Hyderabad-based T-Hub, a leading startup incubator, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to strengthen innovation and startup collaboration between India and Japan.
T-Hub, which has supported over 2,000 startups through capital access, market linkages, and global ecosystem integration, will serve as a comprehensive access platform for Japanese startups, corporates, and investors seeking to enter and expand in India. At the same time, the partnership will help Indian startups pursue structured expansion pathways into Japan.
The collaboration will focus on key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, space and aerospace, defence, mobility, smart infrastructure, deeptech, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and advanced manufacturing under Industry 4.0, including Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.
Key initiatives under the partnership will include curated startup exchange programmes, corporate open-innovation engagements, market access enablement, regulatory guidance, ecosystem immersion, and investor connect platforms. The partnership was recently reinforced when students from Tongali Nagoya University and Shizuoka University participated in an immersive learning programme at T-Hub, reflecting the depth of ecosystem engagement between the two countries.
The collaboration builds on T-Hub’s long-standing association with Japanese companies, venture capital funds, bilateral organisations, and academic institutions. Last year, T-Hub partnered with Beyond Next Ventures to scale deep-tech ventures, advance Indo-Japan corporate integration, and establish a sustained cross-border ecosystem presence through its on-campus office at T-Hub.
The incubator has also worked with several leading Japanese corporations, including NEC Corporation, OKI Electric Industry, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Denso Corporation, Aisin Corporation, Nitto Denko, Panasonic, and Toyota Motor Corporation, along with academic institutions and government bodies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
T-Hub CEO Kavikrut said: “At T-Hub, we are driven by partnerships that create meaningful global pathways for startups building from India for the world. Our collaboration with JETRO builds on our sustained engagement with global markets, creating a structured platform for founders to access international opportunities, collaborate with industry leaders, and co-develop globally competitive technologies.”
JETRO Bengaluru director general Toshihiro Mizutani said: “We see immense opportunity for deeper collaboration between Japanese companies and Indian innovators. Through this partnership with T-Hub, JETRO Bengaluru will continue to strengthen Japan–India startup collaborations and expand structured support for startups exploring cross-border growth.”
He added that the partnership would enhance JETRO’s presence in Hyderabad and enable closer engagement with Telangana’s innovation ecosystem. “We look forward to leveraging this partnership to drive open innovation, create new business opportunities, and build long-term value for both countries,” he said.
The collaboration aligns with the broader India–Japan strategic partnership, which places strong emphasis on technology cooperation, integration of startup ecosystems, and innovation-led economic growth. It brings together India’s position as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with more than 100,000 recognised startups, and Japan’s R&D-intensive economy and advanced industrial capabilities to develop high-impact innovation corridors across deeptech and advanced manufacturing.