Case Studies – Supporting Foreign Entrepreneurs in Japan

Empowering Global Founders to Succeed in Japan

Advisory support for cross-border startups — from financing to execution

KANAI&CO is a Tokyo-based firm specializing in grants (subsidies), loans, and strategic planning for foreign entrepreneurs launching startups in Japan.

With bilingual, culturally-informed support, we help foreign founders turn their visions into executable strategies aligned with Japan’s financial, legal, and institutional systems.


Featured Cases


✅ SivanS Lab (Israeli Startup & Incubation Platform)

  • Engaged: Dec 2024
  • Result: ¥48M startup loan + ¥40M METI subsidy successfully secured
  • Scope: Full business planning, grant documentation, financial modeling, JFC & METI communication

📌 Outcome: Enabled the official launch of SivanS Lab in Tokyo — connecting Israeli innovation with Japan’s startup ecosystem.


✅ Kotaeru Holdings (Japan-based HR SaaS Company)

  • Engaged: April 2025
  • Result: Successfully registered as IT導入支援事業者 (IT Grant Vendor); enabled ¥4.5M subsidy per client for stock-option implementation
  • Scope: Subsidy scheme design, SO incentive integration, application support

📌 Outcome: Boosted B2B adoption by removing entry cost barriers via IT grants.


✅ IWG Inc. (China-backed Medical Tech SaaS)

  • Engaged: May 2025 – Ongoing
  • Result: Secured ¥15M JFC startup loan; submitted but not selected for “Monozukuri” Subsidy (reapplying)
  • Scope: Business plan development, J-KISS contract review, feasibility study, global PoC support (incl. Mayo Clinic)

📌 Outcome: Completed incorporation and initial funding. Strategizing next round of grant & VC engagement.


Why Foreign Founders Choose KANAI&CO

  • 🧭 Non-dilutive fundraising with public subsidies + loans
  • 🌍 End-to-end bilingual documentation + government liaison
  • 📄 Strategic positioning from PMF to PoC to scaling
  • 🤝 Trusted partner for both pre- and post-revenue startups

Let’s Plan Your Success Strategy in Japan

Reach out if you’re looking to build a startup in Japan as a foreign founder.
We speak your language — and we understand the system.

📩 Contact us