Japan’s Global Startup Campus Initiative aims to promote innovation acceleration for deep technology startups making a global impact.
SRI has been chosen by the Japanese government to join the Global Startup Campus (GSC) Initiative, after being selected as a prospective awardee in September 2025. The Global Startup Campus Initiative is a Japanese government program aimed at creating Japan-origin deep tech startups while attracting outstanding talents and investment from around the world. SRI will collaborate with the GSC team in Tokyo to accelerate Japan’s deep tech startup ecosystem. SRI will be leading two of the initiative’s pilot efforts: the Venture Build Program and the International Research Program.
The GSC’s flagship campus will be established in central Tokyo (Ebisu) to foster startup creation and enable rapid commercialization of deep technology solutions. The program will bring together top researchers, venture builders, and investors from around the world to discover and advance various initiatives aimed at developing advanced technology solutions, from climate and sustainability to quantum computing and more. This initiative will unite Japan with other innovative ecosystems around the world through proactive and organic activities.
Creating solutions that draw from multiple disciplines, SRI transfers technologies from initial concept into customers’ hands, whether that’s developing solutions that recognize deepfakes, advancing cancer detection and treatment, helping educators take full advantage of technology, or designing imagers that withstand difficult space conditions.
“Today’s news represents a significant opportunity to bridge Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem with Japan’s strong leadership focus to deliver impactful technology throughout the world,” said Peter Marcotullio, senior vice president of SRI’s commercial business. “SRI’s mission has always been to translate breakthrough research into real-world solutions that benefit society, and the Global Startup Campus Initiative perfectly aligns with that vision.”
The Global Startup Campus Initiative positions Japan as a leading hub for deep technology innovation by creating an environment where researchers can discover, build, and finally transition critical technologies. Key program components include shaping research directions and cultivating commercially viable ventures equipped with state-of-the-art technology; creating incubation and accelerator programs focused on deep tech startups; facilitating connections between researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors; and developing pathways for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The initiative is expected to generate significant economic impact by fostering the creation of high-value startups that address pressing global challenges while strengthening Japan’s position in the international innovation landscape.
With a dedicated office in Tokyo, SRI has been partnering with commercial and government customers in the region for decades. Opening its doors in 2021, the Nomura-SRI Innovation Center (NSIC) was inspired by the opportunity to further strengthen connections between Japan and Silicon Valley through innovation services. Today, SRI’s programs and innovation leadership help organizations redefine the boundaries of innovation. For example, SRI is working with the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) in Japan’s Ministry of Defense to support a new technology research institute — the Defense Innovation Science and Technology Institute (DISTI) — to pursue breakthrough research on deep technologies that solve complex problems facing Japan’s national security.
To learn more about SRI’s work to accelerate technology innovation, please contact us today.
