image: The aerial drone photos of the main campus of OIST in Onna-son Okinawa.
Credit: OIST/Andrew Scott/Jeff Prine
As global demand grows to translate scientific discovery into real-world applications, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has opened applications for the 2027–2028 cohort of its flagship Innovation Accelerator. The 10-month program supports entrepreneurial researchers developing deep technologies with strong potential for commercialization in the Japanese market.
Up to four research-driven ventures will be selected to participate in the fully immersive residency, each receiving up to ¥10 million in project funding. The program is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market deployment by combining structured research and development support with hands-on market validation and investment worthiness preparation. Applications close on June 28, 2026, with finalist selection scheduled for January 2027 ahead of the cohort start in June 2027.
Japan represents one of the most advanced and strategically important markets for deep technologies, particularly in sectors such as life sciences, sustainable materials, environmental technologies, and artificial intelligence. At the same time, the October 2025 reform of the Business Manager Visa raised the minimum paid-in capital requirement from ¥5 million to ¥30 million and made the hiring of at least one full-time qualifying employee mandatory, alongside new requirements for management experience, Japanese-language capability, and an expert-certified business plan. The OIST Innovation Accelerator addresses these barriers from initial validation through to long-term operations in Japan.
Based at OIST’s campus in Onna Village, Okinawa, the program runs from June 2027 to March 2028. Participants gain access to advanced research infrastructure, a structured commercialization curriculum, and OIST’s international network of industry partners and investors, including the OIST–Lifetime Ventures Fund. The program is organized into three phases: Discover, focusing on early customer and market validation; Design, centered on commercial architecture and proof-of-business development; and Go, aimed at investment readiness and establishing a long-term presence in Japan.
“Japan is one of the most strategically important markets in the world for deep technology, and one of the hardest to enter. Recent immigration reforms have raised the bar and cost of doing business in Japan further for foreign founders. We built this program around what entrepreneurial researchers actually need to land, validate, and stay in Japan: a credible local entity, commercial traction, capital partners, and a community that opens doors,” said Yannick Gayama, Lead of the OIST Innovation Accelerator
The 2027–2028 cohort will focus on two priority areas: Bioconvergence, integrating biology, engineering, and data sciences to promote the sustainable development of human and environmental health, aligned with the ‘One World, One Health’ concept advanced by the OIST Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation (COI-NEXT, JST); and the Okinawa Sandbox, which supports solutions addressing regional economic, social, and environmental challenges while serving as a testbed for broader global applications.
Eligible applicants should demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 4 and 6 (a technology validated in a laboratory and demonstrated in a relevant environment) and an Innovation Readiness Level (IRL) between 2 and 3 (a commercial application identified with early conceptual evidence of market need). Teams must include at least one researcher or scientist, demonstrate ownership of core intellectual property, and show a clear commitment to entering the Japanese market. At least one co-founder or senior executive must be able to relocate to Okinawa for the duration of the program.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with selected teams invited to interviews beginning in mid-July 2026 and finalist selection scheduled for January 2027. Further information, including full eligibility criteria and application details, is available at https://bit.ly/OIST-Accel-Page. Inquiries may be directed to accelerator@oist.jp.
About the OIST Innovation Accelerator
The OIST Innovation Accelerator is part of OIST’s broader innovation ecosystem, which supports the translation of scientific research into real-world applications. The ecosystem includes technology transfer, proof-of-concept funding, venture creation support, and access to global industry and investment networks. The Accelerator is supported by the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the OIST Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation (COI-NEXT), funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
About OIST
Founded in 2011, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is a graduate university dedicated to advancing science and technology on a global scale. By attracting leading researchers from Japan and around the world, OIST has established a world-class research hub and innovative knowledge cluster.
OIST conducts interdisciplinary, world-class research that explores new frontiers of scientific knowledge, educates the next generation of scientific leaders, and promotes innovation and economic development in Okinawa.