Osaka Innovation Hub Selects Six Startups for 21st OSAP Cohort

The accelerator program, which has supported 164 companies raising ¥47.1 billion since inception, begins its latest four-month cycle with companies spanning logistics, AI, and enterprise software.

OSAKA — The Osaka Innovation Hub selected six startups for the 21st cohort of its OSAP accelerator on June 25, maintaining a program that has supported 164 companies raising a cumulative ¥47.1 billion ($318 million) across 20 prior cycles.

The cohort comprises Kotostyle, C System, ShipMate, TRASS, Dotlog, and maemo atomo. Each will receive mentoring from experienced founders, introductions to corporates seeking open innovation partners, and investor connections through October. The program runs from a June 29–30 bootcamp through a demo day scheduled for October 6.

OSAP targets early-stage companies and has generated over 1,200 media mentions since its first cohort. Operated by the Osaka Business Development Agency, a public-interest foundation, the program combines remote mentoring with select in-person events at Osaka Innovation Hub.

Why it matters: OSAP functions as Kansai’s highest-volume early-stage funnel, with portfolio companies raising an average of ¥287 million ($1.9 million) each. For foreign VCs tracking deal flow outside Tokyo, the October demo day offers access to companies that have cleared four months of local validation.