This overview highlights the AI Startup Support Program by KDDI & Google AI Futures Fund, a joint investment and support initiative for AI startups in Japan. The program combines equity investment, AI infrastructure, technical and business guidance, and early access to Google DeepMind models to help Japanese AI-native startups develop and scale globally competitive products and services.
Program Overview
• Initiative: A joint investment and support program from KDDI Open Innovation Fund and Google AI Futures Fund for AI startups in Japan, with the goal of supporting the creation and growth of innovative next-generation AI services.
• Collaborating funds: Google AI Futures Fund is Google's investment initiative supporting companies building new AI products, while KDDI Open Innovation Fund is KDDI's corporate venture investment platform for startup investment and business co-creation.
• Purpose: To identify, invest in, and support promising AI-native startups in Japan through coordinated investment, infrastructure, technology access, and business support. Investments are made on a rolling basis according to the strength of each startup and its fit with the program's investment priorities.
What the Program Provides
• Funding: Up to $2 million in joint investment per startup from KDDI and Google.
• Early access to Google AI models: Selected companies can receive early access to advanced Google DeepMind models, including technologies such as Gemini, Gemma, Nano Banana, and Lyria.
• AI infrastructure: Support includes Google Cloud credits as well as access or trial opportunities involving sovereign Gemini infrastructure and GPU resources provided in Japan through KDDI's Osaka-Sakai Data Center. KDDI specifically references Gemini on Google Distributed Cloud (Gemini on GDC) and KDDI GPU Cloud. The official program pages do not specify a fixed $350,000 credit amount.
• Direct expert support: Participating teams can receive hands-on technical mentorship, business and go-to-market support from Google and KDDI experts, including researchers, engineers, product managers, designers, Google DeepMind, Google Labs, and other Google teams.
• Joint development: Selected startups may also gain opportunities for joint development and business collaboration with KDDI and Google-related teams.
Program Operators
• Google AI Futures Fund: Google's AI investment initiative supports companies building new AI products through capital, distribution and business-development support, and early access to Google DeepMind models.
• KDDI Open Innovation Fund: KDDI's corporate venture initiative has supported startups in Japan and internationally for approximately 15 years. The program's KDDI page states that it has invested in more than 170 companies and uses KDDI's businesses and services to support startup co-creation and commercialization.
• KDDI Open Innovation Fund additional focus: Through investment and business co-creation, KDDI seeks to help startups bring innovative technologies and services into practical use while creating new business value and supporting the growth of next-generation companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
• What is the AI Startup Support Program? The AI Startup Support Program is a joint initiative from Google AI Futures Fund and KDDI Open Innovation Fund designed to identify, invest in, and accelerate innovative AI-native startups in Japan. It combines equity investment, compute and cloud resources, technical and business support, and early access to advanced Google DeepMind AI models.
• What areas does the program focus on? The program focuses on five areas: the future of work, knowledge, software development, creativity, and entertainment.
• What support do selected startups receive? Selected startups may receive joint investment from Google AI Futures Fund and KDDI Open Innovation Fund, Google Cloud credits, access to AI and GPU infrastructure in Japan, early access to Google DeepMind models, and technical, business, and go-to-market support.
• What commitments do participants need to make? This is an equity-based investment program. Companies receiving investment are required to provide equity in exchange for capital and other program resources, with specific investment terms negotiated individually. Participants must also make meaningful use of Google's AI technology, although they are free to use other AI models and tools alongside Google's technologies.
• Who is eligible to apply? The program targets full-time founders and startups in Japan. Preference is given to startups with funding and commercial traction from Pre-seed through Series A, but the program considers founders and researchers with strong ideas and credible plans more broadly. Google's program page states that founders with startup ideas from Pre-seed through Series C+ may apply.
• When is the application deadline? There is no fixed application deadline. Applications are open on a rolling basis and companies may apply at any time.
• Is the use of Google AI required? Yes. Participants are expected to use Google AI models or Google's core AI stack in a materially meaningful way. This requirement is not exclusive, and startups may also use competing or complementary AI technologies.
• Do I need technical expertise? Applicants do not have to be technical founders or experts in Google AI. However, the program evaluates technical proficiency, team capabilities, and the ability to use AI effectively to turn the proposed vision into a successful product or business.
• Do I need a co-founder or team? A co-founder is not explicitly required, but team composition and completeness are considered during the evaluation process.
• What happens after I apply? KDDI and Google review applications against criteria related to the program's investment priorities. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or follow-up discussions before final investment and selection decisions are made.
• When will I find out if I am selected? Selection notifications are made on a rolling basis. KDDI's program page also notes that applicants began being contacted sequentially from September 2026 onward.
• Will unsuccessful applicants receive feedback? Applicants will be notified if they are not selected, but individualized feedback may not be available for every application.
In summary, the AI Startup Support Program by KDDI & Google AI Futures Fund provides selected AI startups in Japan with equity investment of up to $2 million per company, AI and cloud infrastructure, early access to Google DeepMind models, and hands-on technical and business support. Applications remain open on a rolling basis, with a preference for startups demonstrating commercial traction from Pre-seed through Series A while remaining open to a broader range of startup stages and ambitious founders.