Osaka Innovation Bureau's OSAP, Backed by Over 47.1 Billion Yen in Total Funding, Opens Applications for 22nd Cohort

Program Overview

The Osaka Innovation Bureau has officially opened applications for the 22nd cohort of the OIH Startup Acceleration Program (OSAP). With a proven track record of supporting over 170 companies and a cumulative funding total exceeding 47.1 billion yen among its alumni, OSAP stands as one of Kansai's premier accelerator programs.

Target Audience and Objectives

The program is tailored for early-stage startups approaching or having recently achieved Product-Market Fit (PMF). Spanning approximately four months starting in mid-November 2026, it provides specialized, hands-on support designed to accelerate their transition into the middle and later stages of growth.

Specific Support Initiatives

The support curriculum is uniquely specialized to help startups break through the "growth walls" they frequently encounter. It offers comprehensive mentoring aimed at rapid business scaling, including organizational design and recruitment support from former CHROs, market expansion strategies led by sales executives from Japan's top-tier startups, and the formulation of a winning equity story for the next round of fundraising.

Application Details and Schedule

Eligibility is open to early-stage companies that possess a viable service and anticipate achieving PMF, regardless of their physical location. The application deadline is Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM JST. Following a kickoff meeting, participants will engage in a December bootcamp and intensive VC mentoring, culminating in a Demo Day in March 2027 to showcase the results of the four-month program.