The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has recently unveiled plans to broaden the scope of its esteemed NINJA Accelerator program by introducing it to South Africa. This initiative is designed to foster a symbiotic relationship and promote open innovation between emerging South African startups and established Japanese corporations.
Under the banner of the JICA NINJA Accelerator in South Africa – Open Innovation Edition, the program is actively seeking out dynamic startups that are interested in exploring the potential for commercial partnerships with NEC XON, the subsidiary of NEC Corporation that operates across the African continent. The overarching goal of JICA is to explore and understand effective models of collaboration between local entrepreneurial ventures and Japanese businesses, with the intention of bolstering the development of the South African startup ecosystem through the infusion of private sector innovation.
Kohei Muto, the Chief Executive Officer of Double Feather Partners—a venture capital and consulting firm based in Japan with a keen focus on Africa—is leading this project on behalf of JICA. Muto expresses optimism that this initiative will enhance the likelihood of startups securing new strategic alliances, attracting investors, or landing enterprise clients within NEC.
Additionally, he suggests that this program could uncover potential avenues for strategic exits that align perfectly with the startups’ objectives. Such successful outcomes would not only benefit the startups themselves but could also prove to be highly advantageous for venture capitalists, particularly if the startup in question is part of their investment portfolio.
Interested startups can apply here until July 28.
