Osaka Business Development Agency Opens Sakishima District as Startup Testbed

New program offers 10 startups six-month proof-of-concept access to live urban facilities in Osaka's Cosmo Square area, paired with expert mentoring through March 2027.

OSAKA — The Osaka Business Development Agency opened applications July 21 for a pilot program that grants 10 companies access to real-world testing sites in the city’s Sakishima district while commercializing AI, IoT, or 5G products.

The Sakishima Tech Lab Program runs October 2026 through March 2027 and centers on the ATC complex in Cosmo Square (Suminoe ward), a mixed-use facility developed under public-private partnership as a controlled testing environment. Companies selected receive tailored mentoring, strategic planning support, and matchmaking with the agency’s corporate and investor networks.

Eligible applicants must have a working prototype addressing a defined social problem and clear verification goals. The agency, which operates the TEQS startup facility, will configure expert advisory teams case by case.

Applications close September 8. Entry forms are available at teqs.jp.

Why it matters: The program positions Osaka to compete on physical infrastructure access rather than direct capital — foreign teams evaluating Japan market entry can test products in a live urban setting with regulatory facilitation baked in. First cohort results are due by end of March 2027.