The City of Yokohama is launching a program to subsidize up to JPY5 million per project in order to strengthen support for technology-based start-ups.

With Yokohama already home to the research and development bases of many large companies and boasting relatively cheap office rents, the program is hoped to draw start-ups in energy, the environment, mobility, and semiconductors especially.

The call for start-up proposals is open until 19 July, and is open to companies, university researchers, and other organizations that have been established for less than 15 years. Start-ups that are selected through a screening process will receive a grant of two-thirds of the cost of their R&D, with a maximum of around six start-ups being selected. Overseas start-ups are also eligible for the call for proposals, but are not eligible for subsidized expenses.

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