Build companies on a global scale.
Build companies on a global scale.
Build companies on a global scale.
DelightX is a startup accelerator designed for Japanese and Japanese-American entrepreneurs who aspire to build companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This 6-month on-site program provides sessions and mentoring opportunities from top-tier investors and peer Japanese founders, and exclusive networking opportunities within the Bay Area ecosystem.
Participants receive up to $60,000 in funding to accelerate their journey, from ideation and validation to incorporation and fundraising.
DelightX envisions a future where Japanese founders build successful companies on a truly global scale.
DelightX is a startup accelerator designed for Japanese and Japanese-American entrepreneurs who aspire to build companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This 6-month on-site program provides sessions and mentoring opportunities from top-tier investors and peer Japanese founders, and exclusive networking opportunities within the Bay Area ecosystem.
Participants receive up to $60,000 in funding to accelerate their journey, from ideation and validation to incorporation and fundraising.
DelightX envisions a future where Japanese founders build successful companies on a truly global scale.
DelightX is a startup accelerator designed for Japanese and Japanese-American entrepreneurs who aspire to build companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This 6-month on-site program provides sessions and mentoring opportunities from top-tier investors and peer Japanese founders, and exclusive networking opportunities within the Bay Area ecosystem.
Participants receive up to $60,000 in funding to accelerate their journey, from ideation and validation to incorporation and fundraising.
DelightX envisions a future where Japanese founders build successful companies on a truly global scale.
Program Overview
Program Overview
Selection Stage
Selection Stage
1.5 Months
Mid-January - End of February in 2026
@Online
1.5 Months
(Mid-January
- End of February
in 2026)
@Online
1.5 Months
(Mid-January
- End of February
in 2026)
@Online
・Startup preparation support, including initial validation and networking
・Hypothesis formulation, customer interview validation
・Creation of LP, mockups, and demos using AI
・Acquisition of customer traction
・Creation of validation plans in the United States
・Startup preparation support, including initial validation and networking
・Hypothesis formulation, customer interview validation
・Creation of LP, mockups, and demos using AI
・Acquisition of customer traction
・Creation of validation plans in the United States
・Startup preparation support, including initial validation and networking
・Hypothesis formulation, customer interview validation
・Creation of LP, mockups, and demos using AI
・Acquisition of customer traction
・Creation of validation plans in the United States
6 Months
(From April 2026)
@San Francisco
・Startup preparation support, including initial validation and networking
・Hypothesis formulation, customer interview validation
・Creation of LP, mockups, and demos using AI
・Acquisition of customer traction
・Creation of validation plans in the United States
Pitch&Judge
Program Start
Pitch&Judge
Program Start
Pitch&Judge
Program Start
Pitch&Judge
Program Start
6 Months
From April 2026
@San Francisco
6 Months
(From April 2026)
@San Francisco
・Comprehensive startup preparation, including in-depth validation
・Sessions with Bay Area mentors
・Team building and co-founder matching
・$60,000 in funding provided by Delight Ventures
・Incorporation of a U.S. entity (Delight Ventures takes a 5% equity stake)
・Fundraising activities
・Comprehensive startup preparation, including in-depth validation
・Sessions with Bay Area mentors
・Team building and co-founder matching
・$60,000 in funding provided by Delight Ventures
・Incorporation of a U.S. entity (Delight Ventures takes a 5% equity stake)
・Fundraising activities
Raise
Raise
Funding in the United States
Funding in the United States
Support
Support
Bay Area mentors
Face2Face lectures by top VCs and serial entrepreneurs active in the Bay Area.
Bay Area mentors
Face2Face lectures by top VCs and serial entrepreneurs active in the Bay Area.
Bay Area mentors
Face2Face lectures by top VCs and serial entrepreneurs active in the Bay Area.
Japanese entrepreneurs based in the Bay Area
Mentoring from active Japanese entrepreneurs living in the Bay Area.
Japanese entrepreneurs based in the Bay Area
Mentoring from active Japanese entrepreneurs living in the Bay Area.
Japanese entrepreneurs based in the Bay Area
Mentoring from active Japanese entrepreneurs living in the Bay Area.
Mentoring by the operation members
1-on-1 sessions facilitated by experienced operation members in entrepreneurship and fundraising.
Mentoring by the operation members
1-on-1 sessions facilitated by experienced operation members in entrepreneurship and fundraising.
Mentoring by the operation members
1-on-1 sessions facilitated by experienced operation members in entrepreneurship and fundraising.
Office hours
Casual brainstorming opportunities with Delight Ventures capitalists and DeNA/ex-DeNA AI business experts.
Office hours
Casual brainstorming opportunities with Delight Ventures capitalists and DeNA/ex-DeNA AI business experts.
Office hours
Casual brainstorming opportunities with Delight Ventures capitalists and DeNA/ex-DeNA AI business experts.
Travel & Startup Preparation Package
Provision of useful resource collection for travel and business considerations.
Travel & Startup Preparation Package
Provision of useful resource collection for travel and business considerations.
Travel & Startup Preparation Package
Provision of useful resource collection for travel and business considerations.
Financial Support
Provide participants $60,000 (before various taxes), and will consider additional funding upon successful fundraising in the United States.
Financial Support
Provide participants $60,000 (before various taxes), and will consider additional funding upon successful fundraising in the United States.
Financial Support
Provide participants $60,000 (before various taxes), and will consider additional funding upon successful fundraising in the United States.
"DelightX Info Session"
December 12, 2026 (Friday)
18:00-19:30
"DelightX Info Session"
December 12, 2026 (Friday)
18:00-19:30 JST
Details
On-site and online
On-site and online
Contents
Panel Discussion
QA Session
Panel discussion
QA session
Panel Discussion
QA Session
Kiyo Kobayashi
Founder of Noxx
Satoru Naito
Founer of Anyplace
Tomoko Namba
Mentor
VC, Serial Entrepreneur
Mentor
VC, Serial Entrepreneur
Mentor
Japanese Entrepreneurs
Mentor
Japanese Entrepreneurs
Organizer
Delight Ventures
Organizer
Delight Ventures
Application Guidelines
Application Guidelines
<MUST>
Able to stay in San Francisco from April 2026 onwards and commit full-time entrepreneurial activities for at least six months while fundraising in the US, if you pass the final pitch of the Selection Stage.
Capable of securing your own visa and housing in the Bay Area (these may be arranged during the preparation period after acceptance).
Able to cover necessary expenses for the program independently. (as DelightX will not cover everything with its financial support).
Strong determination to found and lead a global-scale startup (Delaware C-Corp) as the owner.
Native-level proficiency in Japanese and functional English communication skills for conducting business.
<WANT>
Ability to prototype the product independently or within your founding team.
Strong interest in the advancement of AI in the Bay Area.
A concrete business idea you are eager to pursue.
Bring passion and grit!
<MUST>
Able to stay in San Francisco from April 2026 onwards and commit full-time entrepreneurial activities for at least six months while fundraising in the US, if you pass the final pitch of the Selection Stage.
Capable of securing your own visa and housing in the Bay Area (these may be arranged during the preparation period after acceptance).
Able to cover necessary expenses for the program independently. (as DelightX will not cover everything with its financial support).
Strong determination to found and lead a global-scale startup (Delaware C-Corp) as the owner.
Native-level proficiency in Japanese and functional English communication skills for conducting business.
<WANT>
Ability to prototype the product independently or within your founding team.
Strong interest in the advancement of AI in the Bay Area.
A concrete business idea you are eager to pursue.
Bring passion and grit!
<MUST>
Able to stay in San Francisco from April 2026 onwards and commit full-time entrepreneurial activities for at least six months while fundraising in the US, if you pass the final pitch of the Selection Stage.
Capable of securing your own visa and housing in the Bay Area (these may be arranged during the preparation period after acceptance).
Able to cover necessary expenses for the program independently. (as DelightX will not cover everything with its financial support).
Strong determination to found and lead a global-scale startup (Delaware C-Corp) as the owner.
Native-level proficiency in Japanese and functional English communication skills for conducting business.
<WANT>
Ability to prototype the product independently or within your founding team.
Strong interest in the advancement of AI in the Bay Area.
A concrete business idea you are eager to pursue.
Bring passion and grit!