Program · EIR
JAFCO EIR Program
JAFCO EIR Program is JAFCO's eir offering a safety net for aspiring entrepreneurs in Japan.
- Application state
- Not published
Overview
What JAFCO EIR Program offers
What JAFCO EIR Program is
The JAFCO EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) Program, branded as "First Leap," is a Japanese venture capital initiative designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs while providing portfolio companies with access to fresh entrepreneurial talent and innovative ideas. The program represents a partnership between JAFCO, one of Japan's leading venture capital firms, and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Participants are hired as EIR employees, receiving a salary and benefits, allowing them to develop and validate new business ideas while collaborating with JAFCO portfolio companies.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- EIR
- Host organization
- JAFCO
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Terms and economics
Published program terms
- Price
- Unknown
- Compensation
- Stipend
Compensation and economics
EIR participants receive a salary and benefits as full-time or part-time staff, providing essential financial stability during their entrepreneurial journey.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
The JAFCO EIR Program aims to address cultural and financial barriers to entrepreneurship in Japan by providing employment security during the validation phase, thus facilitating startup formation.
Eligibility
The program targets aspiring entrepreneurs with viable business ideas that align with portfolio company innovation needs and market opportunity.
Selection approach
While specific eligibility criteria are not detailed, the program targets aspiring entrepreneurs with viable business ideas that align with portfolio company innovation needs.
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- Hybrid
- Main location
- Japan
- Engagement
- Full Time
Delivery model
The program operates in a hybrid model, allowing for both in-person collaboration and remote work.
Participation expectations
Participants are engaged full-time or part-time as employees of JAFCO, allowing them to focus on business development.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Not published
- Admissions
- Unknown
Published timeline
The program was announced/launched in August 2022 as a METI demonstration project and is currently active.
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Participants benefit from a safety net structure that allows them to earn stable income, access corporate resources, and reduce personal financial risk while validating their business ideas.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
JAFCO EIR Program is published in Upseed as a eir program hosted by JAFCO. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.