T-Hub has entered into a strategic partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to facilitate collaboration between Indian and Japanese startups, corporates, and investors. The engagement aims to support market entry and expansion for Japanese companies in India while enabling Indian startups to pursue structured expansion opportunities in Japan.
T-Hub will serve as an access platform for Japanese startups, corporations, and investors seeking to establish and grow operations in India. The partnership will also provide Indian startups with support mechanisms to access the Japanese market through structured programmes and ecosystem engagement.
The collaboration will focus on sectors including pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, space and aerospace, defence, mobility, smart infrastructure, deep technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. Planned initiatives include startup exchange programmes, corporate open-innovation engagements, market access enablement, regulatory guidance, ecosystem immersion, and investor connect platforms.
The launch of the partnership was reinforced through an ecosystem engagement initiative in which students from Tongali Nagoya University and Shizuoka University participated in an immersive learning experience at T-Hub.
The collaboration builds on T-Hub’s existing partnerships with Japanese venture capital firms, corporations, bilateral organisations, and academic institutions. In 2025, T-Hub partnered with Beyond Next Ventures to support deep-technology ventures and expand cross-border collaboration through an on-campus office at T-Hub.
T-Hub has also previously worked with Japanese corporations including NEC, OKI Electric, Suzuki, Denso, Aisin, Nitto Denko, Panasonic, and Toyota, along with organisations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“At T-Hub, we are driven by a founder-first philosophy, and partnerships like these are designed to create meaningful global pathways for startups building from India for the world. Our collaboration with JETRO builds on our sustained engagement with global markets, creating a structured platform for founders to access international opportunities, collaborate with industry leaders, and co-develop globally competitive technologies,” said Kavikrut, Chief Executive Officer, T-Hub.
“We see immense opportunity for deeper collaboration between Japanese companies and Indian innovators. Through this partnership with T-Hub, JETRO Bengaluru will continue to strengthen the Japan–India Startup collaborations and expand structured support for startups exploring cross-border growth. With this, we hope to enhance JETRO’s presence in Hyderabad and be better positioned to understand Telangana’s innovation potential, engage more closely with the local ecosystem, and broaden the Japanese industry’s influence in the state. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to drive open innovation, create new business opportunities, and build long-term value for both countries,” said Toshihiro Mizutani, Director General, JETRO Bengaluru.
The collaboration aligns with the broader India–Japan bilateral framework that emphasises technology cooperation, integration of startup ecosystems, and innovation-led economic development. India’s startup ecosystem includes more than 100,000 recognised startups.
T-Hub is a startup innovation ecosystem platform that works with startups, corporations, investors, and academic institutions to support venture development, technology commercialisation, and global market access.
