Japan's First Science-based Startup Creation Program

Black Belt Venture Studio is a new global partnership designed to support Tokyo’s ambitious vision to transform science-backed research into globally competitive startups.

Our Mission

To build the next generation of Japanese unicorns: born in Tokyo, powered by science.

Selected under the TOKYO SUTEAM initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Black Belt Global Venture Studio leverages University of Oxford’s Science of Startups methodology to identify exceptional founders, form high-performing teams, and fast-track PoC and MVP development in partnership with leading corporations and investors.

Our Approach

Black Belt Global Venture Studio applies a science-driven, venture-building model to turn ideas into investable startups.
We identify top entrepreneurial talent and promising early-stage technologies, assemble data-driven complementary teams, validate through structured PoC and MVP sprints, and connect ventures with investors, customers, and global partners—scaling from Tokyo to the world.

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Innovation Dojo Japan

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Innovation Dojo Japan is an Australia-founded, Japan-anchored global initiative led by seasoned innovators with deep experience in both high-growth startups and inside corporate giants. We leverage a unique whole-of-ecosystem approach - engaging talent, universities, corporates, VCs, and government - including our offer to embed our people into your team delivering people-first innovation as a trusted partner with a global perspective.

Website

Japan tech ventures

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Japan Tech Ventures is a Japan-based early-stage venture partner. We support startups with business expansion, capital readiness, and market entry, while working with corporates on investment vehicle design and open innovation programs aimed at new business creation. Through proof-of-concept projects, we connect both sides and help accelerate collaboration and growth.

Website

University of Oxford Science of Startups

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Launched last year by Professor Paul X. McCarthy of UNSW Sydney and CEO League of Scholars and Dr Fabian Braesemann at the University of Oxford, the Science of Startups Lab advances evidence-based venture design grounded in a decade of research. We turn science-backed methods and metrics into practical tools that help founders, corporates, and investors make better decisions from idea to scale.

Website

Meet the Team

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Joshua Flannery

Co-Founder and CEO, Innovation Dojo Japan

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Professor Paul X. McCarthy

Co-Founder, Science of Startups Initiative, University of Oxford & UNSW Sydney

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Itaru Ueda

Founder and Managing Director,
Japan Tech Ventures

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Kanako Murase

Senior Program Manager,
Innovation Dojo Japan

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Moe Gotoda

Australia & Japan Special Projects,
Innovation Dojo Japan

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Xian (Elaine) Gong

Data Scientist in League of Scholars, PhD candidate in University of Technology Sydney

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!