Kansai Life Science Accelerator Program (KLSAP) is an acceleration program started in 2020 with the goal of nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders in the life sciences sector, contributing to the startup ecosystem in the Kansai region. In collaboration with U.S.-based accelerators, the program has provided advisory support to startups from Japan and South Korea, and as the program’s closing event, has offered participants the opportunity to pitch to U.S. investors and corporations at Demo Day. Startups that have participated in the program have since made steady progress, including setting up overseas offices and preparing for global clinical trials, using the program as a springboard for global expansion.

Starting in 2025, the program will be further expanded with the launch of early-stage program which we call Entrepreneurship Phase (E-Phase), a new initiative aimed at supporting startups at even earlier stages, including pre-startup and just-launched startups. With this, a comprehensive support structure will be established, covering from pre-seed, seed, and early stages to the middle stage of growth. In addition, a new initiative called Reunion Phase (R-Phase) will provide ongoing support to alumni of the program, focusing on the utilization of KBIC life science advisors to help startups reach their next milestones.

KLSAP Acceleration Phase (A-Phase), aimed at supporting global expansion, has welcomed WorldUpstart. a Philadelphia based accelerator as a new partner to jointly provide advisory program.

KLSAP will continue to offer robust support to entrepreneurs and researchers in the life sciences who aim to bring medical innovations into society, as well as to startups seeking to expand globally. Call for participants begun in mid-May, continue on to pitch contest and an advisory period, then the program will conclude with presentations at Demo Day. We will keep you updated on the progress of the program as it unfolds!

Scenes from last year's event