Canadian Government
Facilitated Market Entry and B2B Success through a Government-Backed Accelerator Program
Overview
When the Canadian Government launched its Japan Aging Tech Accelerator in partnership with Living Best, CarterIGNITE was brought in to support Canadian AgeTech ventures in entering the Japanese market. The goal: help companies understand Japan’s regulatory and cultural landscape while facilitating meaningful B2B connections with Japanese partners, clients, and investors.
The 12-week program began with a virtual component, where each participating venture received tailored mentorship on Japan-specific challenges, ranging from regulatory navigation and sales localization to IP protection. Educational sessions offered deep dives into the Japanese aging market, care system structures, and digital innovation trends.
This preparation culminated in a five-day in-market program in Tokyo, where we coordinated and facilitated high-impact B2B meetings, as well as a Demo Day that connected Canadian innovators with decision-makers from Japanese corporates, hospitals, insurers, and government initiatives.
Throughout the program, we provided hands-on support — from crafting meeting narratives and localizing pitch content to advising on partnership strategy and facilitating follow-up.
Results
Participants walked away with real traction: not just insight into the Japanese market, but tangible commercial leads and relationships. The program exceeded its KPIs by over 350%, a testament to the high engagement from both Japanese and Canadian stakeholders.
Several ventures are now engaged in pilot discussions, co-development talks, and partnership negotiations with Japanese companies, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration in one of the world’s most advanced aging societies.
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This program gave us the clarity and connections we needed to approach the Japanese market with confidence. The guidance on local business practices, combined with the opportunity to meet the right partners, was truly invaluable.
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