In association with Tokyo Metro Government, the consulting firm will match corporate investors and startups based in the Japanese capital.

Swiss-French human resources firm Adecco’s Japanese subsidiary has joined forces with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for a corporate and startup matching service.

Created in 1985 as Adia Japan, the regional group eventually rebranded to its parent company’s name, Adecco, in 2004. The Japanese arm has already managed multiple projects for the country’s state agencies and local governments.

Formally known as the Matching support project between corporate venture capital investors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups (Business x Next x Tokyo), Adecco aims to revitalise the Tokyo ecosystem through the initiative.

CVC and open innovation-specialised consultants at Adecco will advise corporates on investment opportunities. Senior supervisor Fumhide Minagawa is part of the Adecco team that oversees the programme.

Adecco will also introduce strategically aligned CVCs to SMEs and startups for potential funding. Participating corporates will be eligible for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s proof-of-concept subsidy scheme.

Corporates and startups can apply to the programme throughout June, and a batch of CVCs will be determined next month. Selected entrepreneurs meanwhile will identify potential corporate partners in August, and Adecco will provide advisory services until February 2025.

Edison Fu

Edison Fu is a reporter and Asia liaison at Global Corporate Venturing.