KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator
KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator is an acceleration program designed to help startups aiming to expand overseas acquire customers in North America.
Program Overview
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 combines an online preparation period with an on-site practical period in San Francisco, U.S.. Participants will refine their business strategies and proposals, network with local companies and investors, and present their results at Demo Day.
Through this program, KDDI aims to connect startups, large enterprises, investors, and overseas ecosystems, creating new business opportunities and innovation.
Key Features
The program provides the following opportunities to help startups acquire customers in North America:
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.
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.
Selected Startups
First Cohort
The following five companies were selected for the first KDDI Beyond Borders Accelerator cohort.
- * Listed in alphabetical order.
| AironWorks
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AI-driven cybersecurity training platform that automates personalized phishing simulations to eliminate human-factor security risks. |
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| Findy
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SaaS for improving engineering team productivity, a tool for optimizing AI token costs. |
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| LR
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Tools for securely sharing and managing AI outputs, and tools to assist in creating manuals and presentation materials. |
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| MODE
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Enterprise IoT data platform for integrating and utilizing on-site data from sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics. |
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| Outerport
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AI for control, electrical, instrumentation, and process design based on drawings prior to building equipment and plants. |
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KDDI Comment
"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."
Shunpei Tatebayashi, Deputy General Manager of Open Innovation Division,
