Welcome to the OIST Innovation Accelerator application page!
You've taken the first step toward building something that matters, and we're glad you're here.
The OIST Innovation Accelerator is a competitive 10-month residency for founders ready to validate their science and technology in the Japanese market. Based at OIST's oceanside campus in Okinawa, the program fuses hands-on R&D, customer discovery, and go-to-market into a structured journey that ends with real traction and a compelling case for your next growth stage.
We select four teams per cohort. Small by design, so every team gets the attention, lab access, and coaching they deserve.
How the selection works
The process unfolds in four stages:
- Application review. Our team reviews all submissions against eligibility and program fit criteria. Shortlisted applicants are notified by late July.
- Online interview (early August). The top 16 teams are invited to a 45-minute interview: a short pitch followed by a deep-dive Q&A. Finalists submit a revised pitch deck at the end of this stage.
- In-person bootcamp in Okinawa (late October to early November 2026). The top 8 teams join us on campus for an immersive week of workshops, expert sessions, and pitching at Startup Elevate. Travel and accommodation for one co-founder are supported by OIST.
- Final selection (notified by end of January 2027). Four teams are selected for the full 10-month residency beginning June 2027.
Before you apply
Please read the program page and FAQ carefully. If you have questions not covered there, reach out to us at accelerator@oist.jp.
We look forward to reading your application.
The OIST Innovation team
The OIST Innovation Accelerator is sponsored by Okinawa Prefectural Government and Japan Science and Technology Agency COI-NEXT Program.
OIST Innovation Accelerator
Welcome to the OIST Innovation Accelerator application page!
You've taken the first step toward building something that matters, and we're glad you're here.
The OIST Innovation Accelerator is a competitive 10-month residency for founders ready to validate their science and technology in the Japanese market. Based at OIST's oceanside campus in Okinawa, the program fuses hands-on R&D, customer discovery, and go-to-market into a structured journey that ends with real traction and a compelling case for your next growth stage.
We select four teams per cohort. Small by design, so every team gets the attention, lab access, and coaching they deserve.
How the selection works
The process unfolds in four stages:
- Application review. Our team reviews all submissions against eligibility and program fit criteria. Shortlisted applicants are notified by late July.
- Online interview (early August). The top 16 teams are invited to a 45-minute interview: a short pitch followed by a deep-dive Q&A. Finalists submit a revised pitch deck at the end of this stage.
- In-person bootcamp in Okinawa (late October to early November 2026). The top 8 teams join us on campus for an immersive week of workshops, expert sessions, and pitching at Startup Elevate. Travel and accommodation for one co-founder are supported by OIST.
- Final selection (notified by end of January 2027). Four teams are selected for the full 10-month residency beginning June 2027.
Before you apply
Please read the program page and FAQ carefully. If you have questions not covered there, reach out to us at accelerator@oist.jp.
We look forward to reading your application.
The OIST Innovation team
The OIST Innovation Accelerator is sponsored by Okinawa Prefectural Government and Japan Science and Technology Agency COI-NEXT Program.