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10 UAE Startups Participating in the Global Startup Exchange Program in Japan

 

The Global Startup Exchange Program was held in Japan from September 15 to 19, 2025, welcoming 10 Emirati startups with ambitions to enter the Japanese market. The initiative was jointly organized by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and coordinated by Universal Materials Incubator (UMI), a Japanese venture capital firm, with support by Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME).

10 participating UAE startups and JU-CAT organizers

This program marked a significant milestone in bilateral innovation cooperation and was structured around three core pillars:

  1. 1. Guidance on Japanese market entry and business culture
  2. 2. Connection with Japanese investors
  3. 3. Engagement with major industrial players and trading houses for co-development and localization

Participants received interactive lectures from key institutions such as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), laying the foundation for long-term collaboration. The Tokyo innovation ecosystem was showcased through visits to the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) and the Tokyo Venture Capital Hub, where a pitch event was held to introduce the startups to potential Japanese investors.

Left: MoIAT/METI investment panel discussion, Right: Investor pitch session at Tokyo VC Hub

The 10 Emirati startups represented a diverse range of industries, including agricultural biochar for desertification mitigation, defense technologies, and AI applications. The participating startups were:

 

The program concluded at the Osaka Expo during the UAE National Day, where participants toured the UAE Pavilion and attended cultural events. HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was present at the national day event, along with Yuichiro Koga, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry reinforcing the commitment to the UAE-Japan relations.

This event was the first successful trial of its kind between the UAE and Japanese governments. Through the Japan-UAE Coordination Scheme for Advanced Technology, continued support will be provided to participating startups to facilitate market entry and foster cross-border R&D and commercial cooperation.

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