Okinawa's potential is not limited to tourism.
A prefecture consisting of 160 islands with diverse cultures, people, and a diverse nature.
Geographical potential as the southernmost tip of Japan and the gateway to Asia,
a place where numerous social issues and abundant power converge.
That is Okinawa!
The "Okinawa Startup Guide" is a general site for information on starting a business in Okinawa, created to help people who want to start their own business in Okinawa, and to maximize the potential of the land.
Let's create a new value, a future you have yet to see at Okinawa,
a blue ocean of business!
These founders are creating a wave of innovation in Okinawa based on their innovative ideas and technologies.
We asked these founders, who come from a variety of origins and backgrounds, about their stories of the past and the future.
Yukaze-Biomedical. Co., Ltd.
Kazumichi Nakahama, Masakaze Tani
TRUE BLUE (NPO On the Road)
Megumi Tamamura
FOOD REBORN Inc.
Etsuko Uda
Payke Inc.
Keisuke Furuta
Butterfly Pea Research Institute Inc.
Houlong Wang
Techvegetas Inc.
Yuichi Shingaki
Alpaca.Lab Co., Ltd.
IKuma Tanahara
Silk Renaissance Co., Ltd.
Masaharu Ito
HelloWorld Inc.
Hikaru Nonaka, Keisuke Tomita
StudyTree
Ami Maruoka
EF Polymer Co., Ltd.
Narayan Lal Garjhar
Thomas Technical Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Kenjin Fukutomi
HerLifeLab Co., Ltd.
Dr. Olga Elisseeva
Blue Mobility inc. ＆ Ryukyu Wellness inc.
Takanori Michihiro
LiLz Co., Ltd.
Keigo Ohnishi
GO Farm Inc.
Kyoko Washiashi
Project Name: SHIMA DENIM
Naoto Yamamoto
URAKATA Co., Ltd.
Shinya Yamada
Cyclaft （Salt Lab Ishigaki, Inc.）
Ken Fujimoto
HPC Okinawa CO.,Ltd
Masaki Ahagon
Stratup Count
Number of
Financed Startups
Financed Amount
Results for FY2022
Okinawa Prefecture, Putting Effort into Supporting Startups
Okinawa Prefecture has strongly promoted the "Okinawa Startup Ecosystem," which provides prompt support for startups in the prefecture. To strengthen this ecosystem, a consortium has also been established. Support has been strengthened in various aspects, including fundraising, acceleration, and matching support, and the startup scene in Okinawa has been steadily expanding in recent years.
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Know Okinawa is a blue ocean for startups! When compared to starting a business in an urban area or in another region, one can see the unique advantages of this location.
Participate Businesses are not just about getting started in your head. In addition to pitch events, where you can expect to gain cooperation and support from large established companies and increase your recognition during the startup phase, participate in a variety of programs to help you achieve growth from the seed stage.
Profit
There are a wide variety of support measures for startups, including subsidies and tax incentives offered by the national, prefectural, and local governments. Here we have compiled useful information and support measures.
Consult In Okinawa, there are establishments throughout the prefecture where you can receive free consultation and support before and after your start-up. If you have any questions or concerns, contact them first!
In recent years, coworking spaces and shared offices have been rapidly increasing in Okinawa! We introduce facilities that are useful for business, such as corporate registration, establishments where monthly contracts for dedicated office rooms are available, and events held at any time that are ideal for making connections.
Located in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa, TOYOPLA (Toyopla, hereafter referred to as TOYOPLA) is an incubation facility and coworking office operated by Kono Machi Design Inc.
Located in Nago City, in northern Okinawa, Nagonova (hereafter referred to as Nagonova) has been a hub of activity since its establishment in 2021.
Ryulab is a startup supporting facility for students in the University of the Ryukyus campus. It has co-working spaces and hosts events related to startups. It also creates networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and researchers within and outside the university. The collaborative space challenges and stimulates the next generation with excitement, ideas, and open innovation.
A workspace where you can focus well while relaxing is opening at Palette Kumoji in 2023!
C.O.L is a working space that is neither an office nor a home. New skills and possibilities are created by the "action" of going to meet people.
"Gwave", located in Ginowan City, is a home base for information where various possibilities and ideas resonate. It has three functions: a designer's cafe, an incubation office to support entrepreneurs, and a move-in space for IT companies.
Lagoon KOZA, a symbolic building of "Koza Startup Shopping Street," a sacred place for startups in Okinawa, is an entrepreneur support facility that accompanies entrepreneurs from startup to management and even sometimes during difficulties.
OIST Innovation Incubator is an incubation facility that supports R&D startups. It is operated by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and is equipped with shared offices and laboratories. Those companies that support startups can also move in.
"Startup Lab Lagoon NAHA" and "Startup One-Stop Center" are startup support facilities located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. They provide a full range of support for startups, including establishing, financing, and community connections.
It is conveniently located near the downtown area of Miyakojima. Its reasonable rates and unpretentious atmosphere are attractive. Recommended for use in the spare time between work and sightseeing.
It opened on Ishigaki Island in 2021. Attractive diverse facilities and reasonable prices, including large Japanese-style rooms and focus space with a private atmosphere.
The most popular coworking space in Okinawa, with six locations around the main island and one on Miyako Island.
If you are considering starting a business in Okinawa
or would like information about entrepreneurship,
please feel free to contact us.
