The eighth edition of Code Republic, an accelerator co-run by Japan-based internet company Yahoo Japan’s corporate venturing unit, YJ Capital, and venture capital firm East Ventures, began accepting applications today.
The four-month initiative was founded in 2016, and targets seed-stage startups that are developing data-driven projects and technologies that can disrupt existing social and industrial structures.
The latest call for submissions will be open until September 6, and the scheme will be held online from the following month. Each team will receive ¥7m ($67,000) of capital at the beginning of the program, which will also offer pitch events and mentoring from advisers including YJ Capital CEO Shinichiro Hori.
A demo day will take place on February 9, 2021, after which eligible startups will get further cash injection leading up to a series A round.
Code Republic has invested ¥1.01bn ($9.5m at current rates) in 23 companies, and its graduates have a 77% additional funding rate and an overall market capitalisation of roughly ¥16.2bn ($154m).
Corporate data aggregator Baseconnect, automated social sales software supplier ChatBook and Shippio, which provides cross-border logistics technology, are among the alumni that have garnered follow-on support form YJ Capital.
