NEDO New Energy SME & Startup Support (新エネ中小・スタートアップ支援制度)
NEDO (Japan) · Cleantech R&D subsidy
$1MPhase A FS up to ¥10M (8/10), Phase B up to ¥50M (8/10), Phase C up to ¥150M (~$1M, 2/3); VC-linked α/β tracks up to ¥70M
Staged NEDO subsidies for Japanese SMEs and startups developing renewable-energy and related technologies, from feasibility study to practical R&D, including VC-linked tracks.
Key terms
- Japanese-registered SMEs/startups under the SME Basic Act meeting the taxable-income cap; NPOs and associations excluded
- Main R&D base must be in Japan; all joint applicants must be SMEs
- Fields: solar, wind, small hydro, biomass, renewable heat, hydrogen/fuel cells, batteries, EMS (nuclear excluded)
- New Market track (α/β) requires VC support/investment; subsidy rate 2/3
- Applications via Jgrants (GBizID needed, can take 2+ weeks); 2026 rounds closed 14 May and 7 Sep 2026
Eligibility
- Where
- Japan
- Stages
- pre-seed, seed, series-a, growth
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- No
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- Yes
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Renewable/new-energy technology
- SME definition and taxable-income cap
How to apply
Get a GBizID early, read the 公募要領 and submit through Jgrants during one of the yearly rounds (2026: Mar–May and Aug–Sep).
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- Twice-yearly rounds (2026 rounds closed; next expected spring 2027)
- Status
- Paused — next round TBA
Verified 2026-10 · source