Government
supported Innovation
Discover technologies of Japanese
startups & small businesses that will change the future!
What is the SBIR Program?
The Small/Startup Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program promotes the research and development (R&D) activities of startups and small businesses by facilitating the implementation of their products in society. The program is designed to both encourage innovation creation in Japan and to solve various social issues facing Japan by implementing innovative technologies.
How Do We Support Innovation?
The SBIR Program is a 3-phase program that supports select projects aimed at addressing specific R&D topics, which are set by participating ministries based on their policy objectives and procurement needs.
Each phase provides support for different stages of R&D, beginning with the development of proof of concepts (PoC) and feasibility studies, progressing to the development of applicable products, and then conducting technology demonstrations.
Projects are evaluated at stage gates before advancing to the next phase.
During the program, participating projects are provided financial support, trial fields, information on policy needs, as well as other various forms of support such as mentoring and matching with investors and/or potential business partners.
The Global Impact of Japan’s SBIR Program
Startups and small businesses supported by the SBIR program are engaged in the research and development of innovative technologies that contribute to solving various policy challenges faced by Japan.
The outcomes of their R&D efforts not only help address domestic issues but also have the potential to lead the resolution of similar challenges abroad.
Participating Ministries
The SBIR Program is a cross-ministerial initiative of the Government of Japan, with nine ministries involved in providing SBIR-designated subsidies.
Coordinator
The Cabinet Office, as coordinator of the SBIR Program, works together with each ministry in promoting supported businesses and the technologies developed.
Participating Ministries
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency
Technologies of the SBIR Program
The SBIR Program’s R&D topics encompass a wide variety of technologies that call for cutting-edge innovation.
Examples of technologies being developed through Phase 3 of the SBIR Program include:
Nuclear Fusion
Disaster Risk Reduction
Smart Agriculture/ Forestry/
Fisheries/etc.
AI Hospitals
Digital Twin
Flying Cars
Automated Driving
Commercial Rockets
SAR Satellites
Space Debris Mitigation
and much more…
For more information, please see our pamphlet “SBIR Phase 3 Projects” and our “For Businesses” page:
Discover Innovative Japanese Businesses!
Connect with us to find out more about the SBIR Program and to partner with Japanese businesses developing innovative technologies:
Contact us at
Innovation Promotion Division
Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Cabinet Office
E-mail：sbir_csti.k3z[at].cao.go.jp
change [at] to @