– Twin-Hub Accelerator–
“Where journeys begin across oceans, and visions find their home — uniarx is the bridge between worlds.”
◉About Us
Bringing global startups to Japan, and Japanese startups to Silicon Valley.
uniarx is a bidirectional accelerator that empowers founders to expand across borders.
For international startups entering Japan, we provide market entry support, PoC execution with Japanese enterprises, company incorporation, and investor matching.
For Japanese startups aiming for Silicon Valley, we offer local network access, pitch coaching, VC introductions, and incorporation or relocation support.
We go beyond capital.
With deep cultural insight and executional support, uniarx helps founders thrive in both Japan and Silicon Valley — turning cross-border ambition into lasting success.
🌏 Program Overview
uniarx offers a bi-directional accelerator program that brings global startups to Japan and supports Japanese startups in expanding to Silicon Valley.
Each track includes an intensive 8-week, in-country program designed to accelerate market entry and business development.
🔹 Cohort Details
• Frequency: Twice a year (Spring & Fall)
• Investment Amount: $150K per startup (SAFE)
• Eligibility:
• Global startups aiming to enter the Japanese market
• Japanese startups aiming to expand into Silicon Valley
🔹 Application Process
1. Application submission
2. Screening (documents + interviews)
3. Investment decision
4. 8-week program in Tokyo or Silicon Valley
🔹 What We Offer
• 💰 $150K investment support
• 🏢 Incorporation assistance in Japan or the U.S.
• 🤝 PoC matching with corporations
• 📈 Access to investors and strategic partners
• 🧑🏫 1-on-1 mentoring and expert sessions
• 🌐 Soft-landing support in each market
🔹 Two Strategic Tracks
• Japan Track (Inbound):
Supporting global startups to enter the Japanese market
• Silicon Valley Track (Outbound):
Helping Japanese startups scale into the U.S. ecosystem
Both tracks feature an 8-week local immersion program focused on business development, company setup, fundraising, and customer acquisition.
🔹 Initial Results
• 126 applicants
• 30 selected finalists
• 21 startups funded
• One unicorn company was born
🔹 Application Process
🔹 What We Offer
🔹 Two Strategic Tracks
◉Team
Hiroaki Tanaka
Founder & General Partner
Serial Entrepreneur | 3 Successful Exits | Pioneer in EV & Media | Founder of uniarx
Over the past 30 years, I’ve founded seven companies in Japan across the mobility, media, software, and food service industries. I have achieved three successful exits—including a nationwide restaurant franchise, an entertainment and publishing business, and a swappable-battery EV startup.
As the founder of uniarx, I invest in and support startups entering the Japanese market or scaling into Silicon Valley. We run biannual cohort programs that provide funding, mentoring, and access to strategic business networks. Our operations in Silicon Valley are led by Co-Founder & Partner Gary Jinks and the GLJ Group.
In the past, I also collaborated with the Kauffman Foundation and Waseda University to develop and deliver entrepreneurship education programs, supporting the growth of the next generation of global founders.
Gary Jinks
Co-Founder & Partner
Gary is a US Army veteran, investor, founder, entrepreneur, and innovator. He has captured over $350M in new business, launched over 1000 startups and has been creating innovation in the Silicon Valley his entire career. Gary is the founder of GLJ Group, South Valley Angels, and ScaleupStream. Each with its own focus to create, fund or engage with innovation. From combat vehicles to lifestyle apps Gary has led strategic direction and business development for startups, corporate R&D, government labs, as well as working with the top innovators and investors in the Silicon Valley.
Partner
Coming Soon
Partner
Coming Soon
◉Mentor
Rochelle Kopp
Rochelle is a cross-cultural business expert, startup advisor, author, and entrepreneur bridging the gap between Japan and the global innovation ecosystem. With deep experience in both Japanese corporate culture and Silicon Valley’s fast-paced startup environment, she has mentored numerous global firms entering the Japanese market. Rochelle is the founder of Japan Intercultural Consulting and the co-author of Valley Speak: Deciphering the Jargon of Silicon Valley. A trusted advisor to both established companies and disruptive startups, Rochelle brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of hands-on experience on both sides of the Pacific.
◉Sponsor
Coming Soon
Contact
Address
◉ San Francisco office
353 Sacramento St
Suite 1812
San Francisco Ca. 94111
◉ Tokyo office (Coming Soon)
・General Inquiries
Email : contact@uniarx.io
・Sponsor Inquiries
Email : sponsor@uniarx.io
・investor(LP)Inquiries
Email : investor@uniarx.io
・Program Application
Email : apply@uniarx.io