The Korea Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency announced on October 23 that it is operating the "2026 Global Startup School Local Entry Program" (G-Camp) in Japan from October 19 to 30 to support promising startups entering the Japanese market.
G-Camp is a program designed to assist companies enrolled in the Global Startup School with their overseas expansion, providing support for product and service localization, market fit verification, and local network establishment.
The agency has previously operated G-Camp programs primarily in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, launching its first program in France in 2024. This year, it established a "Japan Track" for the first time in response to the demand from enrolled companies for entry into Japan.
Participating companies have enhanced their understanding of the Japanese business environment and market characteristics through the first and second G-Camp sessions. They focused on improving their competitiveness for practical entry by developing investment attraction presentations (IR) and sales decks tailored to local investors and buyers, in collaboration with industry mentors.
The third G-Camp includes ten startups from various fields, such as interactive AI avatar solutions, K-beauty brands based on bio R&D, AI-driven neuroscience sleep solutions, and AI clinical solutions for pet healthcare.
These companies participated in the "Japan Summit," a global open innovation event held on October 21-22, seeking collaboration opportunities with local businesses.
The event featured over 100 major corporate partners, including MUFG, Aisin, Asahi Group, and Shimadzu, along with more than 70 global startups and approximately 2,500 local attendees.
Domestic startups showcased their products, technologies, and services at dedicated booths and presented their innovative technologies and business models on an official pitching stage. The agency will continue to support one-on-one business meetings and buyer matching with local investors and partners during the remaining camp period.
Im Ji-hyun, head of the Youth Startup School at the agency, stated, "The Japan Summit provided an opportunity for promising startups preparing to enter Japan to confirm their competitiveness in the local market based on their excellent technology and business potential. We will support the participating companies in their entry into the Japanese market and the creation of tangible business results."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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