Applicants must meet all of the criteria from ① through ⑫ below and be a startup with the potential to represent Tokyo(*1), equivalent to Series B stage or later.

① Technology for a Sustainable City:
The company must be a growth-stage startup with the potential to create innovation through outstanding technology and ideas, contributing to the realization of a sustainable city and enriching people’s lives on a global scale.

② Global Expansion:
The startup must have a proven track record or strong intent for global expansion.

③ Funding Requirements:
(3.1) The company must have raised funds within the past three years, with total funds to date of at least 2 billion yen, (including amounts from finalized but not yet publicly disclosed agreements.)
For listed companies, the company must be listed on the Growth Market(*2) and have a market capitalization of at least 5 billion yen.

(3.2) If the above (3.1) is not met, the startup must meet one of the following conditions as an unlisted company:
(a) The company must have raised total funding of at least 200 million yen to date (equivalent to Series A stage or later) and meet one of the following criteria:
・Is a university-based startup with particularly strong expectations for high future growth;
・Has a track record of fundraising from overseas VCs, CVCs, or equivalent institutions;
・Has received subsidies related to deep-tech startups, with at least 100 million yen granted per project;
・Has been selected for overseas expansion support programs implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government or has participated in overseas dispatch programs as part of Tokyo Metropolitan Government initiatives.
(b) Combined total of loans/subsidies and total funds raised to date must exceed 2 billion yen.
(c) Received strong recommendations from at least three nominators for exceptional growth potential.

④ Startup Age:
In principle, the company should not have been established for more than 15 years. However, companies that have exceeded 15 years since founding may also be eligible depending on their external funding status and other circumstances.

⑤ Tokyo-Based Operations:
The startup must conduct or plan to conduct business in Tokyo.

⑥ Compliance with Local Government Regulations:
The startup must not violate the provisions of Article 167-4 of the Enforcement Order of the Local Autonomy Act.

⑦ No Bankruptcy Proceedings:
The startup must not be undergoing corporate rehabilitation under the Corporate Reorganization Act.

⑧ No Civil Rehabilitation Proceedings:
The startup must not be undergoing civil rehabilitation under the Civil Rehabilitation Act.

⑨ No Prior Misconduct:
The startup must not have committed fraud or other misconduct in government or municipal projects in the last five years.

⑩ Exclusion of Organized Crime and Inappropriate Industries:
The startup must not be associated with organized crime groups or operate in industries deemed socially inappropriate, such as gambling or adult entertainment.

⑪ Exclusion of Fraudulent Business Practices:
The startup must not engage in practices such as pyramid schemes, negative option selling, or other unethical business models.

⑫ Socially Responsible Business:
The startup must not engage in activities deemed contrary to public order and morals or inappropriate for support.

Note 1: In this initiative, a “startup” is defined as a company that aims for high growth by addressing societal challenges with unique technologies or ideas, maintains managerial independence, and is not under the strong control of any specific company or group.
Note 2: Eligible listed companies must be listed on one of the following: Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market, TOKYO PRO Market, Nagoya Stock Exchange Next Market, Fukuoka Stock Exchange Q-Board, Fukuoka PRO Market, or Sapporo Stock Exchange Ambitious Market.