Oxford Science Enterprises partners with Tokyu Land to connect Oxford spinouts with Japan’s innovation ecosystem

Partnership offers Oxford Deep Tech startups a launchpad into the Japanese market

Oxford, UK – 7 August 2025 – Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) today announces a new partnership with Tokyu Land Corporation (TLC) to join the SAKURA DEEPTECH SHIBUYA (SDS) accelerator programme in Tokyo as a global strategic partner.

The programme will fast-track market entry and connect cutting-edge technologies with strategic partners and business opportunities across Japan. As part of the partnership, spinouts from the University of Oxford will gain access to workspace, mentorship, and connections to Japan’s thriving innovation and investor networks, while OSE will provide coaching for the accelerator programme.

This initiative forms part of OSE’s broader strategy to build a global network of international launchpads – connecting Oxford’s high-growth companies with the markets, networks, customers and capital they need to commercialise across borders. Earlier this year, OSE joined forces with Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to co-build and co-invest in Health Tech ventures; the first joint investment, Neu Health, is now piloting its platform in the US.

These partnerships are designed as a two-way street: opening pathways for Oxford companies to scale globally while drawing international partners and investors back into Oxford’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

Ed Bussey, Chief Executive Officer at OSE, said:

“At Oxford Science Enterprises, we’re focused on scaling the most advanced science and technology innovations into companies tackling the world’s toughest challenges. With this partnership, we begin our engagement with Japan’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and create new opportunities for collaboration between Oxford-linked startups, Japanese industry, and government.”

The SDS programme, run by Scrum Studio in partnership with Tokyu Land Corporation, supports Deep Tech startups in fields like AI, robotics, and climate tech. Backed by a group of world-class mentors, the programme gives startups access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert guidance, and the resources of Tokyu Land’s Shibuya Sakura Stage innovation complex. Participating partners include professors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), NTT Docomo, NTT East, and other leading institutions looking to accelerate collaboration with frontier technology startups.

The programme, which kicked off in June 2025, began with the selection of ten Deep Tech startups from around the world. Over the course of six months, the programme will focus on facilitating each startup’s entry to the Japanese market and partnerships, receiving support from a global network of mentors, culminating in a ‘Demo Day’ in December.