Fifth Cohort of Startup Support Program 'Out of BOUNDS' Announces Partner VCs and Incubators – Applications Close August 17

ON&BOARD Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Masato Shimohira, Kousuke Nakayama; hereinafter "the Company") is pleased to announce the strengthening of its entrepreneurial support system through collaboration with partner venture capital firms and incubators for the fifth cohort of its startup support program, "Out of BOUNDS."

Applications are currently open for aspiring founders. Selected participants will receive intensive, hands-on support from the Company, guiding them from business hypothesis validation to growth acceleration, increasing their chances of success. We invite all vision-driven entrepreneurs to take their first bold step with this program.

Apply for 'Out of BOUNDS'

Program Highlights

・Collaboration with Partner VCs and Incubators

The program collaborates with VCs and incubators to deliver specialized mentorship. Beyond ON&BOARD’s team, external venture capitalists will engage directly with participants, offering practical insights on business strategy, product development, and fundraising. Additionally, regular sharing sessions will allow teams to present their progress. Where investment theses or interests align, direct introductions or one-on-one meetings with VCs will be facilitated, enabling founders to continuously refine their ventures with investor feedback.

・Approximately 2.5-Month Bootcamp & Large-Scale Demo Day

The intensive program offers numerous opportunities to refine business ideas and acquire essential entrepreneurial knowledge. The program concludes with a Demo Day on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, where teams will present their achievements to over 150 leading domestic VCs and angel investors. Networking opportunities with global VCs, CVCs, angel investors, and corporate partners aim to facilitate major funding rounds and long-term investor relationships.

・No Restrictions on Business Ideas

Participants are not limited to specific industries. ON&BOARD will provide promising thematic angles and support founders in rigorously building and validating business hypotheses through discussions with experienced professionals and domain experts.

Target Entrepreneurs & Application Overview

The program targets aspiring founders and early-stage startups in the seed phase. Individuals with the ambition to succeed as CEOs can apply even before incorporating a company. Past participants of "Out of BOUNDS" have collectively raised over 9 billion JPY, making this a transformative opportunity for pre- and post-incorporation founders.

Application Process & Schedule: Program details and entry methods are available on the Company’s website (application deadline: August 17, 2026). Take this opportunity to take a bold step forward together.

Program Information Session

An online information session will be held for those considering applying. We will explain the program structure, support offerings, and answer questions.

【Event Details】

Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 19:00 – 20:30

Format: Online (via Zoom, etc.)

Fee: Free

Content: Program overview, case studies of past participants, Q&A session, etc.

Register for the Information Session

Partner VCs and Incubators (as of July 14)

ALPHA

Angel Bridge

Archetype Ventures

Coral Capital

Firstlight Capital

Global Brain

GLOBIS Capital Partners

i-nest Capital

JAFCO

Tokyo University of Science Investment Management

University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)

Nissay Capital

Apply for 'Out of BOUNDS'

Company Overview

About ON&BOARD

ON&BOARD is a venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage investments. Guided by the mission "Unlock Talent Across the World," it leads investments across diverse fields—from AI agents and medical devices to robotics, dual-use technologies, and nuclear fusion—aiming for real-world impact.

The firm brings together a diverse team of advisors, including strategy consultants, trading company professionals, AI engineers, researchers, lawyers, and M&A experts, to support startups from inception.

Through its media platform "ON&BOARD TIMES," the "Out of BOUNDS" startup program, and the Nagano-based startup conference "SWISH! Startup Camp," ON&BOARD actively fosters ecosystem growth and zero-to-one company creation.

Representative Directors: Masato Shimohira, Kousuke Nakayama

Address: Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 15F, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6415

Website: https://onboardvc.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ONBOARDVC/

X: https://x.com/on_board_vc

Contact

Public Relations, ON&BOARD (Takato)

Email: [email protected]