Shochiku Ventures Launches Game Accelerator 2025 to Empower Startups

Shochiku Ventures, a key investment arm of the historic Shochiku Group, has unveiled the Shochiku Game Accelerator 2025. This new initiative is designed to fuel innovative game-related startups and tech companies with up to $100,000 in non-equity funding to enhance their game development efforts and facilitate entry into the Japanese market or broaden their global influence.

The accelerator aims to foster collaboration between budding entrepreneurs and one of the titans of the Japanese entertainment sector. Leveraging the success of Shochiku's previously published games, like the critically acclaimed "MiSide," which boasts over 80,000 "overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam, the program will provide selected companies an opportunity to develop Proof of Concept (PoC) projects using existing Shochiku game titles.

Participants will not only receive financial support but will also gain the opportunity to network with top venture capital firms, game publishers, and other potential partners in Tokyo. This effort underlines Shochiku's commitment to expanding its portfolio beyond game development to include middleware, Software as a Service (SaaS), and infrastructure solutions that are crucial to the gaming ecosystem.

Takahiro Inoue, Managing Director at Shochiku Co., Ltd., emphasizes the company's aim to catalyze industry growth and innovation: "Shochiku's gaming business has seen rapid evolution since its inception last year, focusing significantly on indie game publishing. With the Shochiku Game Accelerator, we are excited to open our doors wider to companies that are shaping the future of gaming."

Applications are now open and will remain so until May 19, 2025, 11:59 PM JST / 02:59 AM UTC. For more details on how to apply, as well as the program's eligibility and requirements, please visit Shochiku Ventures' official website.