Canada–Japan Keihanna Global Acceleration Program—Spring 2026

In order to participate in this initiative, Canadian participants must meet the following requirements:

• be an incorporated, profit-oriented SME in Canada (defined as having 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees)
• have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months prior to the Canadian registration deadline specified above
• have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada (on the company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees, by the Canadian registration deadline specified above
• pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
• have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets
• have the financial capacity (working capital, sales revenue, investment, etc.) and the operational capacity (personnel, expertise, resources, etc.) to undertake an international multi-year R&D collaboration while maintaining regular operations, and to subsequently commercialize the results
• be committed to significant growth through international market expansion

Preference may be given to SME applicants who meet the criteria below. If one or more criteria are unmet, a strong rationale must be provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) form for possible consideration:

• have a minimum of 10 full‑time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
• have commercialized one or more products domestically or internationally
• have more than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue
• have experience in the Japanese market