A Day in the Life of a Global Business Support (GBS) Concierge

08:00 AM 

Start of the working day at FGN, Fukuoka Growth Next, located near the city center. 

The facility is a prominent startup support center in Fukuoka, Japan, that was established to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative was launched in April 2017, utilizing the historic Daimyo Elementary School building, which dates back to 1929. This public-private partnership aims to transform Fukuoka into a leading startup hub by providing a conducive environment for emerging businesses. The origins of FGN can be traced back to 2012 when Fukuoka City’s Mayor, Soichiro Takashima, declared Fukuoka a “Startup City”.

Reflected on yesterday, prioritized today’s tasks, set clear goals, and visualized a successful day ahead.

09:00 AM

Go to 7-Eleven for a hot coffee. I’m more of a FamilyMart kind of person but there is only a 7-Eleven nearby in the Ritz-Carlton building. Did you know that the Ritz-Carlton just recently opened its doors last year and is the first Ritz in the Kyushu region?

09:30 AM

As I sip on my coffee and collect my thoughts, I ready myself for a busy day ahead full of meetings with startup entrepreneurs, site visitations from foreign dignitaries and city government officials and proofreading of business plans.

10:00 AM

GBS is officially open for business! In order to accommodate a wide variety of inquiries from a diverse set of entrepreneurs from around the world, GBS has official office hours, where regardless of day (other than the end of the year), we are open everyday of the week from 10:00 to 17:00. 

Entrepreneurs can drop in at any time, schedule permitting, and request our support. A majority of our inquiries are online based so you may at times see us with our headsets having online meetings throughout the day.

11:00 AM

First meeting with an entrepreneur from the USA who has already received the startup visa. 

The meeting was a face-to-face meeting with the applicant together with city government officials and a SME business plan specialist. 

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the applicants progress as well as to inquire as to any specific needs or requests.

As one of the National Strategic Special Zone Initiatives, Fukuoka City has been approved to implement the “Startup Visa (Entrepreneurial Incentives for Foreigners)” to incentivize foreigners to be business entrepreneurs in Fukuoka. Prerequisites for the “Business Manager” visa, which is required for foreigners intending to start a business in Japan, will be eased for foreigners who found his/her business in Fukuoka (National Strategic Special Zone). 

The applicant was progressing smoothly with his business plan, and has just recently received certification of incorporation. GBS not only supports entrepreneurs obtaining startup visas, but also helps navigate Japanese bureaucracy, such as filing for incorporation, which is a necessary step in the entrepreneurial process.

12:00 PM

Off to lunch! But before that, we had a walk-in from an entrepreneur from Thailand currently in Japan on a tourist visa. The entrepreneur already had a growing business in Bangkok, and was considering expanding to the Japanese market. After visiting various other cities, the prospect landed in Fukuoka and fell in love with the local food scene, high quality of life and dynamic startup ecosystem.

To be eligible for the startup visa, there are two main requirements:

1)　Providing proof of over 5 million yen, aka sufficient funds to live in Fukuoka as well as to establish and grow the intended business and;

2) Developing a business that would increase Fukuoka Citys international competitiveness and/or increase employment opportunities within the city in the following industries:

a)Knowledge Creating Industries (fintech, semi-conductor, software development, contents production, robotics, etc.

b) Health, Medical, Welfare Industries (drug discovery ventures, medical technology development, regenerative medicine, welfare equipment development, etc.)

c) Environment & Energy Industries (greentech, clean energy development, next generation power storage technology, global information systems, etc.)

d) Logistics Industries (global SCM services, 3PL service, international delivery, drone logistics development, etc. )

e) Trade Industries (businesses developing international sales for goods made in Fukuoka, industries utilizing the Port of Hakata and/or Fukuoka Airport, etc.)

After confirming that the entrepreneur had sufficient capital and was developing next generation front end hospitality management solutions using AI and AR/VR, we guided him through the application process, beginning with the required business plan submission.

The prospect indicated that he would begin the process immediately, and promptly left to enjoy some Tonkotsu Ramen, a Fukuoka delicacy, before heading to the airport to catch his plane back.

Startup visa applicants do not necessarily have to be in Japan to submit their documents.

We take information privacy and security seriously, and applicants are able to submit their documents to us via e-mail and or any other web related medium.

12:30 PM

After wrapping up the meeting, we can now go on our own lunch break.

Fukuoka is also very well known for its Udon, a traditional flour based noodle, with usually a simple fish-stock soup and Burdock Tempura. Locals usually also add some Tenkasu (tempura flakes) and Shichimi, a traditional 7 ingredient spice mix.

The dish is very appetizing yet easy going on the stomach and I highly recommend you check out some Udon restaurants while you are in Fukuoka!

1:30 PM

Some foreign dignitaries came to visit us! As the go-to international oriented team, we assist the city government when dignitaries such as ministers and ambassadors would like to visit our facility.

After taking them for a tour of the facility, we had a productive meeting thereafter and discussed possible collaboration opportunities. In order to foster further cooperation, it was decided to share information about each others startup program, deliberate cross-border support programs and joint event organization.

Fukuoka City has signed over 12 MoUs with partners around the world. Currently you can find our friends in over 12 different countries/regions and over 16 different partners.

2:45 PM

I headed to a local bank to assist a foreign entrepreneur, who entered Japan on a startup visa and just completed the incorporation, with opening a corporate bank account. GBS provides support for the procedures to ensure a smooth account setup.

4:00 PM

Upon returning from the local bank, the next task is to review a business plan for a startup visa application. While GBS will submit the application documents to the Fukuoka city government on behalf of the applicant, we conduct a review beforehand to provide feedback and allow the  applicant to refine the application if needed. We ensure that all details are consistent and check for any omissions. This is a focused period dedicated to thorough proofreading.

5:00 PM 

End of the day. After jotting down a few more last minute notes, I rushed out of the facility with fire on my tails! Have to head to the supermarket to do some shopping before heading home.

The closed Daimyo Elementary School, located in the bustling Tenjin area, was chosen for its central location and potential to attract a diverse range of startups.

FGN offers a range of services to support startups at various stages of development. These include hands-on programs, pitch contests, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities with major corporations. The facility has been instrumental in attracting over 400 startups, with a mission to cultivate future unicorn companies. Regular events, workshops, and seminars are held to facilitate networking and skill development for entrepreneurs.

The success of FGN has led to discussions about maintaining its current function beyond the initial temporary arrangement. The facility’s impact is significant, with increased investment and support from major companies and financial institutions. In fiscal year 2023 alone, FGN raised close to 30 billion yen, indicating strong confidence in its mission and activities.

Looking ahead, FGN continues to expand its support infrastructure. The planned second phase of the Tenjin Business Center, set for completion in 2026, will cater to startups in their middle and later growth phases. This expansion aims to solidify Fukuoka’s position as a world-class startup city, providing comprehensive support to help startups achieve sustainable growth and success on a global scale

There is no I in Fukuoka but there is a U!

Feel free to drop by anytime or shoot us a message. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on this exciting and wonderful journey.

Global Business Support

Opening hours:
Everyday 10:00-17:00 (Days closed: New Year’s holidays)

Location:
Fukuoka Growth Next 1F, Global Business Support
2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0041
*The entrance to Fukuoka Growth Next is on the south side of the building. As there is no on-site parking or bicycle parking available, we kindly ask that you utilize nearby parking facilities or bicycle parking areas.

Contact Information:
Tel: 070‐8406-7169
Mail: info@global-fgn.com