities, and curated meetings with key partners.

Learn More

Phase 2: Mentoring & International Expansion

Feb-May, 2026 | Japan + Global

Phase 2 is all about scaling your startup-strengthening your leadership, sharpening your investment strategy, and building international traction. It features an international immersion designed to test and validate your global strategy, with conference participation, ecosystem site visits, pitching opportunities, and curated meetings with key partners.

Learn More

Phase 2: Mentoring & International Expansion

Feb-May, 2026 | Japan + Global

Phase 2 is all about scaling your startup-strengthening your leadership, sharpening your investment strategy, and building international traction. It features an international immersion designed to test and validate your global strategy, with conference participation, ecosystem site visits, pitching opportunities, and curated meetings with key partners.

Learn More

What You'll Gain

Unlock tailored support, global insight, and strategic connections to help you grow faster, scale internationally, and lead with confidence.

Expert Mentoring

Receive tailored advice from leaders in business, clinical, and investment.

Global Market Strategy

Understand how to validate and enter markets in Australia, Singapore, the U.S. and more.

Investor & Industry Access

Pitch to aligned investors, distributors, and global MedTech corporates.

Immersive Experiences

Step into leading ecosystems, from Tokyo to Melbourne, through hands-on experiences.

Lifelong Community

Join a powerful network of founders, mentors, and partners across APAC and beyond.

Entry

Who is this program for?

MedTech Actuator works with founders bringing human health innovations to market. This can include biomedical companies ranging from medical devices to healthcare software to therapeutics, and anything in between. The program is for early-stage startups working in MedTech, BioTech, HealthTech, or digital health in human health.

Applicants may be pre- or post-incorporation and must be:
  • Based in Japan

  • Open to international business and investment

  • Have raised up to a Series A funding round

  • Comfortable operating in English (above day-to-day level)

  • Based in Japan

  • Open to international business and investment

  • Have raised up to a Series A funding round

  • Comfortable operating in English (above day-to-day level)

  • Based in Japan

  • Open to international business and investment

  • Have raised up to a Series A funding round

  • Comfortable operating in English (above day-to-day level)

If you have any questions about your eligibility, book a time to speak with our Program Manager

Applications

How to Apply

Submit a short application and pitch deck via the online form

Submit a short application and pitch deck via the online form

Submit a short application and pitch deck via the online form

Assessment will be ongoing

Assessment will be ongoing

Assessment will be ongoing

Applications close 12:59 PM JST, August 25

Applications close 12:59 PM JST, August 25

Applications close 12:59 PM JST, August 25

Important Dates

Apply Now

Applications Close: August 25 @ 1 PM JST

Information Session: August 4 @ 12 PM JST

Register here

Selected teams notified: September 4

Apply Now

Applications Close: August 25 @ 1 PM JST

Information Session: August 4 @ 12 PM JST

Register here

Selected teams notified: September 4

Phase 1 (Sep-Dec, 2025)

Kick-Off & MedTech Actuator Showcase Japan | In-person | Osaka: September 16

International Immersion #1 | In-person | Melbourne: October 27-31

Strategy Workshop #1 | In-person | Tokyo: November 27

Strategy Workshop #2 & Networking Event | In-person | Tokyo: December 18

Innovation Assessment Board | Online: January 14

Selected phase 2 teams notified: January 23

Phase 1 (Sep-Dec, 2025)

Kick-Off & MedTech Actuator Showcase Japan | In-person | Osaka: September 16

International Immersion #1 | In-person | Melbourne: October 27-31

Strategy Workshop #1 | In-person | Tokyo: November 27

Strategy Workshop #2 & Networking Event | In-person | Tokyo: December 18

Innovation Assessment Board | Online: January 14

Selected phase 2 teams notified: January 23

PHASE 2: FEB - MAY 2026

Monthly intensive lectures, check-ins, and office hours: • Thurs, 05/02/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 05/03/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 02/04/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 07/05/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 04/06/25 | 12-2 PM | Online

Strategy Workshop #3 | In-person | Tokyo: February 5

Executive Mentoring | In-person: 1 hour between March 23-27

Strategy Workshop #4 | In-person | Tokyo: April 23

International Immersion #2 | In-person | May 17-23 (TBC)

PHASE 2: FEB - MAY 2026

Monthly intensive lectures, check-ins, and office hours: • Thurs, 05/02/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 05/03/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 02/04/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 07/05/25 | 12-2 PM | Online • Thurs, 04/06/25 | 12-2 PM | Online

Strategy Workshop #3 | In-person | Tokyo: February 5

Executive Mentoring | In-person: 1 hour between March 23-27

Strategy Workshop #4 | In-person | Tokyo: April 23

International Immersion #2 | In-person | May 17-23 (TBC)

Demo Day

June 11 | Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka

Demo Day

June 11 | Nakanoshima Qross, Osaka

Join the next J-StarX cohort

Join the next
J-StarX cohort

Accelerate from Japan to the world with online content, expert mentoring, investment opportunities and immersive local and international experiences.

J-StarX Healthcare Acceleration Program
"MedTech Cohort" is co-organised by JETRO
J-StarX Healthcare Acceleration Program "MedTech Cohort" is co-organised by JETRO.

Apply by August 25

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