KOSME Supports K-Startups in Japan with 'G-Camp' Program

Targeting the Japanese Market at the Japan Summit

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) announced on October 23 that it will run the 2026 Global Startup Academy Japan Market Entry Program (G-Camp) in Japan to support promising startups seeking to enter the Japanese market.

G-Camp helps startups admitted to the Global Startup Academy enter local markets by supporting product and service localization, market fit validation, and the development of local networks. KOSME has previously run G-Camp programs focused on Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. This year, it added a Japan track in response to strong demand from participating startups to enter the Japanese market.

Through the first and second G-Camp programs, participating startups deepened their understanding of Japan's business environment and market characteristics. In particular, working with industry-specific mentors, they focused on strengthening their readiness for market entry by refining their investment pitches and sales decks to meet the expectations of Japanese investors and buyers, and by localizing their products and services.

Ten promising startups from a range of fields took part in the third G-Camp, including conversational artificial intelligence (AI) avatar solutions, K-beauty brands based on biotech research and development (R&D), AI-powered neuroscience-based sleep solutions, and AI clinical solutions for veterinary medicine. In particular, the participating startups attended the Japan Summit, a large-scale global open innovation event held from October 21 to 22.

The Japan Summit brought together around 100 corporate partners, including major companies MUFG, AISIN, Asahi Group, and Shimadzu; around 70 global startups; and approximately 2,500 local attendees. The participating startups operated dedicated booths to promote their products, technologies, and services and explore opportunities to collaborate with local companies. They also took the stage for official pitches, presenting their innovative technologies and business models and attracting interest from local investors and partner companies.

Lim Jihyeon, head of KOSME's Youth Startup Academy, said, "We will provide focused support, including one-on-one business meetings with local investors and partners and buyer matching, to help participating companies enter the Japanese market and achieve tangible business results."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.