Onlab Seed Accelerator Program 32nd

Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator 32nd Batch

Deadline: September 28, 2026 |
Program period: December 2026 to March 2027

Application Growth

FOUNDERS WE SUPPORT

Founders Shaping the Future Across Industries

Onlab supports founders who see untapped potential and turn bold ideas into reality.

TECH / SOFTWARE

AI / DATA
SAAS / ENTERPRISE
FINTECH
SECURITY
LEGALTECH / GOVTECH
CRYPTO

PRIMARY INDUSTRY / ENVIRONMENT

AGRITECH
ENVIRONMENT

LIFESTYLE / CONSUMER

D2C / CONSUMER
EC / MARKETPLACE
FOOD / BEVERAGE
PET

CITY / SPACE / INFRASTRUCTURE

CONSTRUCTION TECH
REAL ESTATE / SPACE
MOBILITY
LOGISTICS
TRAVEL / HOSPITALITY
SPACE / DEEPTECH

PEOPLE / SOCIETY

EDUCATION / KIDS
HEALTH / WELLNESS
HRTECH / WORKSTYLE
SOCIAL / COMMUNITY

ENTERTAINMENT / MEDIA

ENTERTAINMENT / XR
MEDIA / CONTENT

NETWORK & OPPORTUNITIES

Global Connections, Limitless Opportunities

With hubs in Tokyo and San Francisco, Onlab connects founders with
leading tech companies, investors, and communities worldwide—
turning global connections into new opportunities and breakthrough growth.

Series T with OpenAI

Hosted a pitch event with OpenAI for AI-native founders, offering a total of $1 million in OpenAI API credits, along with AWS cloud credits and exclusive Notion benefits.

CO-HOSTED EVENT

VIBE25-5 with Transpose Platform

Co-hosted a hackathon with Silicon Valley-based Transpose Platform, bringing together participants from diverse nationalities and professional backgrounds to build products in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

CO-HOSTED EVENT

ClawCon Tokyo with OpenClaw

Co-hosted Asia’s first OpenClaw community event with DG and SVJP, featuring OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger. Developers and entrepreneurs from Japan and abroad came together to explore the latest developments in AI agents and exchange insights.

CO-HOSTED EVENT

SHIBUYA Coworking Space

A dedicated hub at Shibuya PARCO where Onlab startups work, connect, and grow together.

SPACE

DG717

Our San Francisco hub connecting startups with local founders, investors, and the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

SPACE

ALUMNI

Growth That Goes Beyond the Program

167
Total Startups
68.0%
Fundraising Success Rate
16.7%
Exit Rate

GROWTH STORIES

JPY 310M

bestat | Total Series A Funding

From research and technical validation through Onlab to commercialization. Onlab Fund I participated as a co-lead investor in the Series A round, supporting a total raise of JPY 310 million and growth at scale.

Hands-on Support
Follow-on Investment

2.5×

Adora | Significant Growth in Active Users

During the three-month Onlab program, Adora expanded through partnerships with major telecom carriers and entry into global markets, driving significant growth in active users.

Hands-on Support
Strategic Introductions
Mentoring

FOUNDER VOICES

Taro FukuyamaBatch 3

Fond Technologies, Inc Founder

For us, Onlab is like a launchpad to the world. After participating in Onlab, we challenged ourselves in the United States, and with the support of the Onlab team, we were able to take on this overseas challenge. In this sense, it truly felt like a launchpad to the world.

Shoji MiyataBatch 10

SmartHR, Inc. Founder

“SmartHR” was born through ten pivots during our time at Onlab. Without Onlab, SmartHR wouldn’t exist today. The strong pressure from the mentors and the time constraint of having a Demo Day in three months brought an incredible speed to our development.

Mutsumi OtaBatch 1

giftee Inc. Founder

Several other founders joined the same Onlab batch as us. I still vividly remember everyone working late into the night at the lab, each deeply focused on building their own product. It may have seemed like an ordinary scene, but their dedication and seriousness have stayed with me ever since.

Komei SasakiBatch 25

REDCLIFF, Inc. CEO

While “drone shows” are often seen as part of the event industry, this program revealed possibilities in advertising, art, and technology. Pursuing an IPO requires diverse learning; Onlab connects you with mentors and founders to help expand your market.

Kaori ChibaBatch 25

kaeka Inc. CEO

I think many people struggle with starting a business without knowing the basics. Receiving precise advice from mentors at Onlab broadened my perspective, and this support has helped me immensely in my current role. Objective and appropriate input on our business helped us convey the appeal and challenges of our service.

Hibiki SatoBatch 29

Amplium, Inc Co-Founder & CEO

During the program, Onlab’s mentors came all the way to San Francisco and supported us in every area, from business development to workspace. I was also inspired by fellow founders who thought globally from day one. As part of the Onlab community, we will continue taking bold steps toward building a startup that can compete worldwide.

See more Alumni’s Voices (JA)

COMMUNITY

Founder Connections That Last

A community where fellow founders and alumni challenge your toughest decisions,
offer fresh perspectives, and help you move forward with confidence.

A Founder Community Connecting Across Generations

TRUST — Over 15 Years of Expertise and a Global Network

Our ecosystem spans North America, Europe, and Asia, opening new doors at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

DECISION SUPPORT — You Don’t Have to Make the Hard Calls Alone

Vision, decision-making, and course correction. In the age of AI, we help founders navigate the deeply human thinking that only people can do.

MENTORS

Move Forward with Leading Founders and Experts

From fundraising and customer acquisition to enterprise sales, hiring, legal matters,
and global expansion, every startup faces different challenges.
Through a mentor network of seasoned founders, investors, and domain experts, Onlab connects you with the right people to address specific challenges that cannot be solved by general advice alone.

PROGRAM MENTORS

Kaoru Hayashi

Digital Garage, Inc.Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO

Atsuhiro Murakami

Kakaku.com, Inc.Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Yuzo Takamatsu

Kakaku.com, Inc.Senior Managing Executive Officer, Head of Incubation Company

Lisa Katayama

Digital Garage, Inc.Corporate Officer and CTrO

Go Kawasaki

Kakaku.com, Inc.Executive Officer Manager, Group Governance Dept. & Corporate Planning Dept.

Tatsuya Matsui

Kakaku.com, Inc.General Manager, Business Promotion Department, Incubation Company

Teruhide Sato

BEENEXT Capital Management Pte. Ltd.Founder and CEO

Hiro Maeda

ALL STAR SAAS FUNDManaging Partner

ALUMNI MENTORS

Mutsumi Ota

giftee Group Inc.Representative Director, CEO

Taro Fukuyama

Fond Technologies, Inc FounderRice Capital Founder

Shota Horii

SmartBank, Inc.Representative Director, CEO

Eiko Matsumura

Jigyoka-Sozo Inc.Director

Takanori Yokoi

Increments Inc. (currently Qiita Inc.)Co-founder

Shoji Miyata

Nstock Inc.Representative Director, CEO

Shingo Kurihara

POPER Co.,Ltd.Chief Executive Officer

FUNDING & SUPPORT

Build with Focus, Grow with Ambition

As startups grow, we consider follow-on investment and create opportunities for further funding and partnerships through Demo Day, attended by 100+ investors and corporate leaders.
We also provide timely support through Digital Garage Group’s resources, our Tokyo and San Francisco hubs, and a global network of 60+ partners.

FUNDING｜Equity Investment

To help founders stay focused on building their businesses throughout the program, Onlab Fund II may consider making an equity investment. The final amount and terms are determined based on each company’s stage, traction, and overall circumstances.

CREDITS｜Cloud and AI Credits

Selected startups may receive credits of up to USD 25,000 from AWS and USD 30,000 from OpenAI as part of the equity investment package. Additional resources may also be provided to accelerate product development and support growth at each stage.

WORKSPACE｜Locations

Workspace is available in Shibuya, Daikanyama, and San Francisco for up to two years at no cost. Team retreat accommodations are also available in Japan. *Terms and availability vary by location.

GO GLOBAL｜Global Expansion

Accelerate global expansion through introductions to local angel investors, VCs, and founder communities in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, as well as support with U.S. incorporation, bank account setup, and visas.

BUSINESS ASSETS

DG Financial Technology, Inc.

One of Japan’s leading fintech companies, with 1.4 million payment locations and over ¥10 trillion in annual transaction volume across the group (as of June 2026). It provides end-to-end solutions for e-commerce businesses, from development and marketing to payments.

Exclusive VeriTrans4G discount
Payment data partnerships
Dedicated expert support

Kakaku.com, Inc.

Operates some of Japan’s largest digital platforms, including Tabelog (97.08M monthly users), Kakaku.com (31.01M), and Kyujin Box (15.57M), as of March 2026. Through services spanning HR, travel, real estate, and more, the company creates value for both consumers and businesses.

Exclusive Mentoring for Selected Startups
Potential Business Collaboration with Kakaku.com

DG Incubation, Inc.

Onlab Fund II invests in selected Onlab Seed Accelerator startups. High-growth portfolio companies may also receive follow-on investment and business support after the initial investment.

Equity investment in selected startups
Business growth support
Impact creation and ESG management support

BENEFITS Benefits for Selected Startups

Access exclusive benefits from 60+ partners designed to
accelerate your startup’s growth.

APPLICATION

How to Apply

Program	Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator 32nd Batch
Deadline	September 28, 2026, at noon (JST)
Selection Schedule	Application review: Early October Round 1 interviews & due diligence: Mid-October Round 2 interviews & due diligence: Late October Final selection: Late November Program: Mid-December 2026–Late March 2027 Demo Day: Late March 2027 *In-person meetings in Shibuya are preferred. Dates are subject to change.
Participation Requirements	If your business is based on research findings, patents, or other intellectual property, you must have the legal right to use such intellectual property and must not infringe the rights of any third party. You must be available to participate in lectures, mentoring sessions, regular meetings, and other activities held during the approximately three-month Open Network Lab Seed Accelerator Program (collectively, the “Program”). Sessions are generally held on weekdays for approximately two hours per week. You must also be capable of developing a prototype or achieving meaningful business progress during the Program and demonstrating the results. If you have received investment from another company or investor, you must obtain their consent to participate. Your business must not violate public order or accepted standards of conduct. You, your team members, their relatives, and any other related parties must not be members of, affiliated with, or otherwise connected to antisocial forces. There are no restrictions based on nationality, age, or gender. However, non-Japanese nationals residing in Japan must hold valid legal status to remain in Japan during any period specified by Digital Garage, Inc. (“Digital Garage”) or its group companies (collectively, the “DG Group”) within the Program term. Applicants who are minors must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Terms of Participation	Applicants must provide any additional documents or information requested by Digital Garage or the DG Group during the selection or admission process. Applicants must comply with all requirements and procedures relating to the application, selection, and admission process, and agree to the separate Program Terms and Conditions provided by Digital Garage and the DG Group. Participants must be available to attend Program-related events organized by Digital Garage or the DG Group during the Program. If your company has not been incorporated at the time of application, you must establish a legal entity during the Program. Participants must consent to having their activities featured on the official Open Network Lab website and in media channels operated by Digital Garage or the DG Group. Participants must be able to focus on the business submitted in their application throughout the Program. Participants must agree not to discuss investment or business partnerships with any third party during the Program without the prior approval of Digital Garage and the DG Group. As a condition of receiving investment from Open Network Lab Fund II (“Onlab Fund II”), participants must enter into a separate investment agreement and allocate a portion of their company’s shares to the fund. If the company has not yet been incorporated, this will apply after incorporation.

FAQ

Check These Before You Apply

Is investment required? How much funding is available?: If selected, receiving investment from Onlab Fund II is a condition of participation. The investment amount and terms will be determined individually based on the company’s stage, track record, and other relevant factors. Details will be provided from the second-round interview onward.

Can we receive only the credits and other program benefits?: No. Credits such as up to USD 25,000 from AWS and USD 30,000 from OpenAI are provided to selected companies as part of the equity investment package. This is also specified in the program terms.

May we discuss investment with third parties during the selection process or program?: As a general rule, please refrain from entering investment discussions without the prior approval of Digital Garage and the DG Group. Should a specific opportunity arise, please consult with us first. Further details are provided in the program terms.

Please contact us for any questions other than the above.

Apply