2026 Calling2Scale Gunma Startup Market Entry Programme

Calling2Scale Gunma is a three-month hybrid market-entry programme for advanced European startups seeking to enter Japan through direct collaboration with leading companies in Gunma Prefecture. Selected startups receive training on the Japanese innovation ecosystem, structured corporate matchmaking, and a €2,200 travel and accommodation contribution for an in-person immersion event in Gunma.

About Calling2Scale Gunma

Calling2Scale Gunma is an international startup acceleration and market-entry programme launched by EIT Food in partnership with the Gunma Prefecture Governor’s Office. The programme is designed to help advanced European startups explore commercial opportunities in Japan by connecting them directly with established companies in Gunma. Rather than focusing only on general startup training, Calling2Scale Gunma is built around specific corporate innovation challenges. Selected startups work with participating Japanese companies to explore potential partnerships, technology applications, and Proof-of-Concept opportunities. What Is the Calling2Scale Gunma Programme? Calling2Scale Gunma is a three-month hybrid programme combining online training with an in-person business immersion in Gunma, Japan. These challenges provide startups with a defined entry point for demonstrating how their technology could solve an existing industrial or business problem in Japan. Programme Structure The three-month programme combines online learning, corporate engagement, and an in-person immersion experience. Online Training Selected startups participate in six online training sessions.

The sessions cover areas such as:

Japan’s innovation ecosystem. Japanese business culture. Regulatory considerations. Pitching for Japanese stakeholders. Corporate collaboration. Market-entry preparation. The training is intended to prepare startups for productive engagement with Japanese corporate partners. 1:1 Corporate Meetings Startups receive structured individual meetings with innovation contacts from the participating companies.

These meetings allow startups to:

Present their technology. Understand corporate requirements. Discuss potential applications. Explore partnership opportunities. Identify potential Proof-of-Concept projects. Immersion Lab in Gunma The programme includes an in-person Immersion Lab in Gunma, Japan.

The immersion experience includes:

Curated business matchmaking. Corporate site visits. Sector-specific roundtables. Discussions with Japanese companies. Proof-of-Concept scoping. The physical immersion is intended to help startups move from initial discussions toward concrete collaboration opportunities. Travel and Accommodation Support Each selected startup receives a €2,200 lump-sum contribution toward travel and accommodation costs associated with the in-person Immersion Lab in Gunma. This support helps European startups participate in the Japan-based component of the programme. Applicants should nevertheless consider the total cost of international travel and participation when planning their involvement. Who Is Eligible? Calling2Scale Gunma is intended for advanced European startups with mature technologies and international growth ambitions. Applicants must meet the following core requirements: Be a legally incorporated startup. Be established in an EU Member State or an eligible Horizon Europe Associated Country for Pillar III activities. Have a product or technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or above. Have completed at least one funding round. Address at least one innovation challenge identified by the participating Japanese corporations. Understanding TRL 7 Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7) indicates a relatively advanced stage of technological development. At this stage, the technology should generally have progressed beyond laboratory or prototype validation and be demonstrated in an operational or relevant environment. This requirement means the programme is primarily designed for startups with technologies that are sufficiently mature to explore real-world industrial applications and corporate partnerships. Why It Matters for European Startups Entering the Japanese market can require more than having a technically strong product. Startups also need to understand local business practices, regulatory conditions, corporate decision-making processes, and potential commercial partners. Calling2Scale Gunma addresses these challenges by combining: The programme can therefore provide a structured pathway for startups that are ready to explore international expansion but need suitable corporate partners and local market knowledge. How the Programme Works

Step 1: Identify a Relevant Challenge

Startups should review the innovation challenges presented by participating Gunma corporations. The proposed technology must have a clear connection to at least one of these challenges.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

Before applying, startups should verify that they: Are legally incorporated in an eligible European country. Meet the TRL 7+ requirement. Have completed at least one funding round. Can demonstrate a strong technological or commercial proposition.

Step 3: Prepare the Application

The application should clearly explain:

What the startup does. The maturity of its technology. Which corporate challenge it addresses. How the solution could benefit the Japanese partner. Why Japan is strategically relevant. What type of collaboration or Proof-of-Concept could be developed.

Step 4: Participate in Online Training

Selected startups complete six online sessions covering Japanese business practices, innovation, regulation, pitching, and corporate engagement.

Step 5: Engage With Corporate Partners

Startups participate in structured 1: 1 meetings with innovation contacts from the participating companies.

These discussions help identify areas for collaboration and potential pilot projects.

Step 6: Attend the Gunma Immersion Lab

Selected startups travel to Gunma for the in-person immersion progr