Program Style
Venture Studio
Hands-on Startup Support
location
Tokyo – Japan
Product Demonstration
During Japan Fintech Week
24th Feb 2026
Main Partner:
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Ripple Labs
description
Web3 Salon and Asia Web3 Alliance Japan , in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Ripple , announced the launch of the Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) .
The program empowers Japanese startups to build regulated, enterprise-grade digital finance solutions on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) , reinforcing Japan’s leadership in compliant blockchain innovation and reflecting Ripple’s commitment to supporting developers through technical, business, and funding support.
This national acceleration initiative is designed to empower next-generation Web3 and FinTech startups , positioning Japan as a global leader in regulated digital finance and financial infrastructure innovation .
of Feb 2026
Demo
Day
The Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) is designed and operated as a venture studio–led program , providing startups with hands-on support from institutional partners and experienced mentors to build compliant, enterprise-ready solutions and effectively scale.
Institutional Partners
Program Vision
The Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) is a venture studio–led initiative that bridges enterprise technology, financial institutions, and government-supported ecosystems to provide startups with hands-on support in building commercially viable, regulation-aligned financial infrastructure for both the Japanese and global markets.
Through this venture studio model, the program is designed to:
Support startups with end-to-end venture building , from concept development to market-ready solutions
Enable direct collaboration with institutional partners , including banks, security firms, and enterprise technology leaders
Provide access to regulatory insight and policy-aligned guidance , supporting responsible innovation
Offer hands-on mentorship, technical support, and business development assistance
Deliver funding incentives and awards to accelerate product development and reduce early-stage risk
Prepare startups for enterprise pilots, institutional adoption, and long term scaling
Strengthen Japan's position as a global hub for digital finance and financial infrastructure innovation
Create sustainable growth by fostering scalable, compliant, and enterprise-ready ventures
Incentives & Awards
The Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP) offers structured incentives to support startups in accelerating product development and preparing for commercial deployment.
Selected teams will complete the program with a working prototype and gain access to funding rewards and scale-up opportunities designed to support continued growth.
Prize Pool & Awards
Total Prize Pool: USD $30,000
- Grand Prize: USD $10,000
- Funding Support Awards:
4 Runner-up Teams: USD $5,000 each
Scale-Up Opportunities
High-performing startups may also be considered for:- Fast-track access to Ripple’s grant ecosystem
- Entry into Web3 Salon’s Scale-Up Program
Program Structure
Official Launch & Call for Applications
- Application Period: December 19, 2025 – January 18, 2026
- Focus: Open call for startups and developers building solutions in regulated DeFi, enterprise FinTech, and next-generation financial infrastructure. Startups will be evaluated based on XRPL integration, utility, and market applicability.
(January –
February 2026)
Startup Selection & Hands-On Mentorship
During Phase 2, selected startups enter an intensive venture studio support phase focused on helping founders and their teams bring a live, working product to market before Demo Day.
Startups receive hands-on guidance through a combination of online sessions and in-person interactions, working closely with institutional partners, industry experts, and mentors. Support spans product development, technical architecture, compliance awareness, business strategy, and go-to-market execution.
Through direct collaboration with institutional partners, startups refine real-world use cases, validate enterprise requirements, and prepare their solutions for commercial deployment. The program ensures founders and teams are supported not only at the idea level, but through practical execution and delivery.
Outcome:
By the end of Phase 2, each selected startup is expected to present a live, production-ready prototype that demonstrates commercial viability and readiness for institutional engagement at Demo Day.
Date: February 24, 2026
Location: JETRO Tokyo Headquarters
Demo Day, Awards Ceremony & Industry Roundtable
Event Status: Official Certified Program Event of Japan FinTech Week
Phase 3 marks the culmination of the Japan Financial Infrastructure Innovation Program (JFIIP). Co-hosted by JETRO, the Demo Day will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, corporates, investors, and startup founders.
Selected startups will present their enterprise-ready solutions developed during the program, followed by:
Awards Ceremony recognizing excellence in innovation, scalability, and regulatory alignment
Closed-door Industry Roundtable focused on commercial deployment strategies, regulatory insights, and pathways for institutional adoption
This final phase provides startups with a high-level platform to engage directly with key decision-makers and advance toward real-world implementation.