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Innovation Dojo
Oxford Research-Backed Venture Studio Selected for Tokyo Metropolitan Government Support to Create Next-Generation Unicorns
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has selected the Black Belt Global Venture Studio under TOKYO SUTEAM（多様な主体によるスタートアップ支援展開事業). Black Belt is a partnership led by Joshua Flannery, Co-Founder and CEO, Innovation Dojo Japan, Itaru Ueda, Founder and Managing Director, Japan Tech Ventures, and Professor Paul X. McCarthy, Co-Founder, Science of Startups Initiative, University of Oxford, and Co-Founder and CEO of League of Scholars.
The program applies insights from Oxford’s Science of Startups within a venture studio model to systematically scout founders and technologies, build complementary teams, and accelerate Proof-of-concept and Minimum Viable Product development in collaboration with leading corporations and investors.
Research, led by Professor Paul X. McCarthy, from UNSW Sydney with Oxford Science of Startups co-founder Dr Fabian Braesemann, analysed 21,000 startups in more than 120 countries, including Japan, to pinpoint the factors most associated with success. The findings show that multi-founder teams with diverse and certain complementary personality traits are more than twice as likely to succeed. The foundation study in Nature’s Scientific Reports has exceeded 100,000 downloads, and the work has been covered by The Times, Forbes, and The Economist.
The initiative also represents market entry into Tokyo for Innovation Dojo Japan, which has supported 816 startups since being established in Kobe city. The company provides bilingual innovation professionals for domestic and international organisations operating in Japan's innovation ecosystem, and its founder, Flannery, has previously established the UNSW Sydney startup programs now widely recognised as Australia’s #1 entrepreneurial university, and led the Japan market entry for European venture studio firm Rainmaking famous for Startupbootcamp.
Running from October 2025 to February 2027, the Black Belt Studio will pair founder science with corporate pilots to transform these into investible new high growth businesses in Tokyo.
Program at a glance
- Black Belt Global Venture Studio is a new global partnership designed to support Tokyo’s ambitious vision to transform science-backed research into globally competitive startups with strong growth potential, by uniting universities, research institutes, investors, corporates, and government to accelerate commercialization and scale. This 10 x 10 x 10 vision involves creating ten times more global and unicorn-scale startups, expanding the startup base tenfold, and fostering ten times more collaborations across government, industry, and academia.
- When: Oct 2025 to Feb 2027
- What we do: Identify founder talent and business and technology innovation, assemble complementary teams using founder science, provide mentoring, and run corporate Proof of Concept (PoC) pilots that validate real-world performance, integration, and commercial value, then accelerate Minimum Viable Product development, partnerships, and company launches.
- Quotes:
Professor Paul X. McCarthy, UNSW Sydney and Co-Founder, Science of Startups Initiative, University of Oxford
“Our founder analytics, based on data and peer-reviewed research, will be applied throughout the venture studio process. This includes founder sourcing and selection, evidence-based team assembly, and identifying and connecting with the best possible global investors and corporate first customers. By bringing founder science into each phase, we reduce guesswork and give more world-class ideas the teams and partners they need to succeed.”
Joshua Flannery, Co-Founder and CEO, Innovation Dojo Japan
“Tokyo has the talent, the technology, and the corporate partners. This studio connects them faster, turning promising people and IP into tested MVPs and investable companies that can scale from Tokyo to the world.”
Itaru Ueda, Founder and Managing Director, Japan Tech Ventures
“We bridge startups and enterprises through practical, measurable pilots. PoC for us means real integration, real usage, and real evidence on performance, cost, and compliance. That evidence de-risks adoption and opens the door to strategic partnerships and investment.”
Media Contact:
Kanako Murase, Senior Program Manager, Innovation Dojo Japan LLC
kanako.murase@innovationdojo.com.au
About the Black Belt Studio Team
- About Innovation Dojo Japan
Innovation Dojo Japan is an Australia-founded, Japan-anchored global initiative led by seasoned innovators with deep experience in both high-growth startups and inside corporate giants. We leverage a unique whole-of-ecosystem approach - engaging talent, universities, corporates, VCs, and government - including our offer to embed our people into your team delivering people-first innovation as a trusted partner with a global perspective.
- About Japan Tech Ventures
Japan Tech Ventures is a Japan-based early-stage venture partner. We support startups with business expansion, capital readiness, and market entry, while working with corporates on investment vehicle design and open innovation programs aimed at new business creation. Through proof-of-concept projects, we connect both sides and help accelerate collaboration and growth.
Web: https://en.japantech.ventures/about
- About Science of Startups
Launched last year by Professor Paul X. McCarthy of UNSW Sydney and CEO League of Scholars and Dr Fabian Braesemann at the University of Oxford, the Science of Startups Lab advances evidence-based venture design grounded in a decade of research. We turn science-backed methods and metrics into practical tools that help founders, corporates, and investors make better decisions from idea to scale.
The Lab’s research analysed 21,000 startups across more than 120 countries, including Japan, and found that multi-founder teams with diverse and complementary personality traits are more than twice as likely to succeed. The foundation study in Nature Scientific Reports has been downloaded over 100,000 times and covered by The Times, Forbes, and The Economist.
Web: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/projects/the-science-of-startups-initiative/
Position Title
Junior Position / Project Coordinator
Purpose of the Role
Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.
With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:
- Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
- Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
- Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders
To support operations at our Kobe base and across Japan, we are seeking a coordinator who can provide cross-functional support across multiple projects. Working closely with the CEO, directors, and project managers, this role will help manage multiple parallel projects and serve as a core position supporting the company’s growth.
Responsibilities and Duties
In both Japanese and English, the successful candidate will work with internal stakeholders such as the CEO, directors, and managers to support and operate multiple projects, including:
- General project management support
- Project coordination through communication with clients
- Document preparation and deliverables under team guidance
- Assisting with coordination among staff and other stakeholders
- Email correspondence, presentation/report preparation, and data entry
- Scheduling and coordinating meetings
- Language support/translation as required
- Event and program operation support
- PR and promotional activities via social media and email
- Scheduling and logistical coordination for speakers and stakeholders
- Operational support across Kobe and the Kansai region (mainly Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe)
- Back-office support including office operations and document shipping
- Coordination with external specialists as required
- Proactively proposing and implementing operational efficiency improvements upon approval
Location, Compensation, and Benefits
Work Location
Kobe office (Chuo-ku, Kobe) or remote work
Working Hours
Assumed 40 hours per week
Salary
Determined based on experience and skills
Monthly salary range: JPY 280,000–380,000
Holidays and Leave
- Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
- Summer holidays
- New Year holidays
- Annual paid leave
Benefits
- Employment insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Employee pension insurance
- Health insurance
- Transportation allowance
Employment Type
Full-time employee with probation period (3 months)
Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications
Required
- Native-level Japanese and conversational English ability
- Approximately 2–5 years of professional work experience
Preferred
- Interest in building a career in the innovation and technology industry
- Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
- Experience in project coordination or administrative support (industry not specified)
- TOEIC score of 800 or equivalent English proficiency
- Basic PC skills (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace)
Position Title
Project Assistant (Assigned to Individual Projects)
Purpose of the Role
Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.
With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:
- Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
- Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
- Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders
We are seeking assistants to support the practical operations of specific projects (entrepreneurship development programs, startup incubation, business development and fundraising support, etc.) while working closely with designated project managers. This role is intended primarily for project-based outsourcing or part-time arrangements, with flexibility depending on the applicant’s expertise and availability.
Responsibilities and Duties
Under the direction of the assigned project manager, the successful candidate will support the following tasks related to their assigned project:
- Project progress management
- Schedule coordination, meeting minutes, and task management
- Document and design preparation
- Communication with clients, participating companies, and mentors
- Email correspondence and data entry/organization
- Language support/translation as required
- Event and workshop operation support (online/offline)
- Scheduling and logistical arrangements for speakers and participants
- Assistance with PR and promotional activities via social media and email
Location, Compensation, and Working Conditions
Work Location
Primarily remote work (attendance at events in the Kansai region may be required)
Preferably based in Kobe City or Hyogo Prefecture
Working Hours
Approx. 2–4 days per week / 4–8 hours per day depending on project requirements
Compensation
Hourly wage: JPY 1,400–2,000
(Determined based on experience and skills)
Contract Type
Independent contractor agreement or part-time employment (negotiable)
Contract Period
Until project completion (minimum 3 months, renewable)
Other
Remote communication will primarily use online tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace.
Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications
Required
- Native-level Japanese and conversational English ability
- Practical experience in project coordination and operations
(Any industry; may include administrative or management-related work but is not limited to those areas)
Preferred
- Interest in building a career in the innovation and technology industry
- Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
- Comfortable using online tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace
Position Title
Long-Term Intern
Purpose of the Role
Innovation Dojo Japan LLC is a globally focused innovation support company with team members based across Kansai (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe region), Tokyo, and Sydney, Australia.
With the goal of developing and supplying the most diversity-focused talent and technology ecosystem in Japan, we operate through a highly diverse team across the following three areas:
- Entrepreneurial talent development through joint programs with domestic and international universities
- Startup community management and support for foreign companies entering Japan in collaboration with government agencies
- Business development and fundraising support services through extensive networks with corporations, venture capital firms, and other stakeholders
We are seeking long-term interns who can contribute to our business operations while learning directly through hands-on experience. Rather than performing only routine administrative work, interns will participate in projects from the same perspective as employees, including research, document creation, event operations, and client support. This role offers valuable practical experience for students with strong interests in startups and global business.
Responsibilities and Duties
Under the guidance of assigned staff members, interns will support one or more of the following tasks in Japanese (and English where required):
- General project management support
- Research (overseas startups, industry trends, client company background research)
- Assistance with preparing materials, meeting minutes, and reports
- Event and program operation support
- Support for workshops and pitch events
- Assistance with PR and promotional activities via social media and email
- Article writing
- Event reports and interviews
- Proactively proposing and implementing operational efficiency improvements upon approval
Location, Compensation, and Working Conditions
Work Location
Primarily remote work (attendance at events in the Kansai region may be required)
Working Hours
Minimum 3 hours per day / minimum 2 days per week during weekdays between 10:00–18:00
Hourly Wage
JPY 1,200–1,400 per hour
(Negotiable depending on experience and skills)
Transportation
Full transportation reimbursement
Contract Type and Period
Paid internship (part-time/casual employment)
Minimum employment period: 3 months
(1-month probation period applies)
Start Date
Flexible / rolling basis
Required Skills, Experience, and Qualifications
Required
- Currently enrolled in a university or graduate school
(No restrictions on year level or major) - Conversational English ability
(Reading/writing skills preferred) - Motivated to learn proactively and take initiative
Preferred
- Native-level Japanese (not mandatory)
- Strong interest in innovation, technology, startups, and international business
- Interest in working with international colleagues and clients
- Basic PC skills (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace)
Application Method and Application Period (Common to All Positions)
If you are interested in any of the above positions, please send your resume and a brief self-introduction to the contact person below:
Recruitment manager japan@innovationdojo.com.au
Please include the position title in the email subject line
(example: “Application – Junior Position”).
Application deadline: July 15, 2026
We look forward to receiving your application.
Company Overview
Company Name
Innovation Dojo Japan LLC
Representative
Co-Founder & CEO: Joshua Flannery (Executive Officer)
Established
2021 (July 5, Reiwa 3)
Listing Status
Unlisted
Business Activities
Services business (entrepreneurship development and innovation support)
Address
4-1-14 Isogami-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
(Sannomiya Sky Building, 120 WORKPLACE KOBE)
Website
Innovation Dojo Japan was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2016 with the mission:
“Where ordinary people make extraordinary impacts.”
Since its establishment, the company has built experience and expertise around three core pillars:
- Entrepreneurial talent development
- Startup incubation
- Business development and fundraising support related to innovation
Moving forward, together with our mission and vision, we will continue leveraging our global connections to contribute to the growth and development of entrepreneurship and innovation.
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