FAQ

Application requirements

One of the requirements for an applicant is that "an applicant whose company is NOT receiving other publicly-funded support at the expected time of program participation (September 6, 2019)" Does this "support" also include financial assistance such as grant-in-aid or subsidies?: "Publicly-funded support," which is a disqualifying condition, means support programs similar to APT Women (e.g. Start Next Innovator 2017 or Hiyaku Next Enterprise of METI, SAITAMA Smile Women Pitch). An entrepreneur who already took part in these programs at the time of the start of the APT Women program is not eligible to apply.
Meanwhile, an entrepreneur receiving financial assistance including grant-in-aid or subsidies may, depending on the conditions of such assistance, be eligible to apply, so consult with the Administrative Office.
One of the requirements for an applicant is "those who are willing to collaborate in projects related to entrepreneurship support by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government." What exactly does this mean?: All those selected as program participants are requested to take part in kick-off and final presentation events held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Participants may be requested to make a pitch talk or presentation which may be introduced by media coverage or the APT Women official website.
In addition, participants may be invited to seminar sessions for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's startup assistance programs other than APT Women to talk about their experience doing business overseas, upon consultation with the participant.
I do not have any plan for doing business overseas. Can I apply?: A domestic acceleration program is available for participants who have no plan to do business overseas.
I may not be available to physically attend all domestic acceleration program activities. Would this be a disqualifying condition or any disadvantage for me?: Participants must be basically available to attend all activities; however, those who will miss only a few activities but will be available to attend almost all activities can apply. Applicants who may not be able to attend all activities are requested to consult with the Administrative Office.
Some domestic acceleration program activities (e.g. lecture program and individual mentoring) may be attended by e-learning. However, some participatory events may not be attended by e-learning.
I may not be available to attend all overseas dispatch program activities and may join the program in the middle or leave for Japan early. Would this be a disqualifying condition or any disadvantage for me?: Depending on the situation of the program, participants may be allowed to join in the middle or leave for Japan early; however, participants must be basically available to attend all activities. Applicants who wish to proceed to the overseas dispatch program but have the possibility of joining in the middle or leaving early are requested to consult with the Administrative Office.
APT Women consists of five cohorts, so, an entrepreneur who wishes to participate in the international dispatch program but cannot attend all activities can consider applying for a different cohort.
Can I apply jointly with my business partner(s)?: Only one person may participate in the APT Women program, who must attend all activities in principle. We do not allow two or more persons attending the activities by turn.
However, a partner may be allowed to attend activities if such partner is accompanied by the participant. A participant who wishes to accompany partner(s) is requested to consult with the Administrative Office.
Participants are responsible for all expenses of accompanying partners, in particular, expenses for overseas dispatch programs.
I am going to launch a startup for business in foreign countries or business for inbound visitors. Am I qualified to apply?: An entrepreneur who is launching a startup for business in foreign countries or business for inbound visitors is generally qualified to apply. However, a case-by-case evaluation is necessary for an entrepreneur continuing business in foreign countries/regions without any ripple effect on Japan from the start, so consult with the Administrative Office.
I have already launched a business. Do I need to have headquarters registered in Tokyo? I am planning to launch a business. Do I need to have the main business establishment in Tokyo?: In either case, an entrepreneur who is considering developing business in Tokyo or contributing to Tokyo in any way in the future may apply.
In order to be qualified to apply, do I need to have a company logo, website or employees?: No. These are not required for being qualified to apply.

Documents submitted

What are the subject (theme) and requirements for a presentation material?: The subject (theme) is your own business. There is no information required be included in the presentation, so you are free to prepare a presentation consistent with the subject (theme).

Domestic acceleration program

Is English proficiency an examination criterion for admission in the program?: We do not place emphasis on English proficiency for applicants who do not wish to participate in the overseas dispatch program.

Overseas dispatch program

What is the level of English proficiency required?: We expect that participants are capable of making basic communications in the destination cities in foreign countries. Although English proficiency is one of the evaluation criteria for selection of participants in the overseas dispatch program, we do not make evaluation only based on English tests (e.g. TOEIC, Eiken).
May I arrange an interpreter on my own?: You can participate in the overseas dispatch program with your interpreter as long as you make arrangement by yourself and at your own cost.
According to the instruction, destination cities of the overseas dispatch program are determined considering the needs of program participants. If there are two or more prospective cities for the overseas dispatch program, how is it finally determined?: A city with the highest needs by participants is selected. So, the city which you propose may not be chosen if it is not a city most desired by all participants. We cannot guarantee which city will be finally selected for each cohort, so ask the Administrative Office.
If the city I proposed turns out to be different from the one finally determined, can I be selected as a participant in the overseas dispatch program?: All participants who wish to proceed to the overseas dispatch program are evaluated by the same standards. So, you are not disqualified just because you proposed a city different from the one finally determined.
If the destination city for the cohort which I applied for is not the one I proposed, is it possible to participate, for example, in the domestic acceleration program for the fourth cohort cohort and the overseas dispatch program in the fifth cohort?: In principle, you may participate in the overseas dispatch program for the same cohort of the domestic acceleration program which you participated in. However, for example, after you complete the first cohort overseas dispatch program, if you wish to join the subsequent cohort overseas dispatch program at your own cost, we need to decide whether to admit your participation considering your reasons, so consult with us.
About half of the participants in the domestic acceleration program are chosen to proceed to the overseas dispatch program. What is the timing of evaluation? What are the criteria for evaluation?: Our final decision will be made at the pitch to be held at the end of the domestic acceleration program, taking into account the totality of various factors, including the participant's desire, passion, financial basis for overseas business, feasibility of overseas business plan, the necessity of support by the overseas dispatch program and prospects for becoming a role model.

Outcome of participating in the programs

What outcome is expected of participants through the domestic and overseas dispatch programs?: APT Women aims to assist participants in scaling up their respective businesses and becoming a role model for a woman startup entrepreneur. So, we expect participants to make maximum efforts to achieve these goals.
Although this is not an "outcome," we may ask participants to provide support in our role-model initiatives, such as making a presentation on experience gained through APT Women for women entrepreneurs in Tokyo.