Calling2Scale Gunma - Gateway to Japan

The Calling2Scale Gunma program is an initiative aimed at facilitating the international expansion of advanced European startups into the Japanese market. Funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the program focuses on connecting these startups with corporate partners in Japan, specifically within Gunma Prefecture.

Eligible applicants include advanced startups legally established in EU member states. Notably, the program does not allow participation from large enterprises, universities, or NGOs. The primary form of support from the program is non-monetary, providing market access, pilot project opportunities, and networking rather than direct financial grants. While there is a budget of €30,800 for overall program operations, it is unclear how this funding is allocated among the selected startups.

The opportunity is open to single applicants only, meaning no consortiums are allowed. The target sectors are not restricted but include a diverse range of technologies that can address challenges faced by Japanese corporates. The program is particularly focused on startups that are in the commercialization phase, implying that projects should be validated and ready for international scaling.

The application process commenced on July 15, 2025, with a submission deadline set for September 15, 2025. The evaluation process consists of three phases: initial documentary submission through an online form, a qualification interview, and a final selection based on an evaluation committee's assessment. A total of 10 to 14 startups will be selected, with scoring based on criteria such as technological excellence, market impact, and implementation quality.

There is no requirement for co-funding or matching funds from participants, allowing greater accessibility for startups. The program represents a strategic opportunity for European startups to leverage resources, networks, and guidance, ultimately aiming to facilitate their growth in the competitive Japanese market.

In summary, the Calling2Scale Gunma program connects EU startups with Japanese corporates, offering essential resources and support through a structured Bootcamp experience, aimed at enhancing market entry and scaling opportunities.

The Calling2Scale Gunma program is a curated international Bootcamp designed for advanced European startups. It includes both virtual and in-person activities, culminating in an Immersion Lab in Gunma, Japan. The program aims to provide European startups with the tools, best practices, knowledge, access to funding opportunities, and Proof of Concept (PoC) opportunities needed to penetrate the Japanese market, specifically through collaborations with Gunma-based corporations.

The call for applications opened on 15 July 2025, and the deadline for submissions is 15 September 2025 at 23:59 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 4 months. The total funding available is 30,800.00 €. The project acronym is XKIC SO, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Cross-KIC Global Outreach. The grant agreement number is 101113201. The relevant topic is HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-Cross-KIC-Strategic-Outreach - EIT Cross-KIC Strategic Outreach.

The selection process consists of three phases:

Phase 1: Applicants must fill out the online application form. A team of experts from the program and its partners will review applications on a rolling basis. Early applicants may be invited to an online meeting sooner to discuss their submission.

Phase 2: Eligible applicants will be invited to a short online qualification interview (up to 20 minutes). A second interview may be requested if needed.

Phase 3: The evaluation committee will select 10-14 eligible startups.

The assessment will be conducted by Gunma Prefecture (the program's partner), Gunma-based corporations, professionals from the EIT Global Outreach Working Group (representatives of EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Culture and Creativity, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, and EIT Food), the EIT Global Outreach team, and potentially other relevant program partners.

Applications will be reviewed and ranked based on the following criteria:

(a) Excellence, differentiation of technology, and product maturity (30 points)

(b) Market and Impact (30 points)

(c) Quality and efficiency of the implementation (20 points)

(d) Motivation and Bootcamp fit (20 points)

(e) EU or Horizon Europe dimension (must)

Bonus points: 5 bonus points are available for applications from underrepresented groups.

The total possible score is 100 points. Startups with the highest scores will be selected for the Bootcamp. The selection process is designed to narrow down candidates step-by-step. Applications are initially reviewed and scored based on their compliance with eligibility criteria and alignment with the program's goals. Only those meeting these requirements will proceed to the interview stage. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis after each application is received, but final rankings and selections are made only after all interviews are completed at the end of the call period. This ensures a fair comparison and selection of the highest-scoring candidates.

Additional information and the call for applications document are available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bmvVBePPyZAD4gQhiZCJlvDJfF0Gkr8t/view?usp=sharing.

In summary, the Calling2Scale Gunma program offers a unique opportunity for advanced European startups to gain access to the Japanese market. The program provides a structured Bootcamp experience, including virtual and in-person activities, with a focus on connecting startups with Gunma-based corporations for potential Proof of Concept projects and funding opportunities. The selection process is competitive, involving a multi-stage evaluation based on factors such as technological excellence, market impact, implementation quality, motivation, and alignment with EU or Horizon Europe initiatives. The program aims to equip selected startups with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to successfully expand their businesses into Japan.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is specifically targeted towards advanced European startups.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism appears to be a grant, as indicated by the mention of "GrantCascade funding" and the "Cross-KIC Global Outreach Grant." The total funding available is 30,800 EUR, but it is not clear how this funding is distributed among the selected startups. The program also provides access to funding opportunities and Proof of Concept (PoC) opportunities with Gunma-based corporates.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is designed for single applicants, specifically startups. There is no mention of a consortium requirement.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity is open to European startups.

Target Sector: The program is run by EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) and involves multiple Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), including EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Culture and Creativity, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, and EIT Food. This suggests that the program is open to startups in a variety of sectors, including health, climate, culture and creativity, manufacturing, digital technologies, and food. The program aims to help startups penetrate the Japanese market, so it is likely that the target sectors are those that are relevant to the Japanese market.

Mentioned Countries: Japan (specifically Gunma Prefecture) and countries within the EU are mentioned.

Project Stage: The opportunity targets advanced startups, suggesting that the projects should be at the validation, demonstration, or commercialization stage. The program aims to provide Proof of Concept (PoC) opportunities, indicating that the startups should have a certain level of maturity.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 30,800 EUR. It is not clear how this amount will be distributed among the 10-14 selected startups. Therefore, the funding range per startup is variable and likely under €50k.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning that earlier applications may receive earlier consideration.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (through the grant) and non-monetary services. The non-monetary services include participation in a curated international Bootcamp with virtual and in-person activities, access to hands-on tools, best practices, knowledge, and access to funding and PoC opportunities with Gunma-based corporates.

Application Stages: The application process consists of three phases: filling out an online application form, participating in an online qualification interview (potentially two), and selection by the evaluation committee.

Success Rates: The evaluation committee will choose 10-14 startups from the pool of eligible applicants. The success rate is therefore dependent on the number of applications received, which is not specified in the provided text. Therefore, the success rate is other.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

The Calling2Scale Gunma program, funded under the Cross-KIC Global Outreach initiative (HORIZON-EIT-2023-25-Cross-KIC-Strategic-Outreach), is designed to help advanced European startups penetrate the Japanese market. The program is a curated international Bootcamp that includes virtual and in-person activities, culminating in an Immersion Lab in Gunma, Japan. The goal is to provide startups with the necessary tools, best practices, knowledge, access to funding opportunities, and Proof of Concept (PoC) opportunities with Gunma-based corporations.

The program is open to startups in various sectors, as it involves multiple EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) such as EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Culture and Creativity, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, and EIT Food. The total funding available is 30,800 EUR, and selected startups will also receive non-monetary support through the Bootcamp.

The application process consists of three phases: an online application form, an online qualification interview (potentially two), and selection by an evaluation committee. The evaluation criteria include excellence, differentiation of technology, product maturity, market and impact, quality and efficiency of implementation, motivation and Bootcamp fit, and an EU or Horizon Europe dimension. Bonus points are awarded to underrepresented groups. The application deadline is September 15, 2025. The program represents a significant opportunity for European startups looking to expand their reach into the Japanese market, providing them with valuable resources and connections to facilitate their entry and growth.