―Pairing startups with corporate networks and U.S. venture capital to help them land their initial U.S. customers―
KDDI Corporation
TOKYO―Aug. 20, 2026―KDDI, one of Japan's leading telecommunications companies, today announced the launch of the "KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator," a new accelerator program dedicated to helping Japanese startups establish a track record of success in overseas markets.
The program draws on the expertise and networks of KDDI's partner venture capital firms in the United States, together with the domestic and international corporate network of the KDDI Group, to support the global expansion of Japanese startups. By matching startups with corporate partners, KDDI aims to help participants secure their initial overseas enterprise customers in the U.S., building a track record that contributes to the growth of Japan's broader startup ecosystem.
The program's first cohort―five AI startups selected to take part―will spend one month based in San Francisco, California. While there, the startups will work alongside KDDI Group and KDDI's partner venture capital firms in the U.S., including Alumni Ventures, Carbide Ventures and Interlagos Capital, to pursue new customers and business opportunities in the U.S. market.
KDDI has led open-innovation initiatives for 15 years since 2011 and has been named the No. 1 most innovative enterprise by startups for nine consecutive years. Building on this experience and network, KDDI aims to bridge Japan's startup ecosystem with the global market, accelerating the growth of Japan-based startups alongside the real-world adoption of next-generation innovation.
■Background
- Japan is home to a wealth of promising technology, particularly from universities and research institutions, but startups still need stronger support to scale in global markets. In the U.S., by contrast, a highly effective ecosystem linking industry, academia, government and investors drives innovation quickly.
- Building on the Japanese government's five-year plan to foster startups, KDDI established the latest CVC fund "KDDI Open Innovation Fund V" in 2025 and has since worked with U.S. venture capital firms to support startups in both Japan and the U.S. In April 2026, KDDI entered a strategic partnership with Alumni Ventures, and in July 2026 it launched a joint investment program with Google AI Futures Fund to foster next-generation AI services originating in Japan.
- While a growing number of Japan-based startups are targeting global markets, many still struggle to land their initial overseas enterprise customers and raise capital from international investors. Through its open innovation initiatives, KDDI has found that establishing a credible local track record is critical to raising capital from U.S. investors in particular.
■About the KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator
1. Program Components
- Support securing local customers through KDDI's corporate network
- Mentoring from U.S. venture capital firms
- Networking opportunities with U.S. VCs and local companies
- On-site office space in the U.S.
2. Key Features
- (1) Customer Acquisition Support Through KDDI's Corporate Network
KDDI will support matchmaking between startups and corporate partners by drawing on the U.S. subsidiaries of the more than 100 partner companies in "KDDI ∞ Labo," one of Japan's largest business co-creation platforms, as well as the customer networks of KDDI Group companies in the U.S., including KDDI America. The goal is to help participants land their initial overseas enterprise customers and build a track record of success.
- (2) Mentoring and Fundraising Support From Leading U.S. VCs
Investment professionals from KDDI's partner venture capital firms in the U.S.―including Alumni Ventures, Carbide Ventures and Interlagos Capital―will serve as mentors, advising participants directly. Drawing on the perspective of local investors, mentors will help startups refine their business plans and pitches to support fundraising in the U.S.
For more information, visit the KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator website.
■About the First Cohort
1. Participating Startups
The first cohort includes the following AI startups, each pursuing growth in overseas markets:
| AironWorks | AI-driven cybersecurity training platform that automates personalized phishing simulations to eliminate human-factor security risks. |
|---|---|
| Findy | SaaS for improving engineering team productivity, a tool for optimizing AI token costs. |
| LR | Tools for securely sharing and managing AI outputs, and tools to assist in creating manuals and presentation materials. |
| MODE | Enterprise IoT data platform for integrating and utilizing on-site data from sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics. |
| Outerport | AI for control, electrical, instrumentation, and process design based on drawings prior to building equipment and plants. |
2. Partner VCs (Partial List)
| Alumni Ventures | One of the world's most active venture capital firms with more than $1.6 billion in committed capital from over 25,000 accredited investors and syndicate members, and investments in over 1,800 companies across diverse sectors and stages. |
|---|---|
| Carbide Ventures | A cross-border venture capital firm with offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo, led primarily by founders and executives with hands-on startup experience. |
| Interlagos Capital | A technology-focused venture capital firm co-founded by Tom Ochinero, former SVP of SpaceX's commercial business, with a focus on hard-tech sectors including robotics and space. |
Updates on the first cohort will be shared on MUGENLABO Magazine (in Japanese only)Open in a new window, KDDI's open-innovation media outlet.
Commenting on the launch of the KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator, Shunpei Tatebayashi, Deputy General Manager of KDDI's Open Innovation Division, said:
"I believe the biggest reason Japanese startups struggle to break through the 'unicorn' barrier is how long it takes them to land their first customers in global markets―particularly in North America. I have seen many cases where startups with excellent technology ran out of funding after being held back by unfamiliar local business practices.
That's why KDDI built an accelerator that goes beyond funding and mentoring to actively support startups land their initial customers. Through this program, we want to give promising Japanese startups a solid foothold to grow into companies that can compete on the world stage."
■KDDI
KDDI is a leading Japanese telecommunications company with over 100 million customers. In recent years, KDDI has expanded beyond its core telecommunications business into areas such as AI, finance, energy, retail, and cybersecurity, contributing to structural reforms across various industries. Globally, KDDI provides mobile services, IoT services for connected cars, and data center connectivity, primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia.
■KDDI's Open Innovation Initiatives
KDDI drives open innovation through two complementary initiatives: the KDDI Open Innovation Fund, a corporate venture capital fund that makes strategic investments in promising startups, and KDDI ∞ Labo, a platform that accelerates co-creation between startups and more than 100 corporate partners. By connecting the two, KDDI aims to create new business value and accelerate the growth of the startups shaping the future.
Building on the ¥30 billion investment announced in April 2025 to revitalize Japan's startup ecosystem, KDDI continues to explore new businesses that will serve as the next pillar of its growth. In July 2026, KDDI launched the "AI Startup Support Program by KDDI & Google AI Futures Fund" to foster next-generation AI services originating in Japan. Through partnerships with leading global companies and overseas VCs, KDDI is focused both on bringing overseas startups into the Japanese market and helping Japan-based startups expand abroad.
- *The information contained in the articles is current at the time of publication.
Products, service fees, service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.
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