Shibuya Startup Support: price, who can join and alternatives
Shibuya Startup Support is a Shibuya City Office initiative to help international founders start and grow in Japan, including through its Startup Visa programme, which is run in English. It runs a weekly Snack & Connect for founders and operators and a monthly Growth Hub on building ventures in Japan. The next Snack & Connect is on 4 November 2026.
Shibuya Startup Support at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | International founders on their startup journey in Japan | shibuya-startup-support.jp |
| Positioning | Describes itself as the support system for founders in Shibuya | luma.com |
| Where | 1-29-3 Higashi, Shibuya City | shibuya-startup-support.jp |
| Format | Snack & Connect is a casual gathering for founders and operators | luma.com |
| Upcoming event | Weekly Snack & Connect on 4 November 2026 (date from Luma page code) | luma.com |
| Growth Hub | A monthly gathering on building and scaling ventures in Japan | luma.com |
| Recent activity | Growth Hub #18 with Coral Capital on 21 October 2026 (date from Luma page code) | luma.com |
| Startup Visa | The Startup Visa programme is conducted in English | shibuya-startup-support.jp |
| Support | Acts as a concierge for setting up and expanding in Shibuya | shibuya-startup-support.jp |
Who it suits
- International founders setting up a company in Japan
- Founders weighing Shibuya's Startup Visa
- Anyone wanting a casual weekly founders' catch-up in Shibuya
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders who aren't interested in Japan as a base
- People looking for a private peer group
- Founders based far from Shibuya
Alternatives to Shibuya Startup Support
| 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 |
| APT Women | Not published | Apply for the annual cohort; events are free to attend |
| 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 |
Compare all 498 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about Shibuya Startup Support
- Who runs Shibuya Startup Support?
- The Shibuya City Office.
- What events does it run?
- A weekly Snack & Connect for founders and operators, and Growth Hub, a monthly session on building and scaling ventures in Japan.
- Is the Startup Visa programme in English?
- Yes, the programme is conducted in English.
- When's the next event?
- Weekly Snack & Connect is listed for 4 November 2026.
- Website
- shibuya-startup-support.jp
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Register on Luma
- Format
- Shibuya City Office programme with weekly Snack & Connect and a monthly Growth Hub
- Checked
Shibuya Startup Support isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check shibuya-startup-support.jp before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.