The Founder University program was a continuous learning journey for us. As a company based in Southeast Asia, joining a US-based program gave us invaluable insight into the perspectives of US investors. We gained a deeper understanding of what truly matters for business growth, and since then, we have achieved strong progress, including significant client acquisition. Most importantly, the experience gave us the confidence and courage to pitch our vision anywhere in the world.
Cohort 2 — July 2026
Turn your startup idea into a reality.
A pre-accelerator by JETRO and Jason Calacanis' LAUNCH for the next generation of Japan-focused startups. Japan. Online. United States.
- Companies
- 30
- Finalists
- 10
- Weeks
- 12
01 — About
From Japan to the United States.
01
Japan Bootcamp
Four days of in-person lectures, workshops, and speed networking with entrepreneurs and investors. Fundamentals of go-to-market strategy, business models, and international legal regulations.
30 companies
02
Online Pre-Accelerator
Weekly 60–90 minute live sessions and pod mentoring. Curriculum spans entrepreneurial mindset, MVP development, business model design, market validation, TAM analysis, and competitive assessment.
03
US Immersion Week
A week in the United States for 10 selected companies. VC Road Show, pitch at LAUNCH FEST, and office tours of category-defining U.S. startups. Direct exposure to the world's deepest startup ecosystem.
10 selected companies
Backed by
LAUNCH
Founded by Jason Calacanis, LAUNCH runs the world's largest accelerator and pitch festival. Through Jason's network, our founders gain a direct line into the U.S. startup ecosystem.
launch.co ↗Jason Calacanis
Technology entrepreneur and fund manager. Host of This Week in Startups, co-host of the All-In Podcast. Began as a scout at Sequoia Capital, then invested as an angel in 550+ early-stage startups — including Uber.
Special talks
Lessons from operators
who've built it before.
03 — Testimonials