EIC opens Multi‑Corporate Day with JETRO and five Japanese industrial giants to help EIC-backed companies enter Japan
- ›The European Innovation Council invites EIC-backed start-ups and SMEs to apply for a Business Acceleration Multi‑Corporate Day in Japan with JETRO and five major Japanese corporations.
- ›Selected participants receive curated preparation, 1-to-1 expert sessions, pitch coaching and access to decision makers from DNP, JX Advanced Metals, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NEC and Shimizu.
- ›The in-person programme runs in Tokyo and Osaka from 6 to 9 October 2025 and the application deadline is 30 June 2025.
- ›Only EIC-backed companies may apply and selected firms must be represented by C-level executives and cover their travel and accommodation costs.
- ›Applications and company data will be shared with the corporate partners who will select participants based on strategic fit. Unsuccessful applicants will not receive feedback.
EIC Multi‑Corporate Day with JETRO: what is on offer and who should apply
The European Innovation Council in partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization is running a targeted Business Acceleration initiative for EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups. The engagement involves curated preparatory work, bespoke feedback and matchmaking with five large Japanese corporations. The in-person activities will take place in Tokyo and Osaka between 6 and 9 October 2025. The open call is restricted to companies that already have an EIC backing. The application deadline is 30 June 2025.
What selected companies will receive
The EIC says selected participants will get privileged access to senior decision makers and receive personalised preparatory support. The concrete services listed include one-to-one sessions with the corporate partners, business expert coaching, pitch dry runs, pitch deck feedback and business proposal review. During the programme there will be networking, curated matching and pitching opportunities both online and in person.
Who can apply and how companies are selected
This call is open only to start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs that are EIC-backed. The application form requires consent for the EIC to share supplied information with the five corporate partners. The partners will select participants based on their stated business interests and strategic priorities. The EIC will contact successful applicants. No feedback will be provided to those not selected.
Dates, eligibility and practical requirements
Key dates are the application deadline of 30 June 2025 and the in‑person programme in Tokyo and Osaka from 6 to 9 October 2025. Selected participants must be available for the whole cycle including preparation, event days and follow-up work. C-level representation is mandatory. Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of participants. Attendees must fill a satisfaction survey shortly after the event and a business impact survey six months later. Failure to comply may affect future access to EIC Business Acceleration Services.
Corporate partners and their priorities
The Multi‑Corporate Day brings five large Japanese industrial groups and JETRO together. The EIC materials emphasise the partners' global reach and combined economic scale. Applicants should study each partner's priorities carefully because partner selections will be based on strategic fit.
| Corporate partner | Business focus and priorities | Notable scale details |
| Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) | Digital and emerging technologies, next‑generation semiconductor materials, microfabrication and advanced materials, recycling and decarbonisation solutions | Operates in 43 countries. Reported annual revenue approximately €8.3 billion |
| JX Advanced Metals Corporation | Advanced materials for semiconductors and ICT, energy transition materials based on powder and crystal technologies, rare earth recovery and refining | Operations across around 15 countries |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) | Space systems and earth observation, high‑speed communications, deep tech digital fields such as AI and quantum, energy conversion and decarbonisation, circular economy and advanced materials | More than €27.39 billion annual revenue and over 100,000 employees worldwide, presence in over 60 countries |
| NEC | IT and network technologies, AI and security, space communications and sensing, edge computing and operational excellence solutions including agentic AI and robotics | Operating in 50+ countries with more than 100,000 employees |
| Shimizu Corporation | Sustainable and energy efficient construction, green building materials, digital transformation in the built environment, open innovation via SHIMZ NEXT | Founded 1804. Annual revenue reported around €11.44 billion and more than 22,000 employees |
Fields of interest for applicants
The corporate partners are looking for disruptive and scalable technologies in multiple, overlapping domains. The EIC lists broad categories and more detailed priorities that applicants should match to their offering.
Context and caveats for applicants
The EIC frames the initiative as an accelerator to help scaling European innovators land pilots or commercial partnerships in Japan. The programme offers curated exposure to senior corporate teams which can shorten the time to a procurement or pilot. At the same time the call material contains standard caveats applicants should weigh before applying.
The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme is part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services. The EIC highlights that the Corporate Partnership Programme has engaged over 1,500 EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups and more than 2,500 corporate representatives since its inception. Those headline figures are useful to understand scale but applicants should treat reported impacts such as deal closure timelines with measured expectations and ask concrete questions about pilot support, procurement pathways and metrics during preparatory sessions.
Practical advice for applicants
If you are an EIC‑backed company considering this opportunity prepare to align closely with partner needs and to demonstrate readiness for pilot or procurement conversations. Below are practical steps to increase your chances of selection and to make the trip productive if selected.
How to apply and further information
EIC-backed companies should apply using the EIC Community platform before the 30 June 2025 deadline. The application asks for project and company details that will be shared with the corporate partners for selection. For clarifications applicants can contact the EIC helpdesk and specify 'EIC Multi‑Corporate Day with JETRO' as the subject.
This initiative sits within the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme which runs curated Corporate Days and Multi‑Corporate Days to facilitate corporate‑startup collaboration across sectors in Europe and beyond. Applicants with an interest in Japan should also consider parallel engagement with JETRO services to support market entry and the logistics of establishing local partnerships.
Final note and recommended questions to ask before applying
The offer provides a concentrated exposure to leading Japanese companies and a structured preparation package which can accelerate business development in Japan. At the same time prospective participants should be aware of selection opacity, the financial burden of travel and the requirement to assign senior executives. Before applying consider asking the EIC contact or your EIC programme manager the following operational questions.
| Recommended pre-application questions | Why to ask |
| Will selected companies get introductions to specific business or procurement units within the corporate partner? | Clarifies practical pathways to pilots or procurement beyond initial meetings |
| Will any NDAs be facilitated or required for technical discussions during the event? | Protects IP and sets expectations for confidential exchanges |
| What level of follow-up support or matchmaking does the EIC provide after the event? | Determines whether the programme helps move interest into tangible agreements |
| Are travel and accommodation costs the only costs participants must cover? | Helps budget and avoid unexpected expenses |
| How will selection decisions be communicated and is there any appeal or feedback mechanism? | Clarifies the selection process and transparency |
Applying organisations should weigh the potential benefits against the costs and obligations and prepare applications that are targeted to the partners most likely to need their technology. The EIC and JETRO offer a channel into a large and complex market but converting introductions into pilots and revenue will require follow-up, commercial readiness and alignment with local corporate processes.