APT Women: price, who can join and alternatives
APT Women is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's acceleration programme for women who are starting or scaling a business, with three months of lectures and mentoring and an overseas programme in New York and Singapore. Its 11th cohort kicked off on 11 September 2026, and its public events, such as the kick-off at Tokyo Innovation Base, are free to attend. Applicants must be based in, or expanding to, Tokyo.
APT Women at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Women who aim to start or grow a business | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Format | Three months of lectures and mentoring | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Eligibility | Women company representatives within 10 years of founding, or planning to start in Tokyo | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Location rule | Business must be based in, or expanding to, Tokyo | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Overseas | Overseas programme in New York and Singapore in January 2027 | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Delivery | The domestic programme runs online | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Recent activity | 11th cohort kick-off event on Friday 11 September 2026 | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Kick-off event | Free kick-off at Tokyo Innovation Base, 3-8-3 Marunouchi | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Price | Public events are free to attend | apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
Who it suits
- Women founders scaling a Tokyo-based business
- Founders eyeing New York or Singapore
- Women planning to start a business in Tokyo
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders based outside Tokyo with no plan to expand there
- Men, as it is a programme for women
- Anyone wanting a weekly in-person meetup
Alternatives to APT Women
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| Antler Japan | No fee; invests $150,000 (currency not named) for 10% plus a Safe | Apply online; fewer than 5% selected |
| Drinks With Founders Tokyo | Not published | Register on Luma |
| Founders Running Club Tokyo | Not published | RSVP on Meetup |
| Google for Startups Campus Tokyo | Not published | Request to join each event on Luma |
| HerRise (Startup Lady Japan) | Free (pre-registration, limited seats) | Register on Luma; host approval required |
| HN Tokyo | ¥1,500 at the door, includes one drink | Register free on Doorkeeper, pay cash at the door |
| Open Network Lab (Onlab) | Equity investment required for selected startups | Apply online for each batch |
| Shibuya Startup Support | Not published | Register on Luma |
Compare all 498 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about APT Women
- Who runs APT Women?
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
- Who can apply?
- Women company representatives within 10 years of founding, or women planning to start a business, whose business is based in or expanding to Tokyo.
- Is it in person?
- The domestic programme runs online, with in-person events such as the kick-off at Tokyo Innovation Base.
- When did the latest cohort start?
- The 11th cohort's kick-off event was on 11 September 2026.
- Website
- apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Apply for the annual cohort; events are free to attend
- Format
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government three-month acceleration programme, plus free public kick-off and pitch events
- Checked
APT Women isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check apt-women.metro.tokyo.lg.jp before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.