How many companies were selected for the 8th JA Accelerator program?

Six companies were awarded the Excellence Prize and gained the right to participate in the program.

How many applications were received for the 8th JA Accelerator program?

A record high of 274 startups applied.

What kind of support is provided to the selected companies?

Over a period of about 5 months, proof-of-concept experiments utilizing JA Group assets and facilities are conducted, along with mentoring support from JA Group staff and a grant of up to 1 million yen.

When will the results of the 8th program be announced?

The results will be announced at the DEMO DAY, scheduled for November 2026.

What is the Innovative Award?

The Innovative Award is given to six companies that advanced to the final review but did not receive the Excellence Prize. Consideration is given to forming alliances or providing support in a different form from the program.

JA Accelerator Announces 6 Selected Startups for its 8th Batch

Published May 23, 2026 12:00 AM ・ Updated Jun 14, 2026 8:08 AM ・ 6 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

AgVenture Lab, a JA Group organization, has selected 6 startups for the 'JA Accelerator Program 8th Batch' following a business plan contest. These companies will collaborate with the JA Group over the next 5 months to conduct pilot projects, with final results to be presented at a Demo Day in November.

AgVenture Lab (Representative Director/Chair: Tomoko Tsuchida), a general incorporated association established by eight national organizations of the JA Group to co-create with startups, held its final judging 'Business Plan Contest' on May 21 to select participants for the 'JA Accelerator Program 8th Batch,' and has selected six companies.

For the next five months, these six companies will be supported in their business development while utilizing the extensive assets of the JA Group. The results are scheduled to be announced at the DEMO DAY (results presentation) to be held in November.

Started in 2019, this program enters its eighth year under the theme 'Co-creating a Sustainable Future for Food, Agriculture, and Daily Life.' It received a record-breaking 274 startup applications.

During the business plan contest on the 21st, 12 finalists delivered presentations. As a result of the judging, six companies won the 'Excellence Award' and earned the right to participate in the program. Similar to last year, a 'Hokkaido Quota' was set to support startups conducting pilot projects focused on the Hokkaido region.

Startups receiving the Excellence Award will conduct pilot projects utilizing JA Group assets and AgVenture Lab facilities while receiving hands-on support from employees of the program's sponsors: the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (ZEN-NOH) and The Norinchukin Bank. They will also receive a grant of up to 1 million yen for pilot project expenses.

Additionally, six companies that reached the final judging but did not win the Excellence Award were presented with the 'Innovative Award,' and they will be considered for alliances or support outside of this program.

Excellence Award (Total 6 companies, in order of presentation) Participating companies: - GOODGOOD Co., Ltd. (http://goodgood.jp/) 'Agriculture as a culture for everyone: Next-generation 6th sector industrialization' - Beef Sommelier Co., Ltd. (https://b-som.com/) 'Using AI to analyze gene expression and predict meat quantity/quality at harvest' - Naro Nature Ponics Co., Ltd. (https://naro-np.jp/) *Hokkaido quota: 'Organic liquid fertilizer business utilizing unused domestic resources' - Leacron Co., Ltd. (https://www.leacron.com/) 'Smart tool for rice paddy fertilization management using leaf color data' - SPACECOOL Co., Ltd. (https://spacecool.jp/) 'Bringing the coolness of tree shade to the world' - CULTA Co., Ltd. (https://culta.jp/) 'Creating agriculture resistant to climate change with new varieties'

Innovative Award (Total 6 companies, in order of presentation) Companies considered for alliances or support outside this program: - Blue Farm Co., Ltd. (https://blue-farm.co.jp/) - Sunlit Seedlings Co., Ltd. (https://www.sunlitseedlings.com/) - AutoCover Co., Ltd. (https://www.autocover.co.jp/) - Teraform Co., Ltd. (https://teraform-inc.com/) - Tomitec LLC (https://www.sintomitec.com/) - Ito Co., Ltd. (https://ito7.jp/)

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: News

JA Accelerator Announces 6 Selected Startups for its 8th Batch

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