Recruitment Begins for 'Sagamihara Acceleration Program 2026' to Support Entrepreneurs!

About the Sagamihara Acceleration Program 2026

Sagamihara City has started recruiting for the 'Sagamihara Acceleration Program 2026' to support ambitious entrepreneurs and startups. The 'Sagamihara Acceleration Program' aims to further develop the regional economy by supporting individuals with excellent ideas and high growth potential, aiming to produce entrepreneurs who will eventually go public within the city, while fostering an environment where the entire region nurtures entrepreneurs and builds a Sagamihara-style ecosystem.

This time, we are widely recruiting entries from both inside and outside the city. In addition to strategic planning and execution for business expansion utilizing demonstration fields and other city assets, we will support participants' growth from various angles, such as joint demonstration events where multiple participants conduct demonstrations targeting citizens to acquire customer bases.

We look forward to the participation of entrepreneurs and startups from all over the country in this program, which can only be done in 'Sagamihara'.

【Details/Participant Recruitment Page】

https://sogyo.city.sagamihara.kanagawa.jp/sagamihara-acceleration-program/

Expansion of Demonstration Fields

Demonstration fields include 'Sagamiko MORI MORI' (formerly Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest) by Sagamiko Resort Co., Ltd., 'ALFALINK Sagamihara' by Japan GLP Co., Ltd., 'Sagamihara Station Square' by Odakyu SC Development Co., Ltd., 'JAXA Sagamihara Campus Space Exploration Experiment Building Space Exploration Field' by the National Research and Development Agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), 'Ario Hashimoto' by Create Link Co., Ltd., and 'Kainz (Sagamihara Aikawainter Store)' by Kainz Co., Ltd., to which 'KAYABA OPEN LAB.' by Kayaba Co., Ltd. has been added, further powering up the program.

You can support the realization of new business ideas at the 'Sagamihara' demonstration fields and aim to acquire customers through realistic demonstrations shown to customers.

【Introduction of Demonstration Fields】

Sagamiko MORI MORI, Hot Springs, Campsite (Sagamiko Resort Co., Ltd.)

https://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/

ALFALINK Sagamihara (Japan GLP Co., Ltd.)

https://www.glp.com/jp/alfalink/sagamihara/

Sagamihara Station Square (Odakyu SC Development Co., Ltd.)

https://www.odakyu-sc.com/so-ss/

JAXA Sagamihara Campus Space Exploration Experiment Building Space Exploration Field

(National Research and Development Agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

https://www.ihub-tansa.jaxa.jp/

Ario Hashimoto (Create Link Co., Ltd.)

https://hashimoto.ario.jp/

Kainz (Kainz Co., Ltd.) *Sagamihara Aikawainter Store

https://www.cainz.co.jp/

*After the demonstration, those wishing to open a store at Kainz Marche can choose from three stores in the city.

KAYABA OPEN LAB. (Kayaba Co., Ltd.)

https://www.kyb.co.jp/

Program Overview

Number of Recruits: Approximately 8

Support Period: From October 2026 to March 2027

Main Support Contents:

1. Business Model and Business Foundation Construction Support

Implementation of individual mentoring for strategic planning and issue organization towards the construction of business models and business foundations Support for coordination and execution of demonstrations, product development, and service provision in collaboration with city assets (companies, universities, etc.)

2. Networking Support to Achieve Business Construction and Expansion Matching and introduction with city businesses and support organizations according to individual needs PR support utilizing Sagamihara City press releases Planning and operation of meetup events with financial institutions in Sagamihara City Providing opportunities for community formation and exchange among program-participating startups

3. Continuous Support Aimed at Mid- to Long-Term Business Construction and Community Formation Accompanying support considering activities after the program ends (with track record of selection over the years) Planning of exchange meetings with past participants, city entrepreneurs, and managers Follow-up of business development and various procedures aimed at city-based establishment (cooperation, business offices, branch offices, etc.)

Eligibility for Application

1. Must meet one of the following: Entrepreneurs and companies inside and outside the city with no track record of business or demonstration in Sagamihara City, with the intention to start business activities in Sagamihara City, or entrepreneurs and companies inside and outside the city with a track record of business or demonstration in Sagamihara City, with the intention to expand business in Sagamihara City

2. Must start business activities or expand business utilizing assets within Sagamihara City (demonstration fields, other private companies, natural resources, etc., hereinafter referred to as 'city assets').

3. Must generally participate in seminars, events, etc. within the program.

4. Must continue business development within Sagamihara City even after the program ends.

5. In the case of overseas entrepreneurs and companies, must have the intention to register a corporation within Sagamihara City during the program period.

6. Must not participate in other acceleration programs during the program period. *Note: If sufficient capacity to fully engage in this program is secured, participation in other programs is not a problem.

Application Overview

Application Period From July 16, 2026 (Thu) to August 24, 2026 (Mon) 23:59

Application Method (1) Download the application documents from the 'Application Documents are Here' section of the program's homepage (URL below) https://sogyo.city.sagamihara.kanagawa.jp/sagamihara-acceleration-program/ (2) Submit an email with the application documents attached to the program office email address ([email protected])

Schedule

Online Briefing Session (Note 1) July 30, 2026 (Thu) 18:00-19:00

Application Deadline August 24, 2026 (Mon) 23:59

Notification of Document Screening Results (Note 2) September 4, 2026 (Fri)

Interview Screening (Note 3) September 9, 2026 (Wed)

Notification of Screening Results Mid-September 2026

Program Period October 2026 to March 2027

Results Presentation Mid-March 2027 *Note 1: Online Briefing Session Application URL https://sogyo.city.sagamihara.kanagawa.jp/sagamihara-acceleration-program/ *Note 2: Interviews will be conducted as necessary during the screening process. *Note 3: The representative must attend the interview screening. If the representative cannot attend, they may be excluded from the screening. The schedule may change, so please understand in advance.

Screening Items [About the Business] 1. Problem Setting/Innovativeness of Proposal: Whether the problem is specific and large, or whether the solution method is innovative compared to existing ones

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