mint Opens Applications for the 33rd Cohort of 'FLAP', a Free Office and Entrepreneur Community for Pre-Seed and Seed-Stage Founders

mint Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; General Partners: Keisuke Kogure, Tomoki Shirakawa, Kosuke Takeda; hereinafter 'the Company') has today begun accepting applications for the 33rd cohort of 'FLAP', a free office support program for entrepreneurs who are preparing to start or are in the early stages of their business. Selected companies will be provided with six months of free office support and various support programs.

What is the Free Office Support & Entrepreneur Community 'FLAP'?

'FLAP' is a free office and entrepreneur community for pre-seed and seed-stage founders. Participating companies can use the incubation office 'ivy' in Shibuya 24/7/365 (with company registration permitted). While reducing the financial burden of business preparation, including office costs, we provide a network of entrepreneurs, experts, and prominent business leaders to support business growth.

To allow startups to invest their most important resource, 'time', into their business to the fullest, we do not adopt a 'school format' that requires fixed hours like an accelerator program. Instead, we aim for mutual problem-solving and friendly competition within a 'community' centered around the selected companies.

The program started in August 2018, and over 32 cohorts, approximately 130 companies have participated. Recruitment and operation occur once every three months, with the intention that it can be utilized at any stage of business preparation. After participating in the program, many selected companies have completed funding rounds from venture capitalists and angel investors, as well as M&A from operating companies. The Company has also invested in 18 of these companies.

What are the benefits of participating in 'FLAP'?

1. Free 6-month use of ivy

We provide free use of 'ivy', the incubation office for mint's portfolio companies. This reduces the cost burden of setting up an office and registering a company before and after founding, as well as the stress of finding places like cafes or hourly rental spaces. ivy is a 6-minute walk from Shibuya Station and can be used as a registered address (extension beyond 6 months is negotiable).

2. Free & Discount Package 'Service for FLAP'

To minimize expenses during the early stages, we provide support to reduce the financial burden of business preparation and validation. This includes offering free or discounted plans for various business tools for startup operations and introducing collaboration plans with professionals such as lawyers and tax accountants.

3. Entrepreneur Community

Participants can gain early-stage entrepreneurial knowledge from connections with 'entrepreneur peers' at a similar business phase and consult with each other about their challenges. The backgrounds of past participating teams are diverse, including serial entrepreneurs, student founders, young aces from major/IT companies, and professionals with experience as doctors or lawyers, who share their respective expertise. Furthermore, FLAP started in 2018 and has been used by approximately 130 companies over 32 cohorts. Many of the past graduate teams continue to challenge themselves as leading Japanese startups, achieving funding rounds worth billions of yen, M&A from operating companies, and winning or placing in famous pitch contests. The environment allows participants to connect with these FLAP alumni.

4. Networking with Experts and Prominent Business Leaders

We provide opportunities for networking with mentors, including experts and business leaders in various fields, to advance business validation. The incubation office 'ivy' houses mint's portfolio companies, specialists in design and product development, and mint members. Numerous interaction opportunities are provided through monthly 'networking events' and 'study sessions' where residents share knowledge. During the program period, participants can also attend networking events with experts and prominent business leaders offered to mint's portfolio companies.

5. Fundraising Support from mint

During the program, if there is a fundraising need, the Company will consider investing up to 150 million yen. Over the past 32 cohorts, the Company has invested in 18 startups.

Office Support Program 'FLAP' 33rd Cohort Recruitment Overview

Office: ivy (A-PLACE Shibuya Nanpeidai 2F)

Residency Period: July 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026 (33rd Cohort)

Application Requirements:

1. Entrepreneurs preparing to start or in the early stages of their business

2. Planning a growth strategy predicated on future fundraising

3. Willingness to actively participate in the 'FLAP' community

Application Period: June 2, 2026 - June 16, 2026

Application Form → https://forms.gle/wzTRPvQSztK728ZY6

About mint

As a venture capital firm specializing in seed and pre-seed investments, mint established its first fund of approximately 5.2 billion yen in 2021 and its second fund of approximately 10 billion yen in 2025, investing in startups both in Japan and abroad. The company provides end-to-end entrepreneur support from the founding stage to the growth stage, including operating the office support/entrepreneur community 'FLAP' for those considering starting a business.

Company Name: mint Inc. Representatives: General Partners Keisuke Kogure, Tomoki Shirakawa, Kosuke Takeda Location: A-PLACE Shibuya Nanpeidai 2F, 2-17 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Investment Theme: All genres (Internet, Entertainment Content, AI, Deep Tech, Crypto, etc.) Investment Target: Pre-seed to Series C Investment Amount: 10 million yen to 750 million yen URL: https://mint-vc.com